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Bathroom Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Los Angeles, CA
We pull out the tub you climb over every day and set a walk-in shower with a low or zero entry in its place.
- Same-footprint or enlarged showers
- Low-curb or zero-entry options
- Drain moved on slab or crawlspace
- Itemized scope before demo
CSLB Lic. [#000000] | Bonded & Insured | Written Workmanship Warranty
Book a Free In-Home Visit
We measure the tub alcove, check the floor and walls for leaks, and plan the swap. No charge, no obligation.
Form fields: Full name, Email, Phone, Project address, Scope (Walk-in shower or tub-to-shower, Full bathroom remodel, Walk-in tub, Bathtub replacement, Vanity installation, Accessible bathroom), Preferred date, Tell us about your bathroom. Submit button: Book My Free Visit (red #E12228).
Free Conversion Visit
We tell you on day one whether your drain can stay put or has to move. Book a slot.
Tub Out, Shower In
Most swaps reuse the alcove, so none of the walls have to move. See how it works.
Replace the Tub You Never Use With a Walk-In Shower
Serving: Westchester, Leimert Park, Van Nuys, Granada Hills, Palms, Highland Park, and Torrance.
The tub to shower conversion Los Angeles homeowners ask us for usually starts with a 5-foot alcove tub that’s become hard to step over. We remove the tub, rework the drain, and build a walk-in shower in the same bathroom footprint.
The swap keeps the room’s walls and layout, so the scope stays focused. If this is your home’s only tub, we’ll talk through what that means for bath time and resale first.
Many LA conversions start in postwar homes. Westchester and Granada Hills tract houses often have one full bath with a steel or cast-iron tub on a slab, so the drain move means cutting concrete.
- Tub removed and hauled away
- Drain reset for a shower pan
- Low curb or zero entry
- Blocking set for grab bars
- Handheld shower on a slide rail
- Pan flood-tested on record
Certified Service
CSLB Lic. [#000000]
Pair the Conversion With Other Bath Work
Converting the tub is a good time to fix the rest of the room. Each page below covers one more piece of bathroom work and what it involves.
Not sure where to start?
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Bathroom Remodeling in Los Angeles
The full bathroom: layout, shower or tub, vanity, tile, and permits under one contract.
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Shower Remodeling & Walk-In Showers
Tile or low-threshold walk-in showers with benches, niches, and a waterproofed pan.
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Walk-In Tub Installation
A door-entry tub for soaking safely, with hot water and power planned in.
SEE THE SERVICE →
Bathtub Replacement
A new alcove, drop-in, or freestanding tub, with the wall and drain done right.
SEE THE SERVICE →
Bathroom Vanity Installation
Single, double, or floating vanities, with the top, sink, and plumbing connected.
SEE THE SERVICE →
Accessible & Aging-in-Place Bathrooms
Grab bars on blocking, zero-entry showers, and clearances for walkers and wheelchairs.
SEE THE SERVICE →
Choosing a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Contractor in LA
Ask where the new drain will go and how the crew will reach it: through a slab cut or from the crawlspace. Then look up the CSLB license and check that it covers plumbing.
Line up bids side by side. Kit installers often price the shell and leave out the drain move, the valve, or the wall repair behind the old tub. Every line below gets priced in your contract up front.
- Tub removal and haul-away
- Drain relocated for the shower
- New anti-scald shower valve
- Membrane on walls and pan
- Grab bar blocking
- Glass panel, door, or curtain
- Walls opened to the studs
- Slab cut and re-pour if needed
- Sloped pan or shower base
- Low-curb or curbless entry
- Tile or solid-surface walls
- Inspection and walkthrough
What Working With Us Looks Like
One point of contact
Your project manager answers the phone, walks the site, and owns the schedule. You never chase a plumber or tile setter for an answer about your own bathroom.
Written scope, written changes
Everything in the contract is a line item. Any change gets priced and signed before a crew touches it, so nothing shows up on a final invoice as a surprise.
A clean site, every evening
Floor protection along the path, dust barriers at the door, and cleanup at the end of each day. We tell you in advance which days the bathroom is out of use.
Five Parts of a Tub-to-Shower Conversion
A conversion swaps the tub for a shower in the same alcove, with no walls moved. Here’s what each part of the job covers and where you get a choice.
