Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling in Plantation, FL: What It Costs and How Long It Takes
Walk-in showers & shower remodeling in Plantation typically runs $4,500-$12,000 for a full installation or gut renovation, with most projects completed in 5 to 10 business days depending on permit timing and whether plumbing stays in place. We handle everything from demolition through final inspection, including the Broward County permit pull. Call (844) 665-0162 for a free on-site estimate and written breakdown.
How We Approach Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling Step by Step
Every shower remodel we do in Plantation follows the same five-stage sequence. Homeowners know exactly where we are, what decisions they still need to make, and what comes next.
Stage 1: On-site measure and scope lock (Day 1)
We visit your home, photograph the existing shower or tub alcove, check access dimensions for tile panels or a prefab base, and test water pressure and drain flow. You’ll decide right then whether you’re keeping the existing drain location or relocating it, because that single choice determines whether we need a plumbing sub-permit and adds roughly 2-3 days to the schedule. We also confirm wall framing condition, especially in 1960s-1970s CBS homes where embedded moisture can rot blocking behind the tile.
Stage 2: Demolition and substrate inspection (Days 2-3)
We remove existing tile, backer board, fixtures, and the pan or base down to studs and subfloor. In Plantation’s older homes, this is where we most often find the surprise: corroded galvanized drain lines, termite-damaged sill plates, or previous DIY waterproofing that failed years ago. If we hit something unexpected, we stop, photograph it, and give you a change order before proceeding. No hidden work.
Stage 3: Rough plumbing and framing (Days 3-5)
If you opted to move the drain or convert from tub to walk-in, our licensed plumber resets supply and waste lines. We add or reinforce blocking for grab bars, bench seats, or frameless glass hinges if those are in your spec. You’ll have already chosen your valve rough-in depth by this point, because trim kits from Kohler and Moen have different requirements that affect how we set the mixing valve.
Stage 4: Waterproofing and tile or panel installation (Days 5-8)
We apply liquid or sheet membrane to all wet-area surfaces, flood-test the pan for 24 hours if it’s a traditional mortar bed, then set tile or install solid-surface wall panels. Large-format tile is popular in Plantation right now, but it demands flatter walls and slower setting time. We don’t rush this stage; the waterproofing is what keeps your CBS home’s block walls dry for the next 20 years.
Stage 5: Fixture set, glass, and final inspection (Days 8-10)
We install your chosen fixtures, hang the glass enclosure or curtain rod, seal all joints with mold-resistant silicone, and clean the space. If permits were pulled, Broward County inspects for plumbing code compliance and waterproofing integrity before we sign off. You do a walkthrough with our lead carpenter, and we leave you with care instructions and the manufacturer warranty cards for everything installed.
The Material and Layout Choices You’ll Actually Decide Between
Walk-in showers & shower remodeling in Plantation isn’t one-size-fits-all. The options below are the real forks in the road we see homeowners navigate:
- Shower base: prefab acrylic vs. tiled mortar bed. Prefab bases from Kohler run $400-$900, install in a few hours, and carry a 10-year warranty. Tiled mortar beds with a linear drain cost more in labor and materials but let you choose any tile and create a seamless, curbless entry. For aging-in-place or accessibility, the curbless mortar bed is worth the extra $1,500-$2,500.
- Wall surround: large-format tile, subway tile, or solid-surface panels. Subway tile is timeless and repairable, but the grout lines need sealing every 12-18 months in South Florida’s humidity. Solid-surface panels like Silestone or Caesarstone quartz slabs eliminate grout entirely and cost $3,000-$6,500 installed for a typical 3-wall shower. Large-format porcelain splits the difference.
- Fixtures: builder-grade chrome vs. premium brushed nickel or matte black. Moen’s mid-grade Posi-Temp valves are reliable and parts-available everywhere. Stepping up to Kohler’s Purist or Components lines adds $400-$800 in fixture cost but gets you better cartridge longevity and finish warranties that actually cover South Florida’s hard water.
- Glass enclosure: framed slider, semi-frameless, or frameless. Framed is cheapest and most forgiving of out-of-plumb walls, common in 1960s CBS construction. Frameless demands precise walls and costs $1,200-$2,800 more, but the visual openness transforms a small Plantation bathroom.
- Bench and storage: tiled corner bench, floating solid surface, or none. A corner bench adds $600-$1,200 and is non-negotiable for many homeowners planning to age in place. Niche storage recessed between studs costs less than surface-mounted caddies and looks cleaner.
What Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling Costs in Plantation, FL
| Component | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Walk-in shower installation (full) | $4,500 - $12,000 |
| Shower replacement (like-for-like footprint) | $3,000 - $8,500 |
| Tub-to-shower conversion | $3,500 - $10,000 |
| Full bathroom remodel (shower + vanity + floor) | $9,000 - $28,000 |
Five variables push any walk-in shower job toward the high or low end of these ranges:
1. Keeping vs. moving the drain and supplies. Staying in place saves $800-$1,500 in plumbing labor and eliminates the need for a plumbing sub-permit. Relocating across the room can add $2,000+.
