If you recognise 3 or more of these signs, your bathtub is trying to tell you something
There are renovations you do on a whim and renovations you do because there’s no other option. Changing the bathtub to a shower usually starts as a vague idea — “I should do it one day” — and then one day you realise you’ve been saying the same thing for three years.
We’ve done hundreds of bathtub-to-shower conversions in Valencia and province. And what we see time and again is a pattern: people wait too long. They wait until there’s a fall, until the damp eats through the wall, until the problem is more expensive to fix than the renovation itself.
This article isn’t about convincing you. It’s about asking yourself the right questions. If you identify three or more of the signs below, you probably already know what you need. You just need to confirm it.
Sign 1: You only use the showerhead — you never fill the bath
Think about it for a moment. When was the last time you filled the bathtub with hot water, got in and enjoyed a proper bath? If the answer is “I can’t remember” or “more than six months ago,” your bathtub is basically a shower tray with high walls.
And those high walls aren’t free. They take up space, make getting in and out difficult, and collect dirt in corners the shower water doesn’t reach properly. It’s like having a garage where you never park: you’re wasting square metres you could be using much better.
Take a look at the Walk-in Invisible design to see how an open shower looks where a bathtub used to be. The visual difference is dramatic.
Sign 2: Someone in the family struggles to step over the edge
This is the sign that concerns us the most. Not the aesthetics, not the space: the safety.
A standard bathtub edge is between 55 and 60 centimetres high. For a 30-year-old in good shape, it’s no problem. But for your parents in their 70s, for someone with a knee replacement or balance issues, that edge is a real obstacle. We’ve seen serious falls that could have been avoided: a slip when stepping out with wet feet, a leg that doesn’t lift high enough, dizziness when standing up.
According to the National Statistics Institute, accidental falls are the leading cause of hospitalisation from domestic accidents in people over 65 in Spain, and the bathroom is the room where they happen most. It’s not an abstract statistic. It’s your mother, your father, your neighbour on the third floor.
A flush shower tray, combined with thermostatic taps that prevent scalding, eliminates almost all of that risk. If you need a more comprehensive adaptation, we have a guide to accessible bathrooms for elderly people that’s well worth reading.
Sign 3: You see mould or limescale that won’t come off no matter how hard you scrub
We’ve all battled the bathroom grout. A bit of bleach, a brush, patience and done. But there comes a point where the battle is lost. When black mould is embedded inside the silicone, when limescale has created a whitish layer on the enamel that neither vinegar nor professional products can shift, the problem isn’t cleaning: it’s materials that have reached the end of their life.
In residential blocks in the Jesus neighbourhood, where buildings date from the 70s, we see this constantly. Bathtubs with 40 or 50 years of service. Silicone seals that were applied once and never renewed. Porous tile grout that absorbs moisture like a sponge.
But be aware: the mould you see is just the surface. What you can’t see is what’s behind the tiles. If the silicone has been deteriorated for years, water has likely been seeping behind the bathtub, soaking into the partition wall, creating a breeding ground for damp and microorganisms that you can’t wipe away with a cloth.
When you reach this point, changing the bathtub isn’t a luxury. It’s remediation.
Sign 4: The enamel is chipped or yellowed
Bathtub enamel has a limited lifespan. It can last 15-20 years if well cared for, but the reality is that most bathtubs in Valencia flats are 30, 40 or more years old. And it shows.
Yellowed enamel means the protective layer has lost its integrity. The surface is porous: it accumulates more dirt, more bacteria and more limescale. Chips are worse: they expose the base material to water. If you see brown stains around a chip, that’s rust, and rust doesn’t stop — it spreads beneath the enamel until the deterioration is irreversible.
Re-enamelling is an option (250-400 euros), but let’s be honest: it’s a patch that lasts 5-7 years, the surface never looks the same and it doesn’t solve any of the other problems — accessibility, space, water consumption. If you’re going to spend money, better to spend it on a permanent solution.
Sign 5: You’re planning to sell or let the property
If you’re preparing a flat for market, whether for sale or rental, an old bathtub is one of the first things that puts off buyers and tenants.
A bathroom with a modern shower conveys an image of an updated, cared-for property. A bathroom with an 80s bathtub conveys “money needs spending here.” And buyers discount that from the price they’re willing to pay.
According to a 2024 Idealista study, properties with renovated bathrooms sell 12-15% faster and owners recover between 70% and 90% of the investment in the sale price.
For rental, the calculation is even clearer. A bathroom with a walk-in shower or a compact wet room can mean the difference between letting within a week or having the flat empty for two months. At 700-800 euros per month in Valencia, those two months already cover the renovation.
Use our calculator to get an idea of the cost for your specific case.
Sign 6: You’ve had a scare, a slip or an actual fall
If it’s already happened — a slip inside the bathtub, grabbing the curtain, placing your foot wrong when stepping out — you know what we’re talking about. The first time is frightening. The second time is more frightening. The third time can end in A&E.
A slim shower tray with non-slip surface, a well-anchored grab bar and a resin tray with non-slip texture turn the shower zone into a safe space for any age.
