At some point, a lot of Colorado homeowners look at their bathtub and realize they haven’t used it in years. The kids are older, the tub is just taking up space, and every morning you’re stepping over the edge of something that stopped being useful a long time ago.
A walk-in shower conversion is one of the most popular bathroom projects for homeowners in Westminster, Arvada, and Broomfield, and for good reason. Done right, it makes the bathroom feel significantly larger, more functional, and more in line with how you actually live.
Here’s what a typical project involves and what you can expect to spend.
What a Walk-In Shower Conversion Includes
Converting a tub to a walk-in shower is a real construction project, and understanding the scope helps set the right expectations.
Removing the existing tub. The tub and surrounding surround come out completely. Depending on what’s underneath, you may find drywall, tile backer, or in older homes, materials that need to be replaced before anything new goes in.
Plumbing relocation. A bathtub drain sits in a different position than a shower drain. Moving the drain requires opening the floor, repositioning the drain line, and making sure everything ties back into the existing waste system correctly. The supply lines for the shower valve also need to be roughed in to the new location.
Building the shower structure. You have two main options for the base: a custom tile shower pan or a prefabricated shower pan.
A custom tile pan is built on site, a mortar bed is sloped to drain, waterproofing membrane is applied, and tile is set on top. It’s more labor-intensive, but it allows any shape, size, or tile choice you want. A prefabricated pan is a manufactured base that drops in and is sealed at the perimeter. It’s faster and typically less expensive, though it limits your size and design options.
Walls and tile. The shower walls need proper tile backer and a waterproofing system before any tile goes on. This step is not optional, a shower that isn’t properly waterproofed will eventually fail, and water damage behind tile walls is expensive to fix.
Custom features. Niches (built-in wall shelving) and benches add both function and time to the project. If you want them, they’re worth building in from the start rather than trying to add later.
Glass enclosure. Most walk-in shower conversions include a frameless or semi-frameless glass enclosure. Custom glass is measured and fabricated after the tile is complete. Lead time on custom glass is typically one to two weeks from measurement to installation.
What It Costs in the Colorado Market
A walk-in shower conversion in Westminster, Arvada, or Broomfield runs approximately $17,000–$25,000 for labor and materials combined, depending on:
- Whether you’re going with a custom tile pan or a prefab base
- The size of the shower space
- Tile selection and complexity
- Whether niches, a bench, or other custom features are included
- The glass enclosure style and size
- How much plumbing work is required based on drain and valve positioning
Projects on the lower end tend to be straightforward conversions with simpler tile, a prefab pan, and standard glass. Projects on the higher end involve fully custom tile work, larger spaces, and more complex plumbing repositioning.
Financing through Hearth Financial is available if you’d rather move forward now and pay over time. Ask us about options when we meet.
What Can Push the Cost Higher
Unexpected subfloor or wall conditions. Older homes in Westminster and Arvada sometimes have moisture damage, rotted subfloor, or outdated plumbing that needs to be addressed before the new shower goes in. This isn’t something a contractor can fully predict until the tub is out, but it’s worth factoring in.
Layout changes beyond the conversion. If you’re also moving the vanity, adding a double sink, or reconfiguring the bathroom layout at the same time, scope and cost increase accordingly.
Premium materials. Quartzite, book-matched stone, and imported tile carry higher material costs. Custom glass sizes and specialty hardware add up too.
What the Process Looks Like with Elite Property Innovations
We walk through the project with you before anything starts starting with what you want the shower to look like, what features matter most, and what the plumbing situation looks like. We’ll give you a clear quote before demo begins, and we’ll let you know if we find anything unexpected once the tub is out.
From demo to final glass installation, most walk-in shower conversions run two to three weeks on site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a walk-in shower conversion cost in Colorado?
Most walk-in shower conversions in the Westminster and Arvada area run $17,000–$25,000 for labor and materials. The range depends on tile selection, whether you go with a custom or prefab shower pan, custom features like niches or benches, and the glass enclosure size and style.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
From demo to final glass installation, most conversions run two to three weeks on site. Glass is typically the last step and has a one-to-two week fabrication lead time after the tile is complete.
Is a walk-in shower conversion worth it?
For most homeowners who no longer use their tub, yes. It improves daily functionality, makes the bathroom feel larger, and is a strong selling point for buyers in the Westminster and Arvada market. Bathrooms with walk-in showers typically appeal more to the 30s–50s buyer demographic.
Do you need a permit for a shower conversion in Jefferson County?
Yes, because plumbing is being moved, a permit is required. Elite Property Innovations handles the permitting process as part of the project.
Can I keep my existing tile during a tub-to-shower conversion?
In most cases, no. The tile in a tub surround typically doesn’t extend to where the new shower walls need to be tiled, and the waterproofing system needs to be applied to fresh backer before any tile goes on. A full re-tile is standard for this type of project.
The Bottom Line
A walk-in shower conversion is a full construction project that could include plumbing relocation, waterproofing, tile, custom glass, but it’s one of the highest-impact bathroom upgrades you can make. Most projects run $17,000–$25,000 and take two to three weeks on site.
At Elite Property Innovations, we walk through the full scope with you before anything starts and give you a clear quote before demo begins.
Send us photos of your current bathroom and we’ll give you a rough quote, then we’ll schedule a consultation if it’s a good fit.
Learn more about our bathroom remodeling services in Westminster and Arvada.
