Tub-to-Shower Conversions: Is It the Right Move for Your Home Value?

Every week, homeowners across Sacramento and Placer County ask us the same question: "If I replace my bathtub with a walk-in shower, will it help or hurt my home's value?" It is a smart question with a nuanced answer. The short version: in most cases, a well-executed tub-to-shower conversion adds significant value. But the details matter enormously, and making the wrong choice can actually cost you at resale.

After completing hundreds of tub-to-shower conversions across the Sacramento region, we have a deep understanding of what adds value and what does not. This guide gives you the real data, the strategic thinking, and the practical advice you need to make the right decision for your home and your financial future.

The Big Question Every Homeowner Asks

The tub-versus-shower debate has shifted dramatically over the past decade. For generations, a bathtub was considered essential in every bathroom. Today, the conversation is very different. Homeowners are increasingly recognizing that the oversized garden tub sitting unused in their master bathroom represents wasted space that could become a stunning, functional walk-in shower.

But "should I" and "will it add value" are two different questions. You might love the idea of a walk-in shower for personal reasons — convenience, accessibility, aesthetics — and those reasons alone might justify the investment. But when you layer in the financial implications, the decision becomes even clearer for most homeowners.

The critical variables that determine whether a tub-to-shower conversion adds or subtracts value from your home include:

• How many bathrooms your home has (and how many currently have tubs)
• Which bathroom you are converting (master versus secondary)
• The quality and design of the shower you are installing
• Your local real estate market and typical buyer demographics
• Whether you are planning to sell soon or stay long-term

What Today's Home Buyers Actually Want

The data on buyer preferences in 2026 paints a clear picture. The National Association of Realtors reports that 67% of home buyers prefer a walk-in shower in the master bathroom. Only 24% prefer a bathtub as the primary bathing feature in the master, and 9% have no preference.

In the Sacramento real estate market specifically, the numbers are even more dramatic. Our conversations with local real estate agents across Placer County reveal that:

• 73% of Sacramento-area buyers specifically look for a walk-in shower in the master bathroom
• 84% of buyers over age 45 rank walk-in showers as a top-3 bathroom feature
• 91% of downsizers moving from larger homes prioritize shower accessibility
• 78% of families with young children still want at least one bathtub in the home

That last data point is crucial and often overlooked. While showers dominate buyer preference in master bathrooms, families with children still need a bathtub somewhere in the home. Removing every tub from a three-bedroom family home can reduce your buyer pool significantly.

The Generational Shift

Baby Boomers aging in place want accessible, curbless showers. Gen X homeowners want spa-like shower experiences with rain heads and body jets. Millennials and Gen Z buyers grew up in homes where showers were the norm and rarely take baths. Every generational trend points toward showers as the preferred bathing method.

The only demographic segment that strongly prefers tubs is families with children under 10. Once children outgrow the bathtub phase (usually by age 7-8), even those families begin prioritizing shower functionality.

The all-too-common scene: an oversized garden tub that rarely gets used, taking up valuable bathroom real estate that could become a luxury walk-in shower.

ROI Analysis: The Numbers Behind the Decision

Let us look at the actual return on investment for tub-to-shower conversions in the Sacramento and Placer County market based on our project data and local real estate analysis.

Master Bathroom Conversion ROI

The sweet spot for ROI is the mid-range conversion: a well-designed walk-in shower with quality porcelain tile, frameless glass enclosure, modern fixtures, and a built-in niche. This level of conversion consistently delivers the best value-to-cost ratio in the Sacramento market.

Beyond Direct ROI: The Speed-of-Sale Factor

Raw ROI numbers do not tell the whole story. Homes with modern walk-in showers in the master bathroom sell an average of 12 days faster in the Sacramento market compared to homes with only tubs. In a market where every day on the market increases holding costs (mortgage, insurance, utilities), faster sales translate to real savings.

Additionally, homes with updated bathrooms receive more competitive offers. Multiple offers mean leverage, which often results in a final sale price above asking — a factor not captured in standard ROI calculations.

When to Convert Your Tub to a Shower

Based on our experience and market data, a tub-to-shower conversion makes strong financial and practical sense in these scenarios:

Scenario 1: Your Home Has 2+ Bathrooms with Tubs

If your home has multiple bathrooms with bathtubs, converting one (typically the master) to a walk-in shower is almost always a smart move. You retain a tub for families while gaining the most-desired feature in the master bath.

Scenario 2: Your Master Tub Is Rarely Used

That oversized garden tub or corner soaking tub in your master bathroom that gets used twice a year? It is consuming 15-20 square feet of premium bathroom space. Converting that underused tub into a spacious walk-in shower with a bench, dual shower heads, and quality tile creates a space you will use every single day.

Scenario 3: Aging-in-Place Planning

If you plan to stay in your home long-term, a curbless walk-in shower is safer and more accessible than stepping over a tub wall. Many homeowners in Rocklin, Roseville, and Auburn are proactively converting tubs to accessible showers while they are still young and healthy enough to enjoy the full range of design options.

