Tub to shower conversion in an Eau Claire WI bathroom

Tub to Shower Conversion in Eau Claire, WI

Turn the bathtub nobody uses into the walk-in shower everyone will. One to two weeks, written quote, licensed local contractor.

The Most Requested Conversion in Bathroom Remodeling

A tub to shower conversion replaces an underused bathtub with a walk-in shower, and it's the single most requested project in our bathroom remodeling work across Eau Claire. The reasons are practical: most adults shower, stepping over a tub wall gets less appealing every year, and a glass-walled shower makes a small bathroom feel dramatically bigger than a curtained tub ever did.

A conversion is more than pulling the tub and tiling the alcove. The drain has to move and upsize (tub drains sit at the wrong spot for a shower and are usually undersized), the walls need real waterproofing behind the new surround, and the floor needs proper slope to the drain. Done right, a tub to shower conversion performs like a purpose-built shower, because it is one.

Walk-In Shower Conversion Options

Most Eau Claire homeowners choose between two finish levels. A solid-surface conversion (one-piece or paneled acrylic surround, factory-matched base) installs faster, costs less, and cleans easily. It is the practical pick for hall baths and rentals. A tile conversion (custom tile walls, tiled or low-profile base, glass door) costs more and takes longer, but delivers the built-for-this-house look most primary bathrooms deserve.

Either route can be built curbless, with a zero-threshold entry and a linear drain, which is worth considering even if accessibility isn't today's concern. A curbless walk-in shower is easier to clean, looks current, and quietly future-proofs the bathroom for aging in place. If accessibility is the driver, grab-bar blocking, built-in seating, and handheld fixtures fold into the conversion at modest cost when planned upfront.

Tub to Shower Conversion Cost in Eau Claire

$6,000 to $10,000 · Solid-Surface Conversion

Tub out, drain relocated, acrylic or composite surround and base, new fixtures, glass door or curtain rod. Five to eight working days. The fastest path from unused tub to daily-use shower.

$10,000 to $16,000 · Tile Conversion

Custom tile walls with proper waterproofing membrane, tiled or low-profile base, niche or bench, upgraded fixtures, frameless or semi-frameless glass. Roughly two weeks of work.

$14,000 to $20,000 · Curbless / Accessible Conversion

Zero-threshold entry with linear drain, slip-rated tile floor, blocking for grab bars, optional built-in seat and handheld fixtures. The aging-in-place configuration, built to look like a design choice rather than a concession.

Biggest variables: drain relocation complexity, what the tub was hiding (subfloor moisture damage shows up in roughly a third of conversions in older Eau Claire homes, and we quote the repair before proceeding), and glass selection.

FAQ

Tub-to-Shower Conversion FAQs

How much does a tub to shower conversion cost in Eau Claire?
Most tub to shower conversions in the Eau Claire area run $6,000 to $16,000 depending on finish level: solid-surface surrounds at the lower end, custom tile with glass at the upper. Curbless and accessibility-focused conversions run $14,000 to $20,000. Every quote is put in writing, so you can see exactly what the price covers and adjust the finish level before work starts.
How long does a tub to shower conversion take?
Solid-surface conversions typically run five to eight working days; tile conversions run about two weeks, mostly because waterproofing and tile-setting have cure times that can’t be rushed. The bathroom is out of service for the duration, so confirm you have a second bathroom to use. For homes with a single bath, we compress the schedule as tightly as the materials allow.
Should I keep at least one bathtub in the house for resale?
The conventional wisdom (keep one tub if you may sell to families with small kids) still holds in the Eau Claire market, but it only takes one. If your home has two or more bathrooms, converting one tub to a walk-in shower rarely hurts value and usually helps daily livability. If it's the only tub in the house, we'll talk honestly about your timeline and neighborhood before you commit.

Ready to Talk About Your Tub-to-Shower Conversion?

Free consultations. Clear written quotes.

Get a Quote