Jobs that can be quick
A like-for-like tray swap where the waste stays in the same place, the walls are in good order and the new tray is the same size as the old one.
A shower panel system rather than tiles. Large waterproof wall panels go up in hours, where tiling a shower area takes longer and needs to cure. Our tiles vs panels guide compares the two.
Changing a shower door or screen on an existing tray, which is often a short job on its own.
Jobs that take longer
Taking out a bath. Bath removal almost always damages the tiles above it, the wall behind may be in poor condition, and the waste usually has to be moved for the tray.
Tiling. Tiles need adhesive to set before grouting, and grout needs time before the shower is used. Rushing this is a common cause of cracked grout and loose tiles.
Low-profile or level-access trays. These often need the floor lowered or built up, and the waste routed carefully to get enough fall.
Moving the shower valve or changing the shower type, which means opening the wall and first-fix plumbing.
The stages of a bath-to-walk-in shower swap
Strip out the bath, panel and surrounding tiles. Adjust the waste and supply pipes for the tray and new valve. Fit and level the tray on a solid base. Board the walls and waterproof the shower area. Tile, then grout once the adhesive has set. Fit the screen, shower and silicone, and leave the sealant to cure before the first shower.
Each stage depends on the one before it, which is why a fitter cannot simply add more people to finish in a day.
Why curing time is not wasted time
Waterproofing, adhesive, grout and silicone all need to cure. Using a shower before they have set can let water behind the tiles, which is exactly the leak a new shower is meant to prevent.
A realistic programme builds in those waits. A fitter who skips them to hit a one-day promise is taking a risk with your walls and ceiling below.
Living with the work
If the shower is your only one, ask for the programme in writing so you know which days it will be out of use. Our guide to living at home during a bathroom fit has practical tips for those days.
Questions to ask about any quoted timescale
Ask which days the shower will be unusable, not just how many days the fitter will be on site. Ask whether the price assumes tiles or panels, whether the waste is moving, and what happens if the wall behind the bath turns out to be damp or crumbling. A clear answer to each tells you far more than a headline promise.
Where to read next
Questions we get asked most
Why do some companies advertise a shower fitted in a day?
Usually because they use wall panels and a like-for-like tray position. That can work well, but it is a different job from a tiled walk-in shower replacing a bath.
How soon can I use a new walk-in shower?
Once the grout and silicone have cured. Your fitter should tell you when; using it early risks water getting behind the tiles.
Does replacing a bath with a shower need building regulations approval?
Usually not for a like-for-like domestic swap, but ventilation and electrical work must meet the rules. Our building regulations guide explains more.
Is a walk-in shower the same as a wet room?
No. A walk-in shower sits on a low tray with a glass panel. A wet room waterproofs the whole floor with no tray, which takes longer to build.
What affects the cost of a bath-to-shower swap?
The tray type, how far the waste moves, the wall finish and whether the whole room is re-tiled. Our conversion cost guide explains the factors, and we quote after a free survey.