Swapping an old bathtub for a walk-in shower is one of the most common bathroom projects we get asked about in Plano, Frisco and the rest of DFW. Most homeowners who make the switch rarely used the tub, and they want a shower that is easier to step into, easier to clean and better looking. The big question is cost. In the DFW market, most tub-to-shower conversions land somewhere between $2,000 and $12,000, with curbless and fully accessible showers running higher. Where you fall in that range depends mostly on one choice: a prefab shower kit or a custom tiled shower.
Below is a plain breakdown of what drives the price, how long the work takes, and what permits look like in Plano.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in DFW at a Glance
These are typical DFW market ranges for a conversion in the same footprint as the old tub (usually a 60 by 30 or 60 by 32 inch alcove). They are not NovaStar quotes. Your actual price depends on the condition behind the walls, the finishes you pick and whether plumbing moves.
| Shower type | Typical installed cost (DFW) | Typical work time |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab acrylic or fiberglass kit | $2,000 to $6,000 | 1 to 3 days |
| Custom tiled walk-in shower | $5,000 to $12,000 | 5 to 10 working days |
| Curbless or accessible (zero-entry) shower | $8,000 to $15,000+ | 1 to 2+ weeks |
A quick note on low ads you may see for “one-day” conversions: those usually cover a basic acrylic liner over a standard base. They can be a fine fit for a hall bath, but they rarely include new plumbing valves, tile or frameless glass.
What Goes Into the Price
Demolition and haul-off
Removing a cast iron or steel tub is heavy work. Expect roughly $300 to $1,200 to tear out the tub and surround, haul it away and prep the walls. Cast iron tubs in older homes sit at the high end because they often need to be broken up to get out of the room.
Plumbing changes
A tub drain sits at one end, and a shower drain is often centered or moved to a linear drain. Common plumbing line items in the DFW market:
- Moving the drain: about $900 to $1,100
- New shower valve (or upgrading to a pressure-balance or thermostatic valve): about $700 to $1,200
- Adding or relocating supply lines for a rain head or handheld: $700 and up
If several of these happen together, plumbing alone can pass $2,000. North Texas slab foundations add a wrinkle here, since moving a drain can mean cutting into the concrete slab.
Waterproofing, tile and the shower pan
This is where tiled showers get their extra cost. A proper tiled shower needs a sloped pan, a waterproof membrane, cement board or foam board, and careful tile layout. Tile choice matters too. Large-format porcelain and natural stone cost more to buy and take longer to set than basic ceramic.
Glass doors and enclosures
- Framed glass door: about $400 to $1,200
- Frameless glass: about $1,200 to $3,000
- Custom glass enclosures: $3,000 and up
Custom glass is measured after tile is finished, so it often adds one to two weeks of lead time at the end of the job.
Hidden repairs
Once the tub comes out, it is common to find water damage, soft subfloor or old leaks. Minor subfloor repair can run several hundred dollars, and bigger repairs can top $1,000. A contingency of 10 to 20 percent of your budget is a smart cushion.
Do You Need a Permit in Plano?
If the job only swaps finishes and does not touch plumbing or electrical, it is usually treated as cosmetic. Most tub-to-shower conversions do touch plumbing, though, since the valve and drain typically change. Under City of Plano rules, moving or adding plumbing fixtures in a bathroom generally requires plumbing and building permits, and adding new lighting or outlets needs an electrical permit. Published estimates put Plano permit fees for this kind of work at roughly $115 to $460, with about a week for approval, and a final inspection before the permit closes. Other DFW cities (Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Dallas) have similar rules with their own fees, so always confirm with the city where you live. Your contractor should pull the permit.
How Long Does a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Take?
Most professional conversions take three to seven working days once work starts. A prefab kit can be done in one to three days. A custom tile shower usually needs a full week or more because mortar beds, waterproofing and grout need time to cure. Add permit approval up front and glass fabrication at the end, and a tiled shower is often a two to four week project from start to finish, even though crews are not on site every day.
How to Save on a Tub-to-Shower Conversion
- Keep the drain where it is. Using the existing drain location (or choosing a base designed for an end drain) avoids slab cutting.
- Use a standard 60 inch footprint. Keeping the shower in the old tub alcove avoids moving walls.
- Tile the walls, keep the pan simple. A quality prefab base with tiled walls is a good middle ground between a full kit and a full custom shower.
- Pick mid-range tile and spend on the valve. A good valve is hidden in the wall and expensive to change later. Tile can be upgraded with an accent niche or strip instead of using premium tile everywhere.
- Choose a framed or semi-frameless door. It can save $800 or more over frameless glass.
- Bundle other bathroom work. If you plan to replace the vanity or flooring soon, doing it at the same time avoids paying for setup and demo twice.
Where These Numbers Come From
The ranges above combine published 2025 and 2026 cost data from national sources such as HomeAdvisor and This Old House, a Dallas-specific cost estimator for acrylic shower conversions (which put a typical Dallas kit-style job at roughly $4,800 to $9,600 with labor), and published City of Plano permit guidance. Prices in DFW shift with material costs and demand, so treat these as a starting point, not a quote.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion FAQ
Will removing my tub hurt resale value?
Many buyers like having at least one tub in the home, especially families with young kids. If your house has another tub (often in a hall bath), converting the primary bath tub to a shower is usually not a concern. If it is your only tub, think about who is likely to buy your home before you commit.
Is a prefab shower kit worth it?
For a hall or guest bath on a tighter budget, yes. Modern acrylic systems are durable and easy to clean. For a primary bath where you want a specific look, a niche, a bench or frameless glass, a tiled shower is usually the better long-term choice.
Can a tub be converted to a curbless shower on a slab?
Usually, but it costs more. The slab often needs to be recessed so the floor can slope to the drain without a curb. That is why curbless conversions often start around $8,000 in DFW.
Can I use my bathroom during the project?
Not the one being converted. Plan on using another bathroom for at least a week for a tiled shower.
Get a Real Number for Your Bathroom
Online ranges only go so far. The fastest way to know your actual cost is to have someone look at your tub, plumbing and walls in person. NovaStar Construction handles tub-to-shower conversions as part of our bathroom remodeling services in Plano and nearby cities including Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Richardson, Carrollton, Prosper, The Colony and Dallas.
Request a free estimate or call us at (945) 284-3003 to talk through your project.