What does a tub to shower conversion typically include?

We include tub demo and haul-away, a new shower pan or base, wall surround or tile, shower valve and trim, basic drain work, caulking and sealing, and permit coordination. Work not covered unless specified includes moving the shower to a new location, electrical additions, flooring outside the shower footprint, vanity or toilet replacement, and structural repairs beyond normal subfloor prep.

Which shower conversion type is right for my bathroom?

The right type depends on your goals, budget, and how the existing plumbing is positioned. A prefab acrylic or fiberglass alcove kit fits the existing footprint with minimal plumbing changes. Custom tile over a waterproofing membrane offers more design flexibility. A curbless walk-in with a linear drain suits accessibility needs but requires floor rebuilding. We assess the space and walk through each option before any work begins.

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

A simple kit conversion with no plumbing changes runs two to three days of active construction. A mid-range project with a new valve, pan, and glass enclosure typically takes four to six days. A custom tile or curbless build with drain relocation can run one to two weeks. We confirm the schedule in writing before work starts so the timeline is never a surprise.

What waterproofing system goes behind the tile in a shower conversion?

We install a waterproofing membrane, such as Schluter-Kerdi, Wedi, or a RedGard liquid membrane, over cement backer board before any finish material goes up. The pan is flood-tested before tile or panels are applied, and shower pans are sloped a minimum of one-quarter inch per foot to drain. Drain sizing is upsized to two inches as required by plumbing code.

Can the existing tub drain be reused for the new shower?

The existing drain location can often stay, which holds the project at the lower end of the cost range. When the drain must be relocated, the P-trap and rough-in plumbing are repositioned and the subfloor is opened to set the new drain position. That additional plumbing work is one of the primary factors that moves a Shrewsbury conversion toward the higher end of the installed range.

What happens if rot is found in the subfloor or walls during demo?

When demolition uncovers damaged subfloor or wall framing, we replace the compromised material down to sound structure before waterproofing begins. That repair is not included in the base estimate but is identified early and priced in writing before work continues. Skipping this step would compromise the waterproofing system, so it is never deferred. Contact us to Get a Quote and discuss what to expect from your specific bathroom.

Does a curbless walk-in conversion cost more than a standard alcove kit?

A curbless or low-threshold conversion costs more because the floor must be rebuilt to slope toward a linear drain, and subfloor framing often needs to be dropped or modified. A prefab acrylic or fiberglass kit in the existing footprint with no plumbing changes sits at the lower end of the cost range. Curbless and custom tile builds with drain relocation move toward the higher end.

What should I do to prepare my bathroom before the crew arrives?

Clear the bathroom of personal items, towels, and cabinet contents the day before work starts. If this is the only full bath in the home, arrange alternate access for the duration of the project. We stand behind our workmanship with a 3-year warranty. If an issue is caused by our work, we'll return promptly to inspect it and make it right at no additional cost during the warranty period.

Tub to shower conversion in Shrewsbury, MA

Remodelled bathroom with a quartz vanity, dark cabinetry, stone-look tile floor and a soaking tub

Prefab Alcove Kit

Prefab Alcove Kit Conversion in Shrewsbury

A prefab acrylic or fiberglass alcove unit installs directly into the existing tub footprint with minimal plumbing changes. Brands such as Sterling, Maax, and American Standard make one-piece and multi-panel units sized to fit the standard 60-inch tub opening common in Shrewsbury homes. Because the drain stays in place and no tile work is required, this is the fastest conversion option and sits at the lower end of the installed cost range. It is a practical choice when the goal is a functional, clean shower without a custom budget.

Glass shower enclosure and tiled soaking tub in a remodelled bathroom with a new door and casing

Custom Tiled Shower

Custom Tiled Shower Conversion in Shrewsbury

A custom tiled shower is built over a waterproofing membrane, such as Schluter-Kerdi, Wedi, or a RedGard liquid membrane, applied over cement backer board before any finish tile goes up. The pan is flood-tested before tile is set to confirm there are no leaks in the membrane. This approach offers the widest range of tile choices, niche placement, and finished dimensions, and it is the right scope when the homeowner wants a permanent, design-forward result that can't be achieved with a kit. The pan is sloped a minimum of one-quarter inch per foot to drain as required by plumbing code.

Walk-in shower with white subway tile, a matte black frame, built-in niche and hex tile floor

Curbless Walk-In

Low-Threshold or Curbless Walk-In Conversion in Shrewsbury

A curbless or low-threshold walk-in eliminates the step over a curb entirely, creating a barrier-free entry. This type requires the floor to be rebuilt so the pan recesses into the subfloor and slopes toward a linear drain, which means the framing is often modified or dropped to achieve the correct height. That additional floor work is the primary reason curbless builds sit at the higher end of the cost range. It is the right choice for aging-in-place planning or any household where a standard threshold creates a daily fall risk.

