Cost guides › Walk-in shower
Canada
Walk-in shower cost (tub-to-shower conversion)
Tearing out an old bathtub and building a tiled, low-threshold walk-in shower of about 1.4 m² in the same spot typically costs $6,000 before GST/HST, with most jobs between $4,700 and $7,850. An acrylic base-and-panel kit with a framed door comes in around $3,300, while a curbless shower with a linear drain, frameless glass and tile to the ceiling runs about $9,550.
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Cost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $3,500 | $6,400 | $10,000 |
| Ontario | $3,300 | $6,000 | $9,450 |
| Saskatchewan | $3,250 | $6,000 | $9,500 |
| Alberta | $3,200 | $5,900 | $9,350 |
| British Columbia | $3,250 | $5,850 | $9,300 |
| Nova Scotia | $3,200 | $5,850 | $9,350 |
| Manitoba | $3,150 | $5,800 | $9,250 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $3,050 | $5,700 | $9,100 |
| New Brunswick | $3,000 | $5,600 | $8,950 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Old bathtub and its support removed, tile around it stripped, debris hauled away
- Waterproofing membrane on the shower floor and walls
- Porcelain wall tile in the shower area, set and grouted, tile and waste allowance included
- Low-profile, low-threshold shower base in place of the tub
- Fixed glass shower panel
- Thermostatic shower valve with slide bar and hand shower
- Two grab bars installed
- Supply and drain lines adapted to the new layout by a licensed plumber
- Floor protection, carrying and cleanup
What affects the cost
Kit, tiled or curbless
An acrylic base with wall panels goes in quickest, with no tiling and little drying time, so it is the cheapest way out of a tub. A tiled shower on a low-threshold base, as in the mid estimate, needs a waterproofing membrane and a tile setter. A curbless shower recesses the floor so a wheelchair or walker can roll straight in, and needs a linear drain and careful slopes, which is why it costs the most.
What is under the floor
A curbless floor has to sit lower than the rest of the bathroom. Over wood joists that can mean lowering or reinforcing framing, and on a slab it means cutting and re-pouring. Structural work is not in these figures and usually needs a permit.
Tile coverage and format
Tiling only the wet area keeps labour down. Large-format tile to the ceiling looks seamless but needs flat walls, more material and slower setting, and it accounts for much of the jump to the premium price.
Glass
A framed door or screen is the budget option. A single fixed glass panel leaves the entry open and easier to use, and heavy frameless glass for a walk-in layout costs the most and needs solid fixing points.
Safety hardware
Grab bars must be anchored into studs or added blocking, not drywall anchors, so they are cheapest to fit while the walls are open. A thermostatic valve limits scalding, a hand shower on a slide bar lets someone wash seated, and a fold-down seat needs the same solid backing as the bars.
Condition behind the tub
Rotted subfloor, a corroded drain or old supply pipes often show up once the tub is out. Ask the contractor to price likely repairs per unit before starting so any surprise has a known price.
How to save
- Keep the shower where the tub was so the drain does not have to move.
- If nobody needs a roll-in entry, a low-threshold base gives an easy step-in at a lower cost than a fully curbless floor.
- Tile only the shower walls and paint the rest of the bathroom.
- Add blocking for grab bars and a seat during the job even if you fit them later; opening the wall again costs more.
Grants, tax and rules
Home Accessibility Tax Credit
The federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit applies to up to $20,000 of eligible expenses per year for people aged 65 or older or eligible for the disability tax credit. Work that makes a bathroom safer and more accessible can qualify; keep all invoices and receipts.
Permits and licensed trades
Plumbing and electrical work needs licensed trades and usually a permit. Moving the drain or recessing the floor for a curbless shower typically falls into that category, so ask whether the permit is in the quote.
GST/HST
GST/HST applies to renovation work. Our figures are before GST/HST (for example 13% HST in Ontario, 5% GST in Alberta).
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower in Canada?
For a tiled, low-threshold shower of about 1.4 m² in the old tub space, expect around $6,000 before GST/HST. An acrylic kit brings it closer to $3,300; a curbless design with frameless glass runs about $9,550.
What is the difference between low-threshold and curbless?
A low-threshold base has a small lip of a couple of centimetres that most people can step over. A curbless shower is flush with the bathroom floor, which matters for wheelchairs and shower chairs, but the floor has to be recessed and sloped to a linear drain.
Is an acrylic shower kit a good option?
It is a sound choice when budget or speed matters: there are fewer joints to seal, no grout to maintain and the job is often done in a couple of days. The look is plainer than tile and sizes are limited to what the kits come in.
What safety features should a walk-in shower have?
Grab bars fixed to solid backing, a thermostatic valve to prevent scalding, a hand shower on a slide bar, slip-resistant floor tile and, for anyone who tires standing, a fold-down seat. The mid estimate includes the valve, hand shower and two grab bars.
Can I claim a walk-in shower on my taxes?
If the person it is for is 65 or older or eligible for the disability tax credit, the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit covers up to $20,000 of eligible expenses per year. Check eligibility for your specific work before you claim.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
A kit install can be done in two to three days. A tiled shower usually takes about a week because the membrane, adhesive and grout need drying time, and a curbless floor adds time for the floor work.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 33.2 · Labour: $2,573 · Materials: $3,448
Sources: Job Bank wages (Employment and Social Development Canada); Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates.