Tub-to-Shower Conversions
The most requested single change in this market, and one of the few where the cost swings entirely on a detail most homeowners never think about: whether the drain moves.
A tub-to-shower conversion in Winston-Salem typically runs $9,000-18,000. The bottom of that range is a same-footprint conversion where the drain stays where it is; the top is a curbless walk-in that required the floor to be recessed.
A tub drain and a shower drain are not in the same place. A standard alcove tub drains at one end; a shower drains in the middle. Whether that move is trivial or expensive depends on what is under your floor - and in a pre-war house that is often cast iron.
Three versions of the same job
What you are actually choosing between
| Type | Typical Winston-Salem cost | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Same footprint, pre-formed base, drain stays | $9,000-13,000 | Fastest, least risk |
| Same footprint, fully tiled, drain moves slightly | $12,000-17,000 | Waterproofing quality matters most |
| Curbless walk-in, floor recessed | $15,000-24,000 | Needs joist depth - not always possible upstairs |
That third option is the one to discuss early. A curbless shower needs the floor to drop, which means either recessing between the joists or building the rest of the bathroom floor up. On a ground floor over a crawl space this is usually straightforward. On a second floor it sometimes simply cannot be done without structural work.
The resale question
The honest answer is that it depends on your street. In a neighbourhood where most buyers are families, a house with no bathtub at all is a genuine deduction for some buyers. In a neighbourhood turning over to downsizers and retirees, a well-built walk-in shower is a selling point.
The practical compromise most people land on: convert the primary or hall bathroom to a shower, and keep a tub somewhere in the house. That removes the objection entirely and costs nothing extra.
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Common questions
Can this be done in a week?
The advertised one-day and two-day conversions use an acrylic or composite liner system over the existing surround. They are real products and they work, but they are a different job to a tiled rebuild - the wall behind stays where it is. If there is any chance of hidden water damage, that is the wrong choice.
Does a walk-in shower need glass?
Not necessarily. A well-designed walk-in with enough length can work with a single fixed panel or none at all. Frameless glass is usually $1,500-3,500 of the total, so it is a meaningful lever if budget is tight.
Will it be cold?
This comes up more than people expect. A tub holds warm water; a walk-in shower with a large open entry moves air. A good remodeler will suggest an in-line heater or a properly placed door panel rather than telling you it is not an issue.
Price a tub-to-shower conversion
Tell us where the bathroom is in the house - ground floor or upstairs - and whether you want curbless. That determines most of the cost. One local contractor, written quote, no obligation.
Or call (877) 701-2518