In Ottawa, a tub-to-shower conversion typically costs between $4,500 and $12,000 in 2026, with most homeowners landing around $6,500 to $8,500 for a quality job. A straightforward swap using a prefabricated acrylic or fibreglass shower base and wall surround in the existing tub alcove runs roughly $4,500–$7,000 installed, while a fully custom tiled walk-in shower with a curbless entry, glass door, and niche typically runs $9,000–$16,000. The variables that move your number most are whether the drain has to be relocated, whether the alcove is being widened, and whether you choose a one-piece su...
The single biggest fork in the road is the shower system you choose. A prefabricated acrylic or solid-surface base with a matching three-piece wall surround, dropped into the existing 60-inch tub alcove, is the fastest and cheapest route: expect roughly $4,500–$7,000 installed in Ottawa for 2026, including tub demolition, disposal, valve replacement, and a basic sliding or hinged door. Step up to a tiled shower on a waterproofed base (Schluter-Kerdi or similar) and you are typically looking at $...
A standard quote should cover tub removal and disposal, wall demo back to studs, any framing repair, a new pressure-balanced or thermostatic mixing valve, the base and walls, waterproofing, the door, and a final cleanup. If any of those are missing from the written scope, they will reappear later as...
Bathtub drains sit at a different location and depth than shower drains, so the drain often has to be moved and re-sloped. In a bungalow or a home with an accessible basement below, that is usually a $600–$1,200 add. In a second-floor bathroom over a finished ceiling — very common in Barrhaven, Kanata, and Orléans two-storeys — the plumber has to open the ceiling below and then a drywaller has to patch, paint, and blend it, which realistically adds $1,200–$2,500. Older homes in Centretown, the G...
Set aside 10–15% of your project total for surprises behind the wall. Rot around the old tub flange, undersized studs, or non-code venting are the three most common discoveries in Ottawa bathrooms built before 1990.
A like-for-like fixture swap that reuses the existing drain and supply locations generally does not require a permit in Ottawa. However, once you relocate the drain, add or move a vent, or alter supply piping, a plumbing permit from the City of Ottawa is required — and most tub-to-shower conversions do involve moving the drain. If the job also involves structural framing changes to widen the alcove or create a curbless entry, a building permit may be needed as well. Permits are inexpensive relat...
A large share of Ottawa tub-to-shower conversions are driven by mobility rather than aesthetics — stepping over a 15-inch tub wall becomes unsafe long before a full move to assisted living is necessary. A low-curb shower with a 2-inch threshold, an integrated fold-down bench, a hand-held wand on a slide bar, and properly blocked grab bars can usually be built for $7,000–$10,000 in a standard alcove. A true curbless (roll-in) shower costs more, typically $12,000–$20,000, because the subfloor has ...
Ontario's Home and Vehicle Modification Program and some veterans' and insurance programs may offset accessibility renovation costs for eligible residents. Ask your contractor for the itemized invoice detail these programs typically require before work begins.
Get three written, itemized quotes and compare them on identical scope — that is the only way the numbers mean anything. Ask each contractor to state the shower base and wall product by brand and model, the waterproofing system used behind tile, the valve brand, who pulls the plumbing permit, how many working days the bathroom will be out of service (typically 5–10 for a conversion), and what the workmanship warranty covers. Confirm WSIB clearance and general liability insurance. Be sceptical of...
In 2026, a tub-to-shower conversion in Ottawa typically costs $4,500–$12,000, with most projects landing around $6,500–$8,500. A prefabricated acrylic base and surround runs about $4,500–$7,000 installed, while a fully tiled walk-in shower with glass typically runs $9,000–$16,000.
Replacing a tub with another tub is usually cheaper — often $2,500–$4,500 — because the drain, framing, and alcove stay unchanged. A conversion costs more because the drain typically has to be relocated and the wall system rebuilt, but it delivers a larger, more accessible shower space.
If you reuse the existing drain and supply locations, generally no. Once the drain is relocated or venting is altered — which most conversions require — a City of Ottawa plumbing permit is needed. Structural changes to widen the alcove or create a curbless entry may also require a building permit.
A prefabricated acrylic conversion usually takes 3–5 working days. A fully tiled shower typically takes 7–12 working days because of waterproofing cure times, tile setting, and grouting, plus glass fabrication lead time of 1–2 weeks for a custom enclosure.
It can if it leaves the home with zero tubs, since families with young children often filter for at least one. If your house has a second full bathroom with a tub, converting the main or ensuite tub to a large shower usually helps rather than hurts appeal in the Ottawa market.