A 1-day way to convert your tub into a step-in shower — from $299 diy kits available (professional installation extra)
A bathtub cut out turns the tub you already own into a step-in shower in a single afternoon. No demolition. No new plumbing. No tile work. We trace and cut a low-profile opening through your existing tub wall, seal the edges, and install a moulded insert that finishes the threshold cleanly. You step into your shower the very next day.
It is the least invasive, lowest cost way to make a standard tub easier to use — and it preserves the rest of your bathroom exactly as it is.
Get a free quote in under 24 hours.
Call (289) 809-5379 or text photos of your tub to get an exact price — no in-home visit required.
Most quotes come back the same day. If sending pictures is not convenient, bring a tape measure and a phone; we walk you through what to send.
What is a bathtub cut out?
A bathtub cut out (also written as “tub cut out,” “tub cut,” or “bath cutout”) is a section of the side wall of an existing bathtub that is removed and replaced with a low step-in threshold. After the conversion, the back, bottom, and ends of the tub stay in place — only the front lip is reshaped into a walk-through opening, typically around 5-7 inches off the floor.
The result functions as a step-in shower. You still have a sealed wet area, the original drain and faucet still work, and the surround on the wall side is untouched. What changes is the height you have to lift your leg over: from roughly 16–22 inches down to about 5-7 inches.
The technique works on most tub materials that cover almost every North American bathroom: fibreglass, acrylic, porcelain-over-steel and cast iron.
What a cutout is not:
- It is not a walk-in tub. There is no sealed door, and the tub no longer holds bathing water.
- It is not a tile demolition. The wall surround, plumbing, and floor stay in place.
- It is not a coating or refinish. The opening is physically cut, then a moulded insert is bonded and sealed in.
How a cutout works — the 4-hour pro install process
From the time we arrive to the time the installation is completed is typically several hours. The waterproof bond cures in 24 hours, and the shower is fully usable the next afternoon or evening.
Step 1 — Measure and mark (about 30 minutes). We outline the opening on the tub wall using a template sized to your existing tub model. The cut line is set so the finished threshold lands at roughly 5-7 inches and the corners stay structurally sound.
Step 2 — Cut and prep (about 90 minutes). A clean, low-dust cut is made along the marked line. Edges are smoothed, the surrounding surface is cleaned and abraded, and any pre-existing chips or hairline cracks at the cut zone are addressed.
Step 3 — Install the insert and seal (about 90 minutes). A moulded threshold insert — size-matched to your tub — is bonded to the cut edge with premium-grade waterproof bonding agent and finished with a continuous seal on both sides. We fully seal all areas where the tub meets the surround. The bathroom is left cleaner than we found it.
By 24 hours later, the adhesive has reached working strength. You can shower that afternoon or night. Full cure is 48 hours, and you may use the optional removable door cap for full bathing if purchased.
Removable Door Cap — Two Bathrooms in One
Our signature feature transforms your bathtub on demand. A custom-fit removable door cap snaps over the step cutout in 2 seconds, restoring your tub to a full bathtub whenever you want it.
Cap off → step-in walk-in shower for daily use. No more high step to climb over.
Cap on → full deep bathtub for relaxing soaks, bathing children, or hosting overnight guests.
The door cap installs with two simple thumb-latches. No power tools, no plumbing changes, no second renovation. A watertight seal lets you fill the tub to comfortable bathing depth.
Why this matters for your home:
- Preserves resale value — future buyers get a working bathtub, not a permanent cutout
- Family flexibility — grandkids visiting? Cap on. Daily safety routine? Cap off.
- Best of both worlds — full accessibility AND the option to enjoy a real bath whenever you want
- Aesthetic finish — clean, custom-fit white panel matches your tub seamlessly
Compatible with most step cutout installations — standard or extra-deep. Can be purchased separately anytime, even years afterwards. We always have door caps available in stock.
Why a cutout makes more sense than a walk-in tub
Walk-in tubs are heavily advertised, so it is worth being direct about how they compare on cost, time, and what you actually end up with.
| Factor | Bathtub cut out | Walk-in tub | Full bathroom remodel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $299 diy – $1,000+ pro install | $5,000 – $12,000+ | $15,000 – $30,000+ |
| Time to complete | One day (about 4 hours) | 2–5 days | 2–6 weeks |
| Plumbing changes | None | New supply + drain | Full reroute |
| Permits required | Usually none | Often yes | Yes |
| Step-in height | ~5-7 in | ~6–7 in | 0–4 in (curbless) |
| Reversible at sale | Yes (with door cap option) | No | No |
| Disruption to home | Minimal | Moderate | Significant |
The honest summary: if you actually want to soak in a tub, a walk-in tub may be worth its price tag. If what you want is a step-in shower — which is what most people are after — a cutout gets you there for a small fraction of the cost, the same day, with no construction.
