You walk into your bathroom in the morning. You stare at the big, bulky bathtub in the corner. When was the last time you actually filled it up for a soak? Maybe it was months ago. Maybe it was years ago. Right now, it might just be a place where you hang damp towels or stack shampoo bottles.
You close your eyes and picture something different. You see a sleek, glass shower. You see beautiful tile and plenty of room to move around. It feels like a spa.
But then, worry sets in. You ask yourself, “If I rip out this tub, am I ruining my home’s value?”
Here at Myers Home Improvements, we hear this question at most bathroom walkthroughs. As a Bristol, CT remodeling contractor, we help homeowners make this decision with the resale side in view. You want a bathroom that makes you happy today. But you also want to be smart about your investment for tomorrow.
In this guide, we will walk you through the pros and cons of saying goodbye to your bathtub. We will help you decide if a tub-to-shower conversion is the right move for your home.
The Big Question: Is the Bathtub Essential?
Real estate rules can be tricky. Trends change over time. Years ago, every house needed a tub in every bathroom. Today, things are different. But there is one piece of advice we give at almost every bathroom walkthrough.
It is called the “One-Tub Rule.”
The rule is simple. For your house to keep its best resale value, you should have at least one bathtub in the home.
Why? Because of who might buy your house later.
When you sell your home, you want as many people as possible to like it. Young families are a huge group of buyers. If you have ever tried to wash a wiggly toddler in a shower, you know it is very hard. Parents need bathtubs.
If your home has zero bathtubs, parents with small children might cross your house off their list. They might not even come to the open house. This shrinks your pool of buyers. When you have fewer buyers, you might get lower offers.
However, this does not mean you are stuck with your old tub forever. The answer depends on your specific house layout.
The “Two Bathroom” Scenario: Your Golden Ticket
This is the most important part to remember. The risk of removing a tub changes completely if you have more than one full bathroom.
Let’s look at a common setup we see here in Bristol. You might have a “Master Bathroom” connected to your bedroom. You also have a “Hallway Bathroom” that guests and kids use.
The Strategy: If your hallway bathroom has a tub, you are in the clear! You can keep that tub for future buyers who have kids or dogs. Since the house still has one tub, you satisfy the “One-Tub Rule.”
This frees you up to do whatever you want in your master bathroom.
Most homeowners we work with choose to turn their master bath into a grown-up space. They remove the unused tub and install a large, luxury shower. This is actually a major selling point. Buyers today love seeing a practical tub in the hall and a fancy shower in the master suite. It is the best of both worlds.
The Pros of Removing Your Bathtub
Why are so many of our neighbors in Bristol ditching their tubs? There are many great reasons to switch to a shower.
1. Creating More Space
Bathrooms in older Connecticut homes can be small. A standard bathtub takes up a lot of floor space. It also creates a visual wall that makes the room feel smaller.
When we remove a tub, we open up the room. A walk-in shower often has glass doors. This lets your eye see all the way to the back wall. It tricks your brain into thinking the room is much bigger than it is. If you feel cramped in your current bathroom, this makes a real difference.
2. Safety and Accessibility
Stepping over a high bathtub wall can be dangerous. It is a tripping hazard. This is especially true for older adults or anyone with knee or back pain.
Many of our clients are choosing “aging in place” designs. This means they are remodeling their homes so they can live there safely as they get older. A walk-in shower is much safer. We can install a shower with a low curb or even zero curb. We can also add a built-in bench and grab bars. This makes bathing easy and safe for everyone.
3. A Modern, Clean Look
Old fiberglass tubs show their age. They stain, crack, and turn yellow over time. Shower curtains can get moldy and gross.
A tiled shower looks high-end. It makes your home feel like a luxury hotel. At Myers Home Improvements, we can help you choose tiles and fixtures that look amazing. A beautiful bathroom is something you will enjoy every single morning.
4. Saving Water
Did you know that a full bath uses a lot of water? A standard tub holds 30 to 50 gallons. A ten-minute shower through a standard 2.5 gallon-per-minute head uses about 25 gallons, so the saving is real but smaller than people expect. Over time, switching to a shower can lower your water bills. It is a good choice for your wallet and the environment.
The Cons of Removing Your Bathtub
We want to be honest with you. There are some downsides to removing a tub. You need to weigh these before you start your project.
1. The “Resale Risk”
We talked about this earlier. If you remove the only tub in your house, you might lose buyers. You need to be okay with that risk. If you plan to live in your house for the next 20 years, resale value might not matter to you right now. You should build the bathroom you want. But if you plan to sell in a few years, proceed with caution.
2. Loss of Relaxation
Some people are “bath people.” They love to soak in hot water with a book and a candle. A shower just isn’t the same for them. If you love taking baths to relieve stress, you will miss your tub.
