If you’re considering a tub to shower conversion for your home, you may be wondering if it’s even possible without a full bathroom remodel. The answer is yes: it is possible to convert your tub to a shower without gutting your entire bathroom. However, the process is not a DIY project and is best left to the professionals. In this article, we’ll discuss why you need a tub to shower conversion contractor, how much it costs, and some ideas for your upcoming bathroom renovation!
Can You Convert a Tub to a Shower?
If you’ve been feeling cramped or uninspired by your bathroom but don’t have the budget for a full-scale bathroom remodel, you may be interested in a tub to shower conversion. Contractor professionals will leave the rest of your bathroom untouched, meaning you can achieve a dramatically different look for your bathroom at a fraction of the price.
Before you go ahead with your tub to shower conversion, however, it’s important to consider both the practical and the aesthetic aspects of this choice. Changing from a tub to a shower can help free up some space in your bathroom and create an environment that feels more open and inviting—but you’d have to say goodbye to your bath!
What Does a Tub to Shower Conversion Cost?
According to Forbes, the average full-scale bathroom remodel costs around $10,000. While it can be enticing to do a full-scale renovation of the entire bathroom, this is not always in the budget for some homeowners. However, if you still want to make an impact on your bathroom without completely redoing the whole design, you might be surprised at the difference a tub to shower conversion can make in terms of opening up the space and making smaller bathrooms feel larger. The average tub to shower conversion can cost anywhere from $2,500-$10,000 or even more, depending on the design, the materials used, and the amount of labor required.
Top 5 Tips for a Successful Tub to Shower Conversion
While it might not be as dramatic as a full-scale bathroom remodel, tub to shower conversions can make a profound impact on your space at a fraction of the price. So, what kinds of things should you think about before hiring a tub to shower conversion contractor? We’ve compiled a list of the top five tips for planning a flawless tub to shower conversion.
- Use the swap as a chance to upgrade: While some antique bathtubs can look quite beautiful, they aren’t all that great when it comes to practicality. Most Americans—that is to say, two-thirds—shower daily. In fact, this is an integral step in tending to basic hygiene for many people across the globe. While there is a misconception that bathing doesn’t get you as clean as a shower, there’s no denying that water running off your skin quickly removes any debris, dirt, or oil without the potential for “stewing in it.” It’s time to ditch the bath and upgrade to a walk-in shower—perhaps with more than one head—that can get you cleaner faster, and make hygiene even simpler.
- Make your new shower safer than stepping out of a tub: Did you know that showering and bathing are some of the most dangerous activities any age group can participate in? In fact, 2.2% of injuries happen on the way into the bath, while a whopping 9.8% occur on the way out. While there’s no denying these injuries are more common in seniors over the age of 65, it’s never a bad idea to consider the safety of your home and ways you can improve upon it—whatever your age!
- Add depth and a tiered look to your bathroom: Does your bathroom feel one-dimensional, boxy, or flat? Try adding different levels to your shower floor to create an illusion of even more space in your bathroom. This can have the added benefit of minimizing leaks, better containing moisture, and improving drainage.
- Get rid of outdated or oversized fixtures: It’s time to say goodbye to the clunky, outdated tub and hello to your sleek new shower. By opting for a tub to shower conversion versus a full-scale remodel, you may even have room left over in the budget to upgrade to a more modern toilet to match! With a tub to shower conversion, you get to choose your priorities with your bathroom budgeting!
- Personalize your space: While it’s great to modernize your home and add value wherever possible, tub to shower conversions can be a great opportunity to personalize your home and make it feel and look the way you want. This will not only make you feel more comfortable and at ease in your bathroom, but will also add character to the house—which could be a selling point should you ever decide to sell.
Why You Need a Contractor For Your Tub to Shower Conversion
You might be thinking to yourself that tub to shower conversions are simpler than a bathroom remodel, and therefore within the realm of a DIY project. However, unless you have an advanced understanding of plumbing, carpentry, installing tile, and preventing water leaks in your walls and floor, trying to save a few bucks on doing it yourself could result in costly repairs later on down the road. Other reasons why you might consider a tub to shower conversion contractor include:
- Experience: The more years of experience your tub to shower conversion contractor has, the more likely they are to do a quality job on the first go ‘round—and they may even have some ideas to contribute that inspire a new look and sense of functionality in your bathroom. When hiring a contractor for this project, you can rest assured your bathroom is in good hands; plus, it’s less time you’ll have to spend attempting to do the job yourself, with no guarantee of results.
- Work with your budget: Since there is quite a range for tub to shower conversion costs, you can find a contractor willing to give you options that fit within your budget. The right contractor will work within your means and provide you with all the potential options for upgrading your bathroom based on your budget!
- Add value to your home: Should you ever look to sell your home someday, even a partial bathroom renovation can add value to your home. This is not to mention that most people tend to prefer showers to baths, as they tend to be faster and more convenient—making your home even more palatable to a prospective buyer.
- Get the job done quickly: Attempting this sort of project as a DIY activity can take weeks, or even months if you’re doing it on weekends or between shifts. With an experienced contractor and their credible team, you could see your tub converted to a shower in as little as a week, or less! For some, the short timeline alone is enticement enough to hire an expert for the job rather than patchworking their way through the project as time arises. Keep in mind that your bathroom will not be in working order for the duration of the renovation!
Tub to Shower Conversion Contractor Near Me
If you are looking for ways to upgrade your bathroom, you don’t have to go through the hassle and expense of an all-out remodel. In fact, simply converting the tub to a shower can dramatically change the look and feel of your bathroom at a portion of the cost of a full-scale renovation. As tempting as it may be to think this could potentially be a DIY project, everything does go smoother, faster, and with less potential for error when you work with a tub to shower conversion contractor—especially with plumbing involved. Doing a botched DIY tub to shower conversion can lead to water leaks and damage, structural problems, and more—so why take the risk when there are experts who know the way and have creative input?
Looking for a tub to shower conversion contractor near you? Contact Carolina Custom Tub and Shower today for a free quote and start building the bathroom of your dreams!
