The tub nobody climbs into anymore
In a lot of the ranch homes off Whilden Street and around Six Mile, the original tub is the least-used fixture in the house. Swapping it for a low-curb or curbless shower usually means reworking the drain location and confirming the subfloor can take a new pan before any decision about tile gets made.
What a complete scope spells out
- Whether the existing drain lines up with a new shower base
- How much of the surround comes out versus stays
- Grab-bar blocking and fixture height, decided before drywall goes back
- Permits and inspection timing for the plumbing change
- What's covered if the old plumbing needs more than expected
Older homes near the water table
Homes closer to Shem Creek and the marsh edge often sit on piers with plumbing runs that have never been opened. A tub-to-shower conversion here is as much about confirming what's underneath as it is about the finish on top.