Or maybe you\u2019re a handyman who would love to make money on materials and stop hearing customer complaints about your hourly rate.<\/p>
Or finally \u2013 maybe you\u2019re working as a subcontractor for a \u2018big bath remodeling company\u2019 (like BathFitter, Rebath, or WestShore Home) and don\u2019t understand how they pay you so little to install tub to shower conversions<\/a> yet they\u2019re able to charge so much. You think, \u201cShouldn\u2019t I get a bigger piece of this tub to shower conversion market pie?\u201d <\/em><\/p> Then you get to thinking\u2026..maybe I should start a specialty tub to shower bath remodeling business<\/a>. But you\u2019re unsure about the pros and cons of this business, and what you need to do to get the ball rolling.<\/p> Well in this article I\u2019ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of a specialty \u2018quick installation\u2019 bathroom remodeling business<\/a> so you can determine if it\u2019s right for you. In a subsequent article I\u2019ll look at steps to start a tub to shower conversion business.<\/p> I\u2019ll look at the pros first (hey \u2013 I\u2019m a \u2018glass half full\u2019 guy, so I always like to start with the positives), then we\u2019ll look at the cons (and no, not the type you find in prisons!). And at the end I\u2019d love your input if this business is right for you and questions you have about getting started.<\/p> Let\u2019s face it \u2013 the largest part of the bathroom remodeling market IS NOT the $50,000 to $100,000 (or more) big bathrooms done in fancy-schmancy neighborhoods by design\/build contractors.<\/p> No \u2013 most people live in modest homes with modest sized bathrooms. I don\u2019t know the exact number \u2013 but there are millions of 60\u201d x 30\u201d or 60\u201d x 32\u201d tubs, or 48\u201d x 36\u201d or 60\u201d x 36\u201d showers installed in bathroom alcoves by production builders years ago which are practically begging to be renovated.<\/p> And this doesn\u2019t even include Baby Boomers <\/em>looking to age in place, or people needing an accessible shower<\/a> due to a health condition.<\/p> This is a big, big, big market which is largely driven by bathrooms in middle income homes which need their alcove tub and shower spaces upgraded in the worst way.<\/p> The good news for customers in the design\/build market is they can practically choose ANYTHING.<\/p> The bad news for you if you\u2019re a design\/build or general contractor in the high-end bathroom remodeling market is your customer can practically choose anything. Then they\u2019ll expect YOU (and your company) to source it and install it, in a reasonable amount of time. And it\u2019ll be your problem if finding their crazy selections proves to be a \u2018slippery slope\u2019 which wreaks havoc with your production schedule. On the other hand, with a \u2018wet space alcove remodel\u2019 (including tub to shower conversions<\/a>, shower to shower conversions<\/a>, or tub to tub conversions<\/a>), selections are far less complex. As a matter of fact, the most profitable companies usually have a \u2018selection menu\u2019 they\u2019ll show in their sales software to guide customer choices. Or they\u2019ll show a bathroom visualizer<\/a> (or use a sample sales case) to help a customer make selections without overcomplicating the process. If finding highly skilled field technicians is \u2018the impossible dream\u2019 you may have come to the conclusion the best way to \u2018get them\u2019 is to train them yourself. You know if you\u2019re doing higher-end design build projects it can be YEARS before you develop a highly skilled trim carpenter or tile setter. And even if you go through the laborious (pun intended) process of bringing someone along, there\u2019s no guarantee they won\u2019t leave you for the \u2018highest bidder\u2019 (your pouching competitor) or start their own business.<\/p> And this reality is a smart reason to go into the more repeatable (and less complicated) tub to shower (or alcove bath and shower remodeling<\/a>) market. Most projects are done with grout free wall panels<\/a> and grout free shower pans<\/a> and requires less skill, time, and\/or project planning. While a lot of people will say they\u2019re in the \u2018wet space remodeling business<\/a>,\u2019 there\u2019s actually several markets as part of this larger category.<\/p> For example, you could become a home access contractor<\/a> and focus on tub to shower conversions\u2013 or roll in shower conversions<\/a> for people with medical or developmental challenges. And what\u2019s nice about this market is it\u2019s \u2018needs-based,\u2019 not \u2018wants based\u2019 so it\u2019s less impacted by the economy. And another bonus, this market segment has less competition than the general retail bath remodeling market (although prospects have to be acquired in a very different way). Or you could go after the growing age in place market of consumers 55+ who NEVER want to see the insides of an expensive assisted living facility. 55+ customers have more disposable income than younger homeowners and it\u2019s easy to make the economic case to stay in their homes longer.