Short answer
Converting a shower to a tub costs about $2,000 to $10,500, per Angi (2026). A basic acrylic swap with the drain left in place runs $3,000 to $5,000, per Block Renovation (2026). The price climbs when walls must move, the drain must be relocated or a concrete slab must be cut.
Key facts
- Angi (Jul 2026): converting a shower into a bathtub costs about $2,000 to $10,500; walls, plumbing or wiring may need to move to make room.[1]
- This Old House (Mar 2026): converting a stand-alone shower into a tub averages $4,000 to $6,000, about the same as a tub replacement.[2]
- HomeGuide (Aug 2025): a standard alcove tub costs $1,500 to $2,000 installed; plumbing modifications add $200 to $700 or more.[3]
- Block Renovation (Jun 2026): a basic acrylic conversion with the drain in place costs $3,000 to $5,000; tile, premium fixtures or slab drain relocation push it to $10,000 to $15,000; labor is usually 40 to 60% of the total.[8]
Estimate your shower or bath project
Pick the job and anything it also needs. You get a national range from published cost guides, not a quote.
How much does it cost to convert a shower to a tub?
Converting a shower to a standard tub costs about $2,000 to $10,500, per Angi[1], and This Old House puts a typical job at $4,000 to $6,000[2]. A basic acrylic swap with the drain left in place runs $3,000 to $5,000, while tile, premium fixtures or moving a drain through a concrete slab push it to $10,000 to $15,000[8].
National ranges from named cost guides. They are not quotes.
| Job | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shower to standard tub | $2,000 to $10,500 | Angi 2026[1] |
| Shower to standard tub | $4,000 to $6,000 average | This Old House 2026[2] |
| Basic acrylic tub, drain stays in place | $3,000 to $5,000 | Block Renovation 2026[8] |
| New surround, valve, drain move, waterproofing | $5,000 to $10,500 | Block Renovation 2026[8] |
| Tile, premium fixtures, slab drain move or layout change | $10,000 to $15,000 | Block Renovation 2026[8] |
| Shower to walk-in tub | $3,000 to $8,000 | This Old House 2026[4] |
| Shower to walk-in tub | $3,000 to $15,000 | Fixr 2026[6] |
The two standard-tub ranges are far apart. This Old House treats the job like a tub replacement[2]. Angi's range includes cases where walls, plumbing or wiring must move to fit the larger tub[1]. Ask contractors early whether your space can take a 60-inch tub without moving a wall.
What the tub itself costs
Most conversions use an alcove tub, the standard three-wall tub that also takes a showerhead.
| Tub style | Installed cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard alcove | $1,500 to $2,000 | HomeGuide 2025[3] |
| Bathtub-shower combo | $2,000 to $4,500 | HomeGuide 2025[3] |
| Freestanding or clawfoot | $2,200 to $5,000 | HomeGuide 2025[3] |
| Whirlpool or jetted | $3,000 to $8,000 | HomeGuide 2025[3] |
Angi lists a standard tub at $200 to $800 for the tub alone, with a surround adding $500 to $2,000[1].
Drain relocation
HomeGuide describes a typical tub drain line as 1.5 inches and a shower line as 2 inches[5], so the drain line usually has to be reworked. The position changes too: a shower drain usually sits in the center of the pan, while a tub drain sits near one end and needs an overflow, which most showers do not have[8].
| Plumbing item | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Move plumbing lines and pipes | $400 to $1,900 | Angi 2026[1] |
| Plumbing modifications (supply, drain, valves) | $200 to $700+ | HomeGuide 2025[3] |
| Plumber hourly rate | $45 to $200 an hour | This Old House 2026[2] |
If your home sits on a concrete slab, moving the drain can mean cutting and patching the slab, which Block Renovation calls one of the biggest line items in this job[8]. Get that price in writing before work starts.
Framing and floor work
Tubs are larger than most showers, so you may need to remove or move a wall[1]. Heavy tubs also need structural support underneath[1].
| Item | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Subfloor prep and reinforcement | $300 to $800 | Angi 2026[1] |
| Floor joist repair, if needed | $4,000 to $12,000+ | Angi 2026[1] |
| Damaged subfloor replacement | $3 to $10 per sq ft | Angi 2026[1] |
| Wall repairs found during removal | $200 to $700 | HomeGuide 2025[3] |
Removal, labor and permits
| Item | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Remove the old shower | $50 to $100 | Angi 2026[7] |
| Remove construction debris | $250 | Angi 2026[7] |
| Labor to install a tub | $100 to $2,000 | Angi 2026[1] |
| Installation labor | $400 to $2,000+ | HomeGuide 2025[3] |
| Permits | $50 to $250 | HomeGuide 2025[3] |
| Permits for plumbing work | $50 to $500 | This Old House 2026[2] |
Walls around the new tub
A tub in an old shower space needs a wall finish that can take water. HomeGuide puts tile around a tub at $500 to $2,000 or more, and notes that prefabricated surrounds cost less and need less upkeep[3]. This Old House lists an installed tub surround at $1,100 to $2,100, and a cultured marble surround at about $1,550 to $3,200[2]. If the old shower tile is in good shape, ask whether part of it can stay.
How long does it take?
For a simple tub swap, This Old House says as little as six hours when no plumbing changes are needed and there is no surround, and up to a week or more for complex jobs[2]. Angi says most professional tub installs take one to three days[1]. Block Renovation puts a full alcove conversion at about one to two weeks of active work, plus time for ordering and inspections[8]. Plan for the longer end if the drain has to move or new wall finishes go in.
Standard tub or walk-in tub?
If the goal is safer bathing for an older adult, a walk-in tub or a walk-in shower may fit better than a standard tub. See walk-in tub cost and tub to shower conversion cost to compare.
When to call a pro
- Any drain or supply line move: a licensed plumber, and usually a permit.
- Moving or removing a wall: confirm it is not load-bearing first.
- Heavy tubs (cast iron, stone) or signs of a soft floor.
- To get a firm price for your bathroom.
More questions
Why would someone replace a shower with a tub?
Resale is one reason. HomeGuide (2025) cites a National Association of Home Builders survey in which 74% of home buyers preferred a tub and shower in the primary bathroom.
Does a tub need a different drain than a shower?
Yes. HomeGuide (2025) describes a typical tub drain line as 1.5 inches and a shower drain line as 2 inches. When a tub replaces a shower, a licensed plumber has to rework the drain to fit the new tub.
Can I put a walk-in tub where my shower is?
Yes, but it costs more than a standard tub. This Old House (2026) puts a shower to walk-in tub swap at $3,000 to $8,000; Fixr (2026) gives $3,000 to $15,000 because of the waterproofing and pipe rerouting.
How much of the cost is labor?
Block Renovation (2026) says labor usually accounts for 40 to 60% of a shower to tub conversion. Plumbers charge $45 to $200 an hour, per This Old House (2026), so drain moves and slab work raise the labor share.
Sources
- How much does bathtub replacement cost? (2026 data, updated Jul 9, 2026), Angi. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does bathtub installation cost? (updated Mar 5, 2026), This Old House. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Bathtub replacement or installation cost (Aug 20, 2025), HomeGuide. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does a walk-in tub cost? (updated Jun 12, 2026), This Old House. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Tub to shower conversion cost (Jul 30, 2025), HomeGuide. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Walk-in tub installation cost (updated Jan 28, 2026), Fixr. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does a walk-in shower cost? (2026 data, updated Jul 15, 2026), Angi. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Shower-to-tub conversion: what it really costs and how to plan one (Jun 5, 2026), Block Renovation. Accessed 2026-10-15.
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