Tub-to-Shower Conversion: Cost, Timeline & What to Expect

Converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower is the most common bathroom remodel we do. The reason is consistent across almost every client who calls us: they don't use the tub, the space feels wasted, and they want a shower they'll actually enjoy. The conversion delivers immediately — more usable space, easier cleaning, better access, and usually a significant visual upgrade over a builder-grade tub surround.

This guide covers real costs, what drives the price up or down, the actual construction timeline, and what to watch out for when getting quotes.

Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in Avondale

Here is what licensed tub-to-shower conversions typically run on our projects:

What Drives Cost Up or Down

Shower Wall System Choice

The wall covering is the biggest single cost variable. A solid surface panel system (like Swanstone or acrylic) installs faster and costs less than custom tile. Custom tile gives you infinite design flexibility and lasts longer but requires more skilled labor and takes more time. For a straight tub-to-shower conversion where budget is a priority, solid surface panels deliver a clean, waterproof result at a lower cost.

Curbless vs. Curbed Shower

A traditional curbed shower (with a threshold) can typically reuse the existing drain location with minimal subfloor work. A curbless or zero-threshold shower requires restructuring the subfloor to create the correct slope for a linear drain — typically $1,500–$3,000 in additional structural and plumbing work. Worth it for accessibility (ADA and aging in place design), but it's a real cost difference.

Hidden Conditions

Most Avondale homes are fairly young — the median home was built around 2002 — but a tub that has been in place for 20-plus years can still hide moisture damage at the wall base, a tired valve, or subfloor softened by a slow leak. Houses in the city's older neighborhoods, such as Old Town and Cashion, can also turn up old galvanized drain lines or framing that needs work when the tub comes out. We always include a provisional line for substrate repair in our estimates. Budget 10–15% contingency above your quoted price.

Timeline: What to Expect Week by Week

For a typical mid-range tub-to-shower conversion (tile walls, custom pan or shower base, frameless glass door):

Total: 3–5 weeks from project start to usable shower, with the glass door fabrication typically the longest wait. We schedule glass measurement after tile is complete so the measurement is off the finished surface.

If your conversion needs a City of Avondale permit, inspections fit into that schedule. The city inspects Monday through Thursday, requests made by 3 PM are booked for the next business day, and work has to be inspected before it’s covered — for a shower, that includes a pre-slope inspection and a shower liner test before tile. We request the inspections and plan the tile days around them. See our Avondale remodeling permits guide for details.

Should You Keep One Tub in the House?

If you have more than one bathroom, you're generally free to convert the secondary bath's tub without affecting resale value. If you have a single tub in the home, some real estate guidance suggests keeping it for families with young children. That matters in Avondale, a young city with a median age of about 33, where many likely buyers have kids. The usual answer is to keep a tub in the hall bath and convert the primary bathroom: a well-executed walk-in shower there is generally viewed as a value-add rather than a negative — especially with curbless design that also works for aging parents or anyone with limited mobility.

Our honest take: if you don't use the tub and you're staying 5+ years, convert it. The enjoyment of a shower you actually want to use every day outweighs the marginal resale concern, which varies significantly by buyer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert one tub to a shower and keep my other tub?

Absolutely — and that's the most common scenario. Most homeowners convert the primary bathroom tub while keeping the guest or hall bath tub for visitors or resale flexibility. The primary bath conversion gives you the daily experience upgrade where it matters most.

What's the difference between a shower pan and a tiled floor?

A shower pan (also called a shower base) is a prefabricated, single-piece floor — usually acrylic, fiberglass, or solid surface. It's faster to install and has no grout lines to maintain. A tiled shower floor is built in place with custom waterproofing and individual tile — more design flexibility, higher cost, more grout maintenance. Both are valid options; the right choice depends on your budget and aesthetic goals.

Does a tub-to-shower conversion require a permit in Avondale?

Often, because of the plumbing. Avondale's permit exemptions cover tiling and minor plumbing repairs, but not work that replaces or rearranges valves, pipes, or fixtures — which most conversions involve. We confirm during the estimate whether your project needs a City of Avondale permit, then pull it and handle the inspections, including the shower pan's pre-slope inspection and liner test, so it's nothing you need to manage yourself.

How long will I be without a shower?

During active tile installation you'll be without that shower for 3–7 days depending on scope. If you have a second bathroom, schedule accordingly. If it's your only shower, we can often stage work to minimize the interruption or discuss temporary arrangements.