How much does it cost to remove a bathtub and replace it with a walk-in shower?

In the Mid-South, most tub-to-shower conversions run about $9,000–$17,000. A basic prefab or acrylic surround sits at the lower end; a full tile walk-in shower, or an accessible curbless design, pushes toward the higher end.

Is a tub-to-shower conversion cheaper than a full remodel?

Usually, yes. A conversion is a targeted project that leaves the layout, vanity, and toilet in place, so it typically costs less than a full gut remodel ($14,000–$24,000+). If you also want new fixtures and finishes throughout, a full remodel may be the better value.

Does removing the only bathtub hurt resale value?

It depends on the home. If it's your only tub and the house is likely to attract families, keeping one bathtub somewhere in the home is worth considering. In a home with multiple bathrooms, converting a secondary or primary bath to a walk-in shower is often a strong, buyer-friendly upgrade.

How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?

Most conversions take about one to two weeks of on-site work, depending on whether it's a surround or tile, and whether any subfloor or plumbing repairs turn up after demolition.

FairBuild · Cost guide

Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost

Removing a bathtub and replacing it with a walk-in shower — real ranges and what moves them.

Converting a tub to a walk-in shower is the single most common bathroom project in the Mid-South. It's popular because it's a targeted upgrade: you replace the wet area without changing the room's layout.

Because the plumbing drain usually has to move from the tub position to the shower position, this is more involved than a simple swap — which is why pricing is best understood by scope, not by a flat 'per bathroom' number.

Typical Mid-South ranges

Basic surround

$9,000 – $13,000

Prefab or acrylic walk-in shower

Tile walk-in shower

$12,000 – $17,000

Full tile walls and pan

Accessible / curbless

$14,000 – $20,000+

Zero-entry, grab bars, larger footprint

Ranges assume a standard-size bathroom in the Mid-South. Your total shifts with size, finish, and site conditions.

What a tub-to-shower conversion includes

A conversion is more than pulling out a tub. A properly scoped project accounts for the demolition, the plumbing change, waterproofing, and the finished surfaces — the parts that protect the home long after the shower looks done.

Tub demolition and disposal
Relocating the drain from the tub to the shower position
A waterproofed shower pan or base
Wall tile or a surround system
Floor transition repair at the old tub footprint
Code-compliant electrical and an exhaust fan

What drives the cost

The biggest single factor is basic surround versus full tile. A prefab or acrylic surround installs faster and costs less; a tile shower adds materials and skilled labor for waterproofing, setting, and grouting.

After that, drain relocation, bathroom size, and any accessibility features (curbless entry, grab bars, a bench) move the number. Older homes can also surface subfloor or plumbing issues once the tub is out.

Removing the bathtub: why it's not just demolition

When you remove a bathtub, the drain sits in a different spot than a shower needs. Relocating it — often within the floor structure — is skilled plumbing work and a real line item, not an afterthought.

This is also the moment hidden conditions appear: moisture-damaged subfloor beneath an old tub is common in homes over 15 years old and is worth budgeting a contingency for.

See where your project lands in real Mid-South pricing.

Adjust scope, size, finish, and complexity for an itemized low-to-high range.

Open the cost calculator

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to remove a bathtub and replace it with a walk-in shower?: In the Mid-South, most tub-to-shower conversions run about $9,000–$17,000. A basic prefab or acrylic surround sits at the lower end; a full tile walk-in shower, or an accessible curbless design, pushes toward the higher end.
Is a tub-to-shower conversion cheaper than a full remodel?: Usually, yes. A conversion is a targeted project that leaves the layout, vanity, and toilet in place, so it typically costs less than a full gut remodel ($14,000–$24,000+). If you also want new fixtures and finishes throughout, a full remodel may be the better value.
Does removing the only bathtub hurt resale value?: It depends on the home. If it's your only tub and the house is likely to attract families, keeping one bathtub somewhere in the home is worth considering. In a home with multiple bathrooms, converting a secondary or primary bath to a walk-in shower is often a strong, buyer-friendly upgrade.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?: Most conversions take about one to two weeks of on-site work, depending on whether it's a surround or tile, and whether any subfloor or plumbing repairs turn up after demolition.