Shower & Tub Cost: Walk-In Tubs, Showers, Conversions, and Refinishing

Shower and tub projects span a huge price range because they're not one job, they're several different jobs that get searched under the same term. A quick recoat of an existing tub costs a few hundred dollars; a walk-in tub with a full accessible-bathing setup can run into five figures. This guide separates those out clearly, starting with the most-searched option: walk-in tubs.

Walk-In Tub Cost

Retail tub prices alone start around $2,000, and installation, plumbing, electrical, and any needed wall or floor work, can easily double that. Full installed projects commonly land between $4,000 and $20,000+ depending on brand and features.

Safe Step, one of the most-searched walk-in tub brands, is a franchise-style company that bundles the tub with installation. Pricing starts around $6,250 for the tub, with full installed projects commonly running $9,500 to $22,000 depending on features (hydrotherapy jets, heated seats) and installation complexity. That premium reflects Safe Step's own factory-direct model and installation network, the same pattern seen with other branded remodel companies like Bath Fitter or Re-Bath.

Walk-In Shower Cost

A walk-in shower, no threshold, an open or lightly enclosed entry, typically runs $3,000 to $15,000 depending on scope. A basic conversion using a prefab pan and surround sits at the lower end; a fully tiled, custom-built shower with a bench or niche sits at the higher end. Franchise-installed conversions (Re-Bath, Bath Fitter) tend to price above this range for comparable scope, the same brand-premium pattern as walk-in tubs.

Bathtub Reglazing and Refinishing

Reglazing (also called refinishing) recoats the existing tub surface instead of replacing the tub, the cheapest option on this page by a wide margin, typically $300 to $600. It's a good fit for a tub that's structurally sound but chipped, stained, or dated-looking, and a poor fit for a tub with cracks, structural damage, or persistent leaks, those need replacement, not a new surface.

Standard Bathtub Replacement and Tub-to-Shower Conversion

A standard (non-walk-in) bathtub replacement, swapping one regular tub for another, typically runs $500 to $4,000 installed depending on tub material and whether plumbing needs adjustment.

Converting a tub to a shower, a common request when a household no longer needs a tub, typically runs $3,000 to $10,000 with an independent contractor, covering demo, plumbing adjustment, waterproofing, and the new shower enclosure. Franchise conversion packages (Re-Bath's conversion tier runs $10,000 to $18,000) price above this for comparable scope.

Faucet and Fixture Repairs

Not every shower or tub problem needs a full remodel. A worn faucet cartridge (a common repair, including branded parts like Price Pfister) is a minor fix: the part itself typically costs $10 to $30, with professional installation labor adding $75 to $200. If your shower is just dripping or hard to adjust, this is usually the fix, not a full fixture replacement.

What Affects the Cost

Scope. Reglazing, conversion, and full walk-in tub installation are different jobs at fundamentally different price points, as this guide's structure shows.

Brand vs. independent installer. Franchise brands (Safe Step, Bath Fitter, Re-Bath) price above independent contractors for comparable work, in exchange for a bundled product and installation package.

Plumbing and electrical changes. Moving drain locations or adding electrical for heated seats or jets adds real cost beyond the base tub or shower price.

Wall and floor condition. Water damage discovered during demo (common in older bathrooms) adds repair cost that only shows up once the old fixture is out.

Getting an Accurate Quote

Have ready: which project you actually need (reglazing, replacement, conversion, or a full walk-in tub/shower), your current tub or shower's condition, and any accessibility features you want (grab bars, low threshold, seating).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a walk-in tub cost?

$2,000 and up for the tub alone; full installed projects commonly run $4,000 to $20,000+ depending on brand and features.

How much does a Safe Step walk-in tub cost?

Starting around $6,250 for the tub, with full installed projects typically $9,500 to $22,000.

How much does a walk-in shower cost?

$3,000 to $15,000 depending on scope, a basic prefab conversion at the low end, a fully custom tiled shower at the high end.

How much does bathtub reglazing cost?

$300 to $600, the cheapest option on this page, suitable for a structurally sound tub that just needs a fresh surface.

How much does it cost to replace a bathtub?

$500 to $4,000 for a standard tub swap, more for a walk-in tub (see above).

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

$3,000 to $10,000 with an independent contractor; franchise packages typically run $10,000 to $18,000 for comparable scope.

Bottom Line

"Shower and tub cost" covers everything from a $300 reglazing job to a $20,000+ walk-in tub installation, so identifying which project you actually need matters more than any single average. Franchise brands cost more than independent installers across every category here, worth factoring in if speed and a single point of contact matter more than price.

Related reading

National averages are useful for planning. Verify pricing against a quote for your home before treating any range as final.