A tub-to-shower conversion is the most common accessible bathroom project in America, and one of the most misunderstood. Some homeowners expect a weeks-long gut job; others have seen "one day, $99 down!" ads and expect magic. The truth sits in between. Here's exactly what happens, step by step, when it's done right.
Step 1: The Consultation (About an Hour)
A real consultation is measurement plus conversation. We measure the alcove, check the tub material (fiberglass pops out; cast iron gets cut apart — it matters for planning), look at the existing surround, water lines, and floor condition, and talk about how you'll actually use the space: standing or seated, curtain or glass, storage needs, grab bar locations now or later.
You should leave a consultation with one all-in number in writing — covering demolition, haul-away, materials, waterproofing, fixtures, labor, and cleanup. If a quote needs an asterisk, it isn't a quote.
Step 2: Pre-Project Planning
Materials get ordered to your specs — base size, wall panel style, fixture finishes, options like seating or niches. You'll get a scheduled installation window. (This is also when you should be told what happens if hidden damage appears behind the wall. Ask. The answer tells you everything about the company.)
Step 3: Demo Day
Floors and the path through your home get protected first. Then the surround comes off, the tub comes out — in one awkward piece if it's fiberglass, in cut sections if it's cast iron — and everything gets hauled away. With the wall open, this is the moment of truth: the framing, subfloor, and plumbing get inspected in daylight for the first time in decades.
Step 4: The Part You'll Never See (And Matters Most)
Waterproofing. The new base is set dead level, and a membrane waterproofing system goes on the walls before any panel does. This invisible layer is the difference between a shower that's perfect in year fifteen and one that's quietly rotting the wall in year three. It's also why our installation warranty against leaks is lifetime — we know what's behind our panels.
Step 5: Walls, Fixtures, Finish
Solid-surface panels go up seamless and grout-free. The valve, shower head, and handheld wand get set — at heights that work for how you shower, including seated use if that's the plan. Seating, niches, glass, and grab bars (into reinforced blocking, always) follow. Then silicone, detail work, and an obsessive cleanup.
Step 6: Walkthrough and Warranty
We run the shower, check every connection, walk you through care (hint: there barely is any — that's the point of no grout), and hand over warranty documentation. Most conversions wrap in a matter of days from demo to walkthrough.
What Separates a Great Conversion From a Cheap One
- Real waterproofing behind the walls — not caulk-and-hope.
- Solid-surface panels, not a glue-up liner over old surfaces.
- Reinforced blocking for every current and future grab bar.
- An installation team, not a rotating cast of subcontractors.
- All-in pricing that survives contact with your actual bathroom.
Red flag glossary: "Price good today only" (manufactured urgency), "we'll work out the details later" (change orders incoming), and "lifetime warranty" with a company that's two years old (a warranty is only as durable as the business behind it).
Done right, a conversion is one of the highest-impact projects a home can get: the most dangerous room becomes the safest, in days, for one honest number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my bathroom during the conversion?
The shower is out of commission during the project, but the toilet and sink stay usable for nearly all of it. We protect the path through your home and clean up at the end of each work day.
Do I need a permit for a tub-to-shower conversion in Omaha?
Like-for-like conversions that don't relocate plumbing typically don't require a permit in most metro jurisdictions, but moving drains, altering structure, or electrical work can change that. We handle whatever the project legitimately requires — it's part of doing it right.
What if there's mold or rot behind my tub?
It happens — tubs leak for years before anyone notices. The difference between installers is whether they planned for it. We assess what we can up front and price honestly; if we open the wall and find damage, we show you, explain it, and fix it properly rather than sealing a problem behind new panels.
Glass door or shower curtain?
Curtain rod is included standard and works great, especially for accessibility (nothing rigid to maneuver around). Glass doors — sliding, pivot, or frameless — are a popular upgrade for looks and splash control. We'll show you both at consultation; there's no wrong answer.
Talk It Through With a Specialist
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