Should You Keep the Tub or Convert to a Shower?
Keep a tub in the main family bathroom if young children are in the home or you may sell within 5 years; convert to a walk-in shower in a master bath or if you never use the tub. A custom tile tub-to-shower conversion with a frameless glass enclosure runs $10,000 to $18,000, comparable to a tub replacement, and reclaims the 15 to 20 square feet the tub occupies. Here is the framework for deciding in your bathroom remodel.
The Resale Value Case for Keeping a Tub
Real estate professionals consistently advise keeping at least one tub in the home — specifically in the primary full bathroom used by a family with children, or in any home likely to be sold to a family with young children. Buyers with young children specifically look for a tub for bath time. A home with zero tubs is a harder sell in the family-buyer segment. Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value data suggests that a tub removal reduces perceived value among buyers who prioritize them, even when the resulting shower is objectively more practical. The resale consideration applies primarily to the main family bathroom — a master bath conversion to shower-only is more widely accepted. (For more on this, see Bathroom Remodel ROI: What Adds Value and What Doesn’t.)
The Practical Case for a Walk-In Shower
For homeowners who never use the tub: the tub occupies 15 to 20 square feet that could be a larger, more functional shower. A well-designed walk-in shower with a frameless glass enclosure transforms a bathroom that feels dated (old tub surround) into a spa-like space. Shower-only conversions are consistently preferred by adults without young children. A quality tub-to-shower conversion with a custom tile shower and frameless glass enclosure: $10,000 to $18,000 — comparable to a tub replacement but delivering more daily utility.”),
The Cost Comparison
Replacing a tub-in-shower combination with a new prefab shower unit: $5,000 to $8,000 installed. Replacing with a custom tile shower: $7,500 to $12,000. Replacing with a walk-in curbless shower with frameless glass: $12,000 to $18,000. Installing a new freestanding soaking tub (retaining the shower separately): $1,500 to $5,000 for the tub plus $800 to $3,000 for installation and plumbing, more if the drain has to move. Keeping the existing tub and refreshing the tile surround: $1,500 to $3,500. The most cost-effective approach in a bathroom that will be sold within 3 years: keep the tub and refresh the surround.
Bathroom Remodel Cost at a Glance
| Cost Factor | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic refresh (fixtures, vanity, paint, flooring, no tile or layout change) | $5,000 to $12,000 | Roughly $80 to $120 per square foot turnkey. |
| Mid-range remodel (new tub or shower, tile, vanity, flooring, lighting, same plumbing footprint) | $18,000 to $35,000 | $150 to $250 per square foot; 2025 national average $26,138. The tub or shower swap alone runs $10,000 to $18,000. |
| Upscale or primary bath (custom tile, premium fixtures, layout changes) | $35,000 to $80,000 | $250 to $400 per square foot; a luxury primary suite runs beyond this at $400 to $600. |
| Overall range | $18,000 to $35,000 | , averaging $26,138 for a mid-range full bathroom remodel |
Cost figures on this page were checked against published pricing on September 2, 2026. How we source cost data.
Planning Your Project Budget
The cost ranges in this article are based on industry data and are intended as planning benchmarks, not fixed prices. The actual cost for your project depends on your specific home, your local labor market, the current price of materials, and the scope the contractor confirms after a site inspection.
Always get at least two written quotes on equivalent defined scope before committing to any home services project. Wide price variation between quotes usually reflects differences in material quality, scope completeness (what is included and what is not), or contractor overhead and experience level rather than simple price competition.
Use the cost data in this article to ask better questions during the quoting process: What material is included? What does that per-square-foot or per-linear-foot rate include and exclude? Are permits, cleanup, and disposal included? What is the warranty on labor? These questions turn a quote into a comparable basis for decision-making.
Working With a Contractor on This Project
Getting the right outcome on any home services project starts before the work begins. A few consistent practices make the difference between a smooth project and a frustrating one.
Get at least two or three quotes. A single quote gives you no basis for comparison. Two or three quotes reveal the market rate for the work, expose scope differences between bidders, and let you assess contractor communication quality before any commitment is made. The lowest bid is not automatically the best value if the scope is thin or the materials are underspecified.
Ask for licenses and insurance before work starts. Verify current general liability insurance and, for any work involving workers on your property, workers compensation coverage. Licensing requirements vary by state and trade; confirm the specific requirements in your jurisdiction. A licensed contractor who carries appropriate insurance protects both parties if something goes wrong during the project.
Get the scope in writing. A written proposal that specifies materials, labor scope, timeline, what is included (permits, cleanup, disposal), and warranty terms is the foundation of a professional engagement. Verbal agreements on any of these points invite misunderstanding. For any project over $500, written scope is non-negotiable.
Clarify the payment schedule upfront. A reasonable payment schedule ties major payments to project milestones: a deposit at signing, a payment at material delivery or project start, and a final payment at completion after a walkthrough confirms satisfaction. A contractor who requires full payment upfront before work begins is a red flag in any trade.