<\/p> Or you could choose to target specific neighborhoods which have large numbers of small bathrooms which are prime targets for \u2018wet space\u2019 remodeling projects (i.e., bath to shower conversions<\/a> or shower to shower conversions<\/a>).<\/p> I can still see the figurine on my dad\u2019s desk (my dad owned a commercial union mason contracting business when he was alive, but his life ended way too soon \u2013 at the age of 59, but I digress) which said, \u201cHappiness is a positive cash flow.\u201d <\/em><\/p> And let\u2019s face it progress payments on large bathroom remodeling jobs can be crippling if they don\u2019t happen timely. Unpaid suppliers, unpaid subcontractors, or unpaid employees don\u2019t create winning projects and profitable businesses!<\/p> And this is one smart reason to look at the specialty tub to shower conversion market. You can get a 50% deposit (which covers material costs \u2013 and then some) and then collect the balance upon completion. Or if the customer requires financing, most financing programs will pay upon completion. And if you do offer financing (and larger scalable alcove remodelers do) be careful how many jobs as a percentage of your entire business, you finance to keep your cash position positive.<\/p> While it can be fun selling big dollar bathroom (or general contracting) jobs you can\u2019t pay bills with sales. You can only pay bills with margins generated from profits on jobs.<\/p> And when you look at profit margins with moderate sized tub to shower conversions 35-50% gross margins are the norm, rather than the exception.<\/p> And if today, for example, you\u2019re a handyman \u2013 it\u2019ll be comforting to know you\u2019ll make money NOT ONLY with your labor but by selling products as well. And that\u2019s a \u2018GOGO\u2019 special \u2013 i.e., get a margin on labor, then get a margin on materials.<\/p> If you\u2019re doing higher end remodels with tile floors and showers you know the jobs not only take A LONG TIME \u2013 but product and installation complaints with tile (how they\u2019re laid, leakage issues, cracked tiles, moldy grout joints etc.) can be a major thorn in your side. And while waterproofing systems like Wedi <\/em>and Schluter <\/em>have lessened leakage complaints, you still don\u2019t have simple remedies for a customer who might have tile issues a year or two after their job is done (and your tile sub is nowhere to be found). On the other hand, in the quick installation bathroom business<\/a> you\u2019ll sell grout free wall panels<\/a> which in many cases (with better quality lines) have lifetime warranties. And these warranties can help customer feel comfortable buying what you have and giving you a deposit, so they won\u2019t have to worry about an expensive tile shower which has failed. If you don\u2019t have extensive experience as a contractor or handyman \u2013 and the idea of complex bathroom remodeling business has you sweating bullets, quick installation alcove projects are far less complex than custom design-build jobs.<\/p> And in addition, you won\u2019t be as dependent on highly skilled trades who can be fickle (or even non-existent dependent on the market you\u2019re in).<\/p> This is a simpler business to get into than becoming a general contractor or design\/build contractor.<\/p> And while I\u2019d like you to believe everything will come up \u2018roses\u2019 being a specialty tub to shower remodeling business<\/a> \u2013 there are challenges (\u2018er cons) to be aware of and factor in BEFORE you take the plunge and start one of these businesses. Learn about them below.<\/p> If only you could get into a highly profitable business with NO COMPETITION with customers begging you to take their money! Well \u2013 this would be a dream scenario, but then you\u2019d likely wake up. If it\u2019s too good to be true, it\u2019s too good to be true.<\/p> And if you get into the quick installation bathroom business there can be competition from sophisticated (and well bank-rolled) companies.<\/p> And if you\u2019re wondering how these large companies charge so much for these tub to shower jobs (which the \u2018big boys and girls\u2019 sell from $15,000 to $25,000 installed for alcove only projects) it\u2019s not only because they\u2019re well known, but they\u2019re also effective at marketing to get leads and sales process to close jobs.<\/p> So \u2013 if you want to compete with them look for suppliers who not only have good value products, but also those which also offer in-home bathroom presentation tools<\/a>, sales cases, and visualizer tools<\/a> so you can impress homeowners even if you\u2019re not a big company. While it can be nice \u2013 and efficient \u2013 to \u2018niche down\u2019 and get really good at one type of job (like alcove remodeling projects), if your business is in a small town you may need to broaden the projects you accept to have enough business to make it go.<\/p> While it can help your focus and profits to not \u2018extend beyond\u2019 the tub\/shower alcove, this refusal to do other parts of the bathroom (floors, vanities, toilets, freestanding tubs<\/a>) can become difficult if your customer isn\u2019t willing to coordinate other trades to supply\/install the vanity, move a toilet, add lighting etc. if they want a complete redo of their bathroom.