Shower service
Tub-to-Shower Conversions
Turning an unused tub into a shower that fits how the bathroom is actually used, without moving walls.
Short answer
A tub-to-shower conversion removes an alcove or drop-in tub and rebuilds the same footprint as a shower. Because the walls and the water supply usually stay where they are, it is the most contained shower project there is — but it is still a full rebuild of the wet area, including a new drain position, new waterproofing and new surfaces.
When a conversion is the right call
The decision usually comes down to how the household actually uses the room today and who else uses the house. Removing the only tub in a home is worth thinking about twice.
- Good candidate: a primary suite with an unused garden tub and a cramped shower beside it.
- Good candidate: a hall bath where stepping over a tub wall has become the daily problem.
- Think twice: the only bathtub in a house with small children.
- Think twice: a single-bathroom home you may sell soon, where buyers still expect one tub somewhere.
What changes behind the wall
The footprint stays, which is why conversions read as straightforward. The systems inside it do not stay.
- 1The tub and its surround come out and the substrate behind them is inspected for existing damage.
- 2The drain moves from the end of the alcove to the position the new floor requires.
- 3The valve is replaced, and often raised, with a hand shower added on a separate outlet if requested.
- 4Blocking is added where a bench, grab bar or glass panel will be fixed.
- 5A new sloped pan and continuous waterproofing system replace the tub's own flange.
- 6Tile or panels, glass, trim and sealant complete the enclosure.
Old alcoves frequently hide something: an earlier repair, a soft subfloor at the drain, or a valve that predates modern anti-scald requirements. We look before quoting the finish work, not after.
How low the entry can go
A conversion is a natural moment to reduce the step. How far it can drop depends on what is under the floor.
| Entry | Typical step | What it needs |
|---|---|---|
| Standard curb | About 4 to 6 inches | No structural change; the simplest path |
| Low-profile curb | About 2 to 3 inches | Careful pan design and a shallower drain assembly |
| Curbless | Level | Recessed framing or a raised bathroom floor, plus drainage planning |
Where we build this
We install tub-to-shower conversions across Idaho’s Treasure Valley. These city pages explain what we typically find in each area’s housing stock.
Scope, changes and warranty
Written scope before anything starts
Before demolition you get a written scope for tub-to-shower conversions: the waterproofing system and matching drain by name, substrate, layout and slope, tile and glass allowances, the sequence, and the price.
Named exclusions
Hidden rot or structural repair found behind the old shower, electrical or HVAC outside the wet area, whole-bathroom flooring and cabinetry, and city permit fees are listed as exclusions rather than absorbed quietly and billed later.
Changes by written change order
Any change to the agreed scope is priced in writing, with its schedule impact, and approved by you before we carry it out.
Registration, insurance and warranty
Idaho contractor registration RCE-57919. Bonded and insured, documents sent on request. A 1-year craftsmanship warranty covers our workmanship; tile, glass, fixtures and membrane components carry their manufacturers' warranties.
See how a shower project runs stage by stage or request an estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Related shower reading
Thinking about tub-to-shower conversions?
Tell us about the shower you have and the one you want. We will come back with questions, then arrange to see the room before anything is quoted.