Our Esko crew pulls the idle tub, keeps the alcove, and hands back a shower anywhere in Carlton County within days.
Written quote at no cost, one callback, no chasing afterwards.
That old, deep tub in your bathroom probably feels more like an obstacle course than a place to wash up.
Getting your feet over that high porcelain ledge every single morning can honestly start to feel like a risky chore...
By choosing to swap that bulky basin for a walk-in stall, you instantly create a safer and much more open layout.
This smart change makes your daily routine feel incredibly smooth.
Our skilled local team specializes in removing those outdated tubs and installing sleek, low-barrier bases in their place.
We love helping homeowners turn cramped spaces into bright, airy washing areas that look amazing.
If you want to see what is possible for your own home, we offer a free project estimate right at your door.
This pressure-free visit lets us look at your current plumbing setup and give you honest, down-to-earth advice.
We always focus on finding a setup that fits your daily life without breaking your budget.
Most people rarely take actual baths anymore because waiting for a massive basin to fill up takes way too long.
Instead, you probably find yourself standing in a slippery tub while taking a quick morning rinse.
Ditching the unused basin allows you to reclaim that valuable floor space for a spacious, modern stall.
This upgrade also eliminates the major tripping hazards associated with stepping over a high wet wall.
Which means you get a much safer environment for children, older family members, or anyone with limited mobility.
On top of that, these modern bases are incredibly easy to scrub down compared to old cast-iron tubs.
To help you compare the two options, we put together a quick look at how they stack up:
| Feature | Standard Old Tub | Modern Walk-In Stall |
|---|---|---|
| Step-In Height | Usually 14 to 18 inches | Only 3 to 5 inches |
| Required Maintenance | High scrubbing, lots of grout lines | Low effort, seamless wall panels |
| Floor Space Feel | Cramped and narrow | Open, airy, and spacious |
| Water Usage | High volume needed to fill | Efficient, direct drainage |
Now, think about how much simpler your Saturday cleaning routine will become with seamless acrylic wall surrounds.
These modern materials resist grime and mold growth naturally.
This lets you spend your weekends relaxing instead of scrubbing stubborn mildew on your hands and knees.
Many folks worry that remodeling a bathroom will turn their home into a dusty construction zone for weeks.
Thankfully, our experienced crew has refined this specific job down to a very fast and clean process.
We start by carefully protecting your flooring and hallway carpets before we even bring in a single tool.
Next, we dismantle the old fixture and check the underlying wood framing for any hidden water damage.
Fixing these structural issues early prevents major headaches down the road.
After ensuring everything is dry and sturdy, we run new plumbing lines to match your chosen layout.
Finally, we install the new slip-resistant base and seal your gorgeous new wall panels securely.
This entire transformation often takes just a couple of days to complete.
You will be amazed at how quickly your old, dark bathing area becomes a bright and inviting space.
Selecting the perfect hardware allows you to customize the look and feel of your new washing space.
You can choose from classic brushed nickel, modern matte black, or shining chrome finishes.
These options let you match your existing sink faucets and vanity hardware perfectly.
We also offer built-in seating, sturdy grab bars, and recessed shampoo niches for extra convenience.
These smart additions keep your soap bottles organized and off the floor.
Which means you get a clean, clutter-free look that maximizes every single square inch.
Older homes often have slow drains that leave you standing in ankle-deep water.
During the tear-out phase, we inspect your waste pipes and clear out any ancient buildup.
This ensures your new low-profile pan drains water away instantly and stays completely dry.
We also install pressure-balancing valves to prevent sudden temperature shocks when someone runs water elsewhere.
No more freezing or scalding surprises when a family member flushes a toilet!
This simple plumbing upgrade makes your daily washes far more relaxing and predictable.
We take immense pride in working with homeowners throughout this beautiful northern region of Minnesota.
Living in a tight-knit community of about 1,740 residents means our local reputation is everything to us.
We treat every home we enter with the exact same respect we would show to our own families.
Whether you reside near the local schools or closer to the scenic quiet areas of ZIP code 55733, we are just a short drive away.
With a strong median household income of $71,744 around here, we know local families value smart, lasting investments.
