Our Metcalf crew pulls the idle tub, keeps the alcove, and hands back a shower anywhere in Edgar County within days.
Written quote at no cost, one callback, no chasing afterwards.
Maybe you are tired of climbing over that high ledge every single morning just to get washed.
That old porcelain basin takes up so much space and you probably cannot remember the last time you actually took a soak.
Swapping that bulky tub for a modern walk-in stall changes your daily routine for the better.
This smart home upgrade instantly opens up your floor plan.
You get a safer entry point because you no longer have to balance on one slippery foot.
Our team helps folks make this switch quickly without any unnecessary mess or stress.
If you live in Edgar County we are ready to drive out to your place to look at your setup.
We provide a totally free estimate so you can plan your budget without any pressure.
Let us talk about how we can transform your space into something much more practical.
First of all, safety is a huge deal for everyone.
Stepping over a high barrier on wet tile is a recipe for a nasty slip.
A low-threshold base solves this problem by keeping your feet firmly on the ground.
On top of that, cleaning a flat glass screen is way easier than scrubbing stained old grout lines.
You will spend less time on your knees with harsh chemicals.
Which means you get more free time to enjoy your weekends instead of doing chores.
To help you compare the two options, we built a quick breakdown of how they stack up.
This table shows why so many homeowners are making the switch lately.
| Feature | Old Basin Setup | New Walk-In Stall |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Height | High wall (usually 15-20 inches) | Low threshold (1-3 inches) |
| Cleaning Effort | High (lots of corners and deep tub curves) | Low (smooth walls and flat glass doors) |
| Water Usage | High (takes gallons to fill up) | Moderate (efficient showerheads save water) |
| Visual Space | Cramped and bulky | Open, airy, and modern |
Now you can see how much easier your daily life becomes with this change.
You also save money on your monthly water bill because you are not filling up a massive reservoir.
It is a win-win situation for both your wallet and your peace of mind.
Naturally, you might worry about your home turning into a chaotic construction zone for weeks.
Thankfully, our crew has polished this process down to a science.
We start by carefully removing your old fixture without damaging the surrounding drywall.
After that, we inspect the underlying subfloor and the old drain pipe for any hidden rot or leaks.
Fixing these issues early prevents mold from growing behind your brand new walls.
This gives your home a strong foundation that will last for decades.
Next, we install the new slip-resistant pan and the beautiful waterproof wall panels.
We hook up the brand new fixtures and seal every single seam with high-grade silicone.
Then we clean up every speck of dust so your home looks spotless when we leave.
You have a lot of great design choices when it comes to the finished look.
Acrylic surrounds are incredibly popular because they resist chipping and are super easy to wipe down.
They come in many colors and patterns that mimic expensive natural stone.
On the other hand, solid surface options offer incredible durability and a very premium feel.
They do not have grout lines where mildew likes to hide out.
This lets you enjoy a clean environment without constant scrubbing.
For a touch of luxury, heavy glass doors make the whole room feel twice as big.
They slide open smoothly and showcase your beautiful new wall panels.
We can help you choose the perfect combination during your free home visit.
Safety does not mean your bathroom has to look like a cold hospital room.
We install stylish grab bars that match your chrome or matte black faucets perfectly.
These accessories look great while providing extra stability when you need it.
We also offer built-in corner seating and recessed shampoo niches to keep clutter off the floor.
Having a dedicated spot for your soaps makes your morning routine feel organized.
Everything you need remains right at arm's reach.
Adjustable handheld sprayers are another fantastic addition to your new space.
They make washing your hair simple and allow you to clean the stall walls with ease.
You will wonder how you ever got by without one of these versatile setups.
We love working in small communities like Metcalf, Illinois, where neighbors look out for each other.
With a local population of around 180 residents, we know that reputation is everything around here.
We treat your home with the same respect we would show to our own family.
Since the median household income in our area is about $32,750, we focus on providing real value.
We do not believe in pushy sales tactics or hidden fees that surprise you at the end.
Our goal is to deliver an affordable remodel that fits your budget perfectly.
If you live in the 61940 ZIP code, we are just a short drive away from your front door.
We understand the local plumbing styles and the typical challenges of homes in this region.
This local experience means we get the job done right the first time without delays.
A common question we get is whether this change hurts the resale value of a house.
Actually, most modern buyers prefer a spacious walk-in stall over a tub they will never use.
Unless you have the only bathtub in the entire house, this upgrade is highly desirable.
Another worry is how long the actual installation takes from start to finish.
In most cases, our skilled team can complete the entire job in just a couple of days.
This means very little disruption to your daily routine and your family life.
We also get questions about whether we can customize the height of the entry threshold.
Yes, we offer ultra-low options that are perfect for wheelchairs or walkers.
We tailor every single project to meet the unique physical needs of your household.
Are you ready to say goodbye to that old, outdated basin for good?
We make it incredibly easy to take the first step toward a beautiful new bathroom.
Our friendly local estimator will visit your home to look at your current plumbing setup.
We will measure your space and discuss your style preferences to create a custom plan.
You will receive a detailed, written quote with absolutely no obligation to buy.
This lets you make an informed decision on your own schedule.
Do not wait until a slip or a fall forces you to make a sudden change.
Take control of your home comfort and safety today by scheduling your free consultation.
Fill out our quick online form or reach out online to get started on your bathroom upgrade!
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 Metcalf 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 Edgar County; the statewide picture lives on Illinois; 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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