Shower & Tub Installation
The plumbing part of a bathroom project is rarely the hard part. Sequencing it around tile and finishes is.
A shower or tub replacement in Salinas typically involves the valve, the drain and pan, and the supply connections behind the wall. Tub-to-shower conversions usually need a permit because they change the fixture and often the drain. We handle the plumbing side and coordinate with your tile and finish trades.
This covers replacing a shower or tub valve, setting a new tub or shower pan, reworking the drain, and converting a tub to a walk-in shower. It is one of the more common renovation requests we get, and one where the order of trades matters more than most homeowners expect.
There are two visits by nature: rough-in before the wall closes, and trim after tile and finishes. If the plumber misses the rough-in window, everything behind it waits. We book those dates against your other trades rather than promising a slot we will have to move.
The surprises live behind the wall. Old galvanized supply, a corroded drain, or previous unpermitted work turn up regularly in older Salinas bathrooms. We flag those and price them separately rather than absorbing them silently.
When this is likely your problem
- A shower valve that will not hold temperature
- A tub or shower draining slowly or not at all
- Cracked pan, failing surround, or water getting behind tile
- Wanting a tub-to-shower conversion for accessibility
- A valve that is seized or leaking behind the wall
- A bathroom renovation in planning
What's included — and what isn't
Included in the quote
- Removal of the existing fixture and valve
- Shower or tub valve installation
- Drain and pan connections
- Supply line rework where required
- Pressure and leak testing before close-up
- Return visit for trim after finishes
Quoted separately
- Fixtures, valves, tile, and surrounds where supplied by us
- Tile, waterproofing, and finish work
- Framing changes and structural modification
- Permit and inspection fees
- Replacing corroded supply or drain found behind the wall, flagged first
- Accessibility compliance assessment
What drives the number
We quote after diagnosis, not before. These move the number most on this service:
- SCOPEValve swap versus a full conversion with drain relocation.
- ACCESSWhether the valve is reachable from behind or requires opening tile.
- CONDITIONWhat the existing supply and drain turn out to be.
- PERMITConversions generally require one; like-for-like swaps often do not.
Salinas note
Many Salinas bathrooms from the mid-century have the valve accessible only from the finished side, which means opening tile. If there is a closet or hallway behind the shower wall, mention it — access from the back can save the tile entirely, and that is worth checking before demolition.
Related
What the visit involves
Confirm what fits
Fixture and valve checked against the existing rough-in before install day.
Rough in before close-up
Valve, drain, and supply set and tested while the wall is open.
Coordinate with tile
We schedule the trim visit against your tile and finish dates.
Trim and test
Final connections, then run and check every joint.
Questions about this service
Do I need a permit for a tub-to-shower conversion?
Generally yes, because it changes the fixture and frequently the drain. A straight like-for-like replacement often does not. We will tell you what your specific scope requires and handle the process where a permit is needed.
Can I buy my own fixture?
Yes, and many people do. Send us the model beforehand so we can confirm it matches your rough-in. The most common avoidable delay is a fixture arriving that needs different plumbing than what is already in the wall.
How many visits does this take?
Usually two: rough-in before the wall closes and trim after tile. Sometimes three if demolition needs a separate disconnection visit. We coordinate those with your other trades so the project does not stall waiting on us.
What if you find bad pipe behind the wall?
We stop and show you. Galvanized supply and corroded drain lines turn up regularly in older bathrooms here. You get the finding, a price, and the choice — not a surprise on the final invoice.
Ready to get this looked at?
Call and describe what's happening. You'll get an honest read before anyone drives out.