Tub to shower conversion
Tub to Shower Conversion
Trade a tub you never use for a walk-in shower that gets used every day, waterproofed to last and, when you want it, fully step-free. We handle the design, the permit, and the build under one contract.
The promise
A tub to shower conversion waterproofed to last and priced before demo
A shower built where a tub used to be is only as good as what is behind the tile. You get a shower waterproofed as a system, a layout built around how you use it, a fixed number before demo, and one licensed team from the first walkthrough to the final punch list.
Why choose us
Why choose us for your tub to shower conversion
01
Waterproofed as a system
A shower built where a tub used to sit has to be waterproofed properly, or it fails. We build a sloped pan and a sealed membrane before any tile, in the exact spot the tub used to keep water off the wall.
02
Built for how you use it
A curbless or low-threshold entry, a bench, a niche, and solid backing for grab bars now or later. We design the shower around real daily use and long-term accessibility, not just the look.
03
An honest number, before demo
We itemize the conversion, set real allowances on the base, tile, and glass, and lock the number before demo, so the price you approve is the price you pay.
04
Permits and inspections handled
When the drain, plumbing, or electrical moves, the job needs a permit from your local building department. We prepare the submittal, pull the permit, and manage the inspections.
Why convert
Why homeowners convert a tub to a shower
There are a handful of reasons this is one of the most popular bathroom projects we do.
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Reclaim a tub you never use
Most people shower daily and use the tub a couple of times a year. Converting turns that wasted space into a shower you actually use every day.
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A bigger, better shower
A dedicated walk-in shower feels far roomier than a cramped tub and shower combo, with space for a bench, a niche, and a proper showerhead.
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Step-free accessibility
A curbless entry with grab-bar backing makes the bathroom safer to use for decades, whether for aging in place or limited mobility.
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Easier to clean
Frameless glass and large-format tile mean fewer grout lines, fewer crevices, and far less scrubbing than an old tub surround.
Quality
What a quality tub to shower conversion looks like
The difference between a conversion that lasts and one that leaks is almost all behind the tile.
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A real waterproofing system
A sloped pan and a bonded, sealed membrane behind the tile, not tile stuck straight onto backer board. This is what keeps water out of the wall and floor.
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Correct slope to the drain
The pan is sloped so every drop reaches the drain and nothing pools. On a curbless shower this is what keeps water inside the shower zone.
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A watertight curbless entry
Zero-threshold showers need a linear drain and precise slope to stay dry outside the shower. Done right, they are seamless; done wrong, they flood the floor.
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Blocking built into the walls
Solid backing set in the walls for grab bars, benches, and glass, so fixtures anchor into structure instead of tearing out of tile later.
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Niches and a bench, built in
Recessed niches and a tiled or floating bench designed into the shower from the start, not surface-mounted accessories added at the end.
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Glass fit to the opening
Frameless or semi-frameless glass measured and cut to your shower after it is built, for a clean fit and a finished look.
Types
Types of tub to shower conversion
Three common paths, from a simple swap to a full reconfigure. Which one fits depends on your bathroom and your goals.
Type 01
Standard walk-in
A curbed walk-in shower in the tub footprint.
- Tub removed, shower built
- Drain usually stays put
- Tile, base, and glass
Type 02
Curbless and accessible
A zero-threshold, step-free shower.
- Sloped, curbless pan
- Linear drain
- Grab-bar backing and bench
Type 03
Convert and reconfigure
Relocate plumbing and rework the room.
- Drain and supply moved
- Layout reworked
- Full tile and finishes
Cost drivers
What drives the cost of a tub to shower conversion
Rather than a headline price, here is what actually moves the number, so you know where your budget goes.
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Whether the drain moves
Keeping the existing drain is the cheapest path. Relocating it costs more, and moving it through a concrete slab costs more again than working from a crawlspace.
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Curbed or curbless
A curbless, zero-threshold shower needs a linear drain and a precisely sloped pan, which is more work than a standard curbed base.
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Tile and glass selections
Large-format tile, full-height tile, frameless glass, and multiple niches all add labor and material over a basic surround.
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Accessibility features
Benches, grab bars, handhelds, and a fully step-free entry add scope, though they are worth it when the goal is aging in place.
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What is behind the old tub
Rot, mold, or dated plumbing is common once the tub comes out. A good estimate carries a realistic allowance for what tends to turn up.
Permits and code
Tub to shower conversion permits and code in Washington
Whether a conversion needs a permit comes down to whether the plumbing moves. Either way, we build to code and handle the paperwork.
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When a permit is required
A like-for-like swap that keeps the drain in place is often minor, but moving the drain, plumbing, or electrical requires a permit. Your local building department has the final say, and we confirm it before demo.
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Shower code and waterproofing
Washington code covers pan slope, waterproofing, and bathroom ventilation. We build to it, which is also simply how a shower is built to last.
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Inspections, handled for you
Permitted work is inspected at set stages. We schedule and meet the inspector so the job keeps moving and passes without drama.
By city
Tub to shower conversion by city
Local permit offices, housing stock, and cost differ by city. Pick yours for the specifics.
FAQ
Tub to shower conversion FAQs
Do I need a permit to convert a tub to a shower?
It depends on the work. A straight swap that keeps the drain in place is often minor, but moving the drain, plumbing, or electrical needs a permit from your local building department. We confirm what applies and pull the permit on anything that requires one.
How much does a tub to shower conversion cost?
It comes down to whether the drain moves, whether you go curbless, your floor type, and the tile and glass you choose. Rather than a single figure, we price the conversion against your actual bathroom and lock the number before demo. Ask for a free written estimate.
Can you build a curbless or walk-in shower?
Yes. A curbless, zero-threshold shower is very doable with the right sloped pan, a linear drain, and proper waterproofing. We will tell you what your floor and drain allow before you commit to the look.
Will removing the tub hurt my resale value?
It can if it leaves the home with no bathtub at all, since many buyers and families want at least one. If this is your only tub, we will flag it so you can weigh it. If you have another tub, converting rarely hurts and a great walk-in shower usually helps.
How long does a conversion take?
A like-for-like conversion is quicker than a full bathroom remodel. Relocating the drain, going curbless, or adding a permit stretches the timeline. We put a schedule in writing before we start.
Which areas do you serve?
We convert tubs to showers across Bellevue, Seattle, and Kent, plus Kirkland, Sammamish, and the surrounding Eastside and King County area. Pick your city above for local permit and cost detail.
Ready when you are
Get a free tub to shower conversion estimate
Tell us about your bathroom and we will call within one business day, walk the space, and put a written estimate together with no pressure to sign.