Need tub-to-shower conversions in New Lenox?
Tell us about your bathroom and your goals. Knockthomas Walk-In Tubs will pass your request to a local provider in our network. Reach us at contact@knockthomas.lat or use the request form.
No obligationTub-to-shower conversions, planned on a timeline
Tub-to-Shower Conversions in New Lenox, IL
A tub-to-shower conversion removes the tub and builds a low-entry shower in the same footprint. The step over the tub wall is where many bathing falls begin, and wet skin makes it worse. Taking that step out is the core of a safe bathing conversion. Knockthomas Walk-In Tubs is a referral service. It matches homeowners in New Lenox and the New Lenox area with independent providers who handle demolition, plumbing, waterproofing and finish work.
Timing matters. A small stumble today can become an injury, and an injury can force a rushed, more expensive remodel. Planning ahead gives you time to compare written quotes, choose a layout and protect the home's value. A well-built shower also helps at resale, because many buyers look for handicap accessible showers and entries with no step to climb.
Where the risk starts: the tub wall
A standard tub wall stands about 14 to 20 inches high. To bathe, you lift one leg over it with wet skin and a slick floor. That single step is where many bathing falls begin.
A tub-to-shower conversion removes the step. The tub comes out. A low-entry shower goes in, usually in the same footprint. Providers do the work. Knockthomas Walk-In Tubs matches you with independent local providers who handle it.
Days and months: how a risky bathroom drifts
Day one, you grab the towel bar for balance. Within weeks, baths get shorter or get put off. Within months, some people bathe only when someone else is home. None of it feels like an emergency until the day it is one.
Plan before the fall. A planned conversion is scheduled, calm and priced in writing. One done after an injury is rushed, and rushed jobs tend to skip details.
Is a conversion right for you?
A conversion fits if you can stand for a short shower but the tub wall is the hard part. It also fits if you rarely soak. Many searches for tub replacement really mean this. Swapping one tub for another keeps the wall. A conversion removes it.
Consider another route if you must bathe seated for long periods or want to soak. A provider can assess this during the estimate.
Conversion options
Three layouts cover most homes. Each term is explained once here.
Standard low-curb shower
A curb is the small raised edge that holds water in. A low curb sits about 3 to 6 inches high. It is simpler to build and suits many bathrooms.
Curbless layout
The floor slopes gently to the drain with no edge at all. This is the style used for handicap accessible showers, since it allows a walker or wheelchair to roll in. It needs more floor work.
Shower with a built-in seat
A bench or fold-down seat lets you sit while washing. Add a handheld sprayer and grab bars and you have a complete safe bathing conversion.
What the conversion involves
The usual order of work:
- Protect floors and set up dust control
- Remove the tub and surround
- Check the subfloor and wall framing for soft or rotted spots
- Move the drain and valve if needed
- Add blocking, which is wood bracing inside the wall that lets grab bars hold weight
- Install the base, a waterproof membrane, and tile or wall panels
- Fit the door or curtain rod, fixtures and bars
In frame houses from earlier decades, the framing behind the tub may not have been seen in years. Expect the provider to look closely. Where a basement sits below the bathroom, drain lines can be easier to reach from underneath.
How long it takes, day by day
Many projects run from a few days to about a week. Day one is demolition and inspection. Day two covers plumbing, framing and blocking. Waterproofing comes next, and it needs time to cure. Tile, grout, sealant, glass and fixtures finish the job.
Custom tile, curbless floors and hidden damage add time. Providers set their own schedules, so ask for the plan in writing.
Glass door, fixed panel or curtain?
Each option trades cost, cleaning and ease of entry.
- Glass door: Holds heat in during cold months. More parts to clean and adjust.
- Fixed panel: One sheet of glass with an open side. Easy to clean and easy to enter.
- Curtain: Budget-friendly and simple to replace. It can cling and let water escape.
What a rushed job costs later
Water is patient. A weak seam behind tile can look fine for months. Then a stain shows on the ceiling below, or a wall feels soft. In cold climates, trapped moisture can turn to ice and thaw again and again, which loosens tile. In humid summers, damp wall cavities grow mold.
