Tub vs Shower in Vancouver: Which Adds More Value to Your Home?
Remove the tub or keep it? In Vancouver's market, the answer isn't as simple as you'd think — and condo strata rules may decide it for you. Here's what we've learned from real bathroom projects across Metro Vancouver.
Tub vs Shower in Vancouver: Which Adds More Value to Your Home?
The bathroom decision that divides renovation clients more than any other: should you keep the bathtub, or convert to a walk-in shower?
After completing bathroom renovations from North Vancouver to Maple Ridge, we have a clear answer — but it depends on your specific situation.
The Vancouver Market Reality (2026)
House with multiple bathrooms: Remove the tub in the master ensuite — buyers expect a walk-in shower. Keep at least one tub in the home for families with young children.
Condo with one bathroom: This is where it gets complicated. See the strata section below.
Townhouse: Usually follows house rules — shower in the master, tub in the main.
The Strata Rule Problem Nobody Talks About
Here's what most renovation blogs skip: many Metro Vancouver strata corporations require at least one bathtub in each unit.
We've seen this enforced in Burnaby, Richmond, and Coquitlam buildings. Before you demo that tub, get a copy of your strata bylaws and search for "bathtub" or "plumbing." If the bylaw requires a tub and you remove it, you may be required to reinstall at your cost — plus a fine.
How to check: Request the strata bylaws from your property manager before your renovation starts. Takes 24 hours and costs nothing.
Resale Value: The Honest Numbers
Real estate agents typically tell us:
- Removing the only tub in a condo unit can reduce the buyer pool by 15–25% (eliminates families with young children)
- Walk-in shower in the master ensuite (with another tub elsewhere) = value neutral to slightly positive
- Luxury walk-in shower replacing a dated tub in a high-end renovation = positive for premium buyers
The ROI on shower conversions is most positive when:
- There's still a tub elsewhere in the unit
- The shower is genuinely luxury (large format tile, frameless glass, rainfall head)
- You're targeting young professionals or empty nesters
Real Vancouver Projects: What We've Built
North Vancouver Luxury Curbless Shower — $42,000–$45,000
We removed a dated jacuzzi tub and built a full curbless shower with textured large-format tile, linear drain, and matte black fixtures — a spa-level result for empty nesters who use it daily. The home still had a tub in the second bathroom.
Master Bathroom Vancouver — $14,000–$16,000
A master bathroom renovation that kept the tub but added a separate shower stall. The clients had young children and specifically wanted to retain the tub. Smart call for a family home in East Vancouver.
Maple Ridge Bathroom with Custom Glass Door — $18,000–$21,000
We installed a custom glass shower door enclosure alongside the existing tub. Rather than converting, we upgraded both — modern look, full functionality, tub stays.
When to Keep the Tub
- It's the only bathroom in the unit or home
- Your strata bylaws require it
- You're targeting family buyers (houses near schools, suburban condos)
- Your budget is under $8,000 — a cheap shower conversion won't impress buyers
- You personally love baths and use it regularly
When to Convert to a Walk-In Shower
- You have another tub elsewhere in the home
- You're targeting young professionals or empty nesters
- Your bathroom is large enough for a 36"×48" or larger shower
- You're prepared to spend $12,000+ on a quality conversion
- You've confirmed with strata that removal is permitted
Cost Reality: Tub-to-Shower Conversion Prices (Metro Vancouver 2026)
| Scope | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Basic conversion (standard tile, semi-frameless glass) | $8,000–$12,000 |
| Mid-range (large format tile, frameless glass, rainfall head) | $12,000–$18,000 |
| Luxury curbless shower (like our North Vancouver project) | $25,000–$45,000 |
If you're moving the drain location, add $2,000–$4,000 for plumbing relocation.
The Design Test
The biggest mistake: removing a functional tub and replacing it with a small, uninspiring shower stall. A shower needs to be genuinely impressive to justify the removal of a tub.
Our rule: if the shower isn't going to be at least 36"×48" with quality tile and frameless glass, keep the tub.
Our Recommendation
- Family home, all bathrooms: Keep at least one tub. Convert the master to a large shower.
- Condo, one bathroom: Check strata bylaws first. If allowed and budget permits $12,000+, a walk-in shower for young professionals works. Otherwise, keep the tub.
- Townhouse, 2+ bathrooms: Shower in the master, tub in the main.
See our average bathroom renovation cost guide and bathroom renovation service. Browse our North Vancouver luxury bathroom project to see what a proper shower conversion looks like.