Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
Styles & brands we work with
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterHow Much Does Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in San Antonio?
A tub-to-shower conversion in San Antonio typically costs between $3,500 and $10,000 as of 2026. Most standard conversions land in the $5,000 to $7,500 range when you’re working with existing plumbing and a standard 60-inch tub footprint. The final price depends on finishes, whether you need structural work, and whether any hidden water damage shows up once the old tub comes out.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost Breakdown (2026)
Let’s get you real numbers. Here’s what a tub-to-shower conversion in San Antonio actually costs, line by line, based on what we see across projects in Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, Helotes, and the neighborhoods in between.
| Line Item | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Demolition & disposal of existing tub | $400 – $800 |
| Shower pan (prefabricated or custom mortar bed) | $600 – $1,800 |
| Wall substrate & waterproofing (cement board, Schluter membrane) | $800 – $1,600 |
| Tile installation (walls, up to 7 ft height) | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Shower valve & plumbing rough-in | $500 – $1,500 |
| Glass shower door or curtain rod | $300 – $1,500 |
| Fixtures (showerhead, handheld, grab bar) | $250 – $800 |
| Permits (City of San Antonio) | $150 – $400 |
| Total | $3,500 – $10,000 |
Here’s what moves the needle. A prefabricated acrylic shower surround will push you toward the lower end of that range. Full tile with a custom mud pan, frameless glass, and upgraded fixtures pushes you toward $8,000 to $10,000. If the drain needs to be relocated, or the subfloor has rot from years of splash-out around the tub, you’re adding $500 to $2,000 more depending on what we find once the floor is open.
One thing that stays consistent in San Antonio: slab foundations. Most homes here don’t have a crawl space, which means moving a drain line can require cutting into concrete. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s real labor and it shows up honestly in a written price. We deliver that written price before any work starts, so there are no surprises on the back end.
What Affects Tub-to-Shower Conversion Pricing in San Antonio
Your home’s age, construction style, and even your neighborhood play a role. Here are the specific factors we see week to week on conversions in San Antonio.
- Home age and framing type. Homes built before 1980 often have smaller tub footprints and cast-iron tubs that are heavy to demo and require two-person crews. Post-1990 homes in neighborhoods like Cibolo or Schertz tend to have standard 60-inch openings and PVC drains that come apart faster.
- Water damage behind the tub. San Antonio’s humidity means we regularly find softened drywall and subfloor rot around tub surrounds. If water has been splashing over the lip for a decade, the repair scope grows. We address it and show you exactly what we found before proceeding.
- Slab vs. pier-and-beam. Slab foundations dominate San Antonio. Moving a drain on a slab involves concrete cutting and patching. On the occasional pier-and-beam home in older pockets like Monte Vista, drain relocation is faster and cheaper.
- Finish material choices. Acrylic surrounds are the budget option and work well. Porcelain tile from brands we trust, like MSI or Daltile, lands in the middle. Natural stone or large-format tile with a Schluter strip (the metal trim that seals the edge where tile meets flooring) pushes the price up because it’s slower, more exact labor.
- Glass vs. curtain. A frameless glass door adds $800 to $1,500. A simple curtain rod keeps the project tight and is easy to replace later. We’ll price both in your written estimate so you can decide with numbers in hand.
- Accessibility upgrades. If you’re converting a tub because getting over the side has become difficult or dangerous, we’ll spec a low-threshold pan, lumbar-height grab bars, and a handheld shower on a slide bar. These additions typically run $500 to $1,200 total and are worth every dollar.
How to Save on a Tub-to-Shower Conversion in San Antonio
You do not need to overspend to get a conversion that lasts. Here’s what actually saves money without cutting corners.
- Keep the existing drain location. Every inch you move the drain adds plumbing time. Standard tub-to-shower conversions that keep the same footprint are the most affordable by a meaningful margin.
- Choose a prefabricated pan over a custom mortar bed. A high-quality acrylic or composite pan performs identically in daily use and installs in hours rather than days. It’s the single biggest lever you can pull on price.
- Select mid-range porcelain tile. You don’t need $40-per-square-foot imported tile for a shower that will look sharp for 20 years. There are excellent porcelain options in the $8 to $12 range per square foot that hold up beautifully in San Antonio’s water conditions.
- Do the paint and caulk touch-ups yourself. Small drywall repairs around the new shower opening and exterior trim work are easy DIY projects. If you want to handle those, we’ll tell you exactly what’s needed and price the project accordingly.