2. Wall condition behind existing tile. If demolition reveals rotted studs or failed waterproofing, expect $500-$2,000 in structural repair before we can set new tile.
3. Material grade and brand tier. A Moen Chateau trim kit costs under $150; a Kohler Purist thermostatic valve with matching trim runs $600-$900. Multiply that difference across showerhead, handheld, and diverter, and the fixture package alone can swing $1,000.
4. Glass enclosure complexity. A simple framed door is $600-$1,200 installed. A frameless inline panel with a hinged door on a not-quite-square 1960s opening requires custom fabrication at $2,500-$4,000.
5. Permit scope and inspection timing. Broward County’s review queue varies seasonally. A simple in-kind replacement may not need a permit at all; a full gut with plumbing changes requires plan review and two inspections, adding $300-$600 in fees and potentially a week to the calendar.
Our written estimates include demolition, disposal, all materials specified, labor, permit fees if applicable, and final cleaning. What they don’t include: asbestos or lead testing if your home predates 1978 (rare in Plantation’s 1960s-70s stock but possible), mold remediation behind walls, or repairs to unrelated systems discovered during demolition. We flag these possibilities during the initial walkthrough so you’re not surprised.
Why Plantation’s Housing Stock Changes How We Build Your Shower
Plantation was master-planned from the 1950s onward with its heaviest residential build-out in the 1960s-1970s, leaving a dense stock of single-story CBS homes now 50-60 years old. When we do walk-in showers & shower remodeling in Plantation, we’re almost always working inside these original bathrooms, and that age shows up in predictable ways.
The subdivisions along Broward Boulevard and east of University Drive contain large numbers of these early-phase homes with flat or low-pitched roofs, original jalousie windows, and bathrooms that were functional but never generous. Galvanized steel drain lines, common through the mid-1970s, corrode from the inside and restrict flow; we replace them with PVC wherever we open the wall. The concrete block construction is solid, but wall framing inside the wet area is often untreated lumber that has absorbed decades of moisture. We don’t just replace tile, we inspect and upgrade the substrate so the new shower outlasts the old one.
Florida’s post-Hurricane Andrew building code overhaul combined with insurance-carrier ultimatums is forcing owners of these aging homes into permit-required roof replacements and wind-mitigation retrofits at scale. That same code-compliance pressure affects bathroom renovations when they’re part of a larger project. If your shower remodel is part of a full Bathroom Remodeling in Plantation that triggers a whole-house permit, we’ll coordinate the inspection sequence so your shower isn’t held up by roofing or electrical upgrades happening simultaneously. Our Bathroom Remodeling crew and our roofing teams share project managers to keep that coordination tight.
Plantation’s western boundary sits against the Everglades Water Conservation Areas, and the seasonal water table can rise within one to two feet of grade during the June-October wet season. Any excavation, even for a shower drain relocation, demands awareness of Broward County surface water management. Inside the bathroom, this means we pay extra attention to pan waterproofing and weep hole function; outside, it means we don’t cut corners on drainage that could affect your slab.
Many Plantation homeowners tackling interior updates are also addressing exterior systems pushed by insurance mandates. It’s common for clients in Plantation to pair a bathroom renovation with Roof Replacement & Installation in Plantation or explore Metal Roofing in Plantation for long-term wind mitigation. We schedule these projects so you’re not living in a construction zone on every front at once.
Serving Plantation, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Plantation area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked - Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling in Plantation
Most walk-in showers & shower remodeling projects in Plantation take 5 to 10 business days from demolition to final walkthrough, with permit review adding 3 to 7 calendar days if plumbing is relocated. Call (844) 665-0162 and we can give you a firm timeline after seeing your existing bathroom.
You need a Broward County permit if you’re moving plumbing, altering structural walls, or changing the fixture count; a simple in-kind replacement with no plumbing changes often does not. We pull permits as part of our standard process when required, and we handle the inspections so you don’t wait on-site for the county.
Yes, and keeping the drain and valve in their current locations typically saves $800-$1,500 and shortens the timeline by 2 to 3 days. We design the new shower around your existing rough-in whenever possible, though some older galvanized drains need replacement even if they stay in the same spot.
The $5,000 end keeps your existing footprint, uses a prefab base and standard tile, and leaves plumbing in place; the $12,000 end includes a curbless mortar-bed pan, large-format or quartz slab walls, a frameless glass enclosure, relocated plumbing, and premium Kohler or Moen fixtures. Material choices drive most of the spread, not hidden costs.
We warranty our workmanship for one year, and every product we install carries its own manufacturer warranty, typically 5 to 10 years for bases and valves, lifetime for some Kohler and Moen finishes. You’ll receive all warranty registration materials at final walkthrough, and we assist with any manufacturer claims that arise.
Get Your Free Estimate for Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling in Plantation
Call (844) 665-0162 to schedule a free on-site estimate. Raymond Estevez or a senior project manager will walk your existing bathroom, confirm measurements, discuss your material preferences, and email a written breakdown within 24 hours. No pressure, no deposit required to review the scope.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Plantation since our South Florida launch.