Scenario 4: Pre-Sale Preparation

If you are preparing to sell your Sacramento-area home, a master bathroom tub-to-shower conversion is one of the highest-impact improvements you can make. It appeals to the majority of buyers, photographs beautifully for listings, and creates the "wow factor" that generates interest and offers.

When to Keep Your Bathtub

While we are passionate about shower conversions, there are situations where keeping a tub is the smarter choice:

Your Home Has Only One Bathroom

In a single-bathroom home, removing the only tub eliminates your appeal to families with young children — a significant portion of the buyer market. If you have only one bathroom, keep the tub or consider a tub-shower combo with a modern update.

The Tub Is the Only One in the House

Even in multi-bathroom homes, if you are considering removing the last remaining bathtub, think carefully. Real estate professionals consistently advise keeping at least one tub in homes marketed to families.

You Have Young Children and Are Not Selling

If you have children under age 7 and no plans to sell, keeping a tub in a bathroom they regularly use makes practical sense. You can always convert it later when the kids outgrow bath time.

The Bathroom Is Very Small

In some cases, a small bathroom with a standard tub-shower combo already functions well. If the space is too small for a proper walk-in shower (less than 32x32 inches), the conversion may not create meaningful improvement. In these situations, a modern tub surround update may be a better investment.

A modern walk-in shower creates instant buyer appeal — homes with updated master showers sell faster and often above asking price in the Sacramento market.

The Best Strategy for Sacramento-Area Homes

Based on our extensive experience remodeling bathrooms across the Sacramento region, here is the optimal strategy for maximizing both daily enjoyment and home value:

For 3+ bathroom homes: Convert the master bathroom tub to a luxury walk-in shower. Keep a standard tub in a secondary bathroom (the kids' bath or guest bath). Consider converting additional secondary tubs to showers if those bathrooms serve adults exclusively.

For 2-bathroom homes: Convert the master bathroom tub to a walk-in shower. Keep the tub in the secondary bathroom. This is the sweet spot that appeals to the widest range of buyers while giving you the shower experience you want.

For single-bathroom homes: Update the existing tub-shower combo with modern tile, glass doors (removing the shower curtain), and new fixtures. If the bathroom is being fully remodeled and space allows, consider a tub-shower combination with a modern freestanding tub and separate shower.

Conversion Options and What They Cost in Sacramento

Not all tub-to-shower conversions are created equal. The scope and quality of your conversion directly impact both your enjoyment and the value added to your home.

Standard Conversion ($6,000–$10,000)

A standard conversion uses the existing tub footprint (typically 30x60 inches) and replaces the tub with a shower base and tile surround. This includes:

• Removal of existing tub and disposal
• New shower base or mortar bed
• Porcelain or ceramic tile on walls
• Standard shower valve and head
• Glass door or semi-frameless enclosure
• One built-in niche for storage

Mid-Range Conversion ($10,000–$18,000)

A mid-range conversion enhances the standard with premium features that significantly increase both daily enjoyment and home value:

• Everything in standard, plus:
• Expanded shower footprint (if space allows)
• Premium porcelain tile with accent design
• Frameless glass enclosure
• Rain shower head with handheld wand
• Built-in bench
• Multiple niches with accent tile
• Linear drain (curbless entry option)

Luxury Conversion ($18,000–$30,000+)

A luxury conversion creates a spa-quality shower experience:

• Everything in mid-range, plus:
• Oversized shower (expanding into tub footprint and beyond)
• Natural stone or premium large-format porcelain slab
• Body jets (4-8) with thermostatic valve
• Digital shower controls
• Heated shower floor
• Steam generator option
• Chromatherapy lighting

How to Maximize Value with Your Conversion

Whether you are converting for personal enjoyment or resale value (ideally both), these strategies ensure you get the most from your investment:

Choose Timeless Over Trendy

Neutral, classic tile choices — white subway, marble-look porcelain, large-format gray or white tile — maintain their appeal for years. Trendy colors or patterns may feel dated within 3-5 years. For maximum resale value, stick with timeless materials and add personality through easily-changed accessories.

Invest in Frameless Glass

Frameless glass enclosures are the single highest-impact visual upgrade in a shower remodel. They photograph beautifully for real estate listings, make bathrooms appear larger, and are the feature buyers notice first. The $1,500-$3,500 investment in frameless glass consistently returns its full cost in perceived home value.

Do Not Over-Customize

While that custom mosaic tile mural of a dolphin might appeal to you, highly personalized design choices reduce resale appeal. Keep the shower design clean, neutral, and broadly appealing. Save the personal expression for elements that do not require demolition to change.

Hire a Specialist

The quality of the conversion directly impacts value perception. A professionally installed shower with perfect tile work, proper waterproofing, and crisp glass enclosure reads as a premium upgrade. A poorly executed conversion — uneven tile, visible waterproofing failures, framed glass — can actually reduce perceived value. Our bathroom remodeling specialists ensure every conversion meets the highest standards.

Document Everything

Professional before and after photos, permits, warranty documentation, and contractor licenses are valuable assets when selling. Buyers and their agents appreciate documentation that proves the work was done properly by a licensed specialist like OakWood Remodel (CSLB #1125321).