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How Much Does a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in Gainesville, GA?
Costs, timelines and choices for swapping an old tub for a walk-in or curbless shower in Gainesville, Flowery Branch, Oakwood, Lake Lanier and across Hall County.
Quick answer: Replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower in Gainesville and Hall County usually costs $3,000 to $18,000. A prefab acrylic shower that fits the old tub space is the low end, at about $3,000 to $8,000 and a few days of work. A custom tiled walk-in shower with a glass door runs about $7,000 to $18,000 and takes 1 to 2 weeks. Curbless showers, or showers enlarged into a closet or the old tub deck, run $12,000 to $35,000+. EBD Construction LLC is a licensed and insured general contractor in Gainesville, Georgia that builds walk-in and curbless tile showers with benches and niches. Call 404-925-7481 for a free consultation.
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?
These are typical Gainesville-area ranges for a finished job, including demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, the shower itself, glass and cleanup. Your price depends mostly on the size of the shower, whether the drain moves and what tile and glass you pick.
| Type of conversion | Typical cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Prefab acrylic or fiberglass shower in the tub space | $3,000–$8,000 | 2–4 days |
| Custom tiled walk-in shower in the tub space | $7,000–$18,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Curbless (zero-entry) tile shower | $12,000–$25,000+ | 2–3 weeks |
| Larger shower that takes in a closet, tub deck or garden tub | $15,000–$35,000+ | 2–4 weeks |
Common add-ons:
| Add-on | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Framed glass door or fixed panel | $800–$2,500 |
| Frameless glass door and panel | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Built-in tile niche | $300–$800 each |
| Built-in tile bench | $500–$1,500 |
| Grab bars (with blocking in the wall) | $200–$600 |
| Handheld shower or new valve and trim | $400–$1,500 |
| Linear drain instead of a center drain | $500–$1,500 extra |
| Moving the drain or valve to a new spot | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Repairing rotted subfloor or framing found under the tub | $500–$3,000 |
Tip: If the tub is in a hall bath that shares a wall with a bedroom, ask about adding a quieter exhaust fan vented outside while the wall is open. It costs far less now than later.
Prefab shower or tile shower: which is right for you?
| Prefab acrylic or fiberglass | Custom tile | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $3,000–$8,000 | $7,000–$18,000 |
| Time | 2–4 days | 1–2 weeks |
| Sizes | Set sizes, usually 60 x 30 to 60 x 36 inches | Any size or shape the room allows |
| Niches and benches | Molded in, limited choices | Anywhere you want them |
| Cleaning | Easy, no grout lines | More grout to keep clean; large tiles help |
| Looks | Clean and simple | Custom, high-end |
| Best for | Rentals, quick updates, tight budgets | Primary baths, homes you plan to stay in, resale |
Either way, the most important part is the part you never see: the waterproofing behind the walls and under the floor, and a shower pan sloped properly to the drain. Most shower leaks come from a failed pan or missing waterproofing behind the tile, not from the tile itself.
What happens during a tub-to-shower conversion?
- Consultation and design. We measure the space, look at how the plumbing runs and talk about size, tile, glass, niches, benches and grab bars. Eric can show you AI mockups of your own bathroom with the new shower so you can compare tile and glass before you choose. See how AI remodel mockups work.
- Written estimate and permit. You get a written scope and price. If the drain, valve or wiring moves, Eric pulls the permit.
- Tear-out. The tub, surround and wall tile come out, and the floor and framing are checked for rot or leaks.
- Plumbing. The drain is moved or resized for a shower, and the valve is set at shower height.
- Shower pan and waterproofing. A sloped pan and a waterproof membrane go on the floor and walls, and blocking goes in for grab bars or a future seat.
- Tile and grout. Walls, niche, bench and floor are tiled and grouted.
- Glass and trim. Frameless glass is measured once the tile is finished and installed about 1 to 2 weeks later. The valve trim, showerhead and accessories go on, and you get a final walkthrough.
Should I keep a bathtub anywhere in the house?
For resale, usually yes. Families with small children, and many buyers in general, expect at least one tub. The common approach in Gainesville and Hall County homes is:
- Primary bath: convert the tub (or the big garden tub nobody uses) into a larger walk-in shower.
- Hall or kids' bath: keep a tub, or replace an old one with a new tub and tile surround.
- Only one full bath: think carefully. If you plan to stay for many years and a tub is hard to step over, a walk-in shower may be worth more to you than to a future buyer.
