One of the most common questions we get from Phoenix-area homeowners planning a master bath remodel: "Should I keep the tub or convert it to a walk-in shower?"
The short answer: in most Phoenix metro master bathrooms, a large custom walk-in shower will serve you better — and appeal to more buyers — than a garden tub that nobody uses. But there's one critical exception, and getting it wrong can cost you at resale.
The Rule That Matters Most
Keep at least one tub in your home. That's it. That's the rule.
If you have a tub in a secondary bathroom — a kids' bath, a guest bath, anywhere — you can convert your master bath tub to a walk-in shower with essentially no resale risk. Most Phoenix-area buyers looking at homes in the $500K–$1.5M+ range see a large, beautifully tiled walk-in shower in the master as an upgrade, not a loss.
If the master bath tub is the only tub in the home, think carefully before removing it. Buyers with young children specifically filter for homes with at least one tub. Removing the last tub narrows your buyer pool.
The rule in one sentence: Remove the master tub if (and only if) you have a tub somewhere else in the house.
Why Walk-In Showers Win in the Phoenix Market
The Demographics Favor It
The buyers most active in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler, and the higher-end Phoenix zip codes tend to be 35–65 year-old homeowners. That demographic overwhelmingly prefers a large walk-in shower to a garden tub. Garden tubs were popular in the 1990s and early 2000s; the buyer walking through a master bath today is far more likely to see one as wasted space than as a luxury feature.
A Tub Takes Up Space That Could Be a Stunning Shower
A standard garden tub footprint — typically 5x3 or 6x3 — becomes a 4x4 to 5x4 walk-in shower with room to breathe. A properly built walk-in shower with large-format tile, a built-in niche, and a quality frameless glass enclosure photographs beautifully and makes an immediate impression during a showing. A 25-year-old garden tub that's never used does the opposite.
Shower Remodels Have Strong ROI in Arizona
According to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value data, bathroom remodels in the West South Central region (which includes Arizona) consistently return 60–70% of cost at resale — with high-quality master bath remodels in luxury markets performing better. A walk-in shower remodel that costs $5,000–$8,000 adds real perceived value in a master bath showing.
When to Keep the Tub
Remove the tub if...
- You have a tub elsewhere in the home
- Your master bath is 80+ sq ft
- Nobody actually uses the tub
- You're targeting buyers 35+
- You want a luxury master bath feel
Keep the tub if...
- It's the only tub in the home
- You have young children
- Your home targets family buyers
- You genuinely use it regularly
- The tub is a high-end freestanding style
What a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Actually Involves
Converting a tub to a walk-in shower is more than just removing the tub and setting some tile. Here's what the process looks like when done correctly:
- Demo: Tub removal, existing tile removal, haul-off
- Plumbing rough-in: Drain repositioning if needed (coordinated with a licensed plumber)
- Waterproofing: New mud bed or Schluter KERDI membrane — this is the most critical step and cannot be skipped
- Tile setting: Walls, floor, niche, bench if desired — all hand-set with proper layout
- Grouting and cleanup
- Glass enclosure: Frameless glass is typically installed by a glass company after tile is complete (we coordinate)
Total timeline: most tub-to-shower conversions take 4–6 days for the tile work component, depending on size and complexity.
Cost of a Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Phoenix
Labor for a tub-to-shower conversion in Phoenix typically runs $3,500–$7,000 depending on the size of the new shower and tile selection. This includes demo, waterproofing, tile setting, and grouting. Tile material cost is separate — budget $800–$2,500+ for tile depending on what you choose. Glass enclosure is typically a separate contract with a glass company.
For a full cost breakdown, see our Phoenix shower tile installation cost guide →
We offer free in-home estimates across the Phoenix metro — we'll measure the space, look at the existing plumbing layout, and give you an honest assessment and itemized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I replace my tub with a walk-in shower in Phoenix?
In most Phoenix master bathrooms, yes — as long as you keep a tub somewhere else in the home. A large walk-in shower is more appealing to the dominant buyer demographic (35–65) in Phoenix's active markets than a garden tub most people don't use.
Does removing a tub hurt home value in Arizona?
Only if it's the last tub in the home. If a secondary bathroom still has a tub, converting the master bath tub to a walk-in shower typically increases perceived value with buyers in the Scottsdale, Chandler, and Paradise Valley markets.
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in Phoenix?
Labor typically runs $3,500–$7,000 depending on shower size and tile. Tile material is separate. Glass enclosure is typically a separate contract. See our full cost guide →
How big should the walk-in shower be?
4x4 is the practical minimum. 4x5 or 5x5 starts to feel genuinely luxurious. Most tub footprints give you enough space for a 4x4 to 4x6 shower — enough to build something impressive with the right tile and layout.
What tile is best for a tub-to-shower conversion?
Large-format porcelain (24x24 or 24x48) is the most popular choice — durable, low-maintenance, and modern. Natural marble is popular in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley luxury conversions. See our Arizona shower tile guide →