We focus on delivering high-quality craftsmanship that truly stands the test of time.
Because we live and work locally, we understand the specific housing styles and plumbing challenges common to our area.
We never use cheap, one-size-fits-all kits that fail after a few seasons of harsh Midwestern weather.
Our materials are selected to handle temperature shifts and heavy daily use without cracking or fading.
We believe in being completely transparent with our customers about every aspect of home remodeling.
While removing a tub offers massive benefits, it might not be the perfect choice for absolutely every household.
For example, if you have very young toddlers who still need a deep basin for bath time, keeping one tub in the house is usually smart.
However, if you have multiple bathrooms, converting at least one of them is an excellent way to modernize your property.
Homebuyers today actively search for spacious walk-in setups rather than multiple dusty tubs they will never use.
This means your investment can actually help your home stand out if you ever decide to sell.
On the downside, a full remodel does require a brief period of noise and dust in your home.
But our team works incredibly fast to minimize this disruption to your daily life.
We clean up thoroughly at the end of every workday so you do not have to live in a messy construction zone.
Stop struggling with that awkward, high-walled basin and start enjoying a beautifully designed walk-in space.
Our friendly team is ready to visit your home, take precise measurements, and discuss all your design ideas.
This initial consultation is completely free of charge and carries absolutely no obligation.
We will provide a detailed, itemized estimate so you know exactly what to expect before any work begins.
This helps you plan your budget confidently without worrying about hidden fees or surprise upcharges later on.
We believe in honest, straightforward pricing for every single family we serve.
Ready to take the first step toward a safer and more attractive bathroom?
Simply reach out to us today to schedule your convenient home visit.
We look forward to helping you create a space that brings peace, simplicity, and everyday cozy warmth back into your morning routine!
Count the baths your household actually ran last year. In most homes we visit, the honest number is somewhere between zero and three, and yet every single morning somebody swings a leg over fifteen inches of porcelain rim to stand up and shower inside a fixture built for lying down. The tub charges rent daily and works a few evenings a year.
Nothing dramatic follows from that. Nobody is in danger because a bathtub exists, and if long soaks are part of your week, keep the tub and enjoy it with our blessing. The case for the conversion is plainer: when the tub has become a shower tray with high sides, you are paying, in caution and in cleaning, for a feature you retired years ago.
The swap itself is smaller than most people picture. The supply lines, the drain and the alcove walls are already exactly where a shower wants them, which is why this is a job measured in days. We are not building a new bathroom; we are letting the one you have stop pretending it still gives baths.
The same alcove, photographed the way the week actually unfolds. Weather never delays this one; it all happens indoors.
Floors along the hallway get covered, the water goes off for a few hours, and the bathtub is cut free and carried out, tile flange and all. With the alcove stripped, the plumber moves the drain to where the new pan wants it and sets the new valve at shower height. By supper the room is bare, clean and ready.
The base arrives first: an acrylic pan set dead level on a mortar bed, or a sloped, waterproofed floor when the plan says curbless. Then the walls close in, either grout-free panels bonded in a single afternoon or backer board ready for tile. Everything from here on is watertight before it is pretty.
The glass panel or door is drilled, hung and plumbed straight, the trim goes on, and the silicone lines are drawn last. Silicone wants a day to cure, so the first shower usually happens the following morning, which is exactly how we schedule the walkthrough.
Both are real showers in the same alcove. The difference is the entry, and what has to happen under it.
| What you weigh | Low curb | Curbless |
|---|---|---|
| What stands at the entry | A tidy threshold about 3 to 4 inches tall | Nothing. The bathroom floor rolls straight into the shower |
| Cost, installed | The friendlier bracket, most jobs land here | Roughly a third to a half more, the floor is rebuilt |
| What the crew rebuilds | The alcove only; the bathroom floor stays shut | Part of the bathroom floor, sloped and waterproofed |
| Water containment | The curb and glass do the holding | The slope and a linear drain do the holding |
| Suits best | Straight swaps on a budget and upstairs bathrooms | Wheels, walkers, and anyone planning to stay put for decades |
Undecided is a fine answer on the form. The site visit settles it with a tape measure, not a sales pitch.
