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3.  What Makes a Shower
Safer Than a Tub

Just like every home is unique, every tub to shower conversion is different too.

There are a number of aspects that influence the process. Some, like the floor plan of your bathroom, are out of your control, but there are many that you can control.

For example, you can choose whether or not you use a contractor, and you can decide which materials and designs you use.

Factors to Consider

No matter your situation, you want to ensure you make informed decisions leading up to and during your conversion process. Here are some things to consider.

DIY vs. Contractor

The average cost of repairing water damage from plumbing leaks is $1,000 to $4,000—and it can be even higher if the leak goes unnoticed for a long time and causes damage to:
Framing
Insulation
Subfloor
One of the first things to decide is whether you will use a contractor or go the DIY route. Before deciding, there are a few things to take into consideration.
Cost
Time
Expertise
Access to Materials
Tub Installation

Cost

At first glance, doing it yourself seems to be cheaper, but it’s important to look at all the costs. If something goes wrong, it may cost more to fix it later.

For example, imagine the potential damage caused by leaks in adjusted plumbing. Once you decide it all looks good and seal it up, there’s no way to fix it.

With a wall and tile over top, it could be a long time before you discover the leak behind the shower wall.

No matter how much you enjoy your new shower, it won’t last long in those conditions.
Cost
Tile Installation
Shower DIYs deliver the satisfaction of seeing your own handiwork, but there are downsides.

DIY work means no warranty, no guarantees, and no expert to identify necessary repairs. This often makes hiring a professional cheaper in the long run.

Unforeseen problems can be reduced or eliminated by a certified Five Star Bath Solutions technician by your side.

They are trained, certified, and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to give you the best product possible.

Additionally, Five Star Bath Solutions provides you with a lifetime warranty.

Time

Before you decide to do it yourself, it’s also important to take an honest look at your calendar, schedule, and lifestyle.

Do you have the time to put in the work?

The amount of free time you have can be the difference between your project taking a few days or a few weeks—or longer.
Things to consider:
How long can you go without this bathroom?
How long will your water need to be shut off?
How long can you live in a construction zone?
Additionally, take a look at the tools and materials you will need for your conversion. Are they currently available?

With the current supply-chain crisis resulting in so many products on backorder, this will certainly influence your timeline—even before you start your project.

When exploring the range of materials available, a contractor may have tips, tricks, and industry contacts that will allow you to get the right products at the right time.
Shower Installer

Expertise

If You Have Prior Experience
The end result of your shower conversion will also be directly influenced by your level of expertise. If you have previous experience, the DIY route may be a great choice for you.
Tiles Installer
If You Have Prior Experience
If you have little to no experience, the final product of your shower may be lacking if you choose to do it yourself.

Many homeowners go DIY only to get halfway in and realize they’re in over their head. Worse yet, they realize too late they’ve done something wrong.

Just like your level of expertise will affect your DIY project, a contractor’s expertise will affect the final outcome as well.

That’s why it’s crucial to choose someone who has the skills and experience to deliver the results you’re looking for.

Contractor Benefits

Although doing it yourself can definitely save you money in some areas, there are also many benefits you can only get with a contractor. Things like…
High-end products unavailable to regular consumers
Warranties on labor and materials
Design suggestions and 3D renderings
Luxury shower space

DID YOU KNOW

Each Five Star Bath Solutions technician is trained and certified. They are insured, fully licensed, and are bonafide expert craftsmen. With 10,000+ jobs completed, we have proven  over and over again that we have what it takes to do the job well.

High-End Products

Contractors often have access to high-end products you can’t get at your local home improvement store.

When you hire a contractor, their professional suppliers offer quality materials and products that will help your dream bathroom last for years.
Five Star Bath Solutions provides bathrooms made with exclusive materials that are waterproof for life.

High-end Products

Warranties

Warranties are another huge benefit of hiring someone.
Good contractors guarantee their work and offer you protection with warranties, like the lifetime warranty from Five Star Bath Solutions.
In case of any mishaps or unforeseen circumstances, you can get your bathroom fixed and perfected at no extra cost.

You can’t get that when you do it yourself!
Warranty Certificate
Shower Glass Wall Door

Design Consulting

Additionally, contractors can help you visualize how all of your choices will come together when you’re planning your shower conversion end result.

Some contractors bring material samples, textures, and catalogs. Seeing them in real life helps visualize what the product will look like.

Even better but more rare, some contractors use 3D design programs to show you exactly what your bathroom will look like once finished, no guessing involved.
*Real image of our 3D design software.

Luxury Shower Space

For a high-end luxury finish, the products and expertise a contractor offers may be what you need.

Hiring trained and experienced experts certainly costs more upfront than doing it yourself, but it also ensures your bathroom benefits from premium craftsmanship.

If You Have Prior Experience

The end result of your shower conversion will also be directly influenced by your level of expertise. If you have previous experience, the DIY route may be a great choice for you.
Plumbing needs to be adjusted
Rot you didn’t expect
Mold
Severe water damage
Problems always popup that complicate even simple projects.

A team of trained professionals would be ready for anything, as opposed to the DIY route where you may find yourself in over your head.
Luxury Shower Space
What Is the Process of
Converting a Tub to a Shower?

