Converting a tub alcove to a walk-in shower in Minnesota costs $4,500 to $22,000 depending on finish level, plumbing changes, and whether older-home surprises turn up behind the wall. This guide breaks down what drives the price at each tier and what a permit costs in Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Converting a standard tub alcove into a walk-in shower is one of the most common bathroom projects in Twin Cities homes. The cost depends on how much demo is involved, what finish level you choose, and whether the plumbing needs to move. For a straightforward alcove conversion in a Minnesota home, most homeowners spend between $4,500 and $22,000, with the wide range driven by tile choice, glass style, and whether the contractor finds surprises behind the wall.
This guide walks through what drives the price, what a permit costs, and what questions to ask before you sign a contract. For context on walk-in shower remodels that start as showers rather than tub conversions, see our Minneapolis walk-in shower remodel cost guide.
A tub-to-walk-in shower conversion is not a single product. The price point you land at depends on the finish level, the waterproofing system, and how much of the surrounding space changes. Here are the three tiers most Minnesota contractors quote:
| Tier | What is included | Typical cost range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic prefab | Acrylic or fiberglass one-piece unit, demo of existing tub, reconnect drain | $4,500 to $9,000 |
| Mid-range tiled | Tile walls, prefab shower pan, framed glass door, waterproofing membrane | $9,000 to $16,000 |
| Custom tiled | Full custom tile, curbless or mud-set pan, frameless glass, in-wall niche, floor heat option | $16,000 to $22,000+ |
Cost ranges above are based on a standard 5-foot alcove in a Minnesota home. Larger spaces, curved glass, or significant plumbing relocation push costs above these ceilings. Source: 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, Remodeling Magazine, adjusted for Minneapolis metro labor rates.
A tub drain sits differently than a shower drain. If the new shower drain lands in a different position, a plumber needs to open the floor and reroute the drain line. In a 1950s or 1960s rambler with a concrete slab or a low-clearance crawl space, that work adds $800 to $2,500 to the project. Homes with accessible basement ceilings below the bathroom are easier to work on, which is part of why split-levels in Eden Prairie or Bloomington often cost less for this phase than slab-on-grade homes in Richfield.
Minnesota contractors who do tile work correctly install a waterproofing membrane over the entire shower area before any tile goes up. This is not optional. A failed shower pan is a costly problem in Minnesota, where freeze-thaw cycles can accelerate water migration through failed grout lines. Budget $400 to $900 for a proper membrane installation, whether that is a Schluter Kerdi system, a sheet membrane, or a liquid-applied product. Our tile shower waterproofing guide covers the differences in depth.
A framed sliding door over a 36-inch opening runs $600 to $1,200 installed. A frameless hinged glass panel on a larger opening runs $1,500 to $4,000 depending on glass thickness and hardware finish. Semi-frameless options fall in between. Walk-in showers without a door (using a wet wall or a return panel) eliminate this cost entirely and are common in curbless designs.
Tile is where the mid-range and custom tiers separate. A subway tile set in a simple stacked or offset pattern on a standard alcove takes a tile crew roughly 2 to 3 days. Large-format tiles (12x24 or larger) require more substrate prep and take longer to set. Herringbone or other diagonal patterns add cutting time. A niche adds a waterproofed box to the wall and typically adds half a day of labor per niche.
In Minneapolis and Saint Paul homes built before 1960, the contractor may find one or more of the following after demo: a tub surround set in mud over galvanized metal lath, plaster walls behind the tile, a tub drain connected to a cast-iron stack, or inadequate blocking for a glass door. Each adds hours and materials. It is common for a contractor to include a contingency line in the quote for older homes; $500 to $1,500 is a reasonable allowance before demo begins.
A tub-to-shower conversion that involves relocating a drain requires a plumbing permit in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and most suburban municipalities. Permit fees vary by city. Minneapolis charges a base plumbing permit fee plus a per-fixture surcharge; Saint Paul uses a similar structure through its Office of Safety and Inspections. If the electrical circuit serving the bathroom changes (adding GFCI receptacles or a heat lamp), an electrical permit is also required.
If the drain stays in place and you are only replacing the surround and fixtures, a permit may not be required, but it is worth confirming with your city before the contractor starts. The Minneapolis Inspections Services Division can be reached at 612-673-3000. Saint Paul's Office of Safety and Inspections is at 651-266-8989.
For a broader look at how permits affect scheduling, see our guide on Minneapolis kitchen remodel permits for context on how the Twin Cities permit process works in practice.