<\/p> It\u2019s for this reason a number of \u2018quick installation\u2019 companies will allow (within reason) some \u2018scope creep.\u2019<\/p> Let\u2019s face it \u2013 in the United States, the rich are getting richer. And they\u2019re in a better place to spend on large scale projects even in downturns. And this is a factor to keep in mind if your middle-income (alcove remodeling) clientele is feeling the pinch of inflation and low wage growth and are clamping down on spending money on larger projects.<\/p> Many contractors and handymen (or handywomen \u2013 don\u2019t want to be sexist here) get into construction because they like working with their hands and power tools yet HATE, HATE, HATE \u2018paperwork.\u2019<\/p> And while you can focus on \u2013 and be intimately involved with building projects as a general contractor, when you go after the quick installation (in\/out) alcove shower remodeling business<\/a> you\u2019ll also need to become good at marketing and sales to stay alive and grow. Even if you love the smell of sawdust, you\u2019ll also need to learn to love burning up your keyboard and tracking lead conversion costs and sales! And you may even have to become (or manage) a salesperson (or sales team). WOW! Your construction power tools won\u2019t be the only thing you need to succeed.<\/p> If you\u2019ve been installing acrylic bath systems and now want to branch out on your own, you may be tempted to start a tub to shower conversion business by selling what you\u2019ve been installing in your \u2018past life\u2019 (no, I\u2019m NOT going to go all \u2018Shirley Maclaine\u2019 on you here \u2013 ha! ha!).<\/p> And the bigger challenge is how are you going to not only lead generate\u2013 but also how can you stand out so it\u2019s not a \u2018race to the bottom\u2019 when you quote jobs?<\/p> How can you differentiate? And let\u2019s face it, everybody and their brother (and their brother\u2019s brother) are selling and installing acrylic wall panels and bases.<\/p> It\u2019s for this reason new contractors need alternative wall panel systems<\/a>. And one option to check out are 3\/8\u201d thick laminate wall panels<\/a> and stone shower pans<\/a> below. And yes, that\u2019s a shameless plug for my nationwide bathroom products wholesale<\/a> biz. Differentiate products combined with an effective in-home bathroom dealership program<\/a> (and web site) can make the difference between getting \u2018lost\u2019 in the market of sameness and higher job profits where people choose you BECAUSE you have special products and a selling system which gets them excited. So, after reading this article are you leaning towards becoming a specialized tub to shower remodeling contractor or against it? I\u2019d love your comments and questions below.<\/p> And if you\u2019re leaning towards this opportunity AND looking for differentiated products with professional sales and marketing programs \u2013contact me at 888-467-7488 (or request Free Wall Panel Samples<\/a>). I\u2019d love to tell you about the Innovate bathroom dealership program<\/a> and unique lines of laminate wall panels<\/a>, InnovaStone shower pans<\/a>, shower replacement kits<\/a> and bathroom accessories<\/a>.<\/p> Thanks for reading!<\/p> Mike<\/p> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Maybe you\u2019re a general contractor today and your \u2018jack of all trades\u2019 business is a pain. You not only feel you\u2019ve got to buy every tool known to man (and woman) to do these \u2018soup to nuts\u2019 jobs, but keeping up with the latest products and methods is IM-POSS-IBLE!Or maybe you\u2019re a design\/build remodeler and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2061,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6,1,159],"tags":[657,661,660,581,666,668,146,671,672,654,655,656,622,667,488,662,521,674,673,669,600,599,67,652,653,663,664,659,651,670,485,658,665],"class_list":["post-2059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entrepreneurship","category-marketing","category-uncategorized","category-wall-panels-for-showers-and-kitchen-backsplashes","tag-accessible-shower-remodeler","tag-alcove-shower-remodeler","tag-alcove-shower-remodeling","tag-bath-remodeling-dealership","tag-bathroom-alcove-contractor","tag-bathroom-products-dealership","tag-bathroom-remodeling-business","tag-bathroom-remodeling-contractor","tag-bathroom-renovation-company","tag-competing-against-bathfitter","tag-competing-against-rebath","tag-competing-against-westshore-home","tag-design-build-contractor","tag-general-remodeling-contractor","tag-grout-free-shower-pans","tag-grout-free-wall-panels","tag-home-access-contractor","tag-how-to-start-a-remodeling-business","tag-how-to-start-a-renovation-business","tag-in-home-bathroom-sales","tag-innovate-building-solutions-wall-panel-program","tag-innovate-dealer-program","tag-laminate-wall-panels","tag-quick-install-bathrooms","tag-quick-installation-bathroom-business","tag-roll-in-shower-conversions","tag-shower-conversion-contractor","tag-shower-to-shower-conversion-contractor","tag-specialty-bathroom-business","tag-starting-a-remodeling-business","tag-tub-to-shower-conversions","tag-tub-to-tub-conversion","tag-why-start-an-quick-installation-contracting-business"],"yoast_head":"\nThe pros of starting a specialty tub to shower bathroom remodeling business <\/strong><\/h2>
