What a tub to shower conversion in Bellingham involves.
A tub to shower conversion in Bellingham swaps a tub you never use for a walk-in or curbless tiled shower that fits how you actually live. We pull the old tub or fiberglass surround, build the new shower on a tile-ready waterproofing membrane, and finish it with tile, a glass panel, and a standard or linear drain. It is the most popular bath upgrade we do, both for primary baths and for homeowners who want to age in place safely.
Every job starts with a free consultation where we check the existing plumbing, measure the opening, and write a fixed scope before demo. Because the shower replaces a tub footprint, most conversions move faster than a full remodel, usually 1 to 2.5 weeks. In older Whatcom County homes we also inspect for past leaks behind the surround, since the wet wall is exactly where moisture damage tends to hide.
What it actually costs.
Tub to shower conversion $9,000 to $22,000
Curb or curblessA curbless entry needs more floor and drain work
Tile choiceBasic field tile up to large-format or detailed patterns
Glass panelA fixed panel costs less than a full glass enclosure
Drain typeA linear drain adds cost over a standard center drain
Hidden damagePast leaks found behind the old tub surround
Our four-step process.
Free consultation & written scope
We look at the existing tub, check the plumbing and floor, and talk through walk-in or curbless options. You get a fixed line-item scope, including the waterproofing plan, before any demo.
Tub removal & rough-in
We pull the old tub or fiberglass surround, repair any soft framing we find, and rough in the drain for the new shower base or linear drain. The wet wall is opened and checked before we rebuild it.
Waterproofing, tile & glass
We build the shower on a tile-ready waterproofing membrane, set the tile, then install the glass panel and fixtures. The result is a sealed walk-in or curbless shower ready for daily use.
Final walkthrough
We run the water, check the slope to the drain, and confirm the glass and fixtures are right. Anything that is not correct gets fixed before we call the conversion done.
Why hire one crew for your shower conversion.
A real tile-ready waterproofing membrane behind the tile, not just grout
Walk-in or fully curbless options for easier, safer entry
Glass panel and a standard or linear drain to match your design
Faster than a full remodel because the shower uses the tub footprint
Past leaks behind the old surround inspected and repaired, not hidden
Frequently asked questions.
Can you convert a tub to a curbless shower?
Yes. A curbless conversion removes the step at the shower entry so you can walk straight in, which is ideal for aging in place and for a clean, open look. It takes more floor and drain work than a standard curbed shower because the slope and waterproofing have to carry across a wider area, so we confirm the framing and drain location during the consultation.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
Most tub to shower conversions take 1 to 2.5 weeks. Because the new shower reuses the tub's footprint, there is less demo and plumbing work than a full bathroom remodel. Waterproofing and tile still need time to be done correctly, and a curbless build or a large tile pattern adds a few days compared to a simple walk-in.
Do you waterproof behind the tile?
Yes, every time. We build the shower on a tile-ready waterproofing membrane behind the tile, so water stays out of the framing instead of soaking into it. In Bellingham's damp climate that membrane is what keeps a shower from rotting the wall over time, and it is the step we never skip no matter the budget.
Ready for a free shower conversion quote?
Tell us about your project. We'll reply within 15 minutes during business hours.
Every neighborhood we serve has its own kind of bathroom, from tight historic baths in Fairhaven to primary suites out in Barkley. Pick your area for local notes and pricing: