How often do you use your bathtub?

A lot of people these days are embarking on a tub to shower conversion. To put it in simpler terms, they’re ripping out their old bathtub and replacing it with a shiny new shower. Sounds nice, right?

But, before you start pulling anything up, there’s a lot to consider with tub to shower conversions. From costs to design ideas, it’s best to make sure this is the right option for you and create a plan of action before you start. 

Get all the help you need with our handy guide.

Is This Your Only Bath?

If you only have one bath in your house, you should really take a moment to consider whether this is the right option for you. If you already have a shower, it might be worth keeping the bath just in case you ever fancy a nice, long soak. Baths are super relaxing, are perfect when you’re feeling sick, and can even be very romantic!

While you might not be using it at the moment, who knows what will happen in the future? A gorgeous bath is also a selling point in a house, so if you’re thinking of moving any time soon then it might be worth leaving it in. 

Have You Got the Money?

The tub to shower conversion cost certainly isn’t the most expensive renovation you could be doing, but you still need to make sure it’s worth the money. Consider the different costs involved, including buying your new shower, any plumbing works, and contractors you’ll need to hire. If you still think it’s worth it after the costs have been calculated, then it’s time to start creating your plans!

Tub to Shower Conversion Ideas

When creating your new shower, there are some different options you can do. If you’ve looked at the costs and it seems a little too expensive, or you’re not entirely sure you won’t want a bath in the future, why not retrofit your existing plumbing to create a shower/bathtub unit? The work is less intrusive, it’s less costly, and you’ll be left with the best of both worlds!

If you’re adamant about getting rid of the tub, your best bet is to place a walk-in shower where your tub used to be. Because the plumbing’s already in place, this is by far the easiest method of installing your new shower.

For a modern look, create a wet-room style shower that’s separated from the rest of your bathroom with a panel of glass. This is also much easier to install than a full shower unit, and you can make your shower space as large or as little as you like!

Waterproof the Area

A bathroom with a bathtub often isn’t that waterproof. But, when you put a shower in you’re going to have to prep your space for lots of water on the surrounding walls. The easiest way to waterproof the shower walls is by adding tiles. If you have a window on the shower wall, consider replacing it with large glass blocks that will be sturdy enough to handle the water, or fill it in to prevent any future problems.

Should You DIY Your Conversion?

There’s only one scenario where you should DIY your conversion, and that’s if you know what you’re doing. If you’re a plumber or have enough knowledge of plumping to create a safe, sturdy conversion, and you’re skilled at DIY, you might be able to pull it off. But if you’re not, don’t even try it!

If you’ve been eyeing up a tub to shower conversion kit that boasts you can do yours easily with a step-by-step guide, don’t believe it. Putting in a shower where your bath once was is an incredibly hard job that needs professional expertise to get right. If you’re a novice or know nothing about plumbing or bathroom fixtures, it’s best to leave the work to the people who do it best!

Hire Reliable Contractors

Tub to shower conversion contractors are the best way to ensure a quality finish and a stylish shower that actually works. While DIY projects can save you money, they’re going to take a whole lot of time and you could end up with a pretty dodgy shower! Play it safe and know your investment will pay off in the long run. 

When hiring your team, make sure to choose someone reliable like this bath contractor. They specialize in tub to shower conversion as well as other bathroom projects, which is exactly what you want! 

You should check your contractor has a professional website, too. While it’s not a must and you don’t necessarily need to be worried if they don’t have a website as long as they have an alternative, like a social media profile, a dodgy website full of spelling mistakes and stock images should be a red flag. You should also be able to find photos of past work that’ll give you an idea of their standard of quality. 

Another top tip before hiring is to check out online reviews. Simply search the name of the contractor company into Google and see what pops up! What past clients say is a great way to work out whether the team are legitimate and whether they’re right for you.

Start Your Tub to Shower Conversion

A tub to shower conversion is a brilliant idea if you don’t enjoy long soaks and prefer a quicker, more efficient way of getting clean. But, remember, it’s going to cost you and it’s always worth leaving the work to professionals. Once you’re aware of those two things, you’re good to go!

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