A tub-to-shower conversion takes out the old tub and puts in a low-entry shower. For many homeowners, the tall tub wall is the hardest part of bathing, and it gets harder each season. A conversion shortens that step and leaves room for grab bars, a bench, and a handheld sprayer.
Dryopened Walk-In Tubs is a referral service, and we do not do the work. We connect you with independent local providers in our network who handle the measuring, demolition, plumbing, and installation. You compare written quotes, ask your questions, and pick who to hire. Price the whole bathroom, not just the shower kit, and give yourself time to choose before a slip makes the choice for you.
The tub wall is the real hazard
Most bathroom falls start with one move: stepping over a tall, wet tub edge. If that step already makes you pause, a tub-to-shower conversion removes the climb. The tub comes out and a low-entry shower goes in. Many homeowners see it as a safe bathing conversion that costs less than a full remodel.
The first week: what changes and what doesn't
Not much changes on paper. You still lift one leg, balance on the other, and reach for a towel bar that was never made to hold your weight. People often start rushing or skipping baths. Those small habits are early signs. Asking for a quote this week takes a little time and commits you to nothing.
The first few months: how small risks add up
Over a season, the workarounds pile up. You ask for help, bathe only when someone is home, or wait until you feel steady. Meanwhile, material and labor prices tend to drift upward. A planned job lets you pick a month that suits you. A job after a fall rarely does.
Plan before the slip
After a fall, the timeline shrinks to days. You may have time to look at only one quote instead of three. A calm plan gives you room to compare written quotes, ask about materials, and fit the work around your calendar.
Is a conversion right for you?
A conversion tends to fit when:
- You mostly shower and rarely soak.
- Stepping over the tub wall is the hard part.
- You want handicap accessible showers that can adapt as your needs change.
- You have one bathroom and want a short, well-planned job.
It may not fit if you still love a long soak. Say so up front, so the provider can walk through the trade-offs with you.
Conversion options
Low-threshold shower pan
This is the most common route. A new pan sits where the tub was, with a short curb of an inch or two. It keeps costs moderate and still cuts the step a lot.
Zero-threshold entry
There is no curb at all. The floor slopes gently to a drain. It suits walkers and wheelchairs, but it usually needs more floor work, so it costs more.
Prefab surround or tile
Prefab walls go in faster and have fewer seams to clean. Tile gives a custom look and more design choices, but it takes longer and costs more.
What the conversion involves
The provider measures, checks the plumbing and the floor, and writes a quote. On the work days, the old tub is removed, the drain and valve are adjusted, and any soft subfloor is repaired. Then the pan and walls go in, along with any grab bars, bench, or handheld shower you ordered. Ask who handles permits.
How long does it take?
Many prefab conversions run a few days. Tile, curbless designs, or hidden repairs can stretch the job to a week or more. Custom glass and special-order parts add waiting time before work begins. Schedules vary by provider, so request a callback to check provider availability.
Glass door, fixed panel or curtain?
- Curtain: the most budget-friendly choice. It slides aside easily for a helper or a shower chair.
- Fixed panel: keeps most water in and has no door to swing. It works well with a seat or a wheelchair.
- Glass door: a tidy look, but hinges and tracks need cleaning, and a swinging door can get in the way.
Damp homes need extra care
In a long wet season, steady humidity can hide moisture in wood-frame walls and crawl spaces below the bathroom. Ask how the provider will check the subfloor and wall framing once the tub is out. Older craftsman houses may hold surprises behind the wall. Newer townhomes may have tight halls for moving materials. A fan that vents outdoors helps either way.
Make it easier for years ahead
Think about what you will want in five years. Solid blocking inside the walls for grab bars costs little while the walls are open. A fold-down seat, handheld shower, anti-scald valve, and non-slip floor are easier to add now than later. Also check that the entry is wide enough for a helper to stand beside you.
Price the whole bathroom
Compare written quotes line by line. Look for demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, walls, door, fixtures, haul-away, and permits. A low-looking quote may leave out items that show up later as extras. The biggest price drivers are shower size, tile, a curbless floor, plumbing moves, and repairs.
Questions to ask the installer
- Is the quote itemized and in writing?
- What happens if rot or a damaged subfloor turns up?
- Who pulls permits, and who hauls away the old tub?
- What warranty comes with the labor and the materials?
- Can blocking for grab bars be added now?
- How will the waterproofing be tested before the walls close?
How the referral works
Dryopened Walk-In Tubs does not do the work. We connect homeowners with independent local providers in our network, and you decide who to hire. Use the request form to ask for an estimate, then compare what comes back.
What's Included
Site Visit
The provider measures the bathroom, checks the plumbing and floor, and writes up an itemized quote.
Tub Removal and Prep
The old tub comes out, the drain and valve are adjusted, and any soft or damaged subfloor is repaired.
Pan, Walls and Plumbing
A low-entry pan and wall system go in, with the valve and drain connected and tested.
Grab Bars and Seats
Bars, benches, and handheld showers can be added while the walls are open.
What Tub-to-Shower Conversions Typically Cost
These are typical U.S. ranges, and your price depends on bathroom size, materials, and what the provider finds behind the tub. Treat them as a starting point, and get a written, itemized quote before you commit.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab shower insert swap | $2,500 – $6,000 | Fewer seams, shorter job |
| Low-threshold pan with tiled walls | $5,000 – $12,000 | Tile type drives most of the price |
| Curbless or zero-threshold entry | $8,000 – $20,000 | Needs floor and drain work |
| Glass door or fixed panel | $400 – $2,500 | Curtains cost far less |
| Grab bars, bench, handheld shower | $150 – $1,200 | Cheaper while walls are open |
| Subfloor or plumbing repairs | $500 – $4,000 | Only if problems are found |
How It Works
Share Your Goals
Tell us what feels hard about your tub and what you want from a shower.
Compare Written Quotes Calmly
A local provider can send itemized quotes so you can see how the price breaks down.
Choose Your Provider Yourself
You decide who to hire. Dryopened Walk-In Tubs only makes the introduction and does not do the work.
Schedule the Work
Agree on dates, permits, and materials in writing, then plan around the few days the bathroom is out of use.
Why Call Dryopened Walk-In Tubs
Plan Before the Slip
Time to compare quotes beats a rushed choice made after a fall.
Itemized Quotes
Written line items make it easier to see what drives the price and what is missing.
Independent Local Providers
Providers in our network know local homes, from older craftsman houses to newer townhomes.
No Pressure
You request an estimate with no obligation and choose who to hire.
Other Services
Need home tub-to-shower conversions in Everett?
Request a callback to check provider availability, or send a request describing your bathroom. A local provider in our network can follow up with options and a written quote.
No obligationHome Tub-to-Shower Conversions FAQ
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a shower?
Typical U.S. projects run from about $3,000 to $12,000 or more, depending on size, materials, plumbing changes, and whether the floor needs repair. Tile and curbless designs sit at the high end. Compare written, itemized quotes before you decide.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
Many prefab jobs take a few days. Tile, curbless entries, or hidden repairs can take a week or longer. Ask the provider for a written schedule.
Does insurance or Medicare pay for a tub-to-shower conversion?
Coverage is limited. Standard Medicare usually does not pay for bathroom remodels, and policies tend to cover sudden damage, not planned upgrades. Check your policy, and ask the provider what paperwork they can supply.
Tell us what happened
Request a callback to check provider availability, or send a request describing your bathroom. A local provider in our network can follow up with options and a written quote.
No obligation