Planning A Tub to Shower Conversion
Thinking about a tub to shower conversion in your Tallahassee home? If your old tub never gets used, feels awkward to step over, or makes the bathroom feel cramped, replacing it with a shower can make the space safer, easier to use, and much more enjoyable.
A proper bathtub-to-shower remodel is more than a simple swap. It involves plumbing, waterproofing, tile, glass, permits, and planning — especially in Tallahassee homes built on slabs. This guide covers everything you need to know. But if you’re planning a wider project too? See our full bathroom remodeling guide for Tallahassee homeowners.
Is a Tub to Shower Conversion Worth It?
For many Tallahassee homeowners, yes. It’s one of those projects that changes how the bathroom feels and functions every single day.
Maybe the old tub takes up space nobody uses. Maybe the shower door is crusty, the step-over feels awkward, or the layout just stopped working. A walk-in shower can make the space feel cleaner, larger, and more modern.
The key is doing it properly. A good conversion involves design planning, licensed plumbing, waterproofing, tile, glass, and someone keeping the details moving in the right order.
Does Removing a Bathtub Devalue Your Home?
Let me answer this straight away, because I know it’s what worries people.
No — not if you keep at least one tub somewhere else in the house.
Most homes in Killearn, Southwood, and Midtown have a tub in a hall or guest bath. If that’s you, you have nothing to worry about. A well-built walk-in shower often adds more value than the tub it replaced.
The homes that sell quickest are the ones that feel updated and cared for. A dated whirlpool nobody uses isn’t always the asset people think it is.
“We’re not doing it for resale value — it’s for us.” That’s what we hear most. And it’s exactly the right reason.
The only time we’d pause: if this is your only bathtub and you’re planning to sell soon. A freestanding tub as part of the new design can solve that beautifully. But for most homeowners, this worry shouldn’t stop you.
What Do Tub to Shower Conversion In Tallahassee Cost?
A professionally designed and installed tub to shower conversion in Tallahassee typically costs $18,500–$27,000. That’s higher than quick-swap quotes you’ll see online — because a properly built shower has to manage water every single day for years. The work behind the tile matters as much as the tile itself.
Tub To Shower Conversion Cost Breakdown
Professionally designed and installed tiled shower in Tallahassee.
Labor / Professional Services
Design, permits & PM: $3,350-$5,200
Demo & framing: $1,300-$2,000
Licensed plumbing: $1,500-$2,500
Waterproofing: $1,500-$2,000
Tile installation: $3,500-$5,500
Electrical/HVAC: $0-$2,700
Custom shower glass: $1,500-$2,200
Materials/ Products
Fixtures: $350-$2,500
Tile: $1,200-$3,500
Accessories: $0-$1,350
Timeline
- Design and planning: 2–3 weeks
- Construction: 2–3 weeks
- Glass fabrication: +2 weeks
- Total: 4-6 weeks
Be very cautious of any quote under $10,000. In 25 years of remodeling bathrooms in Tallahassee, that almost always means cheap materials or corners being cut on waterproofing – which is exactly where the expensive problems come from.
On slab homes — common across Tallahassee — moving the drain means cutting concrete. Manageable, but factor it into your plumbing budget upfront.
Can You Remove a Tub and Install a Shower in the Same Space??
In most bathrooms, yes — but it’s rarely as simple as swapping one fixture for another.
Tub drains are 1.5 inches. Shower drains need 2 inches. On slab homes across Killearn Estates and Summerbrooke, moving the drain may mean cutting concrete. A licensed plumber should handle this. No exceptions.
This is also where design decisions matter. Drain location, shower size, curb or curbless entry, glass layout, niche placement, and fixtures all need to be locked in before construction begins.
How the Bathtub Conversion to a Shower Process Works
Here’s what a properly run project looks like from start to finish.
1. Design and planning: 2–4weeks before construction
Every decision — tile, niches, fixtures, glass — locked in before anyone touches a hammer. Every material on-site before demo begins. This is what prevents delays.
2. Demo, framing and jobsite protection: 1 day
Floors covered, AC filters sealed, dust barriers up. Demo dust is harmful — a good crew takes this seriously. Trailer haul-away is standard.
Grab bar blocking goes in now, even if you don’t want grab bars yet. Easy to add later when the blocking is there. A major job when it isn’t.
3. Rough plumbing: 1 day
Drain, valve, shower head, and all plumbing changes completed before the walls close up. Licensed plumber required.
5. Waterproofing: 1 day
The most critical step. McManus uses Schluter Systems Kerdi — 18 years, never failed us. The shower pan fills with water for 24 hours before the inspector signs off. Do not let anyone rush or skip this.
6. Tile: 5–7 days
Walk the layout with your installer on day one. Test grout colour wet and dry before committing. Never grout the corners — where two planes meet, use grout caulk or the joint will crack.
