Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost

Cost out a tub-to-shower conversion the way a contractor scopes it — tub removal, a new base, wall tile, the plumbing change, glass and labor — each line on your own prices.

Planning estimate: this is a planning estimate from the numbers you enter and standard reference quantities — not a bid or a contract. Get itemized written quotes from licensed contractors and confirm measurements before you commit.
Licensed pros & permits: Structural, electrical, plumbing and gas work must be done by licensed professionals and usually needs a building permit and inspection. Confirm scope, permits and code with your local building department before you start.

Calculator

$
$
sq ft
Perimeter × height of the surround.
$/sq ft
$
$
$
Estimated total$4,360.00
Wall tile$960.00 (80 sq ft × $12.00)
Base / pan + removal$750.00
Plumbing + glass + labor$2,650.00

Converting a tub to a walk-in shower adds up to about $4,360.00 from your line items. Moving the valve and drain is plumbing work — use a licensed pro and pull the permit.

Swapping a tub for a walk-in shower is one of the most popular bathroom updates, and its cost is best captured as a short worksheet rather than a single number. A conversion adds two lines a fresh build does not have: tearing out and hauling away the old tub, and moving the drain and valve to suit a shower.

Enter each line from your quote — removal, the new base, the wall tile (area × your price), the plumbing change, the glass and the labor. The tool totals them into a planning figure. Because moving water lines is licensed plumbing work, this page also carries the permit note below the calculator.

Formula

A straight sum of the conversion lines, with the tile priced by area:

tile_cost = tile_area × tile_price\ntotal     = tub_removal + new_base + tile_cost + plumbing + glass + labor

Get the wall tile area from the surround’s perimeter × height (the walk-in shower tool does that step for you).

Worked example

Take $250 to pull and haul the old tub, a $500 new base, 80 sq ft of wall tile at $12/sq ft (= $960), $450 to move the valve and drain, a $900 glass panel and $1,300 of labor.

The worksheet totals 250 + 500 + 960 + 450 + 900 + 1,300 = $4,360. Change any line to your own quoted figure and the total updates in step.

What a conversion adds

What makes a conversion different. The tub itself has to come out and go somewhere, and the drain sits in a different place for a shower than for a tub — so a conversion carries removal and plumbing lines a from-scratch shower build might not. Those two lines are also where a job can grow if old pipes need replacing once they are exposed.

Plumbing is licensed work. Relocating the drain and swapping the valve is not a cosmetic change; in most places it needs a permit, an inspection and a licensed plumber. Budget for that and confirm the scope with your building department before demolition starts — see the note above the calculator.

Base and tile. A prefab low-threshold or curbless pan speeds up the job; a fully tiled base costs more but matches the walls. Size the wall tile from the surround area and add a waste factor with the tile & cost tool. As always the glass line has a wide range — use your quoted figure.

Everything here is a planning estimate on the numbers you enter, not a bid. Collect itemized written quotes from licensed contractors and confirm measurements before you commit.

Reference table

The standard conversion checklist — price each on your own quote:

Tub removal & disposalPull out and haul away the old tub
New base / panPrefab low-threshold pan or tiled base
Wall tileSurround area × your $/sq ft
Plumbing (valve & drain)Relocate drain, swap valve — licensed work
Glass panel / doorFixed panel, framed door or enclosure
LaborDemolition, waterproofing, set and tile

Frequently asked questions

How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?
The worked example — removal, a new base, a tiled surround, the plumbing move, glass and labor — totals about $4,360. A basic prefab conversion can come in lower, and a large tiled walk-in with frameless glass runs higher. Enter your own quoted lines.
Do I need a permit to convert a tub to a shower?
Usually yes, because a conversion relocates the drain and changes the valve — that is plumbing work. Most jurisdictions require a permit, a licensed plumber and an inspection. Confirm with your local building department before you start.
Why is moving the drain such a big deal?
A tub drain and a shower drain sit in different spots, so a conversion nearly always means re-plumbing the drain and often the supply valve. It is the line most likely to grow if old or corroded pipe is found once the wall is open.
Is a conversion cheaper than a full bathroom remodel?
It is a smaller scope, so on its own it costs far less than gutting the whole room. If you are doing more at the same time, total everything with the bathroom remodel cost tool instead.
Can I keep costs down with a prefab base?
Yes — a prefab low-threshold or curbless pan is quicker and cheaper to set than a fully tiled mortar base, and it still gives you a clean walk-in. Enter the base price that matches what you plan to buy.

Related calculators

Walk-In Shower CostPrice a walk-in shower from the shower base, wall tile area, glass panel and labor at the prices you enter — a clear planning estimate, not a bid.Bathroom Tile Area & CostWork out bathroom tile area and cost from floor and wall measurements, add a waste factor, and price it at the dollars per square foot you enter.Bathroom Remodel CostEstimate your bathroom remodel cost from your own line items and labor rate, add a contingency buffer, and sanity-check contractor quotes before you commit.Tile Installation CostEstimate tile installation cost and how much to order: enter the area, choose a waste factor, and add your tile price and labor per square foot.