For more on resale, see which remodels add the most value in Gainesville.
Is a curbless shower worth it?
A curbless shower has no step at the entrance, so you walk straight in. It looks clean and modern, and it's the easiest shower to use with a walker, a wheelchair or after a knee or hip surgery. The catch is that the floor under the shower has to sit lower than the bathroom floor so water runs to the drain. On a crawl space or basement, the floor joists can usually be cut down or reframed under the shower. On a concrete slab, part of the slab has to be cut out. That's why curbless showers start around $12,000. If you're planning to stay in your home as you get older, see our aging-in-place remodeling guide.
Do I need a permit to replace a tub with a shower?
It depends on what changes. A same-spot swap that reuses the drain and valve location often needs no permit. Moving the drain, moving or replacing the valve in a new location, adding a circuit or relocating a fan generally does, through the City of Gainesville inside city limits or Hall County in unincorporated areas. Eric pulls every permit himself, so you don't have to deal with the paperwork or inspections. Our building permits guide explains what needs a permit and what it costs.
What size can my new shower be?
A standard tub space is about 60 by 30 inches, which converts to a comfortable shower about 60 inches wide and 30 to 36 inches deep. Georgia's residential code requires at least 30 by 30 inches inside a shower, but most people find 36 by 48 inches or larger comfortable. If you want room for a bench or two people, look at taking in the tub deck of a garden tub, a linen closet or part of a large vanity area. For a full bathroom redo, see our bathroom remodeling cost guide.
Where does EBD Construction build showers?
- Gainesville
- Flowery Branch
- Oakwood
- Buford
- Braselton
- Chestnut Mountain
- Murrayville
- Lake Lanier homes
- All of Hall County
- Towns north of Gainesville
Why hire EBD Construction for your shower?
- Tile work we're proud of. Walk-in and curbless showers, tiled benches and niches, and large-format walls.
- Waterproofing done right. The sloped pan and membrane behind the tile are what keep a shower dry for decades.
- See it first. AI mockups of your own bathroom at the consultation, so you can compare tile and glass before ordering.
- You talk to the owner. Eric Bubniak is your point of contact from the first visit to the final walkthrough, and he pulls every permit himself.
- Local for 15+ years. Licensed and insured, all work guaranteed, with 5-star reviews on Thumbtack.
Tub-to-shower conversion FAQs
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
A prefab shower usually takes 2 to 4 working days. A tiled walk-in shower usually takes 1 to 2 weeks, because the waterproofing, tile and grout need time to cure, and frameless glass is measured after the tile is done. Curbless showers and showers that move a drain take about 2 to 3 weeks.
Does replacing a tub with a shower hurt resale value?
Not if the house keeps at least one bathtub. Buyers with young children often want a tub somewhere, so the usual advice is to convert the primary bath tub and keep a tub in a hall or guest bath. If it is the only tub in the house, think about who will buy the home next.
Do I need a permit to replace a tub with a shower in Hall County?
If the drain, shower valve or wiring moves, a plumbing or building permit is usually required in Gainesville and unincorporated Hall County. A same-spot swap that reuses the drain and valve location may not need one. EBD Construction pulls every permit itself.
What is cheaper, a prefab shower or a tile shower?
A prefab acrylic or fiberglass shower is cheaper and faster, often $3,000 to $8,000 installed. A tiled shower costs more, usually $7,000 to $18,000, but you can choose any size, tile, niche and bench, and it looks custom.
Can a tub be replaced with a curbless shower?
Often yes. A curbless shower has no step at the entrance, so the floor where the shower sits has to be lowered or the bathroom floor raised so water drains the right way. On a crawl space or basement it is usually easier than on a concrete slab. Expect about $12,000 to $25,000 or more.
How big does a walk-in shower need to be?
A standard tub space is about 60 by 30 inches, which makes a comfortable 60 by 32 to 36 inch walk-in shower. Georgia's residential code requires at least 30 by 30 inches inside a shower, and most people find 36 by 48 inches or larger comfortable.
Is EBD Construction licensed and insured?
Yes. EBD Construction LLC is licensed and insured, all work is guaranteed, and references are available on request.
Ready to trade your tub for a walk-in shower?
Call Eric Bubniak at 404-925-7481 or fill out the form below. Tell us which bathroom and what you have in mind, and we'll set up a free in-home consultation and written estimate.
Get your free consultation
Tell us a little about your project. Eric will call you within one business day to talk it through and set up a time to see the space.