Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost (2026 Guide)

How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?

A tub-to-shower conversion — sometimes searched as a bathtub-to-shower conversion, a walk-in shower installation, or simply a shower replacement — is the removal of an existing bathtub and installation of a shower in its place. It's popular for updating a dated bathroom and for improving accessibility. Nationally, total installed cost ranges $2,500 to $16,000, averaging around $6,000, depending on the shower system and how much plumbing and tile work is involved:

What's the cheapest way to convert a tub to a shower?

• DIY prefab shower kit (materials only): $350–$4,100, most $800–$2,500. Install the surround yourself and have a licensed plumber finish the drain and valve hookups so the work stays code-compliant — the single cheapest path to a finished shower.
• Professionally installed prefab acrylic/fiberglass kit: $2,500–$5,000. The cheapest fully installed, warrantied option; reuses your existing tub's footprint, so there's no framing or layout work.
• Acrylic kit with upgraded fixtures: $4,500–$7,500. Nicer finish and hardware, still fast, still no tile or grout.
• One-day franchise systems (Bath Fitter, Re-Bath and similar): roughly $1,200–$18,000 depending on the brand and scope — see the next section for how each one prices a job.
• Custom tile walk-in shower: $7,000–$15,000. The most design freedom and the most labor-intensive option.
• Curbless / barrier-free (accessible) shower: $8,000–$15,000+. The priciest option, because the floor has to be re-sloped, sometimes rebuilt, and waterproofed past the shower pan.

Tub-to-shower conversion options at a glance

One-day and franchise options: Bath Fitter, Re-Bath and similar

"One-day bath" or "one-day shower" franchises — Bath Fitter, Re-Bath, and regional competitors — install a custom-molded acrylic shower or tub liner over or in place of your existing tub, usually finishing the visible work in a day or two. Neither company publishes fixed prices online: both Bath Fitter and Re-Bath price each job after a free in-home (or virtual) consultation, once they've seen your bathroom's size, condition, and the products you choose.

Third-party cost trackers (HomeGuide) put Bath Fitter's tub-to-shower conversions at roughly $1,200–$9,500, with its overall projects averaging $3,000–$7,500. Re-Bath tends to run higher: about $5,000–$10,000 for a simple tub liner and $10,000–$18,000 to replace or convert a bath or shower outright, with installation typically taking 3–5 days versus Bath Fitter's 1–2. These are third-party estimates, not prices either company has published — get an in-home quote from more than one installer, franchise or independent, before deciding.

What affects tub-to-shower conversion cost?

• Shower material: prefab acrylic is cheapest; custom tile is the most expensive and labor-intensive.
• Size & layout changes: keeping the existing footprint is cheapest; expanding the shower adds cost.
• Plumbing: new valves, drains, and moving the drain for a curbless design add cost.
• Accessibility features: low or zero threshold, built-in bench, grab bars, and a handheld sprayer.
• Glass: a frameless glass enclosure costs more than a curtain or framed door.

Pro tip from our network contractors

If accessibility is the goal, invest in a true curbless entry and a linear drain. It's more work upfront, but it's what makes the shower genuinely safe to walk or roll into for years.

Converting a small tub to a walk-in shower

Most tubs sit in a standard 60-inch alcove, and converting that exact footprint into a shower is usually the cheapest path — no moved walls, no new framing. Reusing the existing footprint keeps a conversion in the $2,500–$8,000 range for most acrylic or mid-range tile jobs; expanding the shower beyond the tub's original footprint adds framing, tile, and glass cost on top.

The other cost driver is the entry. A standard curbed shower — a short lip that contains water — is the cheaper, simpler default and works in almost any bathroom. Going curbless (zero-threshold) instead adds real cost, because the floor has to slope roughly a quarter-inch per foot toward the drain, the subfloor is often recessed or built up to create that slope, and the waterproofing membrane has to extend past the shower onto the surrounding floor. This Old House prices a full curbless conversion at $8,000–$15,000; HomeGuide separately puts simpler barrier-free, ADA-style showers at $3,000–$6,000+. Either way, budget for more than a standard curbed conversion in the same footprint, and use an installer experienced with curbless waterproofing specifically.

Tub-to-shower conversion vs. walk-in tub

Both improve bathroom safety, but they suit different needs. A tub-to-shower conversion removes the step-over tub wall and is ideal for people who prefer to stand or use a bench and want a modern look. A walk-in tub keeps the ability to take a full seated bath with a low-threshold door. Showers are generally cheaper to install and quicker to use; walk-in tubs suit those who want to soak. If you're weighing a broader update, see our bathroom remodel cost guide.

How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?

A prefab conversion can often be completed in 1–3 days. A custom tile walk-in shower typically takes 1–2 weeks including demolition, waterproofing, tiling, curing, and glass installation. One-day franchise systems (Bath Fitter and similar) often finish the visible work in a single day, though Re-Bath's full bath-or-shower replacements typically run 3–5 days.

Does a tub-to-shower conversion add value?

In homes with multiple bathrooms, converting a secondary or primary bath to a modern walk-in shower is appealing to many buyers and supports aging in place. Keep at least one bathtub in the home if possible — some buyers (especially families) prefer having a tub option.