Replacing a tub with a walk-in shower is a common bathroom upgrade. Prices vary widely, from affordable prefab surrounds to fully tiled, accessible systems. Cost to change a tub to a walk-in shower varies widely based on finishes, accessibility features, and whether plumbing must be relocated. This guide covers typical price ranges, cost drivers, and what affects the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Tub Removal | $300 | $900 | $2,000 | Accessibility and debris handling affect cost. |
| Shower Surround Materials | $600 | $2,500 | $6,000 | Prefabricated panels vs. full tile drives variance. |
| Plumbing Relocation & Drain Work | $500 | $2,500 | $7,500 | Drain reconfiguration and venting impact cost. |
| Waterproofing & Backer Board | $400 | $1,400 | $3,000 | Membrane vs. cement board choices matter. |
| Glass Enclosure & Doors | $400 | $1,800 | $4,000 | Framed vs. frameless doors affect price. |
| Fixtures & Valve | $600 | $1,800 | $4,000 | New valve, diverter, and trim add cost. |
| Labor & Installation | $1,200 | $3,500 | $8,000 | Labor hours vary by finish and layout. |
| Permits & Inspections | $100 | $350 | $800 | Local rules drive permit costs. |
| Delivery & Disposal | $60 | $300 | $900 | Debris removal and material delivery fees apply. |
| Contingency | $200 | $1,200 | $4,000 | Unforeseen issues or changes. |
Overview Of Costs
Typical project costs for tub-to-walk-in shower conversions generally fall in the $5,000 to $15,000 range on average across the United States. Lower-end options rely on prefab surrounds and simpler doors, while higher-end builds use full tile, curbless configurations, and enhanced accessibility features. Per-square-foot tile work can run from about $8 to $25 installed, depending on tile type and layout. The final price depends on plumbing moves, waterproofing, wall finish, and door design.
Cost Breakdown
The following breakdown outlines common cost components used to form a budget.
| Item | Materials | Labor | Permits | Delivery/Disposal | Contingency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demo & Tub Removal | $300-$1,000 | $150-$600 | Included | $50-$150 | $200-$500 |
| Shower Surround Materials | $600-$2,500 | $0-$600 | Varies by region | $0-$120 | $200-$1,000 |
| Plumbing Relocation & Drain | $400-$2,500 | $300-$1,800 | $0-$200 | $50-$200 | $200-$1,000 |
| Waterproofing & Backer Board | $400-$1,500 | $200-$900 | Included | $0-$100 | $100-$800 |
| Glass Enclosure & Doors | $400-$2,500 | $200-$1,000 | Included | $50-$200 | $100-$1,000 |
| Fixtures & Valve | $600-$2,500 | $150-$900 | Included | $0-$100 | $150-$1,000 |
| Labor & Installation | $0 | $1,200-$5,000 | Included | $0-$0 | $0-$2,000 |
| Delivery | $0-$100 | $0-$100 | Included | $0-$100 | $0-$50 |
What Drives Price
Accessibility features and finish choices significantly change overall cost.
- Shower type: Prefab acrylic or fiberglass surrounds are generally cheaper than full tile with ceramic or porcelain tiles. Tile work can add $2,000–$6,000 or more to the project, depending on square footage and tile quality. data-formula=”tile_area × tile_cost_per_sf”>
- Door design: Frameless glass doors with higher hardware costs can push the price higher by $1,000–$3,000 compared with framed doors.
- Curbless entry and accessibility: Building a zero-threshold, curbless shower often requires additional plumbing work, slope planning, and water containment, which raises both material and labor costs by $2,000–$8,000 or more.
- Drain relocation and venting: Moving a drain line or adding venting can add $500–$3,000 depending on distance and existing plumbing layout.
- Waterproofing quality: Premium membranes and heated floors increase material costs by several hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Factors That Affect Price
Regional market conditions and labor rates can materially alter final costs.
- Regional price differences: Urban markets and coastal regions typically have higher labor rates than rural areas, often by 10–25% or more.
- Labor and installation time: Tile-heavy jobs take longer; a tile surround may require 3–7 days of skilled work, while a prefab surround can be installed in 1–3 days.
- Permits, inspections, and codes: Some jurisdictions require permits for remodels involving plumbing changes, with variances by city or county (usually $100–$800).
- Hidden or contingencies: Unseen moisture damage, mold, or framing issues can add 5–20% to the project budget.
Regional Price Differences
Three U.S. market snapshots show how price deltas play out in practice.
- Northeast Urban: Higher labor rates and materials costs; remodels can exceed the national average by 15–25% for tile-focused builds and 10–20% for prefab surrounds.
- Midwest Suburban: Moderate costs with steady labor; tile installs tend to be around the national average, while prefab options may save more here.
- South & Mountain Rural: Lower overall rates; plumbing and permit costs vary; savings of roughly 5–15% on labor can occur, but tile-heavy upgrades may close the gap.
Assumptions: region, specs, labor hours. Assumptions: region, specs, labor hours.
Labor & Installation Time
Most tub-to-shower conversions require multiple days of work, with time driven by finish choice and bathroom layout.
- Prefab surrounds (acrylic/fiberglass) with standard doors: typically 1–3 days.
- Full tile with moisture barrier and niche features: commonly 4–7 days, depending on tile size and layout.
- Accessible, curbless designs with low thresholds and relocated plumbing: often 5–10 days due to added plumbing and testing.
- Hourly rates vary by region and trades: plumbers $70–$120/hour, tile installers $40–$90/hour, general contractors $60–$150/hour.
Span tag for quick reference: data-formula=”labor_hours × hourly_rate”>
Ways To Save
Smart budgeting can reduce costs without sacrificing safety or function.
- Choose a prefab shower surround instead of full tile; it’s typically $2,000–$6,000 cheaper for the same footprint.
- Keep plumbing footprint in place if possible; avoid moving major drain lines and vents.
- Limit custom tile work to practical areas like a shower niche or accent strip rather than full-wall tiling.
- Opt for a framed glass door and solid surface walls instead of frameless glass with multiple hardware upgrades.
- Bundle related tasks (demolition, new enclosure, fixtures) with a single contractor to reduce on-site coordination costs.
Real-World Pricing Examples
Assumptions: region, specs, labor hours.
Basic Scenario
- Specs: 36×60 inch alcove, prefab acrylic surround, framed shower door, standard faucet, no major plumbing moves.
- Labor hours: ~16–24 hours.
- Materials: $1,000–$2,000; Labor: $1,000–$2,000; Fixtures: $300–$800; Permits/Delivery: $100–$200.
- Estimated total: $3,000–$6,000.
Mid-Range Scenario
- Specs: 60×32 inch tile surround with ceramic tile, framed door, minor drain reconfiguration, basic accessibility features (grab bar).
- Labor hours: ~28–40 hours.
- Materials: $2,000–$4,000; Labor: $2,500–$5,500; Fixtures: $500–$1,200; Permits/Delivery: $150–$350.
- Estimated total: $7,000–$13,000.
Premium Scenario
- Specs: Curbless, 60–64 inch tile surround with large-format tiles, frameless glass door, heated flooring option, relocation of plumbing for a zero-threshold entry.
- Labor hours: ~60–120 hours (spread over several days).
- Materials: $5,000–$12,000; Labor: $6,000–$12,000; Fixtures: $1,000–$3,000; Permits/Delivery: $400–$1,000.
- Estimated total: $15,000–$28,000.
Assumptions: region, specs, labor hours.