Tub Removal
Cast-iron tubs weigh hundreds of pounds, so we break them up in place or carry them out whole. Acrylic and steel tubs come out easier, but the wall tile around them still goes.
Drain & Valve
A tub drain sits at one end, while a shower drain sits lower and often mid-floor or along the back wall. We move it, set a new anti-scald valve, and raise the showerhead to standing height.
Low or Zero Entry
A standard shower curb stands a few inches tall, far lower than a tub wall. A low curb trims that further, and a zero entry removes it by recessing the pan into the floor.
Walls & Glass
Tile, solid-surface panels, or porcelain slabs go over a waterproof membrane. Close the front with a fixed glass panel, a hinged door, or a weighted curtain across the opening. Tile takes longest; panels go up in a day or two.
Grab Bars & Seat
We add blocking behind the walls for grab bars and a fold-down or corner seat. Bars go in now or later, right where the blocking sits.
Conversion Designs That Fit LA Bathrooms
Your new shower can look original to the house or fully new. Period tile in a 1920s Highland Park bungalow reads right; a plain acrylic kit usually doesn’t.
Glass Half-Wall
A short tiled wall topped with fixed glass. It keeps spray in without a door to swing, and the top of the wall gives you a ledge for bottles.
Curtain Over a Low Curb
A weighted curtain on a rod over a low curb. It’s the simplest front for a 60-inch alcove, and a helper can reach in easily if you need one.
Period-Matched Tile
Hex floors, subway walls, and a black or colored trim line. This look suits Craftsman and Spanish homes in Highland Park and West Adams.
Solid-Surface Panels
Large panels with few or no grout lines, cut to fit the alcove. They wipe clean fast, which suits rentals and anyone tired of scrubbing grout.
Retro Colored Tile
Mint, pink, or blue tile as a nod to the 1950s original. It keeps a Westchester or Leimert Park bath true to its era, with a modern pan behind it.
Conversion Wall and Base Options, Compared
Your walls and base decide the look, the upkeep, and how fast the job goes. Custom tile gives the most choice, and kits give the fewest seams.
Wall system
Best for
Watch out for
Upkeep
Custom tile
Any size, bench, or niche
Longest install; grout needs care
Seal grout every [1–2] years
Acrylic kit
Fast swaps in standard alcoves
Set sizes; can look plain
Wipe with mild soap
Solid-surface panels
Few seams and easy cleaning
Limited colors and edge profiles
Sand out scratches
Porcelain slab panels
Stone looks without grout
Heavy; tricky to carry in
Damp-wipe; nothing to seal
Cultured marble
Budget-minded bath refreshes
Gel coat can dull or craze
Non-abrasive cleaners only
Full conversion
The tub comes out and a walk-in shower goes in. Choose it when nobody in the house takes baths and the tub wall has become a hurdle every morning.
Tub with better access
Keep the tub and add a handheld, grab bars on blocking, and a transfer bench. It works when kids or grandkids still need a bath at night.
New tub
Replace the old tub with a new one when you still want to soak. See Bathtub Replacement for alcove and freestanding options.
Walk-in tub
A tub with a door, for people who need to soak for comfort or care. It takes longer to fill and drain than a shower. Our Walk-In Tub Installation page covers it.
Converting a Tub in Your LA Home Type
Where your tub drain can go depends on how the house was built. Here’s what a conversion usually runs into, era by era.
1920s–30s
Spanish & Craftsman
Cast-iron tubs, often built into the wall, sit on wood floors over a crawlspace. We reach the drain from below and plan for galvanized pipe and old tile set in thick mortar.
1940s–60s
Post-War Tract
Most Van Nuys and Westchester tract homes put the tub on a slab. Moving the drain means cutting and re-pouring concrete, and a zero-entry shower takes a deeper cut.
1950s–70s
Mid-Century Post-and-Beam
Many of these baths have narrow alcoves and slab floors. A clear glass panel and large tile suit the architecture, and we check the wall depth before picking a valve.
Any era
Hillside Homes
Hillside homes often put the bathroom above a garage or a lower floor. Reaching the drain from below is easier, and we protect the ceiling of the room under the shower.
