Day by day
- Day 1: demo and plumbing. The tub and old surround come out. The drain is changed for a shower and a new valve goes in. If a permit applies, the plumbing is inspected before it is covered.
- Day 2: pan and waterproofing. The new shower base is set and the walls are waterproofed. On a tiled shower the pan is flood-tested.
- Days 3–4: walls. Acrylic panels go up in a day. Tile takes longer: set one day, grout the next.
- Final day: fixtures and glass. Trim, shower head and grab bars go on. A stock framed door can go in now. Custom glass is measured at this point and installed when it is made.
Acrylic versus tile changes the schedule
| Acrylic walls | Tile walls | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical time on site | About 3 days | 4–5 days |
| Why | Large panels, no grout | Thinset and grout need to cure |
| Glass | Often a standard-size door | Usually custom, measured after tile |
Be careful with one-day promises. A one-day job is possible with a liner system over a simple alcove, but it leaves no time to inspect plumbing, fix what is found behind the old tub or test the pan. We would rather take three days and know what is behind the wall.
What can add days in an Arizona home
- The drain. A tub drain is 1½ inches and a shower needs 2 inches. Upsizing it usually means opening a small section of the concrete slab around the drain.
- Post-tension slabs. Common in newer East and West Valley homes. The cables have to be located before any concrete is cut.
- Moving the drain or going curbless. Both mean more concrete work and an inspection before the patch.
- Damage under the tub. Slow leaks often show up only after the tub is out.
When you can shower again
Plan on being without that shower for the full 3–5 days, plus the cure time your installer gives you for grout and sealant before the first use. If the glass is still on order, a tension rod and curtain works fine until it arrives. If it is your only shower, tell us at the estimate so the schedule is built around it. Conversions run $7,900 to $16,500 depending on walls, glass and drain work.
Key facts
- Typical time on site
- 3–5 working days
- Fastest option
- Acrylic walls, about 3 days
- Drain size
- Tub 1½ inch, shower 2 inch
- Price range
- $7,900–$16,500
Related questions
Where we do this work
Services: Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Bathroom remodeling in Mesa, Sun City, Gilbert, and across the Valley.