I want to convert a basement toilet drain to a shower drain. Is it a job that a do it yourselfer can do? If no- who do I hire-a plumber or a contractor? What would be a high end estimate of the cost to hire someone in New York? Also, sitting on the floor about a foot directly in front of the toilet is a pipe with a cap on it. The cap is about 4 inches across with a nut on top and it sits about 2 to 3 inches below the concrete slab. It's situated between the toilet and the soil stack. I thought it was a floor drain because it had a screen covering it but I never noticed the pipe until I removed the screen. Can anyone give me an idea what it might be? Thanks for any help.

This is major surgery, the floor will have to come up, the closet bend and flange removed and the pipe converted to PVC. It will then have to be reduced down to 2" and a trap and raiser installed. After, the floor will have to be patched. And that's before we even think about dealing with the water and shower base and enclosure. You tell me if this job sounds like it's too much for you. Sorry but we don't do "site unseen" estimates. Too many variables concerned. Get three estimates and go with the one you feel most comfortable with. Good luck, Tom

That cap is you clean out and like Tom says, major surgery. If I went to all this trouble I'd keep the toilet and add a 2" trapped drain line a few feet away and make a 3/4 bath. The an=mount of work an cost is very similar and you'd increase the value of your home and its useability.