Converting to a walk-in shower is not the same as swapping a tub for a prefab shower insert. A walk-in shower is defined by its open entry: either no door, or a hinged or sliding glass panel rather than a full surround. That design choice affects the floor treatment (curbless requires a sloped floor toward the drain), the waterproofing zone (larger), and the glass (custom-cut to fit rather than a standard kit). It is a more involved project than a tub-to-shower insert replacement, and the cost reflects that.
Homeowners looking at a standard insert replacement rather than a true walk-in should read the tub-to-shower conversion cost guide for Minneapolis, which covers the prefab-insert path in more detail.
A curbless or zero-threshold entry is increasingly common in Minnesota primary bathrooms, both for universal design reasons and because it reads cleaner in a remodeled space. Building a curbless shower requires sloping the entire shower floor toward the drain at a minimum of 1/4 inch per foot. That slope has to be built into the mud bed or the structural floor itself. In an alcove conversion, the contractor typically needs to lower the subfloor in the shower area by 1 to 2 inches to accommodate the slope without creating a trip hazard at the entry.
In homes with a basement below the bathroom, that work is straightforward. In homes with a crawl space or a slab, it requires more creative solutions. Add $800 to $2,000 for a curbless entry relative to a standard shower pan installation, depending on floor assembly.
Removing the only bathtub in a home has historically been a resale caution point. That concern has softened in higher-price-point markets. In Minneapolis and Edina homes above $500,000, a primary bathroom with a walk-in shower and no tub tests well with buyers who are not planning to have young children. In homes with a single full bath or in markets below $400,000, keeping a tub in at least one bathroom remains the standard real estate recommendation.
The National Association of Realtors 2024 Remodeling Impact Report notes that bathroom remodels recover a substantial portion of their cost at resale, though the specific recovery depends on the neighborhood and price tier. A contractor who works regularly in your area can offer a more grounded view.
A good quote for a tub-to-walk-in shower conversion covers labor and materials separately, names the waterproofing system to be used, calls out the drain location and whether it moves, and includes a contingency or exclusion for behind-the-wall surprises. Ask whether the glass is included in the quote or bid separately by a glass sub. Ask for the tile labor rate per square foot if you are supplying your own tile.
The bathroom remodeling service page covers what our team includes in a standard scope for Minneapolis-area conversions. To start a conversation about your specific bathroom, use the quote request form.
Our crews work throughout Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs. Homeowners in Minneapolis with older alcove tubs in ramblers and bungalows make up a large share of our conversion projects. If you are comparing quotes for a tub-to-walk-in shower conversion, the quote form is the fastest way to get a scope-specific estimate.
Serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie & the entire Twin Cities metro. Most quotes delivered within 48 hours.
Request a Free QuoteFAQ
A basic prefab alcove conversion runs $4,500 to $9,000 installed. A mid-range tiled shower with a prefab pan and framed glass runs $9,000 to $16,000. A fully custom curbless tiled shower with frameless glass runs $16,000 to $22,000 or more. Source: 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, Remodeling Magazine, adjusted for Minneapolis metro labor rates.
If the drain moves, a plumbing permit is required in Minneapolis. If the electrical circuit changes, an electrical permit is also required. A like-for-like drain replacement with no plumbing relocation may not require a permit, but confirm with Minneapolis Inspections Services at 612-673-3000 before work begins.
A basic tub-to-shower conversion replaces the tub with a prefab shower insert. A walk-in shower conversion creates an open entry with no curb or with a hinged glass panel, requires a sloped floor toward the drain, and typically involves custom tile work. The walk-in version is a more involved project and costs more.
A mid-range tiled conversion typically takes 7 to 12 business days on-site, including demo, waterproofing, tile set, grout cure time, and glass installation. Plumbing changes or older-home surprises extend the schedule. Minnesota contractors often block 2 to 3 weeks for custom walk-in shower projects.
In homes with more than one full bath and a price point above $400,000, removing the tub in the primary bathroom has limited impact on resale in the Twin Cities. In homes with a single full bath or priced below $400,000, most real estate professionals recommend keeping a tub in at least one bathroom. The National Association of Realtors 2024 Remodeling Impact Report shows bathroom remodels recover a substantial share of their cost at resale.
Get the free 2026 Twin Cities Remodel Cost Guide by email: kitchen and bath price tiers, plus how your Twin Cities suburb changes the number.