Plumbing
Tub to Shower Conversion: Cost, Permits & Timeline
Removing a bathtub and building a walk-in shower in the same footprint. Because the drain and valve change.
Model reviewed August 2026
Typical cost
$7,200
$3,500 – $16,000
per conversion
$3,500 – $16,000
Permit
Usually
$90 – $320
Timeline
3-7 days of work
3-7 days of work, 2-5 weeks including permitting
Do you need a permit for tub to shower conversion?
Usually yes
Tub to Shower Conversion is permitted and inspected work in most jurisdictions. Typical fees run $90 to $320. A licensed contractor generally has to pull the permit.
What drives the cost
- Drain relocation from tub to shower position
- Tile versus acrylic shower base and walls
- Glass enclosure type
- Accessibility features such as grab bars and a bench
- Subfloor or slab repair after demolition
Permit, inspections and documents
| Permit status | usually required |
|---|---|
| Typical permit fee | $90 – $320 |
| Licensed contractor required | Usually yes |
| Owner-builder allowed | Yes, on owner-occupied homes |
| Inspections | Plumbing rough-in, Shower pan water test, Final inspection |
| Timeline | 3-7 days of work, 2-5 weeks including permitting |
| DIY difficulty | 4/5 difficulty |
Documents typically required
- • Plumbing permit application
- • Contractor license and insurance
Tub to Shower Conversion cost by city
Local labor and material pricing applied to the national baseline.
| City | Typical range | vs national |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $5,900 – $27,100 | +70% |
| Los Angeles | $5,000 – $22,700 | +42% |
| Miami | $4,500 – $20,400 | +27% |
| Chicago | $4,400 – $20,300 | +27% |
| Phoenix | $3,600 – $16,600 | +4% |
| Dallas | $3,500 – $16,000 | 0% |
| Houston | $3,500 – $16,000 | 0% |
| Tampa | $3,800 – $17,200 | +8% |
| Denver | $4,000 – $18,500 | +16% |
| Orlando | $3,600 – $16,600 | +4% |
| Atlanta | $3,500 – $16,200 | +1% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $4,300 – $19,600 | +22% |
Tub to Shower Conversion across the country
National pricing, state-by-state pricing, and the tools behind both.
Frequently asked questions
How long does tub to shower conversion take?
3-7 days of work, 2-5 weeks including permitting. Permit review and inspection scheduling are usually the largest source of variation.
What changes the price the most?
The largest cost drivers are drain relocation from tub to shower position; tile versus acrylic shower base and walls; glass enclosure type.
Sources
Sources & verification
Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.