Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Seattle & Tacoma
Replace an unused tub with a walk-in shower you’ll use every day — fixed price, real waterproofing, and most builds finished in 1–3 weeks.
199+ completed projects · Fixed price with written exclusions · Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm PT
What it costs
| System | What you get | Installed cost |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic / prefab shower system | Panel or one-piece walls, new valve and fixtures, glass door | $8,000–$12,000 |
| Custom tiled walk-in | Full waterproofing membrane, tile walls, tiled or solid pan, niche and bench, frameless glass | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Curbless / wet-room build | Zero-threshold entry, linear drain, floor-to-ceiling tile | $18,000–$30,000+ |
Prices assume the shower replaces the tub in its existing footprint. Moving plumbing across the room, structural repairs, or enlarging the bathroom raise the number — and we price those before demo, not after. If you’re comparing bids, the full cost breakdown explains what each tier includes.
What’s in the fixed price
- Demolition and disposal
- Drain relocation to shower position (or linear drain for curbless)
- Sloped, waterproofed pan
- Full membrane waterproofing on walls and floor
- Tile or panel installation
- Valve and fixture upgrade
- Glass, measured after tile
- Permit handling when plumbing moves
- Final inspection and walkthrough
Exclusions are listed in writing on the proposal — the number you sign is the number you pay.
The part you can’t see is the part you’re buying
Tile is the photograph; waterproofing is the product. Behind every shower we build is a continuous membrane system across walls, pan, and corners, installed and checked before a single tile goes on. This is where cheap bids economize, and it’s why three-year-old showers develop musty smells and loose tile.
Ask any contractor you’re considering two questions: what waterproofing system do you install, and how do you test it before tile? A professional answers in specifics.
We don’t do “one-day” liner systems — here’s why
Liner-over-liner systems installed in a single day are fast when the walls behind them are sound. In homes built before the 1980s — most of Seattle and Tacoma — crews frequently open a wall and find rot, failed waterproofing, or wiring that needs bringing to code. Covering that instead of fixing it buys a few good years and a bigger bill later. We install prefab systems and custom tile, both over a properly prepared, waterproofed substrate.
How it goes
- 1
Free in-home assessment
We measure, look at what's behind the walls where possible, and talk through options.
- 2
Fixed-price proposal
Scope, materials, exclusions, and schedule in writing.
- 3
Permits
Pulled under our license when plumbing moves.
- 4
Demo and plumbing
Tub out, drain relocated, framing checked and repaired if needed.
- 5
Waterproofing
Membrane system installed and verified before tile.
- 6
Tile or panels
Walls and pan, niche and bench where specified.
- 7
Glass
Measured after tile is set, installed on delivery.
- 8
Walkthrough and warranty
We hand it over clean and stand behind the work.
Typical construction: 1–3 weeks once materials are on site.
Is a conversion right for your house?
Usually yes — showers get daily use, walk-ins add accessibility and buyer appeal, and conversion is the cheapest moment to add a curbless entry or heated floors. One honest rule: keep at least one tub somewhere in the home if family buyers matter for resale. If the bathroom in question is your only full bath, we’ll walk that trade-off with you before you spend anything — even when the answer costs us the bigger project.
Where we work
Seattle · Tacoma · Bellevue · Kirkland · Renton · Kent · Federal Way · Puyallup · Bothell · Everett — and the surrounding Puget Sound area. Every city runs its own permit process; we handle the one your address falls under.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in Seattle?
- Most conversions run $8,000–$25,000: prefab and acrylic systems at the low end, fully tiled walk-ins with frameless glass typically $12,000–$25,000, curbless wet-room builds above that.
- How long does the work take?
- Typically 1–3 weeks of construction once materials arrive: demo, plumbing, waterproofing, pan, tile or panels, then glass after final measure.
- Do I need a permit to convert a tub to a shower?
- If plumbing moves, which it usually does, a permit is typically required in Seattle, Tacoma, and surrounding cities. We pull it under our license and manage inspections.
- Can I get a curbless (zero-threshold) shower?
- Usually yes, and conversion is the ideal moment since the floor is already open for drain and slope work. Curbless entries pair a linear drain with a single-slope floor.
- Will removing the tub hurt resale value?
- Only if it's the last tub in the house. Converting one bathroom while another keeps its tub is generally a value-add — large walk-in showers are what most buyers now ask for.
- Do you offer one-day bath systems?
- No. We install prefab systems and custom tile over properly prepared, waterproofed substrates, because older Seattle-area walls regularly hide problems a liner would simply cover.
Free in-home assessment, no obligation
Call (206) 536-8410 (Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm PT) or book online. We measure, check what’s behind the walls where we can, and hand you a fixed price with everything in writing.
Ready to Start?
Free estimates. No surprise invoices. Licensed and insured, always. We respond within 2 business hours.