7. Custom shower glass: 2–3 weeks lead time + 1 day install
Glass can’t be measured until tile is done. Plan for a temporary curtain in the meantime. Custom glass fits better, looks better, and lasts longer than anything from a big-box store. Related guide: 10 Best Tile Layouts for Shower Walls
Options for Your Tub to Shower Remodel
Curbless or barrier-free showers No threshold to step over. Looks spa-like, feels modern, and is far more practical for anyone thinking long-term about staying in their home. One of our strongest recommendations for any master bath conversion in Tallahassee. Read the full barrier-free shower guide.
Walk-in shower pros and cons A walk-in shower is a great choice for most people — but worth thinking through honestly before you commit. Consider who uses the bathroom, whether you need a bench, how much glass you want to clean, and whether this is your only tub. Read the walk-in shower pros and cons guide.
Shower size Code allows smaller, but 36×36 inches is the comfortable minimum we recommend for daily use. 48×48 feels genuinely spacious. 60×60 gives you room for a bench, multiple heads, and full accessibility.
Fixtures Most Tallahassee homes handle two shower heads simultaneously. More than that and you may lose pressure — plan for it upfront, not after everything is tiled.
Budget options Not ready for full tile? Acrylic or laminate shower panels can give a polished look at a lower cost. We’re happy to walk you through the good-better-best options so you know exactly what you’re gaining and where the trade-offs are.
How to Choose Bathtub to Shower Conversion Contractors in Tallahassee
A tub to shower conversion needs licensed plumbing, demo, tile installation, waterproofing, inspections, and glass. That is a lot to coordinate – and how well it is coordinated determines how the project goes.
The cheapest option is not always the least expensive in the long run, especially when water is involved. A poorly waterproofed shower can look fine for a year or two, then create the kind of hidden damage nobody wants to find behind tile.
| Option | Example | What to know |
| Avoid | Franchise “1-day bath” companies | High-pressure sales and low-quality materials. Problems often appear within a year or two. |
| Risky | Handyman-only approach | Ask specifically about waterproofing, plumbing, permits, and past shower clients before committing. |
| Budget option | DIY with hired trades | Can work if you are prepared to manage the project yourself. A qualified designer is still recommended first. |
| Best result | Qualified design-build contractor | One team, one process, clear accountability, and someone coordinating the project every day. |
Paul McManus, after 25 years remodeling Tallahassee bathrooms:
“In 25 years of doing this, the number one mistake I see homeowners make is choosing a contractor based on the lowest quote. The price difference between a properly waterproofed shower and a poorly waterproofed one looks small upfront. Three years later, when water has been sitting behind your tile, it is the most expensive decision you made.”
We specialize in full bathroom remodels. If you are doing just the conversion with no other changes, call us and we will point you in the right direction.
Ready to Talk Through Your Tub to Shower Conversion?
Thinking about a tub to shower conversion in Tallahassee? McManus Kitchen and Bath can help you decide whether it makes sense, what it may cost, and whether it should be handled as part of a larger bathroom remodel.
Schedule a Design and Budget Consult and we will walk you through the best options for your home, your budget, and how you actually use the space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a tub to shower conversion cost in Tallahassee?
A professionally designed and installed tub to shower conversion in Tallahassee typically costs $18,500-$27,000. The final cost depends on plumbing changes, waterproofing, tile selections, shower glass, fixtures, and whether the work is part of a larger bathroom remodel.
Does removing a bathtub devalue your home?
Not if you keep at least one tub elsewhere in the house. A well-built walk-in shower often adds more value than the tub it replaced. The concern applies mainly when removing your only bathtub.
Can I remove a tub and install a shower in the same footprint?
Often, yes. But the drain, plumbing, waterproofing, glass layout, and shower size still need to be designed properly. In many Tallahassee slab homes, moving the drain may require cutting concrete.
How long does a bathtub conversion to shower take?
Plan for 8-14 weeks from first consult to finished shower. That usually includes 3-6 weeks for design and planning, 2-4 weeks for construction, and about 2 weeks for custom glass fabrication at the end.
Do I need a permit for a bathtub-to-shower remodel?
Yes. Plumbing is usually required at minimum, and electrical or HVAC may also be involved depending on the scope. Inspections are typically required at rough plumbing, after waterproofing, and at final completion.
What is the minimum shower size I should consider?
Code allows 30 x 30 inches, but 36 x 36 inches is the comfortable minimum we recommend for daily use. Good design planning helps you get the most out of the footprint you have.
Can I add grab bars after the shower is built?
Easily – if blocking was added during framing. It is much more difficult if blocking was not installed. We recommend blocking for grab bars upfront, even if you do not want grab bars now.
Who should I hire for a bathtub to shower conversion?
Choose a qualified contractor with experience in waterproofing, licensed plumbing, permits, tile installation, and custom shower glass. A design-build contractor gives you one accountable team and a clearer process from planning through completion.
