Bathroom Remodeling
Walk-In Shower Installation in Orange County
5 min read
Walk-in shower installation removes a bathtub or an old enclosure and builds an open shower with a low curb or no curb at all, sized to the existing alcove or expanded into recovered floor space. This is the most requested single change in Orange County bathrooms, and for good reason: a standard 60 by 30 inch tub alcove converts cleanly into a 60 by 32 inch shower with room for a bench and a niche, and stepping over a 15 inch tub wall stops being part of the daily routine. The work is straightforward when the waterproofing, the pan slope, and the drain detail are executed correctly, and it fails within a few years when they are not.
About 5 min left
What does converting a tub alcove to a shower actually require?
The tub comes out, the surround is stripped to studs, and the tub drain gets converted to a shower drain, which sits in a different position and requires a different trap arrangement. On a raised-foundation house that means working from below between the joists. On a slab home the existing tub drain is usually close enough to the intended shower drain that only a short concrete cut is needed, though sometimes the location works as is. Framing gets checked and blocking is added for a bench, grab bars, and the glass panel. New substrate goes on, then the waterproofing system, then the sloped pan. The last consideration is the curb: a standard curb sits about 4 to 6 inches, a low-profile curb around 2 to 3 inches, and a curbless entry requires recessing the floor structure.
How much slope does a shower pan need and why does it matter?
California code requires a shower floor to slope not less than 1/4 inch per foot toward the drain and not more than 1/2 inch per foot. On a 32 inch deep shower that means roughly 5/8 to 1-1/4 inches of total fall from the back wall to the drain. Too little slope leaves standing water that stains grout, breeds mildew, and eventually saturates the substrate. Too much slope makes the floor feel unstable underfoot and creates a lip at the entry. Getting this right is what separates a shower that stays dry from one that discolors within two years. We build the pan, then plug the drain and fill it with water for a full 24 hours before setting a single tile, and we photograph the water level at the start and end.
Prefabricated base or custom tiled pan?
A prefabricated acrylic or solid-surface base arrives with the slope already molded in, installs in a single day, and is the fastest and least expensive path. It comes in fixed sizes, usually 60 by 30, 60 by 32, or 60 by 36, so it only works if the alcove matches. A custom tiled pan can be any dimension, supports a bench, a curbless entry, or a linear drain, and lets the floor tile continue from the bathroom into the shower for a visually larger room. It costs more and takes several extra days. In Orange County we recommend prefab bases for rentals, guest baths, and fast turnarounds, and custom pans wherever the shower is a primary daily fixture or the entry needs to be low.
What about glass, benches, and the entry opening?
Open walk-in showers often use a single fixed glass panel rather than a door, which requires the shower to be deep enough that spray does not clear the panel. A practical rule is a minimum 34 to 36 inch depth with the showerhead aimed away from the opening, and a panel at least 30 to 36 inches wide leaving a comfortable entry. Benches should be 17 to 19 inches high and 15 inches deep at minimum to be genuinely usable, and they need the same continuous waterproofing as the floor with a slight slope on the top surface so water drains off. Blocking for the glass panel bracket and for any grab bar has to go in during framing, because adding it later means opening finished tile.
Scope
What's Included
Everything below is written into your scope of work before construction starts. Anything outside it requires a signed change order first.
- Tub or enclosure removal: Existing tub cut apart if needed for removal, surround stripped to framing, and all debris hauled away.
- Drain conversion and trap work: Tub drain converted to a shower drain in the correct position with proper trap arrangement and venting.
- Framing check and blocking: Wet-wall framing inspected for rot, and solid blocking installed for bench, grab bars, and glass panel brackets.
- Sloped pan construction: Pan built to 1/4 inch per foot minimum fall with a bonded membrane and a properly integrated drain flange.
- 24 hour flood test: Drain plugged, pan filled, water level documented at start and finish, and photographs shared before tile.
- Wall and floor tile: Tile set to a planned layout with cut pieces placed at inconspicuous locations, then grouted and sealed as needed.
- Valve, trim, and hand-held: Pressure-balancing or thermostatic valve set to finished depth, with showerhead, trim, and optional slide-bar hand shower.
- Glass panel or door installation: Enclosure templated after tile is complete and installed with hardware anchored into pre-installed blocking.
How it works
Our Process
Every project follows the same structured sequence, so you always know what happens next and who to call.
Alcove measure and entry decision
1 dayWe measure the alcove, confirm the drain position and foundation type, and decide between a standard curb, a low-profile curb, or a curbless entry.
Base and finish selections
3 to 7 daysPrefab base or custom pan, tile, valve trim, and glass configuration are chosen and priced, with lead times confirmed before the schedule is set.
Demolition and drain conversion
2 to 3 daysThe tub and surround come out, framing is checked and repaired, blocking is added, and the drain is converted to shower position and inspected.
Waterproofing and flood test
2 to 3 daysSubstrate and bonded membrane are installed, the pan is sloped and detailed at corners and the curb, then flood tested for a full 24 hours.
Tile, grout, and trim set
4 to 7 daysWall and floor tile are set and grouted, then the valve trim, showerhead, hand shower, and accessories are installed and leak checked.
