Tub to Walk-In Shower: What a Conversion Involves in Phoenix

What a tub-to-shower conversion actually involves

We remove the tub, rework the drain and valve, rebuild the shower floor as a sloped and waterproofed pan, then tile the floor and walls. We build these as part of a bathroom remodel, so the shower, vanity, tile and lighting are designed together. Most guest baths run $12,000 to $18,000 and most primary baths $16,000 to $25,000.

Key takeaways

• A conversion is real construction: tub out, drain reworked, waterproofed pan, tiled walls — not a liner dropped over the old tub.
• Moving a drain or shower valve is plumbing work that usually needs a permit, which we pull and schedule inspections for.
• We build walk-in showers as part of a bathroom remodel, because the shower, tile, vanity and lighting only look right when they are designed at the same time.

Why do Phoenix homeowners give up the tub?

The most common reason we hear is simple: nobody in the house uses it. A second reason is planning ahead. Retirees across the Valley, and families getting a home ready for an aging parent, want a shower they can walk into without a step-over.

There is a design reason too. Pulling the tub usually frees enough floor area for a larger, brighter shower with a bench and proper storage. In a 1990s or 2000s Valley primary bath, that one change often makes the whole room feel current.

If you are weighing the whole room rather than one fixture, our bathroom remodeling page walks through what a full remodel covers.

Why we do not do one-day acrylic conversions

Quick "bath-fitter" style products slide an acrylic liner over the old tub or surround. It is fast, and it hides the original surfaces rather than replacing them.

We take a different approach. The tub comes out, the shower floor is rebuilt with a sloped and waterproofed pan, and the walls are tiled the way they would be in any full remodel. It takes longer than a one-day swap, and it lasts like the rest of your house. Our labor carries a two-year warranty.

Can the shower be completely curbless?

Often, yes. Most Valley homes sit on a concrete slab, so a curbless entry means either recessing the shower floor or using a low-profile pan. We confirm what is possible during the in-home measure, once we can see the drain location, the framing and the slab.

Where a fully curbless entry is not practical, a low-profile curb keeps the step to an inch or two. That is still a very different experience from climbing over a tub wall.

What goes into a shower built for the long term

The safety details work best when they are planned before the walls close up, not added afterwards.

• Blocking inside the walls, so grab bars can be fixed exactly where you need them
• A built-in bench or a fold-down seat
• A handheld shower on a slide bar, alongside the fixed head
• Slip-resistant floor tile and recessed niches at a reachable height
• Frameless or semi-frameless glass, or no door at all on a larger walk-in

None of this has to look clinical. Designed with the vanity and lighting, it reads as a better bathroom, not a medical fit-out.

Do you need a permit in the Phoenix area?

Moving a drain or a shower valve is plumbing work, and it typically requires a permit from your city — Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert or Tempe. We prepare the submission, coordinate plan review and schedule the inspections, so you are not managing the paperwork. Arizona's Registrar of Contractors is also where you can confirm any contractor's license before you sign; ours is ROC #350588.

HOAs rarely review interior bathroom work, though most set rules for contractor parking and work hours. Our permits and HOA approvals guide explains how both work across the Valley.

What does it cost, and how long does it take?

Because we build conversions as part of a bathroom remodel, the price follows the room: most guest and hall baths $12,000 to $18,000, and most primary baths $16,000 to $25,000. What moves the number is tile selection, glass, whether plumbing relocates, and the vanity and lighting you choose.

Every quote comes from me personally, after a free in-home consultation and measure. You get a written scope and a fixed price before anyone picks up a tool. Call for a quote on anything outside those ranges — we do not guess at numbers.

Ready to lose the tub? Book a free in-home consultation and we will measure, talk through options and price it in writing.

Frequently asked questions

Can any bathtub be converted to a walk-in shower?

Almost always. A standard tub footprint is usually large enough for a comfortable shower. We confirm the drain location, wall framing and slab during the in-home measure before committing to a layout.

Can you convert the tub without remodeling the rest of the bathroom?

No. We build walk-in showers as part of a bathroom remodel, because the shower, tile, vanity and lighting only look right when they are designed together. Most guest baths run $12,000 to $18,000 and most primary baths $16,000 to $25,000, and you get a written scope and price after a free in-home consultation.

Should we keep one tub in the house?

It is worth a conversation if you have young grandchildren or are thinking about resale. Many homeowners convert the primary bath and leave a tub in the guest or hall bath, which keeps both options open.

Where do you build walk-in showers?

Across the Phoenix metro, from our Tempe showroom — Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert. You can see the full list on our service areas page.

How do I know the shower is waterproofed properly?

The pan and walls are built and waterproofed before tile goes on, and the plumbing work is inspected under permit. Our project manager walks the stages with you, and the labor carries a two-year warranty.

If you are planning the whole room, start with our walk-in shower conversions in Phoenix page, then call us for a free consultation.