Walk-In Shower vs. Bathtub: Pros, Cons & Resale Value

"Should I convert my tub to a walk-in shower?" is one of the most common questions we hear in bathroom remodels. The answer depends on your household, how you use your bathrooms, and what buyers in Avondale are looking for. Here's how to think through it.

The Resale Value Question

The most-asked-about issue is resale. The conventional wisdom used to be that removing the only tub in a home hurts resale. That's still true — but with nuance.

When Removing a Tub Hurts Resale

If your home has only one bathroom, or if the home you're remodeling is the only bathroom with a tub, many buyers — especially families with young children — will pass on the home or offer less. National Association of Realtors data consistently shows that homes with at least one tub sell faster and at closer-to-list-price than homes with zero tubs. The key phrase is "at least one."

When a Walk-In Shower Is Fine for Resale

If your home has at least one other bathroom that retains a tub, converting the primary bathroom to a walk-in shower is typically neutral or positive for resale. Primary bathrooms are increasingly shower-dominant. Couples without young children at home, and anyone who plans to stay in the house as they get older, often prefer a large walk-in shower over a bathtub in the primary suite.

Avondale Demographics Matter

Avondale is a young city. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey puts the median age at about 33, and roughly 62% of homes are owner-occupied. A young, family-heavy market means many of the people who will tour your home someday will have small children, and for them at least one bathtub in the house is close to a must-have. That makes the safe resale play here a walk-in shower in the primary bath and a tub kept in a hall or secondary bath.

None of that cancels the case for a walk-in shower. If you plan to age in place, if someone in the home has limited mobility, or if you just want easier daily use, a curbless or low-threshold design is the right call. Barrier-free showers eliminate the step-over that causes falls, and that matters to you long before it matters to a buyer.

The Case for Keeping a Tub

If you use your tub — regularly for soaking, for bathing children, or for therapeutic purposes — keep it. A great tub that you use regularly is worth more than a shower you'd marginally prefer. The question "what will buyers want?" only matters when you're selling. Until then, what you want matters most.

If you love soaking baths and want the space efficiency of a walk-in shower, the best solution is often a freestanding soaking tub in the primary bath alongside a separate walk-in shower — which delivers both without compromise when the bathroom has room for it.

What a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Costs

Converting an alcove tub to a walk-in shower in the same footprint typically runs $10,000–$22,000 at Infinity Kitchens and Baths, including demo of the tub, new shower pan or liner, tile or solid-surface walls, frameless glass enclosure, new fixtures, and associated plumbing. The exact cost depends on tile choice, glass configuration, and whether curbed or curbless. See our detailed walk-in shower cost guide for a full breakdown.

Permits are part of the job. In Avondale, a conversion that replaces the valve or moves the drain is plumbing work, which needs a City of Avondale permit, and a new shower pan is inspected at the pre-slope stage and again with a shower liner test before any tile goes on. We pull the permit and schedule those inspections for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I remove the tub in my primary bathroom?

Only if your home has at least one other bathroom with a tub, you personally don't use baths, and you want the convenience and accessibility of a walk-in shower. If you're the last tub in the house, think carefully — or consider keeping a compact soaking tub alongside the shower.

Can I convert a tub to a shower without a complete bathroom remodel?

Yes. A tub-to-shower conversion can be done as a standalone project — the existing plumbing lines are typically in the right location, minimizing rough-in work. You can get a new walk-in shower without touching the vanity, toilet, or floor outside the shower area. We often do these as focused projects in 1–2 weeks.

What's the minimum shower size?

IRC code requires a minimum 30"x30" shower interior, but that's uncomfortable. A 36"x36" is workable; 36"x48" is comfortable for most people. 48"x48" is considered spa-like. In the footprint of a standard 5-foot alcove tub, you have 30"x60" to work with — enough for a comfortable 36"x48" shower with some room for a bench or niche.

Is a curbless shower easier to clean?

Yes. Without a curb to step over, there's no corner where mold and soap scum accumulate. A curbless shower also visually expands a small bathroom by eliminating the visual break at the floor. The floor simply needs adequate slope toward the drain, which we build in during installation.