Swapping a rarely used tub for a walk-in shower is one of the most practical bathroom upgrades a Bellevue homeowner can make. Sky Pro Remodeling removes the old tub, rebuilds the wet area from the studs out, and installs a properly waterproofed shower built for daily use and our damp Pacific Northwest climate.
For a lot of households, the bathtub in the hall bath or primary suite sits unused week after week while everyone reaches over the wall to shower inside it. A tub-to-shower conversion reclaims that awkward footprint and turns it into a shower that is easier to step into, simpler to clean, and far more comfortable to use every day. It is also a common first step for homeowners who want to stay in a two-story Eastside house as they get older and want to remove the step-over hazard of a deep tub.
The part many homeowners underestimate is that this is not a cosmetic swap. Pulling a tub exposes the drain, the valve, the framing, and whatever waterproofing was behind the old surround. Doing the job right means rebuilding the shower from the substrate out, moving the drain to the correct position, and installing a continuous waterproof system before a single tile goes on. That is the difference between a shower that lasts and one that leaks behind the wall.
Sky Pro Remodeling works with homeowners across Bellevue, the greater Eastside, and the Seattle area, including older mid-century homes where the plumbing and framing are rarely as straightforward as a listing photo suggests. We scope each conversion to the actual bathroom in front of us, not a catalog package, so the finished shower fits your space, your budget, and how your family uses the room.
This full bathroom remodel pairs a navy blue shaker double vanity with a light veined marble-look stone countertop and undermount porcelain sinks. The wet area was rebuilt as an alcove tub and shower wrapped in white large-format wall tile set with contrasting dark grout, closed off with a clear sliding glass enclosure riding on a matte black barn-style track. A long horizontal recessed niche was framed into the shower wall with a slim black metal edge and integrated LED lighting, tiled tight inside so the joints line up with the surrounding field tile. The floor is a blue and gray patterned cement-look tile carried wall to wall, and the room is finished with matte black shower valves, showerhead and handheld, brushed nickel faucets and cabinet pulls, a large frameless mirror, recessed can lighting and gray woodgrain doors hung in black-painted jambs.
Style: Transitional
This full bathroom remodel replaced the wet area with a frameless glass walk-in shower built with a low-profile entry, an integrated tile bench seat and a recessed shampoo niche trimmed on all four sides. The shower walls combine a rippled three-dimensional white wall tile with large-format stone-look porcelain, and the shower pan is finished in hexagon mosaic set to a center linear-style drain. On the vanity wall the crew set a dark stained wood cabinet with slab drawer fronts and chrome bar pulls, topped with a thick grey veined stone slab and a hammered metal semi-recessed vessel basin served by a tall chrome single-handle faucet. Finish work includes crown molding carried around the ceiling, recessed can lighting, a ceiling exhaust fan, and a backlit LED mirror wired above the sink. Tile layout is tightly aligned, grout joints are consistent, and the glass panel and door are set plumb against the tile with minimal hardware.
Style: Transitional
Every conversion is scoped to your bathroom, but most projects cover the same core work.
We remove the existing bathtub, tile or panel surround, and any damaged backer board down to the framing. This gives us a clean, honest look at the wall cavity before new work begins.
A tub drain sits in a different spot than a shower drain, so the drain is relocated and the supply valve is updated for shower use. We confirm the rough-in meets code before the walls close up.
A continuous waterproof membrane or system is installed across the pan and walls, sloped correctly to the drain. This is the layer that protects your framing and subfloor from long-term moisture damage.
You choose a fully tiled surround or low-maintenance solid-surface panels, installed over a proper waterproof substrate. Niches, benches, and accent bands can be built in during this stage.
We install a framed, semi-frameless, or frameless glass panel or door sized to your new opening. Doorless walk-in layouts are also an option where the room allows it.
The project finishes with your shower head, valve trim, and any grab bars, shelving, or seating you have selected. Everything is anchored to solid blocking, not just tile.