Pricing — starting at $299 diy
Most jobs land in a narrow range. The price depends on tub material, length of the cut, insert width, and whether any small repairs are needed before the cut.
| Package | What it includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard cut out | Single-day conversion of a standard 60-in fibreglass or acrylic tub. Threshold insert, sealing, cleanup. | Call (289) 809-5379 |
| Porcelain steel cut out | Standard conversion on porcelain-over-steel tubs. Additional cutting time and edge treatment. | Call (289) 809-5379 |
| Cut out + grab bar | Standard conversion plus one professionally anchored grab bar at the step-in. | Call (289) 809-5379 |
| Wide threshold cut out | Larger opening for easier entry; same one-day install. | Call (289) 809-5379 |
Prices include parts, labour, and HST. We confirm exact pricing from photos before any work is scheduled — no surprise charges.
Common questions
How is the tub actually cut? We use a variety of professional grade cutting machines with special blades and saws for tub materials. The cut is dust-controlled — we tape and shroud the work area, and the chips are caught in a guard. There is no demolition hammer, no power saw kicking up debris.
What tub materials work? Fibreglass, acrylic, porcelain-over-steel, and cast iron. If you are not sure what your tub is, send us a close-up photo of the inside edge and we will tell you.
How much mess does it make? Far less than people expect. The cut itself takes about 15 minutes inside a sealed work zone. Drop cloths cover the floor, and we vacuum on the way out. Most customers cannot tell anyone was working in the bathroom.
Will it leak? No. The insert is bonded with an industrial-grade waterproof structural adhesive and finished with a continuous seal on both the inside and outside of the cut. The waterproof envelope is closed before we leave.
What is the warranty? Five years on the insert bond and seal against leaks or separation. The work is done by our own crew, not subcontractors, which is why we can stand behind it.
How long does the insert last? Indefinitely under normal use. The threshold insert is the same material family as a moulded tub surround — it does not corrode, soften, or yellow. Most installs from the past decade-plus are still in service unchanged.
Can it be removed if I sell the house? It is not necessary. If a future buyer wants the original tub configuration back, the removable door cap option can be purchased anytime for full bathtub use conversion. Many sellers have it in place — an accessible step-in shower with a removable door cap is increasingly a selling point.
Do I need a permit? Almost never. The job does not alter plumbing, drainage, or structure, so most municipalities treat it the same as a minor cosmetic repair. We confirm requirements for your address before we book.
Do I have to be home the whole day? Only at the start and end. Once we are set up and have walked you through the work, you do not need to stay in the bathroom. The whole visit is about four hours.
Service area
We serve homeowners and commercial facilities across southern and central Ontario from several offices, and offer standard pricing in the following regions:
- Greater Toronto Area — Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Burlington, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa
- York & Simcoe — Aurora, Newmarket, Innisfil, Barrie, Orillia, Bradford, Alliston
- Peel & Halton — Milton, Georgetown, Halton Hills, Caledon
- Niagara & Hamilton — Hamilton, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Grimsby
- Kitchener-Waterloo & Guelph — Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph
- Durham & Kawartha — Port Perry, Lindsay, Peterborough, Cobourg
Outside this area? Send us photos anyway — we travel further for clusters of bookings, and can usually quote anywhere in Ontario.
“I expected dust everywhere and at least a day of cleanup. The installation technician drop-sheeted around the bathtub area, did the cut, fit the insert, vacuumed and was gone in under four hours. You could not tell anyone had been working in there — floor was spotless. The finished edge looks like it came that way from the factory. Job was clean, the price was the price, and the shower has been watertight since day one.”
— Steve B., Innisfil, ON
Get a free quote from photos
You do not need an in-home visit to get an accurate price. Tw o or three phone photos — the tub from the side, the inside, the faucet end, and one of the surround — are enough for us to quote exactly. Most quotes come back the same day.
Call (289) 809-5379
Or text the same number with photos of your tub.
Free, no-obligation quotes. Most installs scheduled within the week.
