It’s safe to say that we are in an era where quality walk-in showers are worth more than bathtubs. They sell better and tend to be valued higher in real-estate. The reason is that it’s a lot easier to fit affordable luxury into a shower. Bathtubs just aren’t an efficient way to design a bathroom.
If you’re looking to remodel, you might be wondering, “How much is a tub to shower conversion?” You won’t be surprised to learn that the answer depends on a lot of factors. Still, there is an average price range, and you have a lot of control over where your conversion will land in that range. According to Home Advisor, most conversions cost between $1,200 and $8,000. That said, pushing everything to the highest end and getting extremely creative with your custom options can drive that price even higher.
Let’s break down the most common and significant decisions you can make to alter the price of your new shower.
Location
The first issue is the location. Typically, you’re going to put the shower exactly where the tub was. This is to save you from having to reroute plumbing, which saves money. Still, the tub conversion could be part of a grander remodel. If you have to move plumbing, the price will go up by thousands of dollars pretty quickly.
Materials
This is your main cost determiner. You can get a prefabricated shower stall for around $700. It’s at the low end of the quality spectrum but there it is. On the other hand, you can import Italian marble for more than $1,000 a square foot. On average, quality materials for a custom shower will run between $1,200 and $3,000. Keep in mind that this doesn’t include labor.
Design
This is your other major cost determiner. How big is the shower? If it’s the same size as the removed tub, you can fit into the average range. If you’re expanding, the price climbs. If you want intricate tile work, it’s going to be harder to install and raise the price. The more you customize the design, the more it costs.
Others
Other small contributors are waste removal and labor. If you need the job rushed, you might have to pay premiums for overtime or late-night work. If you’re on a normal schedule, you can save money on labor costs. Fixtures and other fine details can affect the price too, but they are usually a smaller piece of the puzzle.
Ultimately, you have a ton of control over the price of your remodel. If you can find a shower that you love within your budget, the tub to shower conversion can improve your quality of life. It can also easily raise the value of the home by more than the cost of the shower. You just have to find what you like and go for it. One quick call to us, and we can get you started down that path.