Your surface choice affects durability, cleaning routine, look, and cost, so it is worth weighing the options side by side.
| Option | Best For | Considerations | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain tile | Durable, design-flexible walls | Sealed grout needs upkeep; heavier substrate | Moderate |
| Ceramic tile | Budget-friendly full tile look | Softer than porcelain; more grout maintenance | Low |
| Natural stone tile | High-end, one-of-a-kind surfaces | Porous; requires regular sealing | Premium |
| Acrylic or solid-surface panels | Low-maintenance, faster installs | Fewer design options; seams must be sealed well | Low to Moderate |
| Cultured marble panels | Seamless, easy-clean walls | Harder to repair; can read as dated over time | Moderate |
| Tiled mortar-bed base | Curbless and custom-sized floors | Skilled labor and longer build time | Moderate to High |
| Prefabricated acrylic base | Reliable, watertight quick starts | Fixed sizes; limited drain placement | Low |
final material choice depends on site conditions and a written estimate
Tell us about your bathroom and we will schedule an in-home assessment to scope your conversion. Call (206) 825-2773 to get started.
The right layout depends on your floor plan, your budget, and how you want to move through the space.
A traditional shower with a raised curb and a swinging or sliding glass door. It is the most straightforward and budget-friendly conversion and works in nearly any existing tub alcove, though the curb still requires a small step over.
A shorter curb reduces the step-over height while still containing water reliably. It is a good middle ground for homeowners thinking about aging in place who are not ready to commit to a fully barrier-free floor, though it still involves a slight lip at the entry.
The shower floor sits flush with the bathroom floor for a clean, open, walk-in or roll-in entry. It is ideal for accessibility and a modern look, but it requires recessing the subfloor or adjusting the slope, so it depends heavily on the existing floor structure.
The shower is tucked into a corner with two glass sides, freeing up floor space in a tighter bathroom. It suits smaller hall and guest baths where the old tub dominated the room, though the entry opening is usually narrower.
An extended wall or partial glass panel contains spray without a full door or enclosure, creating an open, easy-to-enter shower. It feels spacious and is simple to clean, but it needs enough length and careful drainage planning to keep water off the bathroom floor.
A conversion moves through a predictable sequence, and knowing the steps helps you plan around the work.
We measure the existing tub alcove, check the drain and valve locations, and look for signs of past moisture damage. This visit is what allows an accurate scope instead of a guess.
Together we settle on a layout, surround material, glass, and any accessibility features. You see how the choices fit the space and the budget before anything is ordered.
You receive a written estimate that reflects the agreed scope, and we account for any permits and inspections the work requires. Relocating plumbing often triggers a permit in local jurisdictions, so we plan for it up front.
The tub, old surround, and compromised backer board come out, and the area is protected to control dust and debris. Anything hidden, like rot or dated plumbing, is documented at this point.
The drain is moved to the shower position and the supply valve is set for shower use. We confirm the rough-in passes any required inspection before covering it.
The shower base is formed and sloped to the drain, and a continuous waterproof system is applied across the pan and walls. This stage is the backbone of a leak-free shower.
The wall surface is installed, niches and benches are finished, and the glass enclosure or door is fitted. Careful layout here is what makes the finished shower look clean and intentional.
Shower trim, grab bars, and accessories go in, final inspections are completed, and we walk the finished shower with you. You leave knowing how to care for the surfaces and grout.
No two conversions cost the same, and a handful of decisions move the number more than anything else.
Moving the drain from the tub position to the shower position takes plumbing labor and, in some homes, access from below. The farther and more difficult the move, the more it adds.
A hand-set natural stone or large-format tile surround takes far more labor than solid-surface panels. Both the material and the skill it demands affect the total.
A barrier-free floor often means recessing or re-sloping the subfloor, which is more involved than setting a standard curbed pan. The structural work behind a flush entry is a real cost driver.
A basic framed door costs less than custom frameless glass. Larger openings and thicker glass push the price up.
Swapping in a modern pressure-balanced valve or updating aged supply lines adds parts and labor. Older homes with galvanized or corroded piping tend to need more here.
Once the tub is out, we sometimes find water-damaged framing, subfloor rot, or non-standard plumbing. Correcting these is essential and can change the scope after demolition.
accurate pricing requires an on-site inspection and written estimate
Watch how a dated tub alcove becomes an open, easy-to-use walk-in shower.