Glass template and installation
7 to 14 days after tileThe glass fabricator templates the finished opening, panels are cut and tempered, then installed and sealed. Final inspection closes the permit.
Budget
What does it cost?
Real ranges, stated up front. Your written proposal replaces these estimates with fixed numbers for your actual scope.
Typical range
$9,000 to $22,000
per shower
Estimate range for Orange County tub-to-shower conversions and walk-in shower installations in 2026. Prefabricated bases with stock glass sit at the low end; custom tiled pans with benches and heavy frameless glass at the high end.
Typical timeline: 1.5 to 3 weeks, plus 1 to 2 weeks for glass fabrication
What moves the price
- Prefabricated base versus tiled pan: A molded acrylic base installs in a day at a fixed size. A custom tiled pan takes several additional days, allows any dimension, and supports benches and low-threshold entries.
- Curb height and floor structure: A standard curb is simple framing. A low-profile or curbless entry requires recessing the subfloor between joists or, on slab construction, cutting and re-pouring the shower floor area.
- Drain relocation distance: Converting a tub drain to a shower drain a few inches away is minor. Moving it across a slab bathroom means saw cutting, trenching to correct fall, and concrete repair.
- Glass configuration and thickness: A single fixed panel in 3/8 inch glass is the economical option. A frameless door with a return panel in 1/2 inch glass and solid brass hardware costs several times as much.
- Bench, niche, and shelf work: Each built-in element requires framing, additional waterproofing detail at inside corners, sloped surfaces, and extra tile cuts and edge treatment.
- Valve type and body sprays: A single pressure-balancing valve is standard. Thermostatic mixing valves, dual outlets, rain heads, or body sprays add plumbing, sometimes require a larger supply, and raise hot water demand.
Compare
Compare your options
Side by side, so you can weigh cost against how long it lasts and how much upkeep it needs.
| Option | Cost | Durability | Maintenance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic prefabricated base | $450 to $1,600 installed | Good, slope is factory molded and consistent | Low, non-abrasive cleaners only | Fast conversions in guest baths, rentals, and standard 60 inch alcoves |
| Solid surface base | $900 to $2,600 installed | High, rigid and repairable if scratched | Low, occasional buffing restores the finish | Owners who want a seamless one-piece floor with a more substantial feel than acrylic |
| Foam tray with bonded membrane | $1,400 to $3,200 installed | Very high, no absorbent core anywhere in the assembly | Moderate, tile and grout care only | Tiled floors on a reliable pre-sloped substrate, including low-threshold entries |
| Mud bed with sheet membrane | $2,000 to $4,800 installed | Very high when detailed correctly at corners and drain | Moderate, annual inspection of corners and grout | Non-standard shower shapes, benches, and custom dimensions that no tray fits |
Answers
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in Orange County?
Tub-to-shower conversions in Orange County generally run $9,000 to $22,000 in 2026. A prefabricated acrylic base with tile walls and a stock glass panel sits near the low end. A custom tiled pan with a bench, niches, and a frameless heavy glass enclosure sits at the top.
How long does a walk-in shower installation take?
Plan on one and a half to three weeks of construction, plus another one to two weeks after tile is complete for glass fabrication. The glass cannot be templated until the finished tile surfaces exist, so that portion always trails the rest of the work by roughly ten business days.
What slope does a shower floor need?
California code requires between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch of fall per foot toward the drain. On a 32 inch deep shower that equals roughly 5/8 to 1-1/4 inches of total drop. Insufficient slope leaves standing water that stains grout and eventually saturates the substrate beneath.
Do I need a door on a walk-in shower?
Not always. A single fixed glass panel works when the shower is at least 34 to 36 inches deep and the showerhead points away from the opening. Shallower showers or those with the head aimed toward the entry need a door to keep water off the bathroom floor.
Can you install a walk-in shower where my tub is now?
Yes, in almost every case. A standard 60 by 30 inch tub alcove converts to a 60 by 32 inch shower with room for a bench and a recessed niche. The tub drain is usually close enough to the required shower drain position that concrete work is minimal or unnecessary.
Will removing my only bathtub hurt resale value?
It can, if the house has no other tub. Buyers with young children generally want at least one bathtub in a family home, and Orange County agents commonly flag a tubless three-bedroom house as harder to sell. If another bathroom keeps a tub, converting the second one is a clear upgrade.
What waterproofing do you use under a walk-in shower?
We use bonded systems: a sheet membrane such as Schluter Kerdi, foam board panels such as Wedi, or a liquid-applied membrane like RedGard on simple alcoves. The system choice follows the geometry. Every installation gets a 24 hour flood test with the water level documented before tile is set.
Can a walk-in shower be made accessible later?
It is much easier if you plan for it now. Installing solid blocking behind the walls for future grab bars, choosing a low-profile curb, and specifying a hand shower on a slide bar cost very little during construction and eliminate the need to open finished tile years later.
Next step
Get a written quote for walk-in shower installation
Book a free consultation. We walk the space, talk through what you want, and send a written scope with real numbers. No pressure and no obligation.
Licensed and insured. Written scope before work begins. Weekly progress updates with photos.
What happens next: we reply the same business day, schedule a walkthrough, then send your written proposal.