- Group the project with another bathroom update. If you’re already opening walls, the marginal cost of refreshing a vanity or swapping a toilet is lower. We’ll price the add-ons separately so you can see exactly where your money goes.
And the simplest way to save: call (254) 269-5071 for a free estimate. You’ll get a written price that holds. No verbal ballpark that grows on the final invoice. That’s the standard we’ve held since 2004, and it’s never been a promotional add-on.
What You Get With Mason Remodeling in San Antonio
Before any work starts, you’ll know who is coming. Every crew member is background-checked and identity-verified under The Threshold Standard. You’ll receive the technician’s name and photo before the visit, and they’ll arrive in a clean, marked uniform with a photo ID badge at your door. Mason Remodeling has operated as part of the Threshold Group family of home-service companies since 2004, and that means a level of accountability most contractors in San Antonio simply don’t offer.
You’ll also get the 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing. If the work is not right within a year of completion, we make it right at no cost to you. Not a credit. Not a “we’ll get to it when we can.” A written guarantee with start and end dates, plain language coverage, and a free return visit if a repair or installation fails. No charge, no dispute process, no conditions.
Isaac Pruett leads the San Antonio team with a simple standard: the price you’re quoted is the price you pay, and the person at your door is the person whose name and photo you already have. That’s the whole job, done right.
FAQs – Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in San Antonio
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in San Antonio in 2026?
A tub-to-shower conversion in San Antonio runs $3,500 to $10,000, with most projects finishing between $5,000 and $7,500. The price includes demolition, waterproofing, the shower pan, tile or surround, and fixtures. Call (254) 269-5071 for a written estimate on your exact bathroom.
Is it cheaper to convert a tub to a shower or replace the tub?
Converting a tub to a shower is typically $3,500 to $10,000, while replacing a tub with a new tub runs $2,000 to $6,000. The conversion costs more because it includes full waterproofing, a new shower pan, and often tile work. But if you rarely use the tub and want easier access, the conversion adds more daily value.
Can you convert a tub to a shower the same day?
No. A proper tub-to-shower conversion in San Antonio takes 3 to 5 working days, including demolition, waterproofing, pan installation, and tile or surround work. Anyone promising a same-day conversion is skipping the waterproofing layer, which will fail in San Antonio’s humid climate. We schedule your conversion with a clear start and completion date, and a written price before work begins.
Does converting a tub to a shower require a permit in San Antonio?
Yes. The City of San Antonio requires a plumbing permit for tub-to-shower conversions because the drain and supply lines are being modified. Permit fees typically run $150 to $400. A legitimate contractor pulls the permit and passes inspection. We handle that as part of the project.
What does a walk-in shower conversion cost for seniors in San Antonio?
An accessibility-focused tub-to-shower conversion for seniors in San Antonio runs $4,500 to $9,000 depending on the specific safety features. A low-threshold pan, grab bars, a built-in seat, and a handheld showerhead typically add $500 to $1,200 over the base conversion price. We’ll price each feature separately so you can decide what matters most.
Get Your Free Tub-to-Shower Conversion Estimate in San Antonio
If you’re ready to lose the tub and gain a shower that’s easier to use, cleaner, and built to last, call (254) 269-5071 today. A live person answers every call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. No call trees, no voicemail loops, no waiting until Monday. We’ll schedule a free estimate, send you the name and photo of the technician before the visit, and put your price in writing before any work begins.
You can also learn more about our tub-to-shower conversion service in San Antonio or head back to our home page to see everything we do. Whether you’re in Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, Castle Hills, or anywhere in Bexar County, the same standard applies: named crews, written prices, and a full year of coverage after the job is done.
Pricing reflects the San Antonio market as of 2026. Mason Remodeling Co San Antonio offers free estimates – call (254) 269-5071.
Written by Isaac Pruett, Owner at Mason Remodeling Co San Antonio, serving San Antonio and Bexar County since 2004.
What Our Customers Say
"Kitchen remodel with new cabinets, quartz counters, and a tile backsplash. Crew had ID and were background checked. Kept the work area clean and sealed off dust from the rest of the house."
- Janice D."Written scope, fixed price, and weekly updates. No change orders we hadn't agreed to."
- Carlos H."Bathroom gut job. Replaced the old tub with a walk-in shower and added a niche. Waterproofing was done properly with a flood test before tile."
- Greg L.