Any era
Condos & HOA Buildings
Condo tubs often tie into a shared stack, so the drain can shift only so far. HOAs usually want the plans, insurance, and a waterproofing spec before approving the swap.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Permits in Los Angeles
Plan on a permit. Removing a tub and building a shower pan changes the plumbing, so LADBS wants it permitted and inspected, even when the shower stays in the same tub alcove.
Triggers a permit
- Removing the tub and building a pan
- Moving the drain or cutting the slab
- Installing a new shower valve
- Adding a fan or lighting circuit
- Enlarging the alcove into a closet
What the inspector checks
- Drain slope, trap, and venting
- Shower pan flood test
- Anti-scald valve setting
- GFCI outlets and exhaust fan
- Low-flow fixtures in older homes
Slab floors mean a concrete cut
Most postwar LA homes sit on a slab, so moving a tub drain means saw-cutting the floor, rerouting the pipe, and patching the concrete. We price that cut as its own line.
Raised floors open from below
Homes on a raised foundation let the plumber move the drain from the crawlspace. That usually means less demo inside the bathroom and a shorter rough-in.
Pre-1994 homes swap old fixtures
California Civil Code 1101.1 requires pre-1994 homes to replace noncompliant fixtures during permitted work: toilets over 1.6 gpf, showerheads over 2.5 gpm, and faucets over 2.2 gpm.
Why Homeowners Pick Us Over the Cheapest Bid
The cheapest conversion bid in Los Angeles usually prices the tub-out and skips the drain move. We scope the drain, slab, and valve up front, so the price you sign covers the real job.
- Drain, valve, and slab work listed line by line
- One project manager answers your calls start to finish
- Shower walls ordered only after you approve samples
- Floor protection and daily cleanup, so you can stay home
- Payments tied to milestones, never to a calendar
- A written workmanship warranty you can hold us to
- Crews who work on our jobs only, not day labor
Licensed & Insured
CSLB Lic. [#000000]
Free On-Site Estimates
Measured, not guessed
Written Warranty
On our workmanship
Local LA Crews
No day labor on site
Your Tub-to-Shower Conversion, Phase by Phase
A conversion runs in six phases. The drain move and the pan test set the pace, and we’ll tell you which days you’re without the bathroom.
Phase 01
Measure & plan
We measure the alcove, find the drain, and check the floor for rot. You pick the entry, walls, and glass before we order a thing.
Phase 02
Permit filing
We file with LADBS and order the valve, drain, and wall materials. You keep using your tub until demo day, usually [1–3] weeks out.
Phase 03
Tub removal
We protect the path, cut out the wall tile, and remove the tub. In pre-1978 homes, the crew follows the EPA’s lead-safe RRP practices.
Phase 04
Drain & valve
The plumber moves the drain, through the slab or from the crawlspace, and sets the new valve. A rough inspection closes this phase.
Phase 05
Pan & membrane
We build a sloped pan and wrap the alcove in a waterproof membrane. It holds water for a [24]-hour test before any tile goes on.
Phase 06
Walls, glass & final
Tile or panels go up, then the glass or a curtain rod. After final inspection, we walk the new shower with you and finish your punch list.
See If Your Tub Can Become a Shower
One visit shows you where the drain has to go, which entry your floor allows, and when we can start. It costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
- Measured and checked for water damage on site
- Drain location checked on site
- No obligation and no pushy follow-up calls
or send the form and we’ll call you back.
Book a Free In-Home Visit
We measure the tub alcove, check the floor and walls for leaks, and plan the swap. No charge, no obligation.
Form fields: Full name, Email, Phone, Project address, Scope (Walk-in shower or tub-to-shower, Full bathroom remodel, Walk-in tub, Bathtub replacement, Vanity installation, Accessible bathroom), Preferred date, Tell us about your bathroom. Submit button: Book My Free Visit (red #E12228).
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Across Los Angeles County
We convert tubs from Granada Hills to Torrance, in tract homes, bungalows, and condo towers. Call if your neighborhood isn’t on the list below.
