What Actually Happens When You Convert a Tub to a Shower
A tub-to-shower conversion sounds straightforward — pull out the old tub, put in a shower. But if you've never been through one, the actual process raises a lot of questions. How long does it take? What gets ripped out? What decisions do I have to make? Will I be without a bathroom for weeks?
This guide walks you through every step of the process so you know exactly what to expect — from the first phone call to the final walkthrough — before you commit to anything.
The Full Timeline at a Glance
Most homeowners are surprised by how fast a tub-to-shower conversion can move once you've made your decisions. Here's the full timeline broken into four phases:
Free Consultation
In-home visit, measurements, design discussion, and a detailed quote — usually about 60 to 90 minutes.
Design & Order
You finalize materials, colors, and fixtures. We order everything custom-built for your bathroom.
Installation
Most conversions happen in a single day. Crew arrives in the morning, finished by evening.
First Use
A short curing period before your first shower — then you're back to your normal routine.
The total time from "I want to do this" to "I'm using my new shower" is usually 2 to 3 weeks — most of which is materials being prepped, not work happening in your home.
Step-by-Step: How the Conversion Works
Here's a closer look at what happens during each phase of the process.
Step 1: The Free In-Home Consultation
Everything starts with a no-cost, no-obligation visit to your home. A Five Star Baths design consultant will measure your existing bathroom, look at your plumbing setup, and walk you through the materials and options that fit your space and budget.
This is also when you can ask the questions you've been Googling — about timeline, materials, accessibility features, or anything else. By the end of the visit, you'll have a detailed written quote and a clear picture of what your conversion will look like.
Step 2: Design Selection & Material Ordering
Once you decide to move forward, you'll finalize your selections — wall color, shower base, glass door style, fixtures, and any extras like built-in niches, benches, or grab bars. Your materials are then custom-cut and prepared for your specific bathroom dimensions, which typically takes 1 to 2 weeks.
This isn't dead time — it's why one-day installs work. By the time the crew arrives, every panel and component is ready to go in.
Step 3: Demolition & Removal
On install day, the first task is removing your existing tub, the surrounding wall material, and any tile or surround. Old fixtures come out, plumbing is exposed, and the area is prepped for new installation.
Our crew protects your floors and adjacent rooms with drop cloths and plastic sheeting so the rest of your home stays clean while we work.
Step 4: Plumbing & Waterproofing
If your plumbing stays in place, this step is quick — a drain swap from a 1.5" tub line to a 2" shower line, plus any minor fitting adjustments. If you're moving plumbing or going curbless, this step takes longer.
Once plumbing is set, we install a waterproof shower pan and apply waterproofing membranes to all surfaces that will see moisture. This is one of the most important steps — it's what keeps water out of your walls and subfloor for the long term.
Step 5: Wall & Base Installation
Custom-cut acrylic or solid-surface wall panels are installed and sealed. The shower base is set and leveled. Niches, benches, or shelves are added at this stage if your design includes them.
For homeowners who chose tile, this step takes longer — sometimes several days — because each tile is hand-set and grout has to cure.
Step 6: Fixtures, Glass & Final Details
The shower valve, showerhead, and any extras (handheld wand, body sprays, rain head) are installed. Your glass door or curtain rod goes in. Caulking lines are sealed, hardware is tightened, and the entire shower is cleaned and inspected.
Step 7: Walkthrough & Cleanup
Before our crew leaves, we walk you through your new shower, demonstrate every feature, and explain how to care for the materials. Drop cloths come up, debris goes out, and your bathroom is left cleaner than when we arrived.
Decisions You'll Need to Make
The biggest factor in how smoothly your conversion goes isn't the install — it's the decisions you make beforehand. Here are the key choices to think through:
Wall Material
Acrylic, Sentrel solid-surface, or custom tile. Each has trade-offs in cost, look, and maintenance. Compare them here.
Shower Footprint
Keep the existing tub footprint (faster, cheaper) or expand into a larger shower (more work, more cost).
Door vs. Curtain
A glass door looks modern and stays cleaner. A curtain is budget-friendly and easy to swap.
Threshold Height
A standard threshold is the most affordable. A low-threshold or curbless entry is better for accessibility but requires more work.
Built-Ins
Niches for shampoo, a built-in bench, or grab bars. These add comfort and value but need to be designed in upfront.
Fixtures
A single showerhead is standard. A handheld wand, rain head, or body sprays add comfort — and to your budget.
Don't worry if you don't know the answers yet. Your design consultant will walk you through every option during the consultation. For pricing on each tier, see our bathroom remodel cost guide for MA and NH.
