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Read moreA tub to shower conversion takes out a bathtub and builds a walk-in shower in that space. It often makes sense when nobody uses the tub or stepping over the tub wall has become hard. The drain, walls and subfloor get checked first. If young kids or resale plans need a tub, keep one somewhere.
This guide covers what changes, when to keep the tub, which shower entry fits and what to plan for. Our team offers bathroom remodeling services across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News. Request a Free In-Home Estimate.
What is a tub to shower conversion?
It is a bathroom project that replaces a tub, or a tub and shower combo, with a stand-alone shower. The work happens in the same footprint, so the room layout usually stays the same.
Our bathroom remodeling services page describes the usual steps:
- Remove the tub.
- Check the walls and subfloor around it.
- Confirm how the drain and water supply are set up.
- Build a properly waterproofed shower area.
- Install the shower system, tile, controls and the door or enclosure.
The steps are simple to list. The details under the tub are what shape the job.
Why are so many homeowners trading the tub for a shower?
Bigger showers are in demand. According to the 2026 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, as reported by Houzz on October 9, 2026:
- The bathtub was removed in 26% of bathroom projects.
- When a tub came out, 79% of those homeowners used the space to enlarge the shower.
- 49% of renovating homeowners enlarged the shower, up 10 points from last year.
- Shower-over-tub combinations fell 7 points to 5% of shower upgrades.
Tubs are not going away, though. The same study found 38% of homeowners upgraded the bathtub, and soaking tubs led among new tubs. It is a national survey of 1,619 Houzz users, not Hampton Roads data. Still, it shows that many people want the space for a shower.
Is a tub to shower conversion right for your bathroom?
Start with who uses the bathroom and how. Our service page notes that a tub replacement may suit some homeowners better, especially when a bathtub matters for children, resale plans or the layout of the room.
Sources: our bathroom remodeling page, the 2026 Houzz study and MedlinePlus.
If your home has more than one full bath, you could convert one and keep a tub in another. That way you get the shower you want and still have a tub for kids or future buyers.
Curb, low curb or curbless: which shower entry fits?
The entry is the edge you cross to step into the shower. During the design talk, we discuss whether a standard curb, a low-threshold entry or a curbless design fits your bathroom and goals.
Low-curb showers were the most common choice in the Houzz study. Curbless showers tied with corner showers. Which one works depends on your floor, your drain and the space you have.
Our post on aging-in-place bathroom remodels goes deeper into curbless design and other safety features.
What safety features should you add while the walls are open?
A conversion is a good time to plan for safety, because the walls and floor are already open. MedlinePlus says the bathroom is where falls most often happen at home. It suggests:
- Grab bars mounted vertically or horizontally on the wall, not diagonally.
- No towel racks used as grab bars, because they can't hold your weight.
- Non-slip mats or decals on the shower floor, and a non-skid mat outside it.
- A bath chair or bench to sit on in the shower.
- A water heater set to no more than 120°F to prevent burns.
The CDC also suggests adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower.
When it fits your home, we can discuss features like grab-bar blocking, slip-resistant surfaces and handheld shower controls. Blocking is reinforcement inside the wall, so grab bars can be installed now or later.
Do you need a permit to convert a tub to a shower in Virginia?
It depends on what the work changes. Under Section 108.1 of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, a permit is needed before work that changes:
- The water supply, drain or vent system.
- A wall or partition, or any structural part.
- Electric wiring.
Section 108.2 exempts some smaller jobs. These include replacing plumbing fixtures without changing those systems, new floor finishes and cabinetry. A conversion often touches the drain, water lines or walls, so ask about permits before work starts.
The local building official decides what applies. In Virginia Beach, the residential building permits page lists interior alterations among the work that needs inspections. Other cities have their own permit offices. This is general information, not legal advice.
Our bathroom process covers scheduling, permits when needed, and coordination between plumbing and electrical work.
What can change the scope and schedule?
