Tub-to-Shower Conversions
Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Naperville, IL
Turn the tub you never use into the shower you’ll use every day — properly waterproofed, permitted, and priced in writing.
The Most Popular Project We Do
Here’s the pattern: a Naperville homeowner has a 5-foot alcove tub installed in 1997, uses it twice a year, and steps over its high side every single morning to reach a cramped showerhead. The tub-to-shower conversion fixes exactly that — the tub comes out, a spacious shower goes in its footprint, and the bathroom instantly feels bigger and works better.
This is especially common in Naperville’s 70s–90s housing stock — Cress Creek, Ashwood Park, Brookdale, Tall Grass — where hall baths and even primary baths were built around tubs that made sense for young families and don’t anymore. If the kids are grown or it’s a second bathroom, the tub is just taking up space.
What the conversion involves
- Tub removal and demolition of the surround down to studs.
- Drain relocation: tub drains and shower drains sit in different spots, so the plumber moves the drain — this is real plumbing work, done by a licensed plumber.
- New shower valve set at the right height, with hard-water-rated cartridges for Naperville’s 8–17 gpg water.
- Full waterproofing system: membrane, sealed seams, sloped pan, flood-tested before tile.
- Tile, niche, bench (optional), and glass. The footprint usually fits a comfortable 60-inch shower where the tub was.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in Naperville
A proper conversion in Naperville typically runs $10,000–$22,000:
01
Standard conversion — $10,000–$15,000
Tub out, shower in the same footprint. New pan, drain move, valve, waterproofing, tile surround, and a glass door or panel.
02
Upgraded conversion — $15,000–$22,000
Adds a bench, recessed niche, upgraded tile, frameless glass, and premium fixtures. The version most primary baths get.
03
Curbless conversion — +$3,000–$4,000
Linear drain and floor restructuring for a zero-entry shower. Popular for aging-in-place plans.
04
Timeline — 5–15 days
Most conversions finish in one to two weeks once the permit clears. Glass is measured after tile (about 2 weeks to fabricate) — you shower with a temporary curtain meanwhile.
Beware the one-day overlay pitch. Acrylic tub-to-shower overlays are faster and cheaper, but they glue new surfaces over old problems — no new waterproofing, no drain correction, no valve upgrade. For a bathroom you’ll use daily for years, a real conversion costs more and lasts decades longer.
Will Removing the Tub Hurt Resale Value?
The honest answer: it depends on the house. If it’s the only tub in the house and you might sell to young families, keep one tub — converting the hall bath while keeping the primary tub (or vice versa) is the safe play. If the house has two or more tubs, converting one to a shower rarely hurts value in Naperville’s market and often helps, because buyers use showers daily too.
For primary suites, the math is even clearer: most buyers in the $420K–$700K range prefer a great shower over a garden tub they won’t use. We’ve never had a client regret the conversion — the regret stories are all from people who kept a tub “for resale” and stepped over it for another decade.
Permits
A conversion moves a drain and replaces a valve, so Naperville requires a Residential Addition/Alteration Permit through the Civic Access portal. We file it, meet the inspector, and handle the process. Approval typically takes 1–3 weeks.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion FAQs
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
Usually 5–15 working days of construction once the permit is approved. The glass door or panel is measured after tile is set and takes about two weeks to fabricate — we set up a temporary shower curtain so the shower is usable meanwhile.
Can you convert a tub to a shower in the same footprint?
Yes — a standard 60-inch alcove tub footprint makes an excellent shower, roomy enough for a bench. The drain has to move (tub and shower drains are in different positions), which is standard plumbing work for us.
Is a one-day bathtub-to-shower overlay worth it?
For a rental or a quick sale, maybe. For your own home, we’d rather be honest: overlays cover old surfaces without new waterproofing or plumbing. They look good on day one and can’t be repaired in sections when they fail. A real conversion costs more and lasts far longer.
Do I need a permit to convert a tub to a shower in Naperville?
Yes. Moving the drain and replacing the valve is plumbing work, and Naperville requires a Residential Addition/Alteration Permit filed through the Civic Access portal. We handle the filing and inspections.
What about the plumbing vent and drain size?
Good question — shower drains and vents have different code requirements than tubs. Our licensed plumbers verify venting and drain sizing meet the 2024 IRC as adopted by Naperville, and the inspector confirms it. This is exactly the kind of detail that separates a permitted conversion from a handyman special.
Can I keep a tub in one bathroom and convert the other?
That’s the ideal setup for most families: one tub in the house (usually the hall bath for kids or grandkids) and a great shower everywhere else. Tell us which bathrooms have tubs and we’ll help you decide.
Ready to Lose the Tub?
One call. An honest look at your bathroom. A written line-item price within 48 hours of the visit.
Naperville Bathroom Remodeling · 1704 Quincy Ave, Naperville, IL 60540 · Open 7 days a week, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM