Everyone knows that bathroom renovations are one of the most important home projects to consider when you’re upgrading your home. Whether it’s to improve your quality of life or upgrade the resale value of a residence, the benefits of a bathroom renovation are endless.
One feature that should get extra consideration is your bathtub. Yes, tubs can be nice, but in many cases, a shower can be more desirable — and it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of time and effort. In this blog, the bathroom renovation experts at Renotec discuss the benefits of a tub-to-shower conversion and whether it’s the right project for you.
Should I do a tub-to-shower conversion?
Tub-to-shower conversions are not for everyone. For example, if you have a family with young children, a bathtub is still needed for bathtime. A tub-to-shower conversion may also turn off prospective buyers with kids for the same reason.
However, tub-to-shower conversions are the perfect renovation project for a couple without children, a couple who’s transitioning to a home with no kids, or a couple approaching their golden years who may need to consider accessibility in the near future.
Average Cost of Bathtub to Shower Conversion
Are you thinking of a tub-to-shower conversion? Consider your budget. It typically costs anywhere between $2,500 to $10,000 to complete the project. Many factors go into determining the final cost such as features, size, fixtures, accessibility issues, and installation challenges. Going with higher-end materials, other luxury trends, or adding entirely new plumbing systems or doors can elevate the costs significantly.
Since 2020 and global supply chain issues, there has been an increased demand for many types of building materials. You may also experience longer than normal wait times for the delivery of your desired materials for your tub-to-shower renovation project.
What to Consider for a Tub-to-Shower Conversion
As mentioned before, the cost of converting a tub to a shower can depend on so many factors including removing the old tub, reconfiguring walls, plumbing issues, and the eventual cleanup.
But here’s a closer look at some of the factors you should consider when determining your budget.
Size
Do you have a bathroom that’s on the smaller side? Typically, the smaller the tub, the cheaper the shower conversion will be.
And while showers come in so many different sizes, if you decide to go with something custom or extra-large in format, then you are looking at an instantly inflated budget.
Materials Needed
A tub-to-shower conversion project’s final costs is heavily tied to the type of materials you plan to use in the construction.
For example, using stone or marble for your tiles will be significantly more expensive than opting for an acrylic or fiberglass composition.
Removing bathtub
If you have an old bathtub to remove and require extensive prep to remove walls and floors in advance of a shower installation, there will be additional costs.
That calculated cost takes into consideration the removal and disposal of your old tub as well as the repairing or cleaning of walls.
Repairs or replacements needed
A tub-to-shower conversion isn’t always a smooth process. Sometimes parts of walls or plumbing or fixtures may need to be replaced because they were damaged in the demolition or aren’t compatible with your new shower. The more repairs and replacement parts are needed, the more, and the more costs will be added to your project’s budget.
Incorporating accessibility features
Many homeowners who opt for a tub-to-shower conversion are doing so for accessibility reasons.
Whether you want to add a seat or shower bar, there will be extra costs associated with your renovation.
Upgrading features
Let’s say you want a higher-end tub-to-shower conversion including fancy shower fixtures, faucets, or doors, there will be an additional cost to the homeowner as this will inflate the overall cost of the project.
Cost of tub to shower conversion by type
If you decide to go with a tub-to-shower conversion, aside from aesthetic choices, there are several types of showers you can choose from, and work with your bathroom contractor to select the perfect shower for your home.
Walk in shower
The larger of the available showers, walk-in showers are usually the most expensive to install, costing anywhere between $2,500 and $4,000.
Curbless shower
A curbless shower offers greater accessibility in a bathroom. Prices begin at $4,500 and can go upwards of $8,500 depending on the materials used for your curbless shower.
Those with mobility issues will enjoy the additional space to move around and there are no barriers to entering the shower. This type of shower also has a lot of wall space available so you can install several accessible features like benches, grab bars, and movable shower heads.
Tiled shower
If you’re thinking of going with a tiled look for your shower, you’ll need to consider what material you want to get an accurate estimate of the price.
Typically, people spend about $6,000 to $10,000 creating a tiled shower.
Hire professionals or DIY?
While you can tackle a tub-to-shower conversion on your own, it’s best to hire a professional bathroom contractor to ensure the job is done right.
Bathroom pros like the ones at Renotec have years of experience working on tub-to-shower conversions and know how to work with your home’s other systems and structural makeup.
Contact Us
Are you ready to design and build the bathroom of your dreams? Renotec specializes in all types of tub-to-shower conversions, offering our clients the best service when it comes to bathroom renovation ideas for your shower stall, walk-in shower, tiled shower, or curbless shower.
We know everything about tub-to-shower conversion costs to help ensure your project is completed on time and within budget. So whether you’re thinking about a bathtub-to-shower conversion or any other bathroom renovation, trust the professionals at Renotec to bring your vision to life. Contact us today to book your free consultation.