Tub to Shower Conversion in Newark, NJ
Converting a tub to a shower removes a bathtub you rarely use and builds a full-size shower in the same alcove. It is one of the most common jobs we are asked about in Newark, NJ, usually by owners who find stepping over a tub wall harder each year.
- Registered under New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration
- Permits filed with the Newark Building Division (Office of Uniform Construction Code)
- Free in-home estimate and a written contract before work starts
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Please call us at (973) 587-2807.
How the Conversion Works
A standard tub sits in an alcove about five feet long, and that alcove becomes the shower. We take out the tub and surround, then deal with the part that decides whether the job lasts: the drain. A tub drain sits at the end and low; a shower drain sits in the pan and needs slope, so the line usually moves and the floor is built up or recessed.
The valve moves too. A tub valve sits low for a spout; a shower valve sits higher, and many owners add a handheld or a bench. Moving supply or drain lines is plumbing, which in New Jersey is licensed separately by the NJ Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers, so a licensed plumber does it and the work is inspected.
Then the finish: tile over a custom pan, or a solid-surface base and wall panels for a faster install. A low curb, or none at all, is possible in many rooms; see walk-in shower installation.
What's Included
Tub removal
Old tub, tile, and backing removed and hauled off, with the room protected.
Drain and valve moves
Drain relocated for the pan and valve raised to shower height by a licensed plumber.
Waterproof build
Cement board, membrane, and a sloped pan or base before tile.
Permit and inspection
Plumbing permit filed and rough-in inspected before the wall closes.
Converting Tubs in Newark Homes
Older homes need a closer look. With about three in four Essex County homes were built before 1980, many tubs we remove sit directly on original floor framing, which limits how deep a new pan can go and how the drain can run. We check joists and the drain path before we quote.
One honest caution: many buyers still want at least one tub in a house. If you have a second bathroom with a tub, converting the main one is easy to justify. If not, a new tub may suit you better; see bathtub replacement. We talk it through at the estimate.
The permit side is simple for us. The application goes to the Newark Building Division (Office of Uniform Construction Code), and plumbing is billed per fixture under the city ordinance. To rebuild an existing shower instead, see shower remodel.
Our Process
From Tub to Shower in Four Steps
Estimate
We measure the alcove, check the drain path and framing, and give you a written price.
Removal
The tub and surround come out with dust barriers up and floors covered.
Plumbing and Inspection
Drain and valve move and are inspected before walls close.
Shower Build
Pan, waterproofing, walls, and glass, then a walkthrough with you.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What affects tub to shower conversion cost?
Drain relocation, tile versus solid-surface walls, the valve, and glass are the big factors. Permit costs follow Newark's ordinance, with plumbing subcode fees of $14 per fixture with a $58 minimum. We quote after checking the drain path and framing, because that is where surprises usually hide in older houses.
What should I ask tub to shower conversion companies in New Jersey?
Ask for the New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration, proof of insurance, and who pulls the permit, because an unregistered contractor cannot obtain municipal building permits. Confirm a licensed plumber will move the drain and valve. Get the full scope and price in a written contract.
Will removing my only tub hurt resale?
It can, which is why we raise it. Buyers with young children often want one tub. If your home has another, a conversion is low risk. In Essex County, where about three in four Essex County homes were built before 1980, many homes have a single bath, so it is worth weighing.
Can the new shower have no curb?
Often, yes. A curbless shower needs the floor recessed or the pan built flush, which depends on the joists underneath. We check at the estimate. Any drain change is permitted and inspected by the Newark Building Division (Office of Uniform Construction Code) before the floor is closed.
Ask About Your Tub
Call or send a short note about your bathroom. Return to the home page, or request your free estimate.