Tiled walk-in shower with a rain head beside a quartz-topped vanity and sconce lighting

ADA Accessible

ADA or Accessible Shower Conversion in Shrewsbury

An ADA or accessible conversion adds blocking in the walls for grab bars, a fold-down or built-in bench, a roll-in or low-threshold entry, and a pressure-balanced anti-scald valve as required by code. This scope addresses both current mobility needs and future ones, making the bathroom usable for the long term without a second remodel down the road. In Shrewsbury's Colonial Revivals and ranch homes where the bathroom was never designed with accessibility in mind, we assess the existing wall framing and subfloor during the estimate to confirm what modifications are needed before demo begins.

Remodelled bathroom with a quartz vanity top, sconce lighting and a tiled soaking tub by the window

Drain Relocation

Drain Relocation and Rough Plumbing Work

When the new shower drain position does not align with the existing tub drain, we open the subfloor and reposition the P-trap and rough-in plumbing to set the drain where the new pan requires it. The drain is upsized from the standard 1.5-inch tub drain to a 2-inch shower drain as required by plumbing code. Drain relocation is one of the primary cost drivers in a Shrewsbury conversion, and it is identified and priced during the on-site estimate before any work begins.

Soaking tub set into a tiled surround with a matte black filler and glass shower alongside

Glass Enclosures

Shower Glass Enclosure Installation in Shrewsbury

A glass enclosure is part of most mid-range and upper-tier conversions, and the type of glass affects both the finished look and the cost. Framed enclosures are the least expensive option and are well-suited to prefab alcove kits. Semi-frameless and fully frameless glass doors and panels cost more but suit custom tile builds and are a common choice in Shrewsbury primary bath renovations where the homeowner wants the shower to be the visual focus of the room. We source enclosures to match the shower footprint confirmed during the estimate.

Powder room with a patterned black and white tile floor, grey vanity and granite top

Full Bathroom Remodel

Full Bathroom Remodel in Shrewsbury

If the conversion scope grows to include the vanity, flooring, toilet, or a layout change, the project becomes a full bathroom remodel rather than a standalone conversion. Many Shrewsbury homeowners start with a tub to shower conversion and decide mid-estimate that the rest of the bath warrants updating at the same time, when the room is already open and the trades are already scheduled. We offer both scopes and can walk you through where one ends and the other begins.

Explore Full Bathroom Remodeling

Conversion Type	Best For	Works Well In	Typical Scope
Prefab Alcove Kit	Budget-conscious update; no plumbing relocation needed	Standard alcove baths in 1970s and 1980s Shrewsbury homes	Tub demo, acrylic or fiberglass unit, valve and drain
Custom Tiled Shower	Design flexibility; durable finish over a waterproofing membrane	Primary baths where aesthetics and longevity matter most	Mud or foam pan, membrane, backer board, tile, trim
Low-Threshold or Curbless Walk-In	Easier entry; no curb to step over	Ranch and split-entry homes with a single full bath	Floor rebuild, linear drain, waterproofing, surround
ADA or Accessible Conversion	Aging-in-place; roll-in or transfer access	Any bath where mobility or safety is a priority	Grab bar blocking, bench, curbless entry, wider opening
Mid-Range Conversion	New valve, pan, and glass enclosure without full tile work	Secondary baths needing a functional and visual upgrade	Valve, solid-surface or pan, semi-frameless glass
Drain Relocation Build	Moving from a tub drain position to an optimized shower drain	Baths where the existing rough-in does not suit the new layout	P-trap repositioning, subfloor work, full surround install
Small Bathroom Remodel	Tight footprint where the conversion is part of a broader refresh	Cape Cods and minimal traditional ranches with a compact bath	Layout-first planning, fixture, finish, and conversion work

Conversion Scope	Typical Range in Shrewsbury (2026)	What Moves the Price
Prefab Alcove Kit, No Plumbing Changes	Lower end of $8,000 to $18,000	Unit size, acrylic vs. fiberglass, existing drain condition
Mid-Range: New Valve, Pan, and Glass Enclosure	Middle of $8,000 to $18,000	Valve type, glass enclosure style, wall surround material
Custom Tile Shower Conversion	Upper end of $8,000 to $18,000	Tile format, waterproofing membrane, niche count, fixture grade
Curbless Walk-In with Drain Relocation	Upper end of $8,000 to $18,000	Floor rebuild, linear drain, P-trap re-route, framing modification
ADA or Accessible Conversion	Upper end of $8,000 to $18,000	Grab bar blocking, bench, roll-in access, drain and framing work

Customer Reviews

What MetroWest Homeowners Say

Seven Pines holds a 5.0-star rating on Google across 9 reviews from homeowners in Shrewsbury and surrounding MetroWest communities.

5.0 9 Google reviews

Seven Pines did a screen and recoat on our first-floor oak. The floors look like they were just installed. Marcony walked us through every step, and the crew left the house cleaner than they found it. We will not use anyone else.

Ping H.

via Google

We had Seven Pines recoat the hardwood throughout our main level. The team was on time, worked efficiently, and finished ahead of schedule. The sheen is even and the scratches we were living with for years are gone.

Kristofer P.

Marcony and the Seven Pines team were professional from estimate to final coat. They identified a wax residue issue during inspection, handled it as an added step, and the finish bonded perfectly. Highly recommend for floor recoating in Shrewsbury.

Gautham P.

Read all 9 reviews on Google

Tub to shower conversion in Shrewsbury, MA