Also, some high-end buyers look for “spa bathrooms” that have both a shower and a deep soaking tub. If you have a very large luxury home, removing a soaking tub might disappoint some buyers.
3. The Cost of Conversion
Changing a tub to a shower is not just about swapping one piece for another. It involves plumbing work, waterproofing, and tiling. It is a construction project. Our Connecticut bathroom cost guide shows where a conversion lands next to a refresh or a full remodel.
However, a quality bathroom remodel also adds value to your home. It is an investment. A brand new, professional shower is worth much more than an old, stained bathtub.
Understanding the Bristol, CT Market
Real estate is local. What works in a city apartment might not work in a suburban house.
In our area, we see a mix of buyers. We have young families looking for their first homes. We also have retirees looking to downsize or stay in their current homes safely.
- If you live in a family neighborhood: Keep at least one tub. Families are your likely buyers.
- If you live in a 55+ community or retirement area: A large shower is actually better for value. Most buyers in these areas prefer the safety of a shower over a tub they will never use.
Alternatives to a Full Removal
If you are not sure if you should get rid of the tub, you have options.
The Tub-Shower Combo This is the classic choice. We can replace your old tub with a brand new, deep soaking tub that has tiled walls and a showerhead. This keeps the functionality of a bath but updates the look.
The Low-Threshold Shower If you want to keep a tub but need safety, there are “walk-in tubs.” However, most people prefer a low-threshold shower. This has a very small step, usually only 2 or 3 inches high. It is easy to step over but still holds the water in.
The “Wet Room” If you have a large budget and a lot of space, a wet room is a trendy option. This is a large tiled area that includes both a shower and a freestanding tub. The floor is waterproofed so the water drains away. This gives you both options in a very stylish way.
Why Choose Myers Home Improvements?
Remodeling a bathroom is a big job. You are dealing with water, pipes, and expensive tile. You do not want to trust this to just anyone.
At Myers Home Improvements, we remodel bathrooms across Bristol and the surrounding towns, and this question comes up at most walkthroughs. We know the local houses. We know the plumbing challenges that come with older Connecticut homes.
When you hire us, here is what you get:
- Honest Advice: We will look at your layout and give you a clear answer. If we think removing a tub is a bad idea for your specific home, we will tell you.
- Quality Craftsmanship: We take pride in our work. We use a proper shower waterproofing system and test it before the tile goes on. We lay tile with precision.
- Full Service: We handle everything. From the design and demolition to the final plumbing and painting. You do not have to worry about coordinating different workers.
We treat your home like it is our own. We keep the job site clean and respect your time.
Conclusion: What Should You Do?
So, is it time to ditch the tub?
Ask yourself these three questions:
- Do I have another bathtub in the house?
- Do I struggle to step into my current tub?
- Do I dream of a bigger, brighter shower?
If you answered “yes” to these, a tub-to-shower conversion is likely a great choice for you. It will make your daily life better. It will make your bathroom safer and more beautiful.
If you want to talk through your layout, get in touch and we will come take a look.
Ready to explore your options?
Reach out to Myers Home Improvements today. We serve homeowners in Bristol and the surrounding towns. We are happy to discuss your renovation goals and help you plan your new space. We also offer free estimates to get you started.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it take to convert a bathtub to a shower? Usually days rather than weeks. A conversion with a surround is the quickest version; a fully tiled shower with a glass door takes longer. Your written estimate states a start date and a completion date for your scope, which Connecticut requires on every home improvement contract. At Myers Home Improvements, we work efficiently to minimize the disruption to your home. We will give you a clear timeline before we start so you know exactly what to expect.
2. Is a permit required for a bathroom remodel in Bristol, CT? Yes, most bathroom remodels that involve plumbing changes require a permit. Do not worry about the paperwork. As your contractor, we handle the permitting process with the local building department to ensure everything is up to code.
3. Does a walk-in shower decrease the appraisal value of my home? Not necessarily. Listing conventions usually count a tub as part of a full bath, so a shower-only room may show as a three-quarter bath. Ask a local agent how your MLS counts it, because appraisers weigh the whole house. A high-end, modern 3/4 bath is often worth more in dollar value than an outdated, ugly full bath.
4. Can you make my new shower look like it belongs in the house? Absolutely. We work with you to pick materials that match your style. Whether you live in a historic home or a modern build, we can choose tiles and fixtures that fit perfectly. We want the new bathroom to look like one piece of work.
5. What if I only have one bathroom but I really want a shower? It is your home! If you plan to stay there for a long time, you should do what makes you happy. Comfort and safety are more important than potential resale value years down the road. We can help you design a shower that is so nice, future buyers might not even mind missing the tub.