Tub-to-shower conversions are one of the most requested bathroom upgrades we do, usually driven by a simple realization: the tub rarely (or never) gets used, and that footprint could become a genuinely better shower.
The process starts with full demolition of the existing tub and surround down to the studs, since proper waterproofing requires starting from a clean substrate rather than building over an existing tub enclosure.
Waterproofing is the part of the project that matters most and shows the least in final photos — a proper waterproof membrane system behind the tile, correctly sloped drainage, and careful detailing at every seam and penetration is what determines whether the shower performs well for decades or develops problems within a few years.
Layout decisions come next: whether the new shower will be curbless (requiring some floor structure modification to achieve a level transition) or have a traditional low curb, and how glass enclosure or partial wall configurations will work within the existing footprint.
Most tub-to-shower conversions take 2 to 4 weeks from demolition to completion, depending on tile complexity and whether any plumbing relocation is involved — a relatively contained project compared to a full bathroom remodel, but one where the unglamorous waterproofing work deserves just as much attention.