Removal
Cut free, hauled out and off to recycling, with floors and doorways shielded on the way. The loudest hour of the conversion, and it wraps before most jobs have begun.
Plumbing
Tub drains sit at one end; showers drain where the pan says. We move what needs moving and swap the old valve for a pressure-balanced one.
The base
A level acrylic pan for most swaps, a mortar-built sloped floor for curbless plans. Either way it is tested with water before anything covers it.
The walls
Grout-free panels go up in an afternoon and wipe clean forever. Tile takes longer, costs more, and looks like whatever you can imagine.
The glass
A fixed panel keeps things open and easy to clean; a hinged door closes the warmth in. Both are tempered, both are set dead straight.
The finish
Shelving, the hand shower, clean caulk lines and a walkthrough. We leave the cure time in writing so the first shower is not a gamble.
| The job | Usual range | Inside the number |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tub-to-shower conversion | $3,100 - $5,600 | Tub out, low curb pan, wall panels, new valve, glass panel. |
| Curbless conversion | $4,900 - $8,800 | The floor is rebuilt flush and sloped to a linear drain. |
| Glass: fixed panel or hinged door | $450 - $1,400 | A single panel sits at the low end, a framed door at the top. |
| Walls: PVC panels or tile | $1,100 - $3,900 | Panels finish in a day; tile adds days and takes any look you want. |
| Tear-out only | $450 - $950 | The tub gone and the alcove left clean for another trade. |
| Small job minimum | around $2,400 | Even the simplest swap books a licensed plumber and a full crew. |
Wall condition, drain position and the glass you choose move every line. The visit pins the figure down, and the figure then holds.
A bathtub drains at one end through its own trap; most showers want the drain nearer the middle, or along one edge when the plan is curbless. Sometimes the existing trap is close enough to reuse and sometimes it has to travel a foot or two, which means opening a strip of floor. We can usually tell which from the basement or the crawl space during the visit, and the paperwork you sign already names which one you are getting.
Houses older than the seventies like to add a surprise: galvanized supply lines rusted nearly shut, a cast iron trap that crumbles at a touch, or framing that got damp decades ago and kept it quiet. None of it is rare and none of it is ruinous, but it is your call, not ours. When something like that turns up, work pauses, you get photographs and a price for the fix, and nothing is billed until you have said yes to it. A conversion should never be the job where the invoice writes itself.
QIs losing the only bathtub a resale mistake?
AAgents around Esko repeat one rule: a family house shows better with a tub somewhere in it. If this is your only tub and small children are in your plans, we put that on the table during the visit and you decide with open eyes. If another bathroom keeps its tub, or the buyers you expect are shower people, the argument evaporates.
QHow long do we go without washing?
AThe toilet and sink stay usable every evening, and the water is only off for stretches on day one. The shower itself is ready once the silicone cures, so figure on missing roughly three days of showers at home. Plenty of clients time the job before a weekend away.
QDoes all the old tile come off the walls?
AOn the alcove walls, yes, because the new waterproofing needs to start from the studs, not from forty-year-old grout. Tile outside the alcove stays put, and we cut a clean line where the two meet.
QCan the new shower use the tub drain?
AThe pipe itself is nearly always reusable; the position is the question. A low curb pan can often sit its drain within reach of the old trap. Curbless floors want a relocated or linear drain, and that difference is priced before demo, never discovered after.
QDo we need a permit for the swap?
AA like-for-like fixture swap usually rides on a simple plumbing permit, and moving the drain can add an inspection. We file whatever your jurisdiction wants and fold the cost into the written price.
QWhat if there is rot behind the tub?
AIt happens, mostly around the old tile flange. You get photographs the hour we find it, a firm price for the repair, and the choice to proceed or pause. The framing fix is usually a morning, not a remodel.
The map carries the geography; the link lists underneath spell out every town our crews can reach from this one.
For the bigger map: county seat pages start at Carlton County; the statewide picture lives on Minnesota; the wider region is the Midwest; background reading sits on Wikipedia.
One three-day job stands between this bathroom and its best fixture.
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