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Be honest: when was the last time you actually took a bath? If you are like most adults, the answer is somewhere between “months ago” and “I genuinely cannot remember.” Yet there it sits, that bulky bathtub taking up valuable real estate in your bathroom, collecting dust and serving as an oversized shelf for shampoo bottles.
You are not alone in wondering whether a tub-to-shower conversion is worth the investment. It is one of the fastest-growing bathroom upgrades in the country, and for homeowners across New Orleans and the surrounding areas, it offers a combination of modern style, improved safety, and surprising affordability that makes it hard to ignore.
At TurnKey Bath Remodel, we have completed thousands of tub-to-shower conversions for homeowners in Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, and throughout the Greater New Orleans region. Here is what we have learned about when this conversion makes sense, what it costs, and why so many homeowners wish they had done it sooner.
A tub-to-shower conversion is exactly what it sounds like: removing your existing bathtub and replacing it with a modern, purpose-built shower in the same footprint. The plumbing connections are already in place, which means the project is far less invasive than a full bathroom remodel.
The typical conversion includes removing the old tub, installing a new shower base or pan, adding wall surrounds or tile, installing a new showerhead and fixtures, and adding a glass door or curtain rod. The best part? The existing drain location and water supply lines are usually reused, which dramatically reduces both cost and construction time.
Nothing dates a bathroom faster than an old tub-shower combo with faded tile and dingy grout. A new shower with clean lines, modern shower surrounds, and contemporary fixtures instantly brings your bathroom into the current decade. It is like swapping a flip phone for a smartphone: the function is similar, but the experience is entirely different.
Bathtubs are space hogs. Removing one and installing a shower often frees up floor space, which can be used for a larger vanity, more storage, or simply more room to move comfortably. In the compact bathrooms found in many New Orleans homes, this extra space is a game-changer.
Showers with modern wall panels or large-format tile are significantly easier to clean than tub-shower combos with rows of small tiles and grout lines. In our humid Louisiana climate, where mold and mildew are constant adversaries, this reduced maintenance is a genuine quality-of-life improvement.
The average bath uses 30-50 gallons of water. A typical shower uses 15-25 gallons. If you are already showering instead of bathing, you are not saving water with a tub, but you are still cleaning around one. Converting to a dedicated shower eliminates the wasted space without changing your water usage habits.
Here is where tub-to-shower conversions truly shine compared to traditional bathroom remodels: speed. While a full bathroom renovation can take weeks and turn your home into a construction zone, TurnKey Bath Remodel can complete many tub-to-shower conversions in just one day.
Think about what that means practically. You wake up in the morning with an old bathtub. By the time you come home from work, you have a beautiful new walk-in shower. No weeks of demolition dust settling on everything you own. No mornings without a functioning bathroom. No contractors coming and going for days on end.
This one-day timeline is possible because the conversion uses the existing plumbing footprint. The drain stays in place. The water supply lines stay in place. The wall cavity stays intact. What changes is the visible surface: the tub is removed, a new shower base is installed, wall surrounds go up, and new fixtures are connected.
Understanding the cost difference between a conversion and a full remodel helps put the value proposition into perspective:
This includes removal of the existing tub, a new shower base, wall surrounds or panels, fixtures, and installation labor. Premium options with custom tile and frameless glass doors sit at the higher end of this range.
A full remodel involves everything above plus new flooring, vanity, toilet, lighting, painting, and potentially moving plumbing lines or electrical. It is a much larger project with a much larger price tag and timeline.
The conversion costs roughly one-third to one-half of a full remodel while delivering the single most impactful visual change in the room. For homeowners who are happy with their vanity, flooring, and overall layout but want to modernize the shower area, a conversion is the most efficient use of renovation dollars.
This is where the conversation gets serious. Bathroom falls are one of the leading causes of injury among older adults, and the high step-over required by traditional bathtubs is a primary culprit.
A tub-to-shower conversion can include:
Low-threshold or zero-threshold entry: Barrier-free showers eliminate the step entirely, making the shower accessible for wheelchairs, walkers, or anyone with balance concerns.
Built-in seating: A molded or tiled bench inside the shower provides a safe place to sit while bathing, reducing the risk of falls.
Grab bars: Modern grab bars are attractive and functional, blending seamlessly with the shower design while providing essential support.
Non-slip flooring: Textured shower bases and anti-slip tiles provide sure footing even when wet.
For families in Slidell and Covington caring for aging parents or planning for their own future needs, a tub-to-shower conversion with accessibility features is a proactive investment in safety. It is far less expensive than dealing with the aftermath of a fall, which can include hospital bills, rehabilitation, and home modifications done under emergency circumstances.
This is the question that makes homeowners hesitate, so let us address it directly.
A tub-to-shower conversion in a secondary bathroom almost always adds value. Buyers see a modern, functional shower and respond positively. The key caveat is the one-tub rule: keep at least one bathtub in your home, ideally in the primary bathroom or a family bathroom, for buyers with young children.
If your home has two or more bathrooms with tubs, converting one to a shower is a no-brainer from a value perspective. You are not removing the home’s only tub, and you are adding a feature that the majority of today’s buyers prefer.
If you have a single-bathroom home, consider a walk-in tub instead, which offers accessibility improvements while preserving the bathing option that some buyers expect.
A tub-to-shower conversion is ideal if:
A conversion might not be the best choice if:
TurnKey Bath Remodel can complete many standard conversions in one day. Custom tile installations may take two to three days depending on the complexity of the design.
Most standard bathtubs can be converted. The existing drain location and water supply lines are typically compatible with a shower installation. During your free consultation, TurnKey Bath Remodel will assess your specific bathroom to confirm feasibility and discuss options.
In most cases, a straightforward conversion that uses existing plumbing does not require a permit in the New Orleans area. If plumbing needs to be moved or electrical work is involved, a permit may be necessary. TurnKey Bath Remodel handles all permitting requirements when applicable.
Acrylic and composite wall panels are popular choices because they resist moisture, mold, and mildew exceptionally well in our climate. Porcelain tile is another excellent option that offers more design flexibility. Both outperform standard drywall-backed tile in long-term durability.
TurnKey Bath Remodel takes great care to protect your home during the conversion process. We use drop cloths, contain debris, and clean up thoroughly. Most homeowners are surprised at how clean and efficient the process is, especially compared to a full bathroom renovation.
Is a tub-to-shower conversion worth it? For the vast majority of homeowners, the answer is a resounding yes. You get a modern, functional, and safer bathroom at a fraction of the cost of a full remodel, often in just a single day. It is one of those rare home improvements where the practical benefits, the aesthetic upgrade, and the financial return all align.
If that old tub is taking up space you could use better, collecting dust instead of bathwater, and making your bathroom feel dated, it is time to consider a change.
Call TurnKey Bath Remodel today at (504) 513-6366 for your free design consultation. We will evaluate your bathroom, show you the options, and give you a clear, honest estimate. Your new shower could be ready by tomorrow.
TurnKey Bath Remodel is licensed and insured (Louisiana Residential License #890459, Commercial License #3667) with over 25 years of experience serving the Greater New Orleans area. Our acrylic bathroom products come with a lifetime guarantee warranty, and tile installations are backed by a 10-year workmanship warranty. Most bathroom remodels are completed in as little as one day, with 0% financing available. Schedule your FREE consultation or call (504) 513-6366 today.