Nobody can see under a tub until it comes out. Our service page says the cost and schedule can change if demolition reveals:
- Damaged framing.
- Outdated plumbing.
- Mold.
- Uneven floors.
- Other conditions that need more work.
Your choices shape the scope too:
- Plumbing changes. Our service page lists plumbing relocation as a cost factor, so moving the drain or water lines adds work.
- Entry type. A standard curb, a low-threshold entry and a curbless design each call for a different build.
- Wall and floor finish. Our service page lists extensive tile work as a cost factor. See our tile installation service for options.
- Door or enclosure. A glass door, a fixed panel or a curtain each changes the build.
- Extras. A bench, niche, grab-bar blocking or a handheld shower adds parts to plan.
If hidden damage turns up, we explain the issue before proceeding.
How does Cuevas Construction plan a tub to shower conversion?
Every conversion starts with an in-home consultation. We look at your bathroom, then explain the layout options, required installation steps, material choices and known plumbing work. That way you can choose a shower or a tub with realistic expectations.
We also talk through storage, seating, grab bars, shower fixtures, ventilation and how you like to clean. Then we follow the same four steps as our other bathroom projects:
- Consult and plan. We walk your bathroom with you and map out a plan that fits your space and budget.
- Design and estimate. We help you choose the shower, tile and fixtures, then confirm the full estimate before anything starts.
- Build and manage. We handle scheduling, permits when needed, and coordination between plumbing and electrical work.
- Walkthrough and final adjustments. We walk the finished bathroom with you and take care of any adjustments.
Learn more about bathroom remodeling in Virginia Beach, Norfolk bathroom remodeling and kitchen and bathroom remodeling in Chesapeake.
Not sure whether to keep the tub? We will look at your bathroom and give you a straight answer either way. Request a Free In-Home Estimate.
Sources (all accessed November 2, 2026):
- Houzz, The Bathroom Features Homeowners Want Most in 2026 (October 9, 2026; reports the 2026 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study)
- MedlinePlus, Bathroom safety for adults
- CDC, Preventing Falls and Hip Fractures (January 27, 2026)
- Virginia Administrative Code, 13VAC5-63-80, Section 108 Application for permit
- City of Virginia Beach, Residential Building Permits
FAQ
Do you need a permit to convert a bathtub to a shower?
It depends on the work. Virginia's building code requires a permit for changes to the water supply, drain or vent lines, walls, structural parts or wiring. Swapping a fixture without changing those systems is exempt. Your local building official makes the final call.
Does converting a tub to a shower hurt resale value?
There is no single answer. A bathtub can matter for resale plans and for families with young children, so many homes keep at least one tub. We talk through that choice during the consultation.
Can I replace my tub and shower combo with a walk-in shower?
Often, yes, when the space, plumbing, structure and local rules support it. We check the walls, subfloor, drain and water supply first, then go over layout options with you.
Why are people getting rid of bathtubs?
Many want a bigger shower. In the 2026 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, the tub was removed in 26% of bathroom projects, and 79% of those homeowners used the space to enlarge the shower.
What are the downsides of a walk-in shower?
You lose the tub, which matters if young children bathe there or if it is the only tub in the home. Demolition can also uncover damaged framing, old plumbing or mold, which adds work.
What is the new trend for walk-in showers?
Low-curb showers lead, chosen by 47% of homeowners upgrading a shower in the 2026 Houzz study. Curbless and corner showers tied at 24%, and 49% of renovating homeowners enlarged the shower.
How much does a tub to shower conversion cost?
It depends on the work required, the size and condition of the room, and the materials and fixtures you choose. We do not recommend relying on a phone estimate. We look at your bathroom first, then prepare an estimate.
What makes a shower safer?
MedlinePlus suggests grab bars mounted vertically or horizontally, a shower bench, non-skid surfaces and a water heater set no higher than 120°F. The CDC suggests grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower.