- Sherman Oaks
- Studio City
- Encino
- Tarzana
- Woodland Hills
- Van Nuys
- North Hollywood
- Burbank
- Glendale
- Pasadena
- Altadena
- South Pasadena
- Eagle Rock
- Highland Park
- Silver Lake
- Los Feliz
- Echo Park
- Hancock Park
- Mid-Wilshire
- West Hollywood
- Beverly Hills
- Brentwood
- Santa Monica
- Pacific Palisades
- Culver City
- Mar Vista
- Playa del Rey
- El Segundo
- Manhattan Beach
- Redondo Beach
- Torrance
- San Pedro
- Long Beach
Tub-to-Shower Conversion FAQs
Click a question to see the answer. The first one is open to start.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
Most conversions take about [1–2] weeks in your bathroom once the permit is issued. A slab cut adds [2–3] days, and the pan’s flood test and two inspections set the rest of the pace. You’ll get the exact days the bathroom is out of use before demo starts.
Will removing my only bathtub hurt resale?
It can matter to buyers with young kids, who often want at least one tub in the house. If you have a tub in another bathroom, removing this one rarely comes up. When it’s your only tub, we’ll lay out the trade-off before you decide.
Do I need a permit to convert a tub to a shower in LA?
Yes, in most cases. Taking out a tub and building a shower pan changes the plumbing, which LADBS permits and inspects. The inspector checks the drain, the pan test, and the anti-scald valve. We pull the permit [confirm] and schedule each inspection for you.
Can the new shower be bigger than my old tub?
Yes, if the space next to it allows. Many LA bathrooms have a linen closet or a wide vanity beside the tub, and borrowing a foot of that makes room for a bench. Moving a wall adds framing and permit scope, so we price both versions for you.
What drives the cost of a tub-to-shower conversion?
The drain move drives the most, and a slab cut costs more than crawlspace access. After that come the wall system, glass, valve, and any rot behind the old tub. Your estimate lists each one separately, so you can compare custom tile against panels.
Is a conversion kit as good as custom tile?
A kit works well in a standard 60-inch alcove when you want a fast, low-grout finish. Custom tile gives you any size, a bench, and niches, and it suits older homes better. Both need a correctly sloped base and a tested drain to stay dry.
Can I get a zero-entry shower where my tub was?
Usually, yes. On a slab, we cut deeper to recess the pan so the bathroom floor runs flat into the shower. On a raised floor, the plumber works from the crawlspace below. We confirm which one your house has on the first visit.
Can you add grab bars and a seat?
Yes. We install wood blocking between the studs while the walls are open, then mount bars and a fold-down or tiled seat where you want them. Ask your doctor or occupational therapist where bars would suit you best, and we’ll place the blocking to match.
What if there's water damage behind my old tub?
It’s common, especially under the faucet end and along the tile edge. We photograph any rot or mold, price the repair as a written change order, and wait for your approval before fixing it. Your estimate also names a contingency line for it.
What's in a tub-to-shower conversion estimate?
Tub removal, demo, drain work, valve, pan, membrane, walls, glass, blocking, permit, and haul-away, each on its own line. Allowances for tile and fixtures are marked, and we explain which items could still change before you sign.
Other Remodels We Handle
Kitchen Remodeling
Cabinets, countertops, islands, and permits under one contract.
Home Additions & ADUs
Detached ADUs, garage conversions, and room additions from plans to permit.
Whole-Home Remodel
Every room on one schedule, one permit set, and one crew.
Planning Guides for LA Homeowners
BOOKING STARTS FOR [MONTH] AND [MONTH]
See Your Tub Become a Shower in One Visit
A tub-to-shower conversion replaces a high tub wall with a low or zero step in the same bathroom. Los Angeles Home Remodelers moves the drain, builds the pan, and pulls the permit. Book your free conversion visit today.
- Free conversion visits, Mon–Sat
- CSLB Lic. [#000000], bonded and insured
- Written workmanship warranty
Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm
Book a Free In-Home Visit
We measure the tub alcove, check the floor and walls for leaks, and plan the swap. No charge, no obligation.
Form fields: Full name, Email, Phone, Project address, Scope (Walk-in shower or tub-to-shower, Full bathroom remodel, Walk-in tub, Bathtub replacement, Vanity installation, Accessible bathroom), Preferred date, Tell us about your bathroom. Submit button: Book My Free Visit (red #E12228).