Cost guide · Bathroom
How Much Does a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in 2026?
Converting a tub to a shower typically costs $1,200 to $12,000. 2026 costs for prefab and tiled showers, glass doors, plumbing changes and curbless designs.
By the KitchenBathEstimates editorial team Published 7 min read
Converting a bathtub to a shower typically costs about $1,200 to $12,000. Fixr's 2026 data puts the range at $1,200 to $10,000, covering tub removal plus the new shower, and This Old House's 2026 guide gives $2,000 to $12,000. A prefab acrylic or fiberglass shower that fits the old tub's footprint sits at the low end. A custom tiled shower with frameless glass, or a curbless shower, lands at the top and can pass $15,000.
What moves the price most is what goes on the walls, whether the drain has to move, and how much glass you add. Here's how each of those adds up.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost by Shower Type
| Shower type | This Old House (2026) | Fixr | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prefab shower stall | $2,000–$6,000 | $2,000–$8,000 | Molded acrylic or fiberglass panels with a factory-made base |
| Walk-in shower | $5,000–$12,000 | About $8,000 on average | A low-entry shower built in the old tub alcove |
| Tiled shower | $6,000–$12,000 | $5,000–$20,000 | Custom tile walls, usually with a tiled floor |
| Curbless shower | $8,000–$15,000 | About $6,000 on average | No step at the entry; the floor slopes to the drain |
The ranges overlap because the same alcove can be finished many ways. Fixr estimates that a prefab shower costs about $5,000 less than a custom one on average, and This Old House notes that tile labor often costs more than the tile itself, while prefab panels go up in a fraction of the time.
The sources disagree most on curbless showers. Fixr says going curbless usually adds little to a standard installation, while This Old House prices it at $8,000 to $15,000 and lists subfloor work for the drainage slope as an added cost: several hundred dollars for minor repairs, $1,000 or more for extensive reinforcement. What's under your floor will largely decide which number you're closer to.
Prefab or Tiled Walls?
The wall system is the biggest material decision. Fixr's installed costs for a walk-in shower by surround material:
| Surround material | Installed cost (Fixr) |
|---|---|
| Acrylic | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Composite stone | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Solid surface | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Fiberglass | $4,000–$8,000 |
| Glass tile | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Ceramic tile | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Porcelain tile | $7,000–$14,000 |
| Natural stone | $6,000–$20,000 |
Labor makes up 40% to 60% of the total, according to Fixr, which works out to roughly $2,000 for a prefab shower and $4,800 for a custom one.
Our take: in a hall bath or a rental, a good acrylic or solid-surface system is hard to beat for the money, and with fewer grout lines there's less to clean. Tile earns its cost when you want a specific look, a built-in niche or bench, or a shower larger than the old tub. Our guide to shower wall options compares tile, acrylic and solid surface in more detail.
Demolition, Plumbing and Glass
These line items show up on most conversion bids. Fixr's glass prices are for the door or enclosure itself.
| Item | This Old House (2026) | Fixr |
|---|---|---|
| Tub removal and demolition | $300–$1,200 | $200–$1,000 |
| Moving the drain | $900–$1,100 | $200–$500 in labor to move drain and supply lines |
| New or upgraded shower valve | $700–$1,200 | Not listed |
| Framed glass door | $400–$1,200 | $300–$1,200 |
| Frameless glass door | $1,200–$3,000 | $900–$2,300 |
| Custom glass enclosure | $3,000 and up | $1,800–$5,000 |
| Grab bars | $150–$500 each | $85–$300 each |
| Shower seat or bench | $300–$800 for a fold-down seat | $100–$500 for a bench |
| Handheld showerhead | $100–$300 | Not listed |
| Permits | Not listed | $100–$500 |
Plumbing is where the two sources split widest, so ask every contractor to price it as its own line. This Old House adds that relocating supply lines adds $700 or more and that multiple plumbing changes can exceed $2,000. Removing a heavy cast-iron tub costs more than removing a steel or acrylic one.
