Tub to Shower Conversion in St. Paul, MN
Converting a tub to a shower takes out a bathtub you rarely use and puts a full-size, walk-in shower in the same space. It is one of the most common requests we get in St. Paul, especially from homeowners who find stepping over a tub wall harder every year.
- Licensed under the Minnesota DLI residential building contractor licence
- Plumbing permits with the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
- Free in-home estimate
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Please call us at (651) 615-8757.
How a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Works
Most standard tubs sit in an alcove about five feet long. That alcove becomes the shower. We remove the tub and the old surround, then deal with the part that makes or breaks the job: the drain. A tub drain sits in a different spot and at a different height than a shower drain, so the drain line usually has to be moved and the floor built up or recessed for a proper pan.
The valve changes too. Tub valves sit low for a spout; a shower valve sits higher, and many owners want a handheld wand or a bench. Any change to supply or drain lines is plumbing work, and plumbing is separately licensed by Minnesota DLI, so it is done by a licensed plumber and inspected.
Finish choices come last: a tiled shower with a custom pan, or a solid-surface base and walls for faster installation. A low curb or no curb at all is possible in many bathrooms, which is covered on our walk-in shower installation page.
What's Included
Tub and surround removal
Old tub, tile, and backing removed and hauled away, with the rest of the room protected.
Drain and valve relocation
Drain moved for a shower pan and valve raised to shower height by a licensed plumber.
Waterproof shower build
Cement board, membrane, and a sloped pan or base before any tile goes up.
Permits and inspection
Plumbing permit filed with the city and the rough-in inspected before we close the wall.
Converting Tubs in Older St. Paul Houses
St. Paul's houses are older than most: 44% of St. Paul's housing was built in 1939 or earlier. Bathrooms from that era often have tubs set on the original floor framing, which affects how deep a new shower pan can sit and how the drain runs. We look at the joists and the drain path before we quote.
If the tub is in your only bathroom, keep one thing in mind: many buyers still want at least one tub in a house. If you have a second bathroom with a tub, converting the main one is an easy call. If not, a new tub might suit you better; see bathtub replacement. We talk that through honestly at the estimate.
The city handles the paperwork in pieces: separate building, plumbing, and electrical permits, each through the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). We file what the job needs. For a full rebuild of an existing shower instead, see our shower remodel page.
Our Process
From Tub to Shower in Four Steps
Estimate
We measure the alcove, check the drain path and framing, and give you a written price.
Removal
Tub and surround come out with dust barriers up and floors protected.
Plumbing and Inspection
Drain and valve are moved and inspected by the city before walls close.
Shower Build
Pan, waterproofing, walls, and glass go in, then we walk it with you.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What affects tub to shower conversion cost?
The biggest factors are drain relocation, whether you choose tile or a solid-surface system, the valve, and glass. St. Paul's permit fees are valuation-based, so they scale with the job. We quote after checking the drain path and framing, because that is where surprises hide.
Do tub to shower conversion companies need a license in Minnesota?
Yes. Contracting a multi-trade job directly with a homeowner requires a Minnesota DLI residential building contractor licence, and in Minnesota plumbing is separately licensed by Minnesota DLI. In St. Paul the contractor also needs St. Paul's own city contractor licence, with bond and insurance. Ask for all three before you sign.
Will removing my only bathtub hurt resale?
It can, which is why we raise it. Many buyers with young children want at least one tub. If your house has another tub, a conversion is low risk. In a city where 90% of homes predate 1980, many houses have one bath, so it is worth weighing.
Can a converted shower have no curb?
Often, yes. A curbless shower needs the floor recessed or the pan built flush, which depends on the joists underneath. Older St. Paul framing varies, so we check at the estimate. Any drain change is permitted and inspected through the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) before the floor is closed up.
Ask About Your Tub
Call or send a short note about your bathroom. Return to the home page, or request your free estimate.