How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?

The work is confined to the wet area rather than the whole room, so most conversions finish in a fraction of the time of a full remodel. Waterproofing and curing steps set the pace more than labor hours do, which means the schedule depends on materials and on what the open wall reveals.

What happens if there's damage behind the old tub?

It is common to find soft framing, old supply lines, or evidence of a slow past leak once the surround comes off — and in this climate that damage tends to be worse than the same defect would be east of the Cascades, because the assembly never gets a dry season to arrest it. We repair what is needed and discuss it with you rather than build a new shower over a hidden problem.

Will removing the tub hurt resale if buyers want one?

If the home has another bathtub elsewhere, converting an unused one usually adds everyday value rather than subtracting it. The consideration is whether the house retains a tub at all, since some buyers with young children treat that as a requirement. We talk it through against your full floor plan, not just the one room.

Bathroom & Shower Services

Tub-to-Shower Conversions

If the tub only collects dust, converting it reclaims the space and makes daily life easier — and around here it is also the moment you find out what the original builder did behind the surround. In mill-era Downtown Camas and Washougal homes we routinely open a wall to find an original pan with no membrane at all. In 1990s-onward subdivisions across Battle Ground, Ridgefield, and Salmon Creek the framing is usually sound and the work concentrates on finishes and a properly sized fan. Either way, we rebuild the wet area to current standards rather than tiling over what was there.

What's included

Tub to Shower Conversions

Old tub and surround removed, with the opened wall assessed before rebuild
New waterproof pan and walls built to current Washington code
Low- or zero-threshold entry options for easier access
Exhaust upgraded where the original fan was sized for a tub, not a shower
Glass doors or panels in place of a tub curtain, with coordinated tile and niches

An older bathtub and dated surround ready to be removed for a tub-to-shower conversion

How it works

Our tub to shower conversions process

The right choice for households whose tub goes unused day to day and who want an open, easy-entry shower in the same footprint without committing to a full remodel.

1
Tub Removal
We disconnect the plumbing, remove the old tub and surround, and haul it away. This is the moment the real condition of the wall becomes visible, and the point at which the scope is either confirmed or revised with you.
2
Inspect Behind
With the wall open we check framing, supply lines, and the drain for hidden water damage and dated plumbing. In older Camas and Washougal homes this is where original galvanized supply or an unmembraned pan tends to turn up; in newer subdivisions the bones are usually sound and the scope holds.
3
Build the Pan
We frame and set a new waterproof pan with a low- or zero-threshold entry, then carry the membrane up the walls. The drain is relocated as needed for a proper shower footprint rather than working around where the tub happened to drain.
4
Tile & Glass
Tile, fixtures, and niches go in to match your selections, followed by a glass door or panel in place of the old curtain. Where the original fan was sized for a tub, we upgrade it before closing out.

Good to know

Tub to Shower Conversions questions

How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?: The work is confined to the wet area rather than the whole room, so most conversions finish in a fraction of the time of a full remodel. Waterproofing and curing steps set the pace more than labor hours do, which means the schedule depends on materials and on what the open wall reveals.
What happens if there's damage behind the old tub?: It is common to find soft framing, old supply lines, or evidence of a slow past leak once the surround comes off — and in this climate that damage tends to be worse than the same defect would be east of the Cascades, because the assembly never gets a dry season to arrest it. We repair what is needed and discuss it with you rather than build a new shower over a hidden problem.
Will removing the tub hurt resale if buyers want one?: If the home has another bathtub elsewhere, converting an unused one usually adds everyday value rather than subtracting it. The consideration is whether the house retains a tub at all, since some buyers with young children treat that as a requirement. We talk it through against your full floor plan, not just the one room.

Tub to Shower Conversions by city