Good waterproofing prevents this. Ask about the membrane, sealed seams and a water test before tile goes on.
Protecting the home's value
A clean, well-sealed shower holds up. A patched one shows up in an inspection report. Buyers and inspectors look at bathrooms closely, and moisture damage is a common worry.
Check one thing first. In many bungalows and ranch homes, the tub is the only one in the house. Some buyers want a tub. If that is your case, talk with a provider and a local agent before removing it.
Make it easier for the years ahead
Even if you are steady today, build in options:
- Blocking behind the walls for future grab bars
- A wide opening with no step to cross
- A non-slip floor surface
- A handheld sprayer on a slide bar
- Good lighting and a spot for towels within reach
Questions to ask the provider
- What does the written quote include and leave out?
- How do you handle rotted wood or hidden leaks?
- Which waterproofing system do you use, and is it tested?
- Who handles permits, if my area requires them?
- How will you manage dust and my access to the house?
- What warranty comes with labor and materials?
When a tub still makes sense
If you want to keep soaking, senior walk-in tubs are a separate option with their own page. A conversion is built for showering. The choice comes down to how you bathe and how steady you are on your feet.
What's Included
Demolition
The provider removes the old tub and surround, then checks the walls and floor beneath.
Plumbing and drain work
The provider moves the drain and valve as needed so the new shower base sits level and drains well.
Waterproofing, walls and tile
A sealed membrane goes behind tile or wall panels, then seams are finished to keep moisture out.
Door, bars and fixtures
Grab bars, a seat, a door or curtain, and a handheld sprayer go in last.
What Tub-to-Shower Conversions Typically Cost
These are typical U.S. ranges. Real prices vary by bathroom size, materials, layout and what is found behind the walls. Get a written, itemized quote from the provider before work starts.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic conversion, prefab base and wall panels | $3,000 – $8,000 | Simplest build; fewer days on site |
| Tiled walk-in shower | $6,000 – $15,000 | Tile choice and labor drive the price |
| Curbless or roll-in shower | $8,000 – $20,000 | Needs extra floor and drain work |
| Glass door or fixed panel | $400 – $2,500 | Custom glass costs more than stock sizes |
| Grab bars and built-in seat | $150 – $1,200 | Price depends on bar count and seat type |
| Subfloor or plumbing repairs found at demolition | $500 – $4,000 | Only if damage is present; ask how it is quoted |
How It Works
Describe the bathroom
Share your layout, mobility needs and goals so a local provider can plan the right shower.
Compare written, itemized quotes
Providers in our network send itemized quotes. Compare scope, materials and what happens if hidden damage turns up.
Choose layout and finishes
Pick the base style, wall material, door type and safety features, then confirm the schedule in writing.
Build and walkthrough
The provider builds the shower, tests the drain and seals, then walks you through care and daily use of the new space.
Why Call Knockthomas Walk-In Tubs
Removes the tub step
A low entry means no lifting a leg over a wet tub wall.
Resale appeal
Showers with no step to climb appeal to many buyers, and a clean, well-sealed build helps the bathroom hold its value over time.
Less to clean
No tub rim or caulk lines to scrub, so upkeep takes less bending and less time.
Room to adapt
Blocking and a wider layout make it simple to add bars or a seat later.
Other Services
Questions
Tub-to-Shower Conversions FAQ
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
Many conversions take a few days to about a week. Tile work, curbless floors and hidden damage can add time. Providers set their own schedules, so ask for a timeline in writing. Request a callback to check provider availability.
Will removing my only tub hurt resale value?
Not if it is planned well. If it is the only tub in the house, think about resale first. Some buyers want at least one tub, so ask a local agent.
Does insurance or Medicare cover a tub-to-shower conversion?
Medicare typically does not pay for bathroom remodels. Some policies may cover sudden damage, but planned upgrades usually differ, so check your policy. Some local aging programs offer help; ask a provider.
Contact
Tell us what happened
Tell us about your bathroom and your goals. Knockthomas Walk-In Tubs will pass your request to a local provider in our network. Reach us at contact@knockthomas.lat or use the request form.
No obligation