How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in Seattle?

Most conversions run $8,000 to $20,000. A like-for-like acrylic swap sits at the low end; a fully tiled walk-in shower with a new valve and glass lands mid-range; curbless zero-threshold builds run $20,000 to $32,000. The final number comes down to three things: where the drain is, what shape the subfloor is in, and what we find once the tub comes out. Our full cost guide breaks it down scope by scope.

Do I need a permit to replace a tub with a shower in Seattle?

Often yes. Swapping fixtures like-for-like may not require one, but relocating the drain, altering plumbing, or changing walls generally does. We handle construction and electrical permits through SDCI and plumbing through Public Health-Seattle & King County, submitted via the Seattle Services Portal, and we meet the inspectors on site.

Will removing the tub hurt my resale value?

It depends how many bathrooms you have. Real-estate guidance generally favors keeping at least one tub in the house for families with small children. If the bathroom you are converting is your only full bath, we will say so during the consultation rather than after.

Can you build a curbless shower?

Usually. A true curbless entry needs enough floor depth to set the slope, which depends on your joist direction and subfloor. Where the structure allows it we build flush; where it does not, we keep the curb as low as the drain will permit and explain the constraint.

Tile gives you the widest range of looks and is straightforward to repair in one spot. Microcement is seamless with no grout lines to scrub and reads calmer in a small room, but repairs mean resurfacing a whole wall rather than patching. Both sit on the same waterproofing system underneath.

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Tub-to-Shower Conversion for Seattle Homes

Q: How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?

Most conversions run one to two weeks because the work stays inside the existing footprint. Demolition and waterproofing move quickly; tile setting, curing, and glass measurement account for most of the calendar time. Moving a drain or opening a wall adds to that, and we tell you which applies before we start.

👋 Hey neighbor! Tired of climbing over a tub you never use? Schedule below and let's talk walk-in showers.

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*We're a full-service design-build team

Collage of bathroom remodels in west Seattle showing white subway-tile bath, green-tile shower, modern wood vanity, and contractors at work.

Recent Projects

If "a picture is worth a thousand words" and "seeing is believing", then why are we even writing? Well, it's because our website guy won't shut up about "SEO". Anyways, here's a sample of recent bathroom work around Seattle — including the tub that became the walk-in shower in the third one. We hope you get inspired!

Small Bath, Big Shift

An older, closed-in bath felt tight and flat.

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We wrapped the room in full-height white subway tile, added a grid-glass shower, matte-black fixtures, oversized hex floors, a warm wood vanity, round mirror, and a tidy niche so it's now crisp, tasteful, and refreshingly craftsman.

Modern bath with white subway tile, grid-glass shower, black hex floor, wood vanity, round mirror, and a built-in niche.

Old Stress, New Zen

An old, cramped bath with bulky cabinets hid a water heater you couldn’t reach.

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In 8 days we transformed the entire space with new tile, tub-shower combo, single vanity, and balanced lighting, plus a mirrored cabinet, a tidy niche, quiet ventilation, and a relocated, accessible water heater so the space finally feels open n' clean.

Compact bath with tub-shower and niche, slim vanity with arched mirror, gray floor, and stacked laundry beside the toilet.

Modern Lines, Resort Feel

A boring, walled-off bath felt tight and dated.

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In 6 weeks we opened the room with wall removal and frameless glass, replaced the tub with a true dual-zone shower, layered large-format tile, warm wood accents, a floating vanity, bench and niche, and even lighting—so it now has an open, modern, resort-level aesthetic.

Bright resort-style bath with long floating wood vanity, slatted accent wall, and a glass double-shower with bench and recessed niche.

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Service Area

Converting Tubs Across Greater Seattle

Seattle isn't just where we work — it's home. We've swapped tubs for showers in Craftsman bungalows, mid-century splits, and downtown condos, so we usually know what's hiding behind the wall before we open it.

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We proudly serve the entire community, including:

Alki
Admiral & North Admiral
The Alaska Junction
Fauntleroy
Arbor Heights

Gatewood
Morgan Junction
Highland Park
Delridge
Genesee Hill

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More About Us

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You Deserve a Shower That Fits How You Actually Live

The Challenge

A tub you step over. Fourteen inches of porcelain wall is the hardest part of the bathroom to get into, and it does not get easier with time.

Wasted square footage. The tub occupies the one corner that could be a full shower, in bathrooms that average five feet by eight.

Waterproofing near the end of its life. Tub surrounds installed before 2000 often hide soft substrate and a tired mortar bed behind the tile.

Assuming it means a gut job. Most people put it off for years because they think converting the tub means redoing the whole bathroom.

Our Solution

Same footprint, new shower. We build in the space the tub already occupied, so the plumbing usually stays where it is and the room does not have to change shape.

Waterproofed as a system. Sheet membrane, sealed corners and pipe penetrations across the whole shower zone, then tile or microcement over the top of it.

A curb you will not trip on. Flush where your floor structure allows it, and as low as the drain permits where it does not. We tell you which one you have before we start.

Built for the next twenty years. Grab-bar blocking, a bench, and a handheld on a slide bar planned at framing, whether you want them installed now or just want the option later.