Hidden conditions are common with this project. In This Old House's 2026 homeowner survey, nearly 70% of respondents ran into at least one hidden cost, most often structural repairs (38%), water damage (32%) or unplanned plumbing upgrades (29%).
Curbless and Accessible Conversions
Swapping a tub for a low-threshold or curbless shower is one of the most practical changes for aging in place, since it removes the high step over the tub wall. Add a handheld showerhead, a seat and properly anchored grab bars and the shower works for nearly anyone.
If the conversion is part of a whole-room accessibility remodel, budget for the room, not just the shower. The 2025 Cost vs. Value report prices a universal design remodel of a 5-by-7-foot bath at $42,183. That project replaces the tub with a curbless tiled shower with a fold-out seat, adjustable showerhead and thermostatic mixing valve, and adds a 36-inch zero-threshold door, a comfort-height toilet and radiant heat under a luxury vinyl floor. The report estimates it recoups 61% of its cost at resale.
Fixr suggests checking local programs for financial help with accessible conversions. Our guide to planning an aging-in-place bathroom covers clearances and features, and our walk-in shower ideas show what's possible in a standard tub alcove.
Ways to Save
- Stay in the tub's footprint. This Old House recommends it, and it keeps plumbing and framing changes to a minimum.
- Choose panels and a molded base. This Old House points to acrylic panels and molded pans as the budget route, and they go in faster than tile.
- Rethink the glass. This Old House suggests skipping custom glass, and Fixr suggests a curtain instead of a glass door.
- Pick one upgrade. This Old House suggests choosing one high-impact feature, such as a rain head or a niche, instead of several.
- Look behind the walls early. Inspecting before demolition and finalizing plans before work starts both reduce change orders.
- Hold a contingency. This Old House recommends setting aside 10% to 20% of the budget.
Think twice about removing the only tub
If this is the only bathtub in the house, consider who might live there next; buyers with young children may want one. A local real estate agent can tell you how buyers in your area see a home without a tub.
How to Get an Accurate Local Price
Decide on the basics before you ask for bids: prefab or tile, curb or curbless, door or curtain, and any accessibility features. Ask each contractor to inspect the walls and subfloor, and to list demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, the shower system, glass and permits as separate lines. This Old House says most professional conversions take three to seven days.
Check each contractor's license with your state licensing board and ask for a certificate of insurance; we don't verify these for you. Plumbing changes usually need a permit, and your local building department sets the rules. If the shower is part of a larger project, our bathroom remodel cost guide covers the rest of the room.
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Get Free EstimatesFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower?
This Old House puts a walk-in shower conversion at $5,000 to $12,000, and Fixr's average for replacing a tub with an alcove walk-in shower is about $8,000. A simple prefab unit can come in closer to $2,000, while a large custom tiled shower can cost much more.
Is a prefab shower cheaper than tile?
Yes. This Old House prices prefab shower stalls at $2,000 to $6,000 and tiled showers at $6,000 to $12,000, and Fixr estimates prefab saves about $5,000 on average compared with custom. Prefab also installs faster, which cuts labor.
How much does a curbless shower conversion cost?
This Old House puts curbless showers at $8,000 to $15,000, while Fixr puts the average around $6,000. This Old House notes that subfloor work to slope the floor to the drain can add several hundred dollars to $1,000 or more. A full universal design bathroom with a curbless shower is priced at $42,183 in the 2025 Cost vs. Value report.
How much does a glass shower door cost?
This Old House puts framed glass doors at $400 to $1,200 and frameless doors at $1,200 to $3,000. Fixr's figures for the door alone are $300 to $1,200 framed and $900 to $2,300 frameless. A shower curtain is the low-cost alternative.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
This Old House says professional conversions typically take three to seven days. Prefab panels install in a fraction of the time tile takes, so tiled showers usually land at the longer end.
Do I need a permit to convert a tub to a shower?
Often, especially if the drain, supply lines or valve change. Fixr puts permit costs at $100 to $500. Rules vary by city, so check with your local building department or ask your contractor who pulls the permit.
