Tub-to-Shower Conversions in Northeast Pennsylvania

A tub-to-shower conversion replaces a bathtub you no longer need with a shower that is easier to enter, easier to use, and planned for the way you live. It can add standing room, reduce the height you step over, and make space for useful features such as seating, grab bars, a handheld shower, and practical storage.

1st Addition Remodeling specializes in bath and shower replacements across Carbon County, Monroe County, the Poconos, and the Lehigh Valley. As a BestBath Authorized Dealer, we help homeowners choose a shower system that fits the room, the household, and future needs—not just the opening left by the old tub.

A clear plan, a carefully prepared wet area, and protection that lasts: qualifying BestBath kit installations include a 30-year BestBath product warranty and a separate 30-year craftsmanship warranty from 1st Addition on our installation. Bath and shower installations can be completed in as little as one day; depending on the scope and site conditions, some take 2–3 days.

Request a Bath or Shower Consultation Call 570-216-8231 or use the consultation form.

Why convert a tub to a shower?

A tub-to-shower conversion makes sense when the bathtub no longer serves the household and a shower would be more comfortable or practical. Homeowners often contact us because:

• stepping over the tub wall has become awkward;
• the tub is rarely or never used;
• the existing surround is cracked, stained, dated, or difficult to maintain;
• the shower area needs better seating, handholds, controls, or storage;
• they want to plan ahead for changing mobility needs; or
• they want more usable standing room within the existing wet-area footprint.

The goal is not simply to make the bathroom look newer. It is to create a shower that works better every day.

Is a tub-to-shower conversion right for your home?

A conversion is often a good fit when a shower better matches how the household bathes, especially if another bathtub remains in the home or keeping this particular tub is not important. It can also be a sensible response to a damaged tub or an entry that has become inconvenient.

Keeping a tub may still be the better choice if someone regularly soaks, young children use it, or the household has another reason to preserve it. We also look beyond the tub itself. A lower shower entry can help, but the bathroom doorway, floor transitions, available space, and fixture placement may affect how accessible the room can become.

We remove the old wet area—we do not simply cover it

For the replacement projects described here, the existing tub and wet-area materials included in the approved scope are removed. That gives us access to the area behind and beneath the old unit so its condition can be evaluated and the new system can be prepared level, plumb, and properly supported.

If the exposed area reveals a condition that needs attention, it can be discussed and addressed as part of the approved work. This is different from simply placing a liner over the existing bathing surface, and it gives the homeowner a clearer understanding of what the new shower is being installed against.

How the conversion process works

A successful conversion starts with the homeowner’s goals and the actual conditions in the bathroom. The general process is:

1. We discuss how the current tub is used, what is not working, and what you want from the new shower.
2. We review available project information and photos to help determine the appropriate next step.
3. Field measurements, plumbing conditions, and the selected shower configuration are confirmed before materials are ordered.
4. The old tub and the wet-area materials in the approved scope are removed.
5. The exposed area is evaluated and prepared for the new installation.
6. The selected shower system, plumbing trim, accessories, and door or curtain solution are installed as specified.
7. We complete a walkthrough and review care information with you.

The written proposal defines the exact work for each home.

Explore Shower Options

Choose the entry that fits the room and the person using it

“Walk-in shower” can describe several different entries:

• Standard curb: a defined shower edge that can simplify water containment.
• Low threshold: a shorter step than a bathtub wall while retaining a shower boundary.
• Curbless or barrier-free entry: little or no vertical barrier, with added planning for drainage, floor transitions, and water control.

The lowest threshold is not automatically the best solution for every bathroom. The surrounding floor, shower opening, drain, door or curtain, and user needs all work together. We help homeowners compare those tradeoffs before selecting a system.

Plan seating, grab bars, controls, and storage together

These features are most useful when considered as one layout rather than as separate add-ons.

• A seat affects the best position for controls, a handheld shower, and nearby support.
• Grab bars should be planned around entry, standing, turning, and seated use.
• Controls should be easy to reach without forcing an uncomfortable movement.
• Storage should be accessible without interfering with handholds or water flow.
• A door may affect entry width and clear floor space; a curtain can offer a more open entrance in some layouts.

