Tub-to-shower conversion in San Antonio
The most common bathroom project in an older house: the 5 foot tub comes out, and a shower with a low curb goes into the same space. The drain is already there, which keeps the price down. Tell us about your tub and a local remodeler calls you back.
How a conversion works
- The tub comes out. A steel or acrylic tub comes out in one piece. A cast iron tub in a 1950s house is often broken up in place because it weighs several hundred pounds.
- The drain is reworked. A shower drain sits in a different spot from a tub drain and needs its own trap. On a slab, that can mean opening the concrete at the drain.
- The valve is replaced. A tub valve sits low; a shower valve and head go higher, so the wall is opened.
- A pan and walls go in. A prefab pan with panel walls, or a tiled shower built on a waterproofed base.
- Glass, trim and fixtures finish it.
What a conversion costs
| Job | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab walk-in shower | $2,000 to $8,000 | Fixr, Mar 2025 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $1,200 to $10,000, $4,000 average | Fixr, Jan 2025 |
| Tub-to-shower, ceramic tile walls | $6,000 to $12,000 | Fixr, Jan 2025 |
| Old tub removal and hauling | about $300 ($200 to $1,000) | Fixr, Jan 2025 |
National published ranges from Fixr, not a San Antonio average and not a quote.
Before you take out the tub
Think about who uses the house. A tub is the easiest way to bathe a small child, and some buyers look for one. If the house has a second bathroom with a tub, converting the other one is an easier call. If it is the only tub, ask a local agent how buyers on your street see it.
If the tub is a fall risk, the case is simpler. The CDC says more than one in four older adults falls each year, and falls send older adults to emergency departments about 4.5 million times a year. Accessible bathrooms.
Permits
Moving the drain and replacing the valve is plumbing work. Under Texas Occupations Code Section 1301.351, a person may not do plumbing work without the proper state license, and the work must be supervised by a licensed plumber. Anyone who advertises plumbing must secure the services of a responsible master plumber. The City of San Antonio says a building permit is typically required to build or remodel a structure, with a few exceptions for some general repairs. Ask who pulls the permit and when the inspection happens.
Questions San Antonio homeowners ask
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower?
Fixr puts a tub-to-shower conversion at $1,200 to $10,000, about $4,000 on average. With ceramic tile walls it runs $6,000 to $12,000.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
It depends on whether the drain moves, whether you choose tile or panels, and how soon inspections are scheduled. Ask for a written schedule that includes the inspection.
Can I keep the tile on the wall?
Rarely. The valve and head move, and the new pan sits lower or wider than the tub, so the surround usually comes off. Ask the remodeler what they see in your bathroom.