Cost guide

Tub to walk-in shower conversion cost

Taking out the tub and putting in a low-threshold shower is one of the most common safety upgrades.

By the Walk-In Tub Pricing editorial team · Last updated · How we research prices

A finished low-threshold walk-in shower with a fold-down seat and grab bars

Quick answer

Converting a tub to a shower costs $2,000 to $12,0001, according to This Old House's 2026 survey. HomeGuide puts it at $3,500 to $15,0002. A simple prefab stall is the low end. Tiled and curbless showers cost more.

Tub-to-shower conversion costs
ItemPlanning range
Prefabricated shower stall$2,000 to $6,0001
Walk-in shower$5,000 to $12,0001
Tiled shower$6,000 to $12,0001
Curbless (roll-in) shower$8,000 to $15,0001
Tub removal and disposal$300 to $1,2001
Move the drain line$900 to $1,1001
New or upgraded shower valve$700 to $1,2001
Fold-down seat, installed$300 to $8001
Grab bar, installed, each$150 to $5001

Planning estimates from the sources cited, not quotes. Your installer's written price is the only real number. How we build these ranges.

What drives the price

The shower type matters most. A one-piece or multi-piece prefab unit installs fastest. Tile takes more labor. A curbless shower, where the floor slopes to the drain with no step, often needs the floor recessed or rebuilt, which is why it costs the most.

Plumbing is the next factor. If the drain can stay where the tub drain was, costs stay down. Moving it adds $900 to $1,1001.

Safety features worth adding

  • A fold-down or built-in seat.
  • Grab bars at the entry and inside the shower.
  • A handheld shower on a slide bar.
  • A low or no threshold.
  • Slip-resistant flooring.

Shower or walk-in tub?

A conversion usually costs less than a walk-in tub and you don't wait inside while water fills and drains. A walk-in tub keeps the option of a deep, seated soak. Our comparison covers who each one suits.

Questions people ask

Does removing the only tub hurt resale value?
It can in homes where buyers expect at least one tub. If this is your only bathtub, ask a local real estate agent before you remove it.

Sources

  1. This Old House, Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost (2026-03-04). Accessed November 10, 2026.
  2. HomeGuide, Walk-In Tub Cost. Accessed November 10, 2026.

Every price on this page comes from these sources through our published rate card. We open each source before citing it.