One alcove in Faubourg Marigny is about to earn its keep again. The New Orleans crew handles demo, plumbing, walls and glass.
Written quote at no cost, one callback, no chasing afterwards.
You probably stare at that massive, bulky basin in your bathroom and wish for something way more practical. Getting rid of that old tub in the middle of a historic New Orleans neighborhood is a total game changer for your daily routine.
Maybe you feel like you are doing a gymnastics routine just to climb over that high porcelain wall every single morning. This kind of hassle really wears you down when you just want to get clean and start your day without any extra effort. Removing that barrier means you walk right into your personal washing station without any stress. You gain so much more floor space when you swap that giant box for a sleek, walk-in design that fits your needs perfectly.
Additionally, you stop worrying about slipping on a wet floor while trying to step over a high edge. This transition provides a safer environment for anyone living in your home regardless of their age or physical ability. Many folks around Faubourg Marigny are finding that open-concept layouts make their homes feel way bigger than they actually are. Plus, you finally get to clear out the clutter that always seems to accumulate on the edges of a standard tub.
Even if you love the idea of a deep soak, you likely realize that you rarely have time to actually use it. Think about all the water you waste filling up a huge vessel that just collects dust and grime over the months. By switching to a modern vertical spray system, you save money on your utility bills and help out the local environment too. It is a smart move that adds real value to your property without requiring a massive demolition project.
Naturally, you need someone who knows how to handle the plumbing and the tile work without causing a massive headache. You should look for pros who respect the unique character of homes in this specific area of Louisiana. Older buildings often have quirks that a standard contractor might miss if they are not careful. Finding a team that understands how to work with these historic structures ensures that your project goes smoothly from start to finish.
Whenever you decide to move forward, you want to make sure the waterproofing is done with the highest level of care. If water leaks behind your walls, you end up with mold and rot that ruins all your hard work. You deserve a setup that provides total peace of mind and lasting quality for years to come. That is why you should always ask about the materials they use and the warranties they offer on their labor.
First, you need to look at the exact dimensions of your current space to see what fits best. Some people prefer a massive bench where they can sit down, while others want a minimalist glass enclosure. You might even consider adding a rain-style head that makes you feel like you are standing in a tropical storm. Everything hinges on your personal preference and how much space you have to play with in that bathroom corner.
Furthermore, you should think about the types of finishes that will match the rest of your home design. Do you want white subway tiles that look super clean, or maybe something with a bit more texture and color? Since you live in a place known for its vibrant spirit, you can get creative with your choices. Once you pick your materials, the installation team can handle the heavy lifting while you just sit back and relax.
Honestly, you might wonder if this kind of project is going to break the bank right away. However, you have to look at the long-term benefits like higher home resale value and lower water usage. When you contact a local professional, they will come out to your property and give you a free estimate. This lets you know exactly what to expect before anyone even touches a hammer or a wrench.
Knowing the numbers upfront stops you from worrying about hidden fees or surprise costs popping up later on. You get a clear breakdown of the labor, the parts, and the timeline for the whole conversion. Most contractors are happy to sit down with you to discuss your budget and find a solution that works. You should never feel pressured into a decision that does not feel right for your current financial situation.
| Feature of your new setup | Benefit to you | |
|---|---|---|
| Low entry threshold | Easy access and safer movement | |
| Glass enclosure | More light and feeling of luxury | |
| Vertical spray options | Faster and more efficient washing | |
| Custom storage niches | Everything stays organized and handy | |
| Non-slip flooring surface | Better stability during your shower |
Since you are situated in a place with such a deep history, you want someone local. You are looking for a contractor who understands the specific needs of properties in the 70117 area. It is always better to work with folks who know the neighborhood and the local building codes. When you support local businesses, you usually get faster response times and more personalized attention for your project.
Plus, you can check out their previous work to see if their style matches what you have in mind. Real humans are always better at listening to your specific needs than some big corporate franchise. You should feel comfortable asking questions about their process and how they handle the cleanup afterward. A good contractor treats your home like it is their own and leaves it looking better than when they arrived.
Start by measuring the area and deciding what features are must-haves for your daily routine. Do you need a place to put your shampoo bottles or a spot to hang your robe? You might want to jot down a list of these items so you do not forget anything. Once you have your vision, you can reach out for that free quote to get the ball rolling today.
The process is actually much simpler than most people think when they first start planning. You basically just need to clear out your personal items and let the professionals do their job. Within a few days, you will have a brand new space that transforms your morning ritual into something you actually enjoy. It is really that simple to upgrade your living space and add that touch of comfort to your daily life.
Finally, think about how much easier your life becomes with a walk-in station. No more scrubbing that giant basin or dealing with stubborn mildew buildup in the corners. You get a beautiful, modern setup that makes cleaning up a total breeze for everyone in the house. Now is the perfect time to reach out and see what is possible for your specific home layout.
If you are ready to change your bathroom forever, reach out to a local professional for a free estimate. They can walk through your space and give you the best advice for your particular needs and home design. You will be amazed at how quickly this conversion can happen when you have the right team on your side. Take that first step today and stop settling for a bathroom that does not work for you anymore.
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 Faubourg Marigny 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.
One three-day job stands between this bathroom and its best fixture.
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