Pro #1<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 You\u2019d be serving a large \u2013 and growing \u2013 group of customers (which is not only for tub to shower conversions I might add!) <\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
Pro #2<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 Selections are far less complicated in tub to shower conversions than they are in expensive design\/build jobs<\/em>. <\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pro-2-wide-selection-laminate-shower-wall-panel-patterns.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pro-2-Innovate-Building-Solutions-Bath-Visualizer-close-sales-in-home.jpg\")
<\/a>
With these tools you\u2019ll shorten the selections process (it can be done on the first call) can shorten the sales cycle, and minimize delays for products which aren\u2019t in stock, or you don\u2019t have the foggiest idea where to get.<\/p>Pro #3<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 You can develop a repeatable installation process with technicians who don\u2019t need as high a skill level<\/em>. <\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pro-3-simpler-tub-to-shower-wall-panel-installation-laminate-panels.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>Pro #4<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 You can more tightly define your target market \u2013 yet also have markets big enough to create an entire business<\/em>. <\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pro-4-tub-to-roll-in-shower-black-slate-wall-panels-zero-threshold-pan.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>Pro #5\u2013 Better cash flow<\/em><\/strong>. <\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pro-5-contractor-with-positive-cash-flow.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>Pro #6\u2013 Better margins (or markups) on labor AND materials<\/em><\/strong>. <\/strong><\/h3>
Pro #7\u2013 You can offer better warranties<\/em><\/strong>. <\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pro-7-charcoal-shower-wall-panels.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>![\"Pro](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pro-7-lifetime-warranty-laminate-tub-to-shower-conversion-wall-panels.jpg\")
<\/p>Pro #8\u2013 It\u2019s easier to enter the \u2018bathroom alcove\u2019 (quick installation bath remodeling) business if you\u2019re not a \u2018grizzled contractor<\/em><\/strong>\u2019 who has \u2018been-there, done-that\u2019 or already has experience a a full scale bathroom renovation company<\/strong><\/h3>
The cons of starting a specialty tub to shower bathroom remodeling contractor business <\/strong><\/h2>
Con #1\u2013 You\u2019ll compete with the \u2018big boys\u2019 and girls\u2019 (including franchises, national brands, and well-financed private equity owned businesses like BathFitter, Rebath, Kohler, and WestShore Home)<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Con](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Con-1-professional-bath-presentation-tool.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>Con #2\u2013 If you\u2019re in a small rural town you may need to broaden your scope<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
Con #3\u2013 You may lose projects to the \u2018one stop bathroom remodeler\u2019 who will do the \u2018full Monty.\u2019 <\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>
Con #4\u2013 You\u2019ll miss the high-end market which still has money to spend even when the economy turns south<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Con](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Con-4-wealthy-person-luxury-home-market-with-money-for-renovations.jpg\")
<\/p>Con #5\u2013 You\u2019ll find it hard to be \u2018just a contractor\u2019 who can put your head down and focus strictly on working with power tools<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Con](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Con-5-contractor-with-tools-isnt-enough-to-win-in-specialty-bath-market.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>Con #6\u2013 You\u2019ll need to find a way to stand out in a sea of \u2018sameness.\u2019 <\/em><\/strong><\/h3>
![\"Con](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Con-6-smokey-blue-subway-tile-tub-to-tub-conversion-diffentiated-wall-panels.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>![\"Con](\"https:\/\/innovatebuildingsolutions.com\/dealers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Con-6-bathroom-dealership-products-program-Innovate-Building-Solutions-differentiate.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>So, does it make sense to become a specialized tub to shower remodeling contractor? Do you want to learn more about products and systems to win in this market? <\/strong><\/h2>