Schedule Your Free In-Home Consultation
The best way to understand your conversion is to have someone look at your actual bathroom. We'll come to your home, measure the space, and give you a detailed quote with no pressure and no obligation.
Request My Free Consultation
What Install Day Actually Looks Like
The day-of experience is where most homeowners are pleasantly surprised. Here's what to expect:
Morning (8–10 AM)
Crew arrives, introduces themselves, and confirms the work plan. Drop cloths and plastic sheeting go up. Old tub and surround are removed and hauled out.
Mid-Day (10 AM–2 PM)
Plumbing is updated, waterproofing is applied, wall panels and shower base are installed. This is the longest stretch of the day.
Afternoon (2–5 PM)
Glass door, fixtures, niches, and final hardware go in. Caulking lines are sealed and the shower is cleaned.
End of Day (5–6 PM)
Final walkthrough with you, cleanup, and the crew is gone. You'll have your bathroom back the same day you lost it.
After the Install: What to Expect
You're not quite done after install day. Here's what happens in the days and weeks after:
The First 24–48 Hours
Caulking and sealants need time to cure before your first shower. Your installer will tell you exactly when it's safe to use the new shower — usually within a day or two. Use the other bathroom in the meantime, or skip a shower if you only have one.
The First Week
Test everything. Run the shower, check for any drips or leaks, and pay attention to how the door closes and how the drain handles water flow. If anything seems off, contact us immediately. Real issues are extremely rare with our installations, but it's good to verify.
Long-Term Care
Acrylic and Sentrel walls require almost no maintenance — wipe down with a non-abrasive cleaner and you're good. There's no grout to scrub, no sealing to redo, and no mildew to fight. Your installer will leave you with care instructions and the lifetime warranty paperwork before they go.
Every Five Star Baths conversion is backed by our lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship — so if anything ever goes wrong, you're covered for as long as you own your home.
Why One-Day Conversions Are Different
A traditional tub-to-shower conversion can take a week or more — especially if it involves custom tile, multiple trades, and curing times. That means days or weeks of plastic sheeting, dust, and a half-finished bathroom.
One-day conversions work because the materials come pre-cut and ready to install. By the time the crew arrives, every wall panel, niche, and fixture is sized for your specific bathroom. There's no waiting on tile setters, no grout drying time, and no second or third visit.
Not every project qualifies for a one-day install — full custom-tile builds, major plumbing relocations, and curbless conversions take longer. But for most homeowners doing a standard conversion, the one-day option means premium materials and a quality finish without the long disruption.
Learn more about our one-day bath process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion really take?
From your first phone call to your first shower, plan on 2 to 3 weeks total. Most of that is materials being custom-prepped for your bathroom. The actual install day is usually a single day — start in the morning, finished by evening.
Will I be without a bathroom during the install?
You'll be without your shower for the install day plus a 24–48 hour curing period after. If you have only one bathroom, plan to use a friend's or family member's shower for one or two nights. If you have a second bathroom, no disruption to your routine at all.
Do I need to be home during the install?
You'll need to be home at the start of the day to walk the crew through any details and at the end for the walkthrough. In between, you don't need to supervise — though most homeowners stay in the house and just check in occasionally.
What if you find water damage or rot once the tub is removed?
It's not common, but it does happen — especially in older homes. If we find existing damage, we'll stop, show you exactly what we found, and discuss options before continuing. Repairs may extend the timeline slightly and could affect cost, but you'll know exactly what's happening at every step.
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in MA or NH?
Conversions in Massachusetts and New Hampshire typically run between $8,000 and $18,000, depending on materials, size, and design choices. For a detailed cost breakdown, see our bathroom remodel cost guide.
Can I add accessibility features during the conversion?
Yes — and the conversion process is the perfect time to do it. Low-threshold entries, built-in benches, grab bars, anti-slip flooring, and handheld shower wands can all be designed in. See our ADA-compliant bathroom remodeling page for options.
Do I need a permit for a tub-to-shower conversion?
It depends on the scope and your town's requirements. Simple conversions that keep plumbing in place often don't require permits, but layout changes and plumbing relocations typically do. Five Star Baths handles permit research and filing as part of our process so you don't have to navigate town hall.
What's the warranty on the new shower?
Every Five Star Baths conversion comes with a lifetime warranty on both materials and workmanship. That means if anything ever goes wrong with the wall panels, base, or install, you're covered for as long as you own your home.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule your free in-home consultation and walk through the process with one of our design consultants — no pressure, no obligation, no charge.
Get My Free Consultation Or call us directly at (978) 778-3904Serving Greater New England
