Three ways to remove the tub step
There is more than one way to make bathing safer. The right choice depends on mobility today, what is expected in the next few years, the bathroom layout and budget.
| Option | Entry | Best for | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curbless (wheel-in) shower | Level with the bathroom floor | Walkers, shower wheelchairs, commode chairs, assisted bathing | Full conversion; floor may need recessing |
| Low-threshold walk-in shower | Small, low lip | People who walk independently but struggle with a tub wall | Full conversion, usually simpler floor work |
| Tub cut-out | Lower step through the tub wall | Keeping the tub and tile, smaller budget | Usually done in a day, no demolition |
What goes into a safe walk-in shower
- Waterproofing first. A properly waterproofed floor and walls, sloped to the drain, so a curbless entry doesn't send water into the bathroom.
- Non-slip floor. Smaller floor tiles with more grout lines, or a slip-resistant shower base.
- Grab bars where they're needed. At the entry, on the long wall and beside the seat, anchored for body weight.
- Seated bathing. A fold-down or freestanding seat with a handheld shower on a slide bar within reach.
- Controls within reach. Valve and shower head positioned so they can be used while seated.
A fold-down seat (open and folded) and a handheld shower on a slide bar, both reachable while seated. A slide bar is not a grab bar; here's why.
How a conversion works
- Site assessment. We measure, check plumbing and floor structure, and talk through how the person bathes now. The assessment fee is credited toward your project.
- Written quote and plan. Curbless or low-threshold, fixtures, seat and grab bar positions. If an OT has assessed the home, we build to their recommendations.
- Strata and scheduling. For condos, we provide our insurance certificate and WorkSafeBC details for your strata approval.
- Build. Tub removal, waterproofing, tile or base, fixtures and grab bars, with dust control and daily clean-up.
- Walkthrough. We show the person how to use the seat, handheld shower and bars before we leave.
Planning for the future? Even if no one needs a wheelchair today, a curbless shower with blocking behind the walls makes it easy to add more grab bars later. Our guide Walk-In Showers for Seniors covers what to decide before you book.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a tub to walk-in shower conversion cost?
It depends on the size of the bathroom, whether you want a curbless (zero-threshold) or low-threshold shower, the plumbing and floor structure, and the tile and fixtures you choose. After a site assessment (credited toward your project) we give you a written, itemized quote. If cost is the main concern, ask about a tub cut-out, which keeps your existing tub.
How long does the conversion take?
Most tub to shower conversions take from several days to about two weeks, depending on scope, drying times for waterproofing and tile, and whether the floor needs to be recessed for a curbless entry. We give you a schedule before we start and plan around access to a second bathroom where possible.
Can the shower be wheelchair accessible?
Yes. A curbless (wheel-in) shower with a linear drain and enough clear floor space can be used with a shower wheelchair or commode chair. We plan it around the OT's recommendations for the person's chair and transfer method.
I live in a condo. Do I need strata approval?
Usually yes. In BC most stratas require written approval for bathroom work that touches plumbing, waterproofing or the floor, and some have rules about work hours and contractor insurance. We provide our liability insurance certificate and WorkSafeBC details for your strata application.
Is a walk-in shower covered by BC RAHA?
Walk-in and curbless shower conversions can be eligible under BC RAHA when recommended in an OT assessment, up to the program's lifetime maximum of $20,000 per household. See our BC RAHA guide.
What's included in your walk-in showers?
Typically tub removal, waterproofing, a sloped non-slip shower floor, grab bars, a handheld shower on a slide bar, and a fold-down or freestanding seat. Every bathroom is different, so your quote lists exactly what is included.