Tub to Shower Conversion Cost in Franklin and Brentwood: What You Will Pay and Why

How much does a tub to shower conversion cost?

Nationally, a conversion typically costs $2,000 to $12,000 ^[1]. Another national guide says the average is about $4,000 and most projects land between $1,200 and $10,000 ^[2].

The gap is wide because “tub to shower” can mean two very different jobs. One swaps the tub for a ready-made shower stall. The other builds a tiled shower from the studs out.

These are national figures. They are not Pineda prices. Pineda prices each project after a free site visit.

The number that matters most is the type of shower you choose. The next section shows each type side by side.

Replace the tub or convert it?

The two jobs can cost about the same. One national guide puts a standard alcove tub replacement at $1,500 to $4,000 installed ^[5]. A prefabricated shower stall runs $2,000 to $6,000 ^[1].

So if your budget sits near the low end, a simple stall and a new tub are close in price. The choice comes down to how you use the bathroom, not the bill.

Tub to shower conversion cost by shower type

A prefabricated stall is the lowest-cost route at $2,000 to $6,000. A curbless shower is the highest at $8,000 to $15,000 ^[1].

Another guide splits the cost by wall material. Ceramic tile runs $6,000 to $12,000, porcelain tile $7,000 to $14,000 and natural stone $6,000 to $20,000 ^[2]. Composite stone panels run $2,000 to $6,000 ^[2].

Panels and molded pans install in a fraction of the time that tile takes. That shortens the job and lowers the bill ^[1].

What else adds to the price of a walk-in shower?

The shower type sets the base price. Plumbing changes, glass, grab bars and niches add to it.

Keep the drain where it is and you skip a line item. Moving a drain can add hundreds to thousands of dollars in labor and subfloor work ^[1].

A curbless design is its own add-on. One national summary puts the curbless feature itself at about $1,000 to $4,000, depending on how the floor is built ^[3].

Five ways to keep the cost down

The biggest savings come from the plumbing, the wall finish and the door. Each choice below uses a sourced price.

• Keep the drain and valve where they are. A drain move costs $900 to $1,100 and a new valve $700 to $1,200 ^[1].
• Choose wall panels over tile. Composite stone panels run $2,000 to $6,000. Ceramic tile runs $6,000 to $12,000 ^[2].
• Pick a framed glass door. It costs $400 to $1,200. A frameless door costs $1,200 to $3,000 ^[1].
• Add only the niches you will use. Each recessed niche adds $100 to $400 ^[2].
• Lock the plan before demolition. Changes after work begins become costly change orders ^[1].

Spend where you feel it every day. Grab bars and a good valve matter more than a custom enclosure.

How long does a tub to shower conversion take?

Most professional conversions take three to seven days ^[1]. A prefabricated shower with the same footprint can take as little as two days. Custom conversions can take one to two weeks or longer ^[2].

Tile takes longer than panels and molded pans ^[1].

1. Demolition. The crew removes the tub and the old wall finish.
2. Inspection. The walls and subfloor are checked for rot or moisture damage.
3. Plumbing. The valve and drain are set for the new shower.
4. Waterproofing and walls. The shower is sealed, then the panels or tile go up.
5. Glass and finish. The door, fixtures, grab bars and trim go in last.

How much should you set aside for hidden costs?

Set aside 10% to 20% of your budget for surprises ^[1]. Removing a tub can expose rotted subflooring, damaged drywall or long-term moisture damage ^[1].

In a This Old House survey, homeowners hit at least one hidden cost nearly 70% of the time. The most common were structural repairs at 38%, water damage at 32% and unplanned plumbing upgrades at 29% ^[1].

Our math: base budget × 10% and × 20%, from the This Old House guideline ^[1].

The wall behind the tub is the one thing no one can see until the tub comes out. Plan for it before demolition day.

Finalize the layout, the materials and the features before work begins. Changes after the start create costly change orders ^[1].

Is a walk-in shower safer as you age?

A walk-in shower with a low threshold reduces fall risk and improves long-term accessibility ^[1]. Grab bars and a built-in seat add stability ^[1].

Remodelers see this every year. In a 2025 NAHB survey, 87% of remodelers reported installing grab bars in the past year, and 78% reported building a curbless shower ^[4].

If you want to stay in your home for the long run, plan for these features while the wall is open.

Does a tub to shower conversion hurt resale?

Not if the home keeps a tub somewhere else. This Old House advises keeping at least one bathtub elsewhere in the home, and notes that many buyers appreciate a walk-in shower in a primary or guest bathroom ^[1].

Families with young children usually want a tub. One national guide calls a tub almost non-negotiable for the near term if you have young kids or plan to ^[5].

Permit and plumbing questions to ask in Franklin and Brentwood

Ask your city before work starts. A shower conversion touches plumbing, and each city sets its own permit steps.

In Brentwood, permit applications and supporting documents can be submitted electronically. The Codes Section sits under Planning and Codes at 5211 Maryland Way, and the office phone is (615) 371-0060 ^[6]. In Franklin, check with the City of Franklin Building and Neighborhood Services.

Your pre-quote checklist

• Does moving a drain or a valve need a plumbing permit in my city?
• Who pulls the permit, me or the contractor?
• Does my condo or townhome association have rules for shutting off water or for noise hours?
• What inspection comes after the walls are open and before they close?

Planning more than a shower? Our bathroom remodeling in Franklin page covers full bathroom projects.

How to get an accurate tub to shower conversion quote

An accurate quote starts with a visit to your bathroom. A price by phone cannot see the wall, the drain or the floor.

1. Pick the shower type. Prefab stall, tile, walk-in or curbless. The type sets most of the price.
2. Measure the tub space. Write down the length, width and where the drain sits.
3. Decide on the extras. Glass, grab bars, a niche, a bench and a handheld shower.
4. Ask for an on-site visit. The estimator should check the walls, the drain and the floor.
5. Get an itemized quote. It should list demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, walls, glass and cleanup.
6. Ask about surprises. What happens, and what it costs, if the crew finds rot behind the tub?
7. Compare line by line. Match the shower type and extras before you compare totals.

Live in Brentwood or Franklin? Ask for a free site visit.