Updated July 12, 2026 · 7 min read
A tub-to-shower conversion reuses the tub's existing footprint and, usually, its existing plumbing — which is exactly why it tends to be one of the more affordable bathroom projects. But "affordable" still spans a wide range: a simple prefab stall swap and a fully custom tiled, curbless conversion can differ by tens of thousands of dollars.
This guide gathers cited 2026 figures from This Old House and a 2024 Bob Vila breakdown to show what drives a conversion's cost from the low end to the high end, plus the specific plumbing and glass line items that add up. We also state Camas Bath's own published range for Clark County and cover the Washington sales tax that applies on top of any quote.
Key takeaways
- This Old House (2026) prices tub-to-shower conversions nationally at $2,000–$12,000, depending on shower type; Bob Vila (2024) prices a basic swap specifically at $1,200–$3,600.
- Cost tiers by type: prefab stall $2,000–$6,000, walk-in shower $5,000–$12,000, tile shower $6,000–$12,000, curbless $8,000–$15,000 (This Old House, 2026).
- Plumbing changes (moving a drain line, relocating supply lines) and glass choice (framed vs. frameless vs. custom) are the line items most likely to move your total.
- A conversion tears down to the subfloor, which is the natural point to rebuild the shower pan with proper waterproofing — worth prioritizing in a climate with sustained indoor humidity.
- Camas Bath's published range for a Tub-to-Shower Conversion is $8,000–$15,000, reflecting a tiled surround and glass enclosure as standard rather than a prefab kit.
The short answer
This Old House (2026) prices a tub-to-shower conversion at $2,000–$12,000 nationally, depending on the type of shower installed and how much plumbing work is involved. Bob Vila's 2024 shower-remodel breakdown narrows a straightforward bathtub-to-shower conversion specifically to $1,200–$3,600 — a tighter range that reflects a simpler, same-footprint swap without a full custom build.
The two figures aren't contradictory; they describe different scopes. The type of shower you install inside the old tub footprint is what separates them, which is why we break that out next — and remember that Washington's combined sales tax (8.8% inside Camas as of Q3 2026, per the state Department of Revenue) applies to both the labor and materials on top of whichever tier you land in.
Cost by conversion type
This Old House (2026) breaks a tub-to-shower conversion into four tiers based on what replaces the tub.
| Conversion type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Prefabricated shower stall | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Walk-in shower (same footprint) | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Tile shower | $6,000–$12,000 |
| Curbless / zero-threshold shower | $8,000–$15,000 |
Source: This Old House (2026). A basic bathtub-to-shower swap without a custom build runs lower — Bob Vila (2024) puts that narrower scope at $1,200–$3,600.
Plumbing and glass line items
Beyond the shower type itself, two categories of line items move a conversion up or down within its tier: plumbing work and the glass enclosure. This Old House (2026) breaks both out.
- Moving a drain line: $900–$1,100 (This Old House, 2026)
- Installing or upgrading the shower valve: $700–$1,200 (This Old House, 2026)
- Relocating supply lines: $700 or more, added on top (This Old House, 2026)
- Tub removal and disposal: $300–$1,200 (This Old House, 2026)
- Framed glass doors: $400–$1,200; frameless glass doors: $1,200–$3,000; custom glass enclosures: $3,000 or more (This Old House, 2026)
What a rebuilt shower pan buys you here
Converting a tub means demolishing down to the subfloor and building a new sloped shower pan, which is also the point where a Clark County remodel earns its keep. Many older homes in Camas, Washougal, and central Vancouver still have their original single tub-shower combo, and decades of Northwest humidity behind an aging surround is a common reason owners convert in the first place. Rebuilding the pan and wall assembly with a proper waterproofing membrane at conversion time — rather than tiling over questionable substrate — is the difference between a fix that lasts and one that reopens the same moisture problem in a few years.
If your address falls inside Camas or Vancouver city limits, or in unincorporated Clark County, a permit is typically required whenever the drain line moves or new electrical is added; cosmetic-only work is usually exempt. Check with the office covering your address — City of Camas Building Division, City of Vancouver Permit Center, or Clark County Community Development — before scheduling demo.
Camas Bath's published range
Camas Bath's own published range for a Tub-to-Shower Conversion is $8,000–$15,000, which lands in the walk-in-to-curbless portion of the national data above rather than the basic prefab-stall end — our conversions typically include a tiled surround, a rebuilt waterproofed pan, and a glass enclosure rather than a prefab acrylic kit. For the fuller picture of what a bathroom project costs in Clark County, see our Camas bathroom remodel cost guide.
None of the sources above price conversions at the Camas or Clark County level specifically, so treat the national figures as the planning band and our published range as the local anchor. NerdWallet's 2026 general bathroom data (roughly $70–$250 per square foot) is consistent with this range once Washington sales tax and a typical tub footprint are priced in.
3-year workmanship warranty
Every tub-to-shower conversion we install is backed by a 3-year workmanship warranty, in addition to the manufacturer warranties on the tile, glass, and fixtures we install.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in Camas?
- Camas Bath's published range for a Tub-to-Shower Conversion is $8,000–$15,000. For national context, This Old House (2026) prices conversions at $2,000–$12,000 depending on shower type, while Bob Vila (2024) prices a basic swap at $1,200–$3,600. Add Washington sales tax — 8.8% inside Camas as of Q3 2026 (WA Dept. of Revenue) — since it applies to labor as well as materials.
- What is the cheapest way to convert a tub to a shower?
- A prefabricated shower stall installed in the existing tub footprint, without moving plumbing, is the least expensive path — This Old House (2026) prices this at $2,000–$6,000, and Bob Vila (2024) prices a basic conversion at $1,200–$3,600. Costs rise from there with tile, a curbless entry, or plumbing relocation.
- Does converting a tub to a shower require a permit in Clark County?
- Typically yes if the drain line moves, the shower valve is replaced, or electrical work is added — cosmetic-only work is usually exempt. Which office issues the permit depends on the address: City of Camas Building Division inside Camas, City of Vancouver Permit Center inside Vancouver, or Clark County Community Development in unincorporated areas.
- Why rebuild the shower pan during a tub-to-shower conversion instead of just tiling over the tub?
- A conversion already requires demolition down to the subfloor, which is the point at which a new sloped pan and waterproofing membrane can be installed correctly. In a climate with sustained indoor humidity, tiling over an old or uncertain substrate is one of the most common reasons a shower fails again within a few years — rebuilding the pan at conversion time avoids that.
Sources
- This Old House — How Much Does Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost? (2026)
- Bob Vila — Shower Remodel Cost Guide (2024)
- NerdWallet — Bathroom Remodel Cost in 2026
- Washington Department of Revenue — Local Sales & Use Tax Rate Table
- City of Camas — Building Division
- Clark County, WA — Building Permits
Claims and figures are drawn from the sources above and provided for general guidance; your project may vary. Photography is illustrative of design concepts. For a fixed price on your specific bathroom, request a free estimate.