If you’ve already had an episode like this, it’s really time. This isn’t scaremongering: it’s common sense. In our guide to choosing between shower and bathtub we analyse all the factors.
Sign 7: Your children are teenagers and couldn’t care less about the bathtub
The bathtub is usually justified with “we have small children and we bath them in it.” Fair enough. While you have a baby or a 3-4 year old, the bathtub serves a purpose.
But what about when they grow up? From age 7-8, most children shower on their own. And in adolescence, the bathtub is an annoyance. They get in, shower for 5 minutes (if you’re lucky) and get out.
You decide, but we’re clear: if the kids no longer bath in the tub, what you’ve got left is a 60-kilo piece that takes up space, makes cleaning harder and ages your bathroom. The bathtub has served its purpose.
What happens if you leave it for “later”
We know how it works. “I’ll do it next year,” “when I’ve saved a bit more,” “after the summer.” We’ve heard it a thousand times. And what happens when you wait too long is that small problems become big ones.
The chain of deterioration
- The silicone dries out and cracks. Water starts seeping behind the bathtub, between the wall and the tiles.
- Moisture builds up behind the partition wall. You can’t see it, but it’s there. The plaster absorbs water, softens, loses consistency.
- Mould appears on the other side of the wall. Suddenly, in the bedroom next to the bathroom, there’s a dark patch. It smells musty.
- Paint lifts, tiles come unstuck. Now the renovation isn’t just “change the bathtub.” It’s fixing the bathtub, the wall, the insulation, maybe the plumbing… and the room next door.
What started as a 1,800-3,000-euro change becomes a 5,000-8,000-euro intervention if the damp has advanced. We’ve seen cases where waiting tripled the cost of the renovation.
If you think your bathtub might be causing problems, we recommend reading our article on 8 problems your bathtub may be causing. More than one will ring a bell.
The good news: it’s faster and cheaper than you think
Many people delay the decision because they imagine an endless building project, dust everywhere and an eye-watering budget. The reality is very different.
Real timelines
A bathtub-to-shower conversion takes 1 to 3 working days. Not weeks. Days. The first day the bathtub is removed, the area is cleaned up and installations are prepared. The second day the tray is installed, tiling is done and taps are fitted. The third day, if needed, the screen is mounted, joints are sealed and the final clean-up is done.
If you’re interested in understanding the full process in more detail, check how our way of working operates.
Real prices from 1,800 euros
| Conversion type | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 1,800 - 2,500 € | Bathtub removal, acrylic tray, standard taps, tiling in bathtub zone, sliding screen |
| Standard | 2,500 - 4,000 € | Resin tray, designer taps, fixed glass screen, full tiling, reinforced waterproofing |
| Premium | 4,000 - 6,000 € | Flush shower, concealed thermostatic taps, walk-in screen, large-format porcelain, LED lighting |
All prices include materials, labour, demolition, rubble removal and VAT. Fixed price, no surprises. You can calculate the estimated cost for your specific case with our price calculator.
And if you’re worried about disruption, don’t be. In our article about changing the bathtub to a shower without major work we explain the least invasive options.
For work in Valencia city and surrounding areas, you can also check our bathroom renovations in Valencia page where we detail coverage and service areas.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to change a bathtub to a shower in Valencia?
From 1,800 euros with materials and labour included. The final price depends on the type of tray, the taps, whether you tile just the bathtub zone or the whole bathroom, and the condition of the existing installations. Request a free technical survey and we’ll give you a fixed price.
Can the change be done without ripping out the whole bathroom?
Yes. In a basic conversion, only the bathtub is removed and the covering in the area it occupied is renewed. The rest of the bathroom — floor, walls, fixtures — stays intact. It’s the most economical and quickest option, ideal if the rest of the bathroom is in good condition.
Is a shower tray better or a flush-to-floor shower?
It depends on the budget and the floor slab. A slim resin tray (3-5 cm) is the most practical and affordable option. A flush shower is more elegant and accessible but requires lowering the floor for the drainage gradient. Both are good; the second is a step up.
Do I need any permit for the conversion?
You don’t need a works licence. A bathtub-to-shower conversion is classified as minor interior work, and in most Valencia municipalities a responsible declaration or prior notification to the council is sufficient. You don’t need permission from the residents’ association either, since no common elements are modified.
How long does the full conversion take?
Between 1 and 3 working days. If full tiling or additional plumbing is included, it can reach 4-5 days. Either way, you can shower the same evening the installation is completed.
The decision is yours, but the numbers are clear
If you’ve read this far and recognised three, four or five of these signs, you already have your answer. Your bathtub has done its time. It’s not that it’s bad; it’s that you and your family deserve something that works better.
Changing the bathtub to a shower isn’t a trend. It’s a practical improvement with real returns in comfort, safety and property value. And with prices from 1,800 euros and a timeline of 1 to 3 days, the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of the renovation.
At Reformarte we do this every week. Fixed price, no middlemen and with a 3-year warranty.
Calculate the cost of your bathtub-to-shower conversion and take the first step. Or if you’d rather speak to someone, tell us about your case and we’ll call you.
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