Tub to Shower Conversion in Des Moines, IA
A tub to shower conversion takes out a bathtub that mostly collects dust and builds a shower in the same space, usually with a low curb or none at all. We convert tubs in Des Moines homes and condos, from the East Village to Highland Park, and across Ankeny and Clive.
- Plumbing and electrical by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians
- Permits through the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center
- Easy-entry shower designs
Get a Free Bathroom Remodel Estimate
Tell us what you need — we’ll get back to you fast.
We'll be in touch shortly.
Please call us at (515) 762-5534.
Why Homeowners Convert
Stepping over a tub wall every morning gets harder with time, and many households simply never take baths. A walk-in shower in the same alcove is easier to get into, easier to clean, and can include a bench, a niche, and a handheld shower head. For many homes it is the single change that makes a bathroom work for the next twenty years.
If the house has only one bathtub, it is worth thinking about resale and small children before removing it. We talk that through honestly at the estimate; sometimes the better move is to convert a secondary bath and keep a tub elsewhere.
What the Conversion Involves
Tub Removal
Old tub and surround out, framing and subfloor checked.
Drain Work
Drain moved and resized for a shower by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians.
Waterproofing
Membrane on walls and base, flood-tested.
Finish
Tile, glass, valve trim, niche, and bench.
The Process
How a Conversion Goes
Measure
We check the alcove, drain location, and valve height.
Demo
Tub removed; framing and subfloor inspected and repaired.
Rough-In
Drain and valve updated; inspection by the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center if required.
Build
Base, membrane, tile, glass, and a final walkthrough.
Plumbing and Permits
A tub drain sits in a different place, and is usually smaller, than a shower drain, so a conversion almost always means plumbing changes under the floor. In Iowa that work is licensed by the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board, and our plumbing is done by Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians. The valve is usually raised and replaced with a pressure-balancing model.
When the work needs a permit, we file it with the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center and schedule the inspection before the floor and walls are closed. We are an Iowa-registered contractor under Iowa contractor registration (Iowa Code chapter 91C).
Curb, Low Curb, or Curbless
The simplest conversion keeps a short curb where the tub wall was. A low curb is easier to step over. A curbless entry takes more floor work, because the base has to be recessed so water still drains toward the shower, but it removes the step entirely. Over a basement or crawl space, the joists can often be adjusted to make that possible. We check what is under the floor before promising a curbless design.
If you want a full curbless build, see our walk-in shower installation page. If you are rebuilding an existing stall instead, see shower remodel.
Older Homes and Cold Walls
In older houses around Drake and Beaverdale, the tub often sits against an exterior wall with little or no insulation. With cold, dry Iowa winters with lows that often drop below 0 F, that wall gets cold, and a shower against it can sweat or feel chilly. During a conversion the wall is open, so we insulate it before the cement board and membrane go on. We also check the window if there is one in the tub wall, because a window inside a shower needs careful flashing and a moisture-resistant frame.
Safety and Comfort Details
A conversion is the natural time to add a fold-down or built-in bench, a handheld shower on a slide bar, and blocking in the walls for grab bars now or later. Slip-resistant floor tile, a niche at a comfortable height, and a temperature limit on the valve all make the shower easier to live with. None of it has to look institutional; most of it is invisible until it is needed.
What to Expect on Schedule
Most conversions take about a week to two weeks once materials arrive, including curing time for the membrane and a flood test. If a permit applies, the rough-in inspection by the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center happens before we close the walls. The toilet and sink usually stay in service. We give you the full schedule in writing at the estimate and tell you how many days the shower will be out of use.
Common Questions
Tub conversion Questions
How much does a tub conversion cost?
It depends on the curb style, tile, glass, and how far the drain has to move. Keeping a short curb costs less than a curbless build. Permits through the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center are included in our written estimate when needed, along with the plumbing work.
Can a tub be converted to a shower in one day?
A true tiled shower cannot, because the waterproofing has to cure and be flood-tested, and drain changes may need inspection by the City of Des Moines Permit & Development Center. One-day products are usually acrylic panels over the old space. We explain both options plainly.
Does converting a tub to a shower need a licensed plumber?
Yes. Moving the drain and replacing the valve is plumbing work, which Iowa licenses through the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board. We use Iowa-licensed plumbers and electricians and file permits when required.
Get Started
Ready to swap the tub? Book a free in-home estimate or return to the home page.