Over the last few months, many of us have been spending more time in our homes than ever before, and as a consequence, we’ve been noticing the areas we want to improve. We’ve had a number of clients reach out to us to see if they can upgrade their bathrooms simply by replacing their outdated tubs with larger, more luxurious walk-in showers.
This is a common trend. The American Institute of Architects’ 2020 Home Trends Survey shows that larger walk-in showers were the ideal leading feature for bathrooms for 60% of respondents. This is in comparison to just 28% of respondents who voted for a freestanding bathtub.
So how much will this cost and what do you need to know if you’re considering converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower? The overall cost of switching out your tub for a shower can range from $1,000-$10,000 depending on your specific project. The two main contributing factors are the fixtures and the plumbing. Here’s what you need to know.
Fixtures
One area where you have a lot of control over investment is in choosing the final fixtures. Tile and stone are fully customizable and give you that luxury, custom, spa-like finish you see in many new builds today. However, they are more of an investment than ready-made shower stall kits. There is, however, a middle ground available in the form of a solid surface mosaic tile shower kit, which is made to look like tile with the installation benefit of a shower kit.
Other fixtures that will affect the cost are the type of showerhead you’d like to purchase or whether you’d like a glass door instead of a simple rigid partition. Regardless of what you choose, our team can walk you through all of your options at each end of the spectrum to make sure that it meets your aesthetic requirements while sticking to your budget.
Plumbing and Pipes
Given that you are simply switching the tub for a shower, one advantage is that you are likely able to use the same plumbing systems that are already installed in your bathroom, as long as the overall design of the space stays the same. Also, as bathtubs are heavier than showers, you likely won’t need any type of flooring reinforcement to install a new shower unit.
Cost may vary, however, depending on the condition of the pipes. If you have an older home and the pipes are outdated or rusted, you may need to get them replaced before new fixtures are installed, which will take more money from your budget. Similarly, if you have an older home, it’s important to consider that there may be mold or rot underneath your existing bathtub. Rot, mold, or mildew can develop from a small and unassuming leak in your bathtub, which damages the wood on the framing or subfloor over time. Repairing this is important and something you must be ready for if you have an older home.
Value
Updating your bathrooms can add significant value to your home, with so many home buyers now preferring clean, modern fixtures. It is also important to note that many realtors do believe that having a tub in your home is still important when it comes to your home’s value and resale. If you have more than one, you don’t need to worry. But if you would be replacing the only tub in the home, make sure to do your research before committing to the project.
So however you choose to go about converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower, it’s important to assess all the options available to you. Our team offers free quotes and will give you suggestions to help you maximize your budget. Reach out to us here!