Short Answer
Tub to shower conversion costs anywhere from about $1,200 to $15,000 nationally. Several cost sites quote a $3,000 average, but HomeGuide’s project data puts the average at $7,000, and Home Depot quotes $8,000 to $12,000. In Houston, Repipe Solutions conversions run $4,000 to $9,500 with acrylic walls and $8,000 to $16,000 or more with custom tile.
Repipe Solutions is a licensed Houston plumbing company that handles tub-to-shower conversions from the drain up. This guide explains why online prices vary so much, what you actually pay for, and which plumbing work most cost guides leave out.
The wide range comes down to three things: the wall system you choose, whether the drain has to change, and whether the quote includes permits and plumbing at all. A low number online often describes a basic stall kit with no plumbing changes, which is rarely what a real conversion involves.
What Do Tub to Shower Conversions Cost Nationally?
| Source | Average | Range |
|---|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor (June 2026) | $3,000 | $1,200 – $15,000 |
| Fixr (January 2025) | $4,000 | $1,200 – $10,000 |
| HomeGuide (July 2025) | $7,000 | $2,000 – $12,000 |
| This Old House (March 2026) | Not stated | $2,000 – $12,000 |
| Home Depot (installer) | Not stated | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Repipe Solutions (Houston) | – | $4,000 – $9,500 acrylic walls; $8,000 – $16,000+ custom tile |
HomeGuide’s $7,000 average is based on 81 member-reported projects, which makes it a better reality check than the widely repeated $3,000 figure. Home Depot’s $8,000 to $12,000 range is for its own installed conversions, materials and labor included.
What Does Each Type of Shower Cost?
The wall system is the biggest choice you make. National figures for the shower itself, before plumbing changes:
| Shower Type | Typical Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab stall (fiberglass or acrylic) | $1,000 – $8,000 installed | HomeGuide |
| Solid surface walls | $2,000 – $8,000 | Fixr |
| Ceramic tile shower | $6,000 – $12,000 | Fixr |
| Tiled walk-in shower | $3,500 – $15,000 | HomeGuide |
| Curbless shower | $8,000 – $15,000 | This Old House |
Labor is a large share of the bill. HomeAdvisor puts labor at 40% to 60% of the total, and Modernize estimates 63%.
What Plumbing Work Does a Conversion Need?
This is where cheap quotes and real quotes split. A bathtub drains through a 1½-inch drain, while code requires a 2-inch drain for a shower. A proper conversion upsizes the drain, and often the valve changes too because the tub spout goes away.
| Plumbing Item | National Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Drain relocation | $900 – $1,100 | This Old House |
| Shower valve install or upgrade | $700 – $1,200 | This Old House |
| Supply line relocation | $700 and up | This Old House |
| Slab drain relocation (Houston) | $1,500 – $3,500 | Repipe Solutions |
The national drain figures assume pipes that can be reached from a crawlspace or between floor joists. On a slab foundation, the drain sits under concrete, so upsizing or moving it means saw-cutting the slab, re-routing the drain and trap, and repouring. That concrete work is why a slab drain relocation costs more than the national numbers suggest.
The shower base also has to line up with the drain. HomeGuide advises confirming that the pan’s drain position matches the existing tub drain, since a base with a centered drain over an end drain means moving plumbing.
What Other Costs Should You Budget For?
- Tub removal and disposal: $300 to $1,200, according to This Old House.
- Glass door: $400 to $1,200 framed or $1,200 to $3,000 frameless, also per This Old House.
- Permit: national estimates vary widely, from $30 to $400 at HomeGuide to $200 to $2,000 at HomeAdvisor.
- Grab bars: $150 to $500 each installed, per This Old House.
- A contingency: This Old House recommends setting aside 10% to 20% of the budget.
That contingency matters. In a January 2026 This Old House survey, 70% of tub-to-shower projects ran into unexpected expenses, most often structural repairs, water damage behind the old tub, and unplanned plumbing upgrades.
When Does a Tub to Shower Conversion Need a Permit?
Yes, whenever the drain or supply plumbing changes, which it nearly always does in a real conversion. That work needs a plumbing permit in Houston and most surrounding cities. Houston has used the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code since January 2, 2024, so the inspector checks the new drain and valve against that code. An unpermitted conversion can surface as a problem when you sell.
How Long Does a Tub to Shower Conversion Take?
National estimates range from 1 to 3 days for a simple stall (HomeAdvisor) to 1 to 2 weeks or more for custom work (Fixr). With Repipe Solutions, an acrylic-wall conversion with no drain relocation takes 2 to 4 days, and custom tile with slab work takes 5 to 8 working days, because waterproofing, thinset, and grout need time to cure.
Is There a Cheaper Alternative to a Full Conversion?
If the main goal is getting in and out safely, a tub cut-out may be enough. A section of the tub’s front wall is cut away and fitted with a waterproof insert, leaving a low step. The tub, drain, valve, and walls stay where they are.
- HomeGuide puts tub cut conversions at $800 to $1,800 on average.
- TubcuT lists its installed systems at $1,200 to $2,000.
A cut-out is not a true shower, but it avoids drain work and keeps the tub in the house.
Does Converting a Tub to a Shower Affect Resale Value?
It depends on whether another tub remains. Fixr advises that if you only have one bathtub, “you should consider leaving it in place to avoid taking a hit to your home value.” Appraisers generally advise keeping at least one bathtub in the house, while converting a second bath is usually a value-add.
What Is Included in a Repipe Solutions Conversion Quote?
Every conversion starts with a free in-home quote, with no trip charge. We measure, locate the drain and valve, and confirm whether the tub sits on a slab or a framed floor, because that decides what the drain work costs. The quote covers the wall system, the drain upsizing, the valve, the permit, and the inspection.
| Repipe Solutions Houston Pricing | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Conversion with acrylic walls | $4,000 – $9,500 |
| Conversion with custom tile | $8,000 – $16,000+ |
| Slab drain relocation (add-on) | $1,500 – $3,500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower?
HomeGuide puts a tiled walk-in shower at $3,500 to $15,000, and This Old House puts walk-in conversions at $5,000 to $12,000. Curbless designs cost more, about $8,000 to $15,000.
Why do online tub to shower conversion prices vary so much?
Low figures usually describe a basic stall kit with no plumbing changes. Real conversions often include drain upsizing, a new valve, a permit, and, on a slab, concrete work, which push the price up.
Do you have to change the drain when converting a tub to a shower?
Usually. A tub uses a 1½-inch drain and a shower needs a 2-inch drain, so the drain is upsized, and it may also need to move to line up with the new shower base.
Is it cheaper to keep the tub and add a cut-out?
Yes. HomeGuide puts tub cut conversions at $800 to $1,800, compared with several thousand dollars for a full conversion, though a cut-out does not create a true walk-in shower.
How long does a tub to shower conversion take?
Simple stall installs can take a few days, while custom tile takes longer. With Repipe Solutions, acrylic-wall conversions take 2 to 4 days and custom tile with slab work takes 5 to 8 working days.
Thinking About Converting Your Tub?
Repipe Solutions handles tub-to-shower conversions across Greater Houston, including the drain, valve, permit, and inspection. See our tub-to-shower conversion services in Houston or contact Repipe Solutions for a free in-home quote.
Featured photo: “Tiled walk-in shower with glass panel” by andrechinn via Openverse, licensed under CC BY 2.0, converted to WebP.