Short answer
Expect $4,400 to $14,700 for a walk-in shower in Pearland in 2026, about $9,300 on average, based on our Houston-area estimate. Pearland requires a permit for remodeling and plumbing work. The city's posted fee schedule charges $120 for a residential plumbing permit on a remodel or alteration.
Key facts
- Pearland requires a construction permit for remodeling an existing structure and for work on plumbing systems.[6]
- Pearland's posted development fee schedule (effective Oct 1, 2021) charges $120.00 for a residential plumbing permit for remodels and alterations, and $60.00 for other residential plumbing work.[7]
- Plumbing contractors working in Pearland must show a State of Texas master license and at least $300,000 in general liability insurance naming the city.[8]
- Pearland's median home was built in 2003, and about 62% of homes were built in 2000 or later (ACS 2024 5-year, our arithmetic).[9]
Walk-in shower cost in Pearland
Pearland is part of the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands labor market measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Its median plumber wage was $29.47 an hour in May 2025[5]. We build our Houston-area ranges from national installed prices with labor adjusted to that wage, and we use them for Pearland too.
| Pearland project, 2026 | Low to high | National source |
|---|---|---|
| Tub to shower conversion | $2,000 to $11,800 | This Old House, $2,000 to $12,000[2][5] |
| Walk-in shower | $4,400 to $14,700 (typical $9,300) | Modernize, $4,500 to $15,000[1][5] |
| Walk-in tub | $3,500 to $9,900 (typical $5,900) | Fixr, $3,500 to $10,000[4][5] |
| Bathroom remodel | $5,900 to $17,600 (typical $11,800) | Fixr, $6,000 to $18,000[3][5] |
Treat these as a starting point. The size of the room, the shower type and any drain move set the final number.
Permits in Pearland
Pearland's Permits and Inspections office says a construction permit is required for remodeling or repairing an existing structure and for work on the mechanical, electrical or plumbing systems of a structure[6]. Replacing a tub with a walk-in shower usually means a new valve and drain, so plan on a plumbing permit. State law points the same way: only leak repairs and swaps of faucets, ballcocks, water control valves, disposals and toilets are exempt[10].
What it costs. The development fee schedule linked from the city's fees page, effective October 1, 2021, lists these residential plumbing permit fees[7]:
| Residential plumbing permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Remodel or alteration | $120.00 |
| Other residential plumbing work | $60.00 |
A shower or bath remodel fits the remodel and alteration line. If you add a circuit for a heated floor or a new fan, the schedule lists a separate residential electrical permit, also $120.00 for remodels and alterations[7].
How to apply and pay. Applications go through the city's Cityworks permit portal. The office is at the City Hall Annex, 3523 Liberty Dr., phone 281-652-1638[6]. The city warns about an application scam and says it only collects permit fees in person at the annex or through Cityworks[6]. If someone calls asking you to pay a permit fee, hang up and call the city.
Pearland homes and what they mean for the job
Pearland's housing is young. The median home was built in 2003, and about 62% of homes were built in 2000 or later[9]. About 76% of occupied homes are owner-occupied[9].
For a bathroom project, that usually means:
- Builder-grade bathrooms ready for an update. A house from the 2000s is now 20 or more years old. Swapping the original tub and surround for a walk-in shower with a low curb and a seat is a common update for owners who plan to stay.
- Slab plumbing. In 2024, 97.9% of new single-family homes in the West South Central states, which include Texas, were built on slabs[12]. The shower drain runs under the concrete. Keeping it in place costs least. Moving it, or lowering the floor for a curbless entry, means cutting the slab.
- Fewer old-pipe surprises. About 11% of homes predate 1980[9]. In those, ask the plumber to look at drain condition before you agree on a price.
Choosing a company in Pearland
- State license. Pearland asks plumbing contractors for a State of Texas master license[8]. You can check any plumber in the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners public license search[11].
- Insurance on file. The city requires plumbing contractors to provide a certificate of insurance showing at least $300,000 in general liability, with the City of Pearland as certificate holder[8].
- Registered account. Contractors need a registered contractor account with the city to apply for permits and schedule inspections[8].
- Clear price lines. Ask for removal, plumbing, waterproofing, glass, grab bars and the permit as separate items.
Doing it yourself? Texas law lets an owner do plumbing in their own homestead without a license[10], but the city permit and inspections still apply.
When to call a pro
- New valve, drain or pan: a TSBPE-licensed master plumber registered with Pearland, plus the plumbing permit[8][11].
- A curbless walk-in shower or a moved drain: get the slab work priced and a drain test written in.
- Water stains, soft floor or loose tile around the old tub.
- A call or email asking you to pay a permit fee: check with the city first[6].
More questions
Do I need a permit to replace a shower in Pearland?
Yes, in most cases. Pearland requires a permit to remodel or repair a structure and for work on plumbing systems. Texas law only exempts leak repairs and swaps of faucets, ballcocks, water control valves, disposals and toilets, and a new shower valve or drain is not on that list.
How much does a plumbing permit cost in Pearland?
The fee schedule posted on the city's website lists $120 for a residential plumbing permit on a remodel or alteration and $60 for other residential plumbing work. Confirm the current amount with Permits and Inspections at 281-652-1638.
How do I pay a Pearland permit fee safely?
The city warns residents about an application scam and says it only collects permit fees in person at the City Hall annex or through its Cityworks permit portal. Do not pay a permit fee to anyone who calls or emails you asking for it.
Sources
- Walk-in shower cost (updated Aug 21, 2026), Modernize. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Tub-to-shower conversion cost (updated Mar 4, 2026), This Old House. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does a bathroom remodel cost? (updated Jan 27, 2026), Fixr. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- How much does it cost to install a walk-in tub? (updated Jan 28, 2026), Fixr. 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.
- Residential and Commercial Permits, City of Pearland. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Development Fee Schedule, effective October 1, 2021, Exhibit C, VI Plumbing Permit Fee Schedule (linked from the city's Permit and Development Fees page), City of Pearland. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Contractor Requirements, City of Pearland. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates, tables B25003, B25034 and B25035, Pearland city, Texas, via Census Reporter, U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1301, Plumbers (sections 1301.051 and 1301.551), Texas Legislature. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (public license search), Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. Accessed 2026-10-15.
- Foundation types in 2024: slabs continue to rise, crawl spaces decline (Aug 8, 2025), National Association of Home Builders, Eye on Housing. Accessed 2026-10-15.
Walk-In Shower Quotes is an information and referral service run by Strive LeadGen LLC. We may be paid by contractors when we connect a homeowner with one; that never changes what we publish. Found an error? Tell us. We review safety and legal reports within 2 business days and all others within 7 days.