Guide 03 · 4 min read
Tub to Shower Conversion: What to Know Before You Start
A tub to shower conversion is a common upgrade in Scottsdale area bathrooms, and what sits behind the wall decides how it goes. This guide covers the steps, the waterproofing and finish choices, and the published costs; call [(602) 782-5702](tel:+1(602) 782-5702) to talk through your bathroom.
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01Showers
What does a tub to shower conversion involve?
The tub comes out, the plumbing is checked, the walls and floor are rebuilt for a shower, and the space is waterproofed, tiled and glazed. In order: demolition of the tub and surround, a check of the drain and valve, new wall board and a shower pan where the design calls for one, waterproofing, tile, glass templating and installation, and finally fixtures and trim. Published timing for a conversion starts at about 5 to 8 working days for a simple job (one Scottsdale remodeling firm) and runs longer with custom tile, plus lead time: frameless glass is fabricated to measure after tile, often 1 to 2 weeks after template. What is possible in your bathroom is confirmed on site, not from a photo.
02Good to know
Can the existing drain and valve be reused?
Often yes, but it can only be confirmed once the tub surround is open. Tub drains and shower drains are not always the same, and the new shower's controls have to work with the valve, or the valve is replaced. If the drain and valve can be reused in place, the plumbing work stays a same-location replacement, which in Scottsdale can qualify for a Minimum Permit with no plan review. If the layout changes and the plumbing moves, that is a different permit path, with plan review before work starts (City of Scottsdale (opens in a new tab)). Whether a drain stays or moves becomes clear once the floor is open.
03Showers
How is the new shower waterproofed?
Waterproofing is the layer behind the tile, and in a conversion it has a large effect on how long the shower lasts. The work typically includes a waterproof membrane over the walls, a pan or sheet membrane floor, sealed corners and seams per the system's instructions, and a floor that slopes to the drain. It follows industry standards such as those from the Tile Council of North America, which develops criteria for tile installations (TCNA (opens in a new tab)). Cure times belong to the products: membranes and mortars set on the manufacturer's schedule. Tile and grout are the finish, not the waterproofing, which is why pan details and the curb decision get settled before tile work begins. To talk through your own bathroom, call [(602) 782-5702](tel:+1(602) 782-5702).
04Showers
What tile and glass choices hold up best?
Porcelain tends to be the practical choice for shower walls and floors, and comes in stone looks that suit desert interiors. Natural stone, including marble and travertine, is beautiful in a shower and needs more care: calcareous stones are sensitive to acidic cleaners and can dull or etch with products that contain lemon or vinegar, so the Natural Stone Institute recommends mild, non-acidic cleaners (Natural Stone Institute (opens in a new tab)). A squeegee after each use helps keep soap scum down. Impregnating sealers make stone stain resistant, not stain proof; stone still wants a little care. Frameless glass gives the cleanest line and is fabricated to measure after tile, often 1 to 2 weeks after template, while semi-frameless glass is the usual alternative. Slip resistant flooring is worth planning for.
05Costs
What does a tub to shower conversion cost in Scottsdale?
One Scottsdale remodeling firm puts a tub to shower conversion at $9,000 to $14,000, with a curbless upgrade adding about $3,000 over a curbed shower. National cost guides run wider: $1,200 to $10,000 (average $4,000) in one and $1,200 to $15,000 (average $3,000) in another. The spread is scope: a prefab swap that keeps the drain where it is sits at one end, and a fully custom shower with relocated plumbing and a step-in entry sits at the opposite end. The actual price is set after an on-site assessment. Budget drivers: whether the drain or valve moves, the waterproofing method, tile and glass level, and any accessibility features such as a seat, grab bars or a curbless entry.
06Accessibility
What accessibility options can a conversion include?
A conversion is the natural moment to build in options that are hard to add later. A curbless entry removes the step at the shower door entirely. A built-in or fold-down seat gives a place to sit for part of the routine, and a handheld shower head adds reach. Grab bars are the option people add later, and they are the reason blocking belongs in the framing plan now: solid blocking behind the wall costs little during construction and is harder to add once tile is up. For questions about a specific person's balance or mobility, talk to a doctor or an occupational therapist before the design is set. That conversation can shape whether the bathroom is built curbless, with a seat, or both.
074 questions
Questions people ask
Still have a question? Call (602) 782-5702 and describe the bathroom.
01How long does a tub to shower conversion take?
Published timing starts at about 5 to 8 working days for a simple conversion (one Scottsdale remodeling firm) and runs longer with custom tile, plus lead time: glass is made to measure after tile, often 1 to 2 weeks, and special orders vary.
02Is a tub to shower conversion worth it?
For households that rarely use the tub, a walk-in shower adds daily use and easier cleaning. If it is the only tub at home and someone soaks, weigh that before the swap.
03Can a conversion include both a tub and a shower?
Sometimes. It depends on the room's size and layout, which is confirmed on site. Where space allows, a separate shower beside a soaking tub is an option; smaller bathrooms often go tub out, shower in.
04Does a tub to shower conversion need a permit in Scottsdale?
It depends on what moves. Same-spot fixture replacement can qualify as single-trade work under a Minimum Permit; moving plumbing or changing the layout pulls full plan review.