On-site footage from a completed bathroom remodel showing tile, fixtures and finished detail.
On-site footage from a completed bathroom remodel showing tile, fixtures and finished detail.
A shower is only as good as what sits behind the tile, and that is where our approach shows.
We treat the membrane and pan as the most important part of the job, not an afterthought. A shower that is watertight behind the surface is what keeps a conversion from becoming a repair a few years later.
The Pacific Northwest keeps bathrooms damp for much of the year, so ventilation and moisture control matter. We build showers that stand up to constant humidity and reduce the conditions that lead to mold.
Many local homes were not built with modern shower systems in mind. We know how to work around dated plumbing, tight framing, and subfloors that need attention.
You get a defined scope and a written estimate before work begins, so expectations are set early. If demolition reveals something hidden, we talk it through before proceeding.
The same team handles demolition, plumbing coordination, waterproofing, and finish work. Nothing falls through the cracks between trades that never speak to each other.
Grab bars, benches, and low or curbless entries can be planned from the start rather than added awkwardly later. That makes the shower safer to use now and easier to age with.
From a simple alcove swap to a curbless barrier-free design, we will help you choose the right layout and materials. Reach Sky Pro Remodeling at (206) 825-2773.
Most straightforward conversions take roughly one to two weeks of active work. The timeline depends on the surround material, whether the drain moves far, and how much dry time the waterproofing and tile setting require. Curbless designs and custom tile take longer than panel systems, and any hidden repairs found during demolition can add days.
In most cases, yes, because relocating the drain and updating plumbing typically requires a permit and inspection in local jurisdictions like Bellevue and King County. A purely cosmetic swap that touches no plumbing is treated differently than a true conversion. We account for required permits and inspections in the project plan so nothing is a surprise, and we build to current code.
It depends on your home and your buyers. Households with young children often want at least one tub, so if this is your home’s only bathtub, it is worth keeping one somewhere in the house. In a primary suite or a second bathroom where a tub goes unused, a well-built walk-in shower is often more appealing to buyers than a dated tub. We are happy to talk through which bathroom makes the most sense to convert.
Often, but it depends on your floor structure. A curbless entry requires recessing the subfloor or adjusting the slope so water still drains correctly, which is easier on some framing than others. During the in-home assessment we check what sits below your bathroom floor and tell you honestly whether a fully barrier-free design is practical or whether a low curb is the better call.
The protection comes from a continuous waterproof system installed across the pan and walls before any tile, plus a base that is sloped correctly to the drain. Proper ventilation matters just as much in our wet climate, so we look at your exhaust fan as part of the project. Sealed grout and good airflow are what keep a shower dry between uses and discourage mold.
Yes, staying within the existing tub alcove is usually the most cost-effective approach because it limits how far plumbing and framing have to move. You still get a full waterproofing rebuild and a new surround, just within the original outline. Expanding the shower or going curbless costs more because it involves more structural and plumbing work.
Yes, and the best time to plan them is before the walls close up. We install solid blocking behind the surface so grab bars anchor into framing rather than just tile, which is what makes them safe to lean on. Built-in benches, handheld shower heads, and low or curbless entries can all be designed in from the start.
Once the tub is out, older Eastside and Seattle homes sometimes reveal water-damaged framing, a soft subfloor, or aged galvanized plumbing that should be updated. None of it is unusual, and catching it during a conversion is far better than discovering it after a leak. We document anything we find and review the options with you before doing the extra work.
Sky Pro Remodeling completes tub-to-shower conversions for homeowners throughout Bellevue and the surrounding Eastside communities. We also work with clients across the greater Seattle area who want a shower built to hold up in our wet climate.
Do not see your neighborhood? Call (206) 825-2773 — we regularly work throughout King County.
A practical comparison to help you decide whether a walk-in shower or a tub fits your bathroom and household.
Layout and design ideas that make a compact bathroom feel more open after a conversion.
Current finishes and features worth considering when you rebuild your shower area.
Share a few details about your bathroom and the shower you have in mind. We will follow up to arrange an on-site visit and a written estimate.
Let us know how we can help you!
Sky Pro Remodeling — (206) 825-2773 · Contact us
