Short answer
A tub to shower conversion in Houston typically costs $2,000 to $11,800 in 2026, based on This Old House's national range with the labor half adjusted to Houston plumber wages from BLS. A prefab stall in the old tub space sits near the low end. Custom tile, a curbless entry or a drain move raise the price.
Key facts
- Our 2026 Houston estimate for a tub to shower conversion is $2,000 to $11,800, from This Old House's national $2,000 to $12,000 with labor adjusted by BLS wages.[1]
- Angi's Houston page lists a custom tiled walk-in conversion at $4,000 to $18,000, above Angi's national $3,500 to $15,000.[3]
- BLS puts the May 2025 median plumber wage in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro at $29.47 an hour, against $30.67 nationally.[5]
- Houston's homeowner plumbing permit form (January 2026) sets the total minimum permit fee at $131.12.[7]
Tub to shower conversion cost in Houston at a glance
| Conversion type | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prefab stall in the tub space (our estimate) | $2,000 | n/a | $5,900 |
| Tub to tiled shower (our estimate) | $5,900 | n/a | $11,800 |
| Tub to curbless shower (our estimate) | $7,800 | n/a | $14,700 |
| All types (our estimate) | $2,000 | $2,900 | $11,800 |
| Angi Houston, typical projects | $1,479 | $2,958 | $7,888[3] |
| Angi Houston, custom tiled walk-in | $4,000 | n/a | $18,000[3] |
The "our estimate" rows adjust This Old House's national tiers[1] and Angi's national $3,000 average[2] for Houston labor. Planning numbers, not quotes.
How we got this number
This Old House puts a national tub to shower conversion at $2,000 to $12,000 in 2026[1]. Angi says labor is about 40% to 60% of the total[2], so we treated half the price as labor.
The local factor comes from BLS wage data for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, May 2025: $29.47 an hour median in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro[5] and $30.67 nationally[4]. The ratio is 0.96.
| Step | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| National price[1][2] | $2,000 | $3,000 | $12,000 |
| Labor at 50%[2] | $1,000 | $1,500 | $6,000 |
| Labor times 0.96[4][5] | $961 | $1,441 | $5,765 |
| Our Houston estimate, rounded | $2,000 | $2,900 | $11,800 |
Two caveats. BLS publishes no Houston wage for tile and stone setters, and the Texas median of $22.61[9] is lower than the plumber wage, so tile labor may come in under our figure. Angi's headline Houston numbers ($1,479 to $7,888, average $2,958) are its national figures times a flat 0.986 index[2][3], not Houston data. But several line items on the same Houston page run higher than national: a custom tiled walk-in conversion is $4,000 to $18,000 in Houston versus $3,500 to $15,000 nationally[2][3]. We show both because they disagree.
What changes the price in Houston
Labor and line items. Angi's Houston page lists conversion crews at $55 to $95 per hour per worker, full installation labor at $1,500 to $4,000, tub removal and disposal at $200 to $500, and waterproofing at $500 to $1,500[3].
The drain. Many installers will tell you the cheapest path is to put the shower drain where the tub drain was. In a slab house, moving it means cutting concrete, so ask for that as a separate price. This Old House puts a drain line move at $900 to $1,100 nationally[1].
Permits. Texas requires a city permit for plumbing beyond leak repairs and simple swaps such as faucets and toilets[8]. Swapping a tub for a shower usually means a new valve and drain work, so plan on a permit. Houston's 2026 minimum is $131.12[6].
Moisture behind the old tub. Water often gets behind an old tub surround. EPA says to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours and keep indoor humidity below 60%[10]. In Houston's climate, ask how the crew will handle wet or moldy board found during demolition.
Questions to ask a Houston contractor
- Is this a one-day acrylic system or a custom tile job, and what can I choose?
- Does the price include tub removal, disposal and the City of Houston permit?
- Is the drain staying in place? If not, what does the slab work cost?
- Who is the TSBPE-licensed plumber on the job?
- What happens to the price if there is rot or mold behind the tub?
When to call a pro
- Any change to the valve, drain or supply lines: a licensed plumber and a city permit, unless you are doing your own homestead under a homeowner permit[7][8].
- Soft subfloor, rot or mold found when the tub comes out.
- A window inside the new shower area.
- To compare prices: ask for removal, plumbing, waterproofing, door and permit as separate lines.
More questions
Can I convert my own tub to a shower in Houston?
Only in a home you own and live in as your homestead. Texas law lets an owner do plumbing in their own homestead without a license, and Houston's homeowner permit form requires you to affirm that you occupy the home and will do the work yourself. The minimum fee is $131.12.
Is a tub to shower conversion cheaper in Houston?
A little, on labor. BLS shows Houston plumbers earning about 4% less than the national median, which takes roughly 2% off a typical job. Angi's Houston page shows some line items, such as custom tile conversions, priced above its national figures, so get local quotes.
How much is the permit for a tub to shower conversion in Houston?
Houston's 2026 schedule charges $34.24 for the first three fixtures, but every permit has a $97.56 minimum plus a $33.56 administration fee. For one shower, expect the $131.12 minimum from the city. Angi's Houston page budgets $150 to $600 for permits and inspections.
Sources
- Tub-to-shower conversion cost (updated Mar 4, 2026), This Old House. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does tub-to-shower conversion cost? (2026 data, updated Jul 8, 2026), Angi. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in Houston, TX? (updated Jul 9, 2026), Angi. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- OEWS May 2025: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152), national median hourly wage (series OEUN000000000000047215208), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- OEWS May 2025: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152), Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, median hourly wage (series OEUM002642000000047215208), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Plumbing permit application and fee schedule, Form CE-1020 (revised April 2026), City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Homeowner's plumbing and irrigation system building permit application, Form CE-1284 (revised January 2026), City of Houston, Houston Permitting Center. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1301, Plumbers (sections 1301.051 and 1301.551), Texas Legislature. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- OEWS May 2025: Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044), Texas median hourly wage (series OEUS480000000000047204408), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed 2026-10-15.
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