Updated August 8, 2026 · 11 min read
By Boise Bath — bathroom & shower remodeling in Boise & the Treasure Valley
A tub-to-shower conversion reuses the tub's existing footprint and, usually, its existing plumbing — which is exactly why it tends to be one of the more affordable bathroom projects. But "affordable" still spans a wide range: a simple prefab stall swap and a fully custom tiled, curbless conversion can differ by tens of thousands of dollars.
This guide gathers cited 2026 figures from This Old House and a 2024 Bob Vila breakdown to show what drives a conversion's cost from the low end to the high end, plus the specific plumbing and glass line items that add up. We also state Boise Bath's own published range for the Treasure Valley. And before pricing anything, it's worth confirming the conversion makes sense for your home — taking out the house's only bathtub has resale implications worth weighing first.
Key takeaways
- This Old House (2026) prices tub-to-shower conversions nationally at $2,000–$12,000, depending on shower type; Bob Vila (2024) prices a basic swap specifically at $1,200–$3,600.
- Cost tiers by type: prefab stall $2,000–$6,000, walk-in shower $5,000–$12,000, tile shower $6,000–$12,000, curbless $8,000–$15,000 (This Old House, 2026).
- Plumbing changes (moving a drain line, relocating supply lines) and glass choice (framed vs. frameless vs. custom) are the line items most likely to move your total.
- Boise Bath's published range for a Tub-to-Shower Conversion is $8,000–$15,000, reflecting a tiled surround and glass enclosure as standard rather than a prefab kit.
The short answer
This Old House (2026) prices a tub-to-shower conversion at $2,000–$12,000 nationally, depending on the type of shower installed and how much plumbing work is involved. Bob Vila's 2024 shower-remodel breakdown narrows a straightforward bathtub-to-shower conversion specifically to $1,200–$3,600 — a tighter range that reflects a simpler, same-footprint swap without a full custom build.
The two figures aren't contradictory; they describe different scopes. The type of shower you install inside the old tub footprint is what separates them, which is why we break that out next.
Cost by conversion type
This Old House (2026) breaks a tub-to-shower conversion into four tiers based on what replaces the tub.
| Conversion type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Prefabricated shower stall | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Walk-in shower (same footprint) | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Tile shower | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Curbless / zero-threshold shower | $8,000–$15,000 |
Source: This Old House (2026). A basic bathtub-to-shower swap without a custom build runs lower — Bob Vila (2024) puts that narrower scope at $1,200–$3,600.
Plumbing and glass line items
Beyond the shower type itself, two categories of line items move a conversion up or down within its tier: plumbing work and the glass enclosure. This Old House (2026) breaks both out.
- Moving a drain line: $900–$1,100 (This Old House, 2026)
- Installing or upgrading the shower valve: $700–$1,200 (This Old House, 2026)
- Relocating supply lines: $700 or more, added on top (This Old House, 2026)
- Tub removal and disposal: $300–$1,200 (This Old House, 2026)
- Framed glass doors: $400–$1,200; frameless glass doors: $1,200–$3,000; custom glass enclosures: $3,000 or more (This Old House, 2026)
Boise Bath's published range
Boise Bath's own published range for a Tub-to-Shower Conversion is $8,000–$15,000, which lands in the walk-in-to-curbless portion of the national data above rather than the basic prefab-stall end — our conversions typically include a tiled surround and a glass enclosure rather than a prefab acrylic kit. For the fuller picture of what a bathroom project costs in the Treasure Valley, see our Boise bathroom remodel cost guide.
None of the sources above price conversions at the Boise or Idaho level specifically, so treat the national figures as the planning band and our published range as the local anchor. NerdWallet's 2026 general bathroom data (roughly $70–$250 per square foot) is consistent with this range once labor and materials are priced into a typical Treasure Valley tub footprint. When you want a number for your own tub rather than a band, see tub-to-shower conversions in Boise.
3-year workmanship warranty
Every tub-to-shower conversion we install is backed by a 3-year workmanship warranty, in addition to the manufacturer warranties on the tile, glass, and fixtures we install.
The "one-day conversion" question
Search results for tub-to-shower conversions are full of one-day, cover-system installers who fit an acrylic shell over or in place of the old tub without opening the walls. The appeal is obvious — a new shower by dinner, minimal disruption — but the price is usually quoted only after an in-home visit and commonly lands in the same territory as a conventional conversion, because the day you save is often the main thing you save. We lay out the honest trade-offs in shower liners vs. full replacement: the fast path skips the demolition and inspection that a real remodel uses to find and fix what is behind the tile. Compare any one-day quote against a conventional bid on scope, not just speed.
Conversion cost across the Treasure Valley
Where your conversion lands locally depends on your city as much as your finish choices. Because a conversion reuses existing plumbing, the biggest local variable is the age and condition of that plumbing — an older home in Nampa or Caldwell is more likely to reveal galvanized supply lines or a worn drain that adds scope, while a newer Meridian, Star, or Kuna home usually converts cleanly. In upper-end Eagle bathrooms, conversions tend to run toward the tiled-and-curbless end of the table above. Those city guides cover the whole bathroom; this page stays focused on the conversion itself.
Financing a conversion
Because a conversion sits in a predictable, mid-range cost band, it is a common candidate for monthly-payment financing rather than paying up front. Home-equity options, personal loans, and contractor-arranged plans all apply — we cover the trade-offs and what to check before signing in how bathroom remodel financing works, and Boise Bath offers financing options for Treasure Valley homeowners. A conversion is also frequently paired with accessibility goals; if aging-in-place is part of the reason, our aging-in-place bathroom ideas show how a curbless conversion fits.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in Boise?
- Boise Bath's published range for a Tub-to-Shower Conversion is $8,000–$15,000. For national context, This Old House (2026) prices conversions at $2,000–$12,000 depending on shower type, while Bob Vila (2024) prices a basic swap at $1,200–$3,600. Your final number depends on whether plumbing moves and what materials you choose.
- What is the cheapest way to convert a tub to a shower?
- A prefabricated shower stall installed in the existing tub footprint, without moving plumbing, is the least expensive path — This Old House (2026) prices this at $2,000–$6,000, and Bob Vila (2024) prices a basic conversion at $1,200–$3,600. Costs rise from there with tile, a curbless entry, or plumbing relocation.
- Does converting a tub to a shower require moving plumbing?
- Not always. If the shower stays in the same footprint and uses the existing drain and supply lines, no relocation is needed. If you want to reposition the drain or valve, This Old House (2026) prices moving a drain line at $900–$1,100 and installing or upgrading a shower valve at $700–$1,200, plus $700 or more if supply lines also need to move.
- How much does a one-day tub-to-shower conversion cost?
- One-day conversions use an acrylic cover system fitted without opening the walls. Pricing is quote-only and commonly lands in the same range as a conventional conversion — the day you save is often the main thing you save, since the fast path skips the demolition that finds hidden damage. Compare any one-day bid against a conventional one on scope, not just speed.
- Can I finance a tub-to-shower conversion?
- Yes. A conversion's predictable, mid-range cost makes it a common candidate for monthly-payment financing through home-equity options, personal loans, or contractor-arranged plans. Our guide to how bathroom remodel financing works covers the options and what to check before signing, and Boise Bath offers financing for Treasure Valley homeowners.
Sources
- This Old House — How Much Does Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost? (2026)
- Bob Vila — Shower Remodel Cost Guide (2024)
- NerdWallet — Bathroom Remodel Cost in 2026
Claims and figures are drawn from the sources above and provided for general guidance; your project may vary. Photography is illustrative of design concepts. For a fixed price on your specific bathroom, request a free estimate.