Steps to Take

If you decide to hire a contractor and accept all the benefits that come with that, here’s what you need to do next:
1. Get a bid
2. Establish expectations
3. Document everything
4. Check-in regularly
5. Give feedback

Out-of-the-Box Solutions: Shower Kits

If you decide DIY is the best option in your tub to shower conversion project, a shower kit will be the easiest way for you to do it yourself.
There are many companies, like Kohler or American Standard, that create DIY shower kits containing everything you’ll need for your tub to shower conversion.
Installer Applying Wall Cement

Bathtub Base
Conversion Kit

The simplest tub to shower conversion kit deals only with the base wall of your existing tub. This is a great choice if safety is your reason for converting to a shower.
These conversion kits allow you to cut out and create an entrance in your tub, lowering the threshold so the user only needs to lift their foot a few inches.
All you need to do is follow the instructions to cut out the right size before installing the new step-in.
Door Kit

Base & Door Kit

Base and door kits include the base, door, and some sort of glass enclosure.

These kits vary—you can create a corner shower or transform your tub alcove into a glass shower. You can choose between:
Sliding doors
Bifold doors
Pivot shower doors
However, all base and door kits require you to have at least two tiled walls because these kits won’t provide you with them.
Know the Pros and Cons of Shower Kits
Pros
Quick off-the-shelf solution
Minimizes decision-making
DIY-friendly
Quick off-the-shelf solution
 
Cons
No design consultation
Limited design choices
No moisture-meter test
No warranties or guarantees
Cookie-cutter solution

Base & Wall Kit

Base and wall kits don’t require tiled walls or a premade alcove. With these kits, you have more freedom when it comes to where to put the shower.

Like the base and door kits, these base and wall kits can create a corner or alcove shower.

Notably different, this kit doesn’t come with a door. Some customers like that they can have a custom door or simple shower curtain.

Base, Wall, & Door Kit

Base, wall, and door kits have it all. Create a new shower or start fresh with your existing bathing area with these shower kits.

These kits are more expensive than the others, but if you want everything you need with step-by-step instructions, this type of kit is the best option.

OPTIONS

While there are options for what kind of shower kit you can get, there are few options in style, color, and design.

PRO TIP: GET ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS!

  1. Measure the space before you choose your shower kit.
  2. Measure the height, from the base to the top of the tiled wall or wall unit.
  3. Measure the depth from the back wall to the front of the alcove or enclosure.
  4. For corner showers, measure from the corner, moving outward on both walls.
For all measurements, measure in two places to ensure accuracy. In the case of measurement differences, use the larger number for your shower kit dimensions. It’s important to be thorough.

This is why the contractors’ mantra is measure twice, cut once!
Accurate Measurement

How Long Does a Shower Conversion Take?

Shower Conversion Timeline
One of the biggest questions you want to ask yourself is: How long does a tub to shower conversion take?
It depends on your contractor (or you), the design, and the current bathroom situation.

For example, some projects can take 2-3 days while some take 3-4 weeks, or even months.
While some contractors promise that your project will go off without a hitch, they’re often unavailable for weeks or months after you hire them.
Five Star Bath Solutions Can Start Sooner and Finish Faster
Fortunately, Five Star Bath Solutions has a solid answer for you! We specialize in 1-2 days tub to shower conversions.

We’re in and out so you can enjoy your new shower as soon as possible.
Because we focus solely on bathroom conversions, your project will be underway far sooner than any competitor could promise.

Five Star Bath Solutions’ Process

Step 1: Schedule a free design consultation and moisture meter screening.
Step 2: Get a dedicated team to work on your project.
Step 3: Enjoy your new shower! You’ve got the best products and best warranty around.
Design Consultant

Step 1 Schedule a Free Design Consultation

Visit fivestarbathsolutions.com to schedule your free design consultation.
This consultation consists of multiple aspects that ensure we answer any questions you may have:
Accurate estimate honored at closing
Moisture meter test
3D design consultation
Real samples of colors, styles, and textures
Our firm quote is made possible by our moisture meter test. We can check for excess moisture behind the walls and include common problems like:
Water damage
Mold
Other problems
Design Consultation
In our original estimate. You’ll know the exact cost and can plan accordingly.

Any water damage, mold, or other problems will be calculated into the estimate so you can plan accordingly.

After the test, browse samples to see colors and designs in person.
Our technicians will use our 3D design software, so you’ll know exactly what it’ll look like before even starting.

You can start designing your new shower right then and there!

Step 2 Meet Your Team

Dedicated and Professional

Each project has a dedicated team of experts. When we say dedicated, we mean you’ll be working with the same people for your entire project. It’s your team!

The project manager will oversee the job to ensure the Five Star quality we pride ourselves on.

Quick and Efficient

Five Star Bath Solutions has perfected a system, so our team efficiently and effectively works to create your dream bathroom in timeframes that seem impossible!

During the project, we take every precaution to keep your house clean and undamaged from tools, materials, etc.
Meet Your Team
We will leave your home better than we found it, guaranteed!

Step 3 Enjoy Your Personal Paradise

The Five Star Bath Solutions process is simple and straightforward. Our goal is to create a functional bathroom that you’ll love as quickly as possible.
Here are just a few lifetime benefits of going with Five Star Bath Solutions to create your personal paradise:
Waterproof for life guarantee
Low maintenance and easy cleaning
Transferable, lifetime warranty
Non-fade design
Chip and crack-resistant materials
As our satisfied customers already know, and you’ll see soon enough, a tub to shower conversion project doesn’t need to be complicated or take a long time to complete.
Whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor, your tub to shower conversion project is totally doable, and it can improve your life without ripping your home apart.
Customer Satisfaction