In Clark County WA, a bathtub to shower conversion costs $1,500–$4,000 for a prefab insert and $4,000–$9,000 for a standard tile shower. Most homeowners land in the $4,000–$9,000 range — tile walls, tiled floor, niche, and a glass door.
Converting a bathtub to a shower is one of the most-requested bathroom projects we get in Clark County — and one of the most variable in price. A straightforward prefab insert in a guest bath and a custom walk-in tile shower in a primary suite are both "tub-to-shower conversions," but they cost $1,500 and $20,000 respectively.
This guide breaks down exactly what drives that range, what each scope actually includes, and what to watch for in Clark County homes — particularly those built before 1995, where surprises behind the tile surround are common.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost by Scope
Prefab / Alcove Insert
Remove tub, install prefab acrylic or fiberglass shower insert. Minimal tile work.
$1,500 – $4,000
1–2 days
Best for: Budget-conscious, rental properties, straightforward alcove spaces
Tile Shower (Standard)
Remove tub, new cement board, tile walls and floor, niche, glass door or curtain.
$4,000 – $9,000
3–5 days
Best for: Most Clark County homeowners — good quality, durable, resale-friendly
Tile Shower + Plumbing Upgrade
All of above plus new valve, showerhead, hand wand, or barrier-free layout.
$6,000 – $14,000
4–7 days
Best for: Aging-in-place, walk-in shower, rain head, or moving drain location
Custom Walk-In / Wet Room
Full wet room or large-format tile, frameless glass, linear drain, heated floor.
$12,000 – $25,000+
1–2 weeks
Best for: Primary suite upgrade, high-end finish, maximum resale value
Cost by Component (Clark County, 2026)
If you want to understand exactly where the money goes, here's a line-item breakdown. Prices include materials and licensed contractor labor.
Demo and tub removal
$200 – $600Cement board / waterproofing
$300 – $800Prefab shower insert (supply + install)
$800 – $2,500Tile (walls, per sq ft installed)
$8 – $20Tile floor / pan (installed)
$600 – $2,500Shower niche (recessed shelf)
$200 – $600Glass door or frameless enclosure
$600 – $3,500Shower valve + trim
$300 – $1,200New drain / plumbing rough-in
$500 – $2,000Linear drain (walk-in / barrier-free)
$800 – $2,500Heated floor
$800 – $2,000Drywall repair around opening
$200 – $600What Drives the Price Up (or Down)
Tile vs. Prefab
This is the biggest cost fork. A prefab acrylic insert is fast, affordable, and fine for a guest bath or rental. Tile is more durable, looks better, and holds up over the long term — but it costs 2–3x more in labor. For a primary bathroom in a Clark County home you plan to sell, tile almost always pencils out.
Drain Relocation
Most tubs drain at the end. Most showers drain in the center or toward the back. If your conversion requires moving the drain — which it often does — add $500–2,000 for a licensed plumber. We always assess this during the walkthrough so there are no mid-project surprises.
Existing Waterproofing Condition
When we demo the tub surround, we find out what's behind it. Clark County homes with original 1970s–90s tile often have failing organic mastic, damaged cement board, or mold behind the walls. Remediation adds $800–3,000 depending on how far it's spread. This is not optional — new tile installed over wet, moldy substrate fails within 2–3 years.
Walk-In / Barrier-Free Layout
Aging-in-place conversions — no threshold, grab bars, fold-down bench, hand-held shower — require careful planning and sometimes a wider opening. These add $2,000–6,000 over a standard conversion but qualify for insurance or HSA reimbursement in some cases.
Glass Enclosure Choice
A shower curtain adds $30. A framed glass door adds $600–1,200. A frameless glass enclosure adds $1,500–3,500. Frameless looks the best and is easiest to clean — but it's a significant line item. Most mid-range Clark County conversions go with a semi-frameless door.
What We Find in Pre-1995 Clark County Homes
A large portion of homes in Hazel Dell, Orchards, Felida, and older parts of Vancouver were built between 1970 and 1995. When we demo the tub surround, here's what we commonly find — and what it adds to the project:
Organic mastic adhesive (pre-thinset era)
Common in homes built before 1990. Organic mastic fails when wet and harbors mold. Full demo and substrate replacement required. Add $500–1,200.
Mold behind the surround
A slow drip or failed caulk over years causes mold to spread into the wall cavity. Remediation plus drywall replacement adds $800–3,000 depending on spread.
Galvanized supply pipes
Pre-1985 Clark County homes often have galvanized pipe to the shower valve. Corroded galvanized reduces pressure and fails. Replacement while the wall is open adds $500–1,500.
Non-standard tub dimensions
Some older tubs are 54" or 66" rather than the standard 60". This means custom-cut cement board, non-standard tile runs, and more labor. Discovered at demo, not before.
None of these are reasons to avoid the project — they're things a good contractor flags during the estimate, not mid-demo. We always do a walkthrough before quoting so there are no surprises.
Prefab Insert vs. Tile: Which Is Right for You?
Prefab Insert
Tile Shower
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a bathtub to shower conversion cost in Clark County WA?
In Clark County WA, a bathtub to shower conversion costs $1,500–$4,000 for a prefab insert and $4,000–$9,000 for a standard tile shower. Conversions with plumbing upgrades or barrier-free layouts run $6,000–$14,000. Custom walk-in or wet room builds reach $12,000–$25,000+.
Is it worth converting a bathtub to a shower?
In most Clark County homes, yes — especially if you have another bathtub in the house. Real estate agents in Vancouver and Camas note that modern walk-in showers are a selling point in homes where at least one tub remains. Converting your only tub can reduce resale appeal, so confirm you have a second tub before proceeding.
Do I need a permit for a tub-to-shower conversion in Clark County?
Minor conversions using a prefab insert with no plumbing relocation typically don't require a permit in Clark County. If you're moving the drain, changing the valve location, or doing structural work, a permit is required. As a licensed general contractor, Norbilt handles permit applications when needed.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
A prefab insert conversion takes 1–2 days. A standard tile shower takes 3–5 days including drying time between coats and grout cure. A custom walk-in or wet room takes 1–2 weeks. Plumbing work adds 1–2 days to any scope.
What should I know before converting a tub to a shower in an older home?
Homes built before 1990 in Clark County commonly have issues behind tub surrounds: failing waterproofing, organic mastic adhesive, mold, or non-standard plumbing. A proper walkthrough and inspection before demo is essential to avoid mid-project budget surprises. We always assess this before quoting.
Can I keep the same footprint or do I need a larger space?
A standard 60" tub alcove converts to a 36"×60" shower — which meets code minimum for Clark County. That footprint works for most conversions. Walk-in showers typically need at least 36"×36", and barrier-free wet rooms need more space and a linear drain. We'll confirm your footprint works during the estimate walkthrough.
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