Thinking about present and future needs during selection is easier than trying to make incompatible features work later.

Why homeowners consider BestBath

1st Addition Remodeling is a BestBath Authorized Dealer. BestBath tub and shower systems are relevant to homeowners who want a coordinated manufactured wet-area system with choices for walls, entries, and compatible accessories. The appropriate combination depends on the measured opening and the features the homeowner selects.

We confirm the actual kit and compatible options during product selection. Exact dimensions, materials, drain locations, and accessory compatibility come from the current documentation for that system.

What is the maintenance like?

Grout-free wall systems reduce the grout-line cleaning associated with tile, but no shower is maintenance-free. Routine care still includes using products approved for the surface, keeping the drain clear, caring for door tracks or curtain components, and maintaining sealant joints when needed.

Tile offers broad design flexibility but adds grout and a more site-built installation. A manufactured wall system offers a different balance of appearance, maintenance, and installation planning. The right choice depends on what matters most in your bathroom.

How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?

Bath and shower installations can be completed in as little as one day. Depending on project scope and site conditions, some installations take 2–3 days. Plumbing changes, repairs discovered after removal, custom features, and work outside the wet area can affect the schedule.

The project timeline is reviewed against the approved scope before work begins.

What affects the cost of a tub-to-shower conversion?

The price reflects the system selected and the work required to install it correctly. Important factors include:

• shower size and configuration;
• standard, low-threshold, or curbless entry;
• wall system and finish;
• drain location and plumbing changes;
• preparation needed after the old tub is removed;
• seat and grab-bar choices;
• fixtures and handheld-shower options;
• shelving or other storage;
• shower door, curtain, or water-retention solution;
• a window within the wet area;
• compatible accessories; and
• concealed conditions found during removal.

Our existing Tub Conversion Costs guide explains these variables in more detail. The Gallery can help homeowners see how real choices change the finished shower; verified project pricing will become more useful as future case studies are added.

30-Year Product + Craftsmanship Warranty

Eligible BestBath tub and shower kits include BestBath’s 30-year manufacturer warranty. When 1st Addition Remodeling installs the kit, we match that term with a separate 30-year craftsmanship warranty on our installation.

The BestBath warranty covers the qualifying kit under BestBath’s terms. The 1st Addition warranty covers our craftsmanship on installing that kit. Manufacturer warranties on accessories and other components may vary, and those items should be reviewed under their own warranty terms. A shorter accessory warranty does not shorten our 30-year craftsmanship warranty on the installation of the qualifying BestBath kit.

Tub-to-shower conversion FAQs

Does every tub-to-shower conversion create a curbless shower?

No. A conversion may use a standard curb, a low threshold, or a curbless/barrier-free configuration. The practical choice depends on the bathroom floor, drainage, available depth, water containment, and the person using the shower.

Can the new shower use the existing drain location?

Sometimes. The existing drain location and plumbing are evaluated against the selected shower system. Moving plumbing can add work and cost, so it should be determined from field conditions rather than assumed.

Can a seat and grab bars be included?

Yes, when the selected system and wall preparation support them. Planning their locations before ordering helps coordinate entry, controls, reach, and seated use.

Will removing a tub affect resale value?

It can matter to some buyers, especially if it removes the home’s only bathtub. It may matter less when another tub remains and the new shower better serves the home. This is a household and property decision, not a one-size-fits-all rule.

Do you offer financing?

Financing through GreenSky is presented on the 1st Addition Remodeling Financing page. Availability and terms are subject to the provider’s current requirements; no approval or payment amount is guaranteed.

Serving Northeast Pennsylvania homeowners

1st Addition Remodeling serves Carbon County, Monroe County, the Poconos, and the Lehigh Valley, including communities such as Kunkletown and the West End Poconos, Pocono Pines, the Lake Naomi area, Albrightsville, Penn Forest Township, Towamensing Trails, and East Stroudsburg where the project is within our service area.

Ready to replace an unused tub?

Tell us what is working, what is not, and what you want the new shower to make easier. We will help you compare practical options for the space.

Request a Bath or Shower Consultation Call 570-216-8231. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–6:00 PM.