Let's Talk About It

All-Inclusive Services

It's been brought to our attention you can't spell demolition without emotion. So there's that. But when things get loud, just know we're in a state of zen from beginning to end. We execute every trade and task with the utmost professionalism – guaranteed.

Layout & Design

Most conversions stay inside the existing footprint. When opening up a wall or moving the drain genuinely buys you a better shower, we'll tell you what it costs before anything comes apart.

Walk-In Showers & Custom Pans

The heart of the job: a walk-in shower built on a fully waterproofed system, with a custom-sloped pan, frameless glass, and a bench or niche placed where you'll actually use them.

Vanities & Storage

Maximize your space and elevate your style with beautiful vanities, durable countertops, and smart storage solutions designed to keep your bathroom organized.

Plumbing & Fixtures

Our expert team handles all new plumbing work and professionally installs your chosen fixtures, from elegant faucets and sinks to high-efficiency toilets.

Flooring & Tilework

We install beautiful, durable flooring and custom tilework for your shower and walls, with popular upgrades like radiant floor heating for ultimate comfort.

Lighting & Finishing

The perfect renovation is in the details. We complete your project with expert lighting design, powerful ventilation, professional painting, and crisp trim work.

..if it's in your bathroom, we can do it!

DuetRight

Guaranteed to Do It Right

A successful bathroom renovation in Seattle requires more than just great design. It demands a deep understanding of local building codes, the city’s specific permitting process, and construction techniques suited for our unique marine climate.

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We manage all the technical complexities to ensure your project is not only beautiful but also safe, fully compliant, and built to last.

Seamless Permit Management

Navigating the city's requirements can be complex, so we handle it all for you. We manage all required permits including construction and electrical through SDCI and plumbing through Public Health–Seattle & King County, submitting everything via the Seattle Services Portal.

By-the-Book Inspections

Your peace of mind is our priority. We schedule and meet all required city and county inspectors on-site, ensuring full compliance with Seattle code for GFCI protection, exterior-vented bath fans, and moisture management. We never close up a wall until the work is officially approved.

Climate-Proof Construction

We build bathrooms that are tough enough for Seattle's weather. Our methods are designed to combat our damp climate, incorporating continuous waterproofing behind all tile and using mold-resistant materials to keep your bathroom healthy and durable for years to come.

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Getting Started

Begin Your Project in 3 Easy, Free Steps

In-Home Consultation

‍We’ll visit your home to discuss your ideas, evaluate the space, and take initial scans to kickstart your project.

Design Video Call

‍Meet with our project team online to fine-tune your vision, ensure every detail is captured, and shape your design.

Detailed Quote and Timeline

We’ll provide a detailed, no-surprises estimate and timeline, giving you everything you need to confidently move forward.

Featured Reviews

Building Trust, One Tile At a Time

4.9 on Google

5.0 on Home Advisor

5.0 on Yelp

"The Bathroom I Wanted"

"I used DuetRight to renovate my bathroom. As expected, they did an amazing job and were able to work with me to design the bathroom I wanted. Super happy and I look forward to working with them again. Thank you guys!"

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SatyaJit P.

"Whole Process Stress-Free!"

"The DuetRight team did an incredible job remodeling the single bathroom in my condo, working with me every step of the way designing, picking out materials, purchasing, and coordinating. They were very communicative and organized making the whole process stress-free!"

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Tom S.

"Solved the Issue"

"DuetRight helped us to re-tile our shower after we discovered a rotten backboard causing the previous tiles to fall off. The team efficiently solved the issue, leaving us with a beautifully tiled, durable shower."

Taylor H.

More Google Reviews

Our Team

Meet Your Seattle Tub-to-Shower Team

Angelo Russoniello

Co-Founder, Director of Operations

Stan Miron

Co-Founder, Project Manager

Vladimir Moroz

Tiling Architect, Team Guide

Serhii Potavov

Tile Specialist Assistant

Austin Thomas

Customer Specialist

FAQs

More questions? Don't be shy. Give us a call!

Call Us

How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?

Most conversions run $8,000 to $20,000. A like-for-like acrylic swap sits at the low end, a fully tiled walk-in shower with a new valve and glass lands mid-range, and curbless zero-threshold builds run $20,000 to $32,000. Three things drive the final number: where the drain sits, what shape the subfloor is in, and what we find once the tub comes out. We wrote a full cost breakdown by scope on the blog.

Do I need a permit to convert a tub to a shower?

Often, yes. Swapping fixtures like-for-like may not require one, but relocating the drain, altering plumbing, or changing a wall generally does. We handle construction, mechanical, and electrical permits through SDCI and plumbing through Public Health-Seattle & King County, submit everything via the Seattle Services Portal, and meet the inspectors on site. We never close a wall before the work is approved.

How long will the bathroom be out of service?

Most conversions run one to two weeks, because the work stays inside the footprint you already have. Demolition and waterproofing move quickly; tile setting, curing, and glass measurement take most of the calendar time. Moving a drain or opening a wall adds to it, and we tell you which applies before anything comes apart.

What about grab bars and aging in place?

This is the most common reason people call us about a conversion. We can install grab bars now, or add solid blocking inside the wall during framing so they mount later without opening tile. A bench and a handheld on a slide bar are worth deciding while the wall is still open. If the bathroom you are converting is your only full bath, we will raise that during the consultation rather than after.