How Much Does Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in Davie, FL?
Tub-to-shower conversion in Davie runs $3,500-$10,000 for a typical project, with most homeowners in the $5,500-$7,500 range when plumbing stays in place and walls are in good shape. The job usually takes 5-8 working days from demo to final inspection. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll walk your specific bathroom and give you a written estimate with line-item pricing.
We’ve done this conversion enough times in Davie’s 1960s-1980s ranch homes to know what separates a smooth project from one that drags. The CBS block construction common here, the shallow water table on the western edge of town, and the age of original plumbing all factor into how we bid and schedule your job.
How We Handle Tub-to-Shower Conversion - Start to Finish
We break every tub-to-shower conversion into five clear stages so you know what’s happening, what you’re deciding, and how long each piece takes.
Stage 1: Demo and discovery (1 day). We pull the tub, surround, and any water-damaged subfloor or drywall. This is where we find what the estimate couldn’t predict: cast iron tubs in Davie’s older homes weigh 300+ pounds and sometimes require cutting for removal; galvanized supply lines from the 1970s are often corroded shut; and the concrete slab beneath frequently shows moisture intrusion from that high western Broward water table. We document everything with photos and call you before proceeding past this point if the scope changes.
Stage 2: Plumbing rough-in (1-2 days). Here’s your first decision point. If the tub drain sits center and you’re keeping the same shower footprint, we adapt the existing P-trap and water supplies. If you want the drain relocated, a bench seat, or a handheld on a separate valve, we open the slab or wall and run new lines. Moving plumbing adds a day and $800-$2,400 depending on slab depth and pipe access. Most Davie homes on standard slabs fall toward the lower end; homes with post-tension slabs or embedded copper require more care.
Stage 3: Substrate and waterproofing (1-2 days). We install cement board or foam board, apply liquid membrane or sheet membrane to TCNA standards, and flood-test the pan. Your second decision: standard curb or curbless entry. Curbless requires lowering the subfloor or using a linear drain with slope engineering - it adds $1,200-$2,800 but eliminates the trip hazard and reads cleaner visually. In Davie’s aging-in-place market, we’re seeing more homeowners choose this option.
Stage 4: Tile and fixture installation (2-3 days). Tile layout gets approved by you before we cut. We set the pan, wall tile to 72″ or full ceiling depending on spec, grout, caulk, and install your valve, trim, door, and any accessories. Third decision point: grout color (matching vs. contrasting), niche placement, and whether to include a second handheld on a bar. We don’t grout until you’ve signed off on the layout.
Stage 5: Final inspection and cleanup (1 day). In Davie, tub-to-shower conversion requires a Broward County plumbing permit and rough/final inspections. We schedule these, meet the inspector, and don’t close out until sign-off. We leave with debris hauled, protective film removed, and your walk-through complete.
The Spec Choices That Move Your Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Every conversion involves trade-offs between upfront cost, daily usability, and long-term durability. Here’s what Davie homeowners actually decide between:
- Shower base: acrylic insert vs. tiled pan. Acrylic runs $400-$900 installed, comes in standard sizes, and goes in fast. A custom tiled pan with mud-bed or foam slope runs $1,400-$2,800, fits any dimension, and matches your tile exactly. We recommend acrylic for rental properties and quick turnovers; tiled pans for owner-occupied homes where you’re living with the result.
- Wall surround: fiberglass surround vs. cement board + tile. Fiberglass three-piece surrounds cost $600-$1,400 and install in hours. Cement board with porcelain or ceramic tile runs $2,200-$5,500 depending on tile grade and pattern complexity. The surround decision usually drives 40% of your total project variance.
- Valve and trim: pressure-balance vs. thermostatic. Pressure-balance valves (standard, $180-$400) protect against scalding when someone flushes a toilet. Thermostatic valves ($480-$950) hold temperature within 1-2 degrees regardless of demand - worth it in Davie homes where original 3/4″ mains serve multiple bathrooms and pressure drops are common.
- Door: framed sliding vs. frameless hinged. Framed sliders ($600-$1,200) seal better and cost less. Frameless hinged ($1,400-$2,800) open wider and read as more spacious in tight bathrooms. In Davie’s smaller 1970s ranch baths, the visual space gain from frameless often justifies the cost.
- Niche and storage: factory insert vs. tiled niche. Factory soap dishes and corner caddies are cheap but fail. A tiled niche ($300-$700) built into the wall plane holds more, drains properly, and doesn’t clutter your sightline. We spec niches on almost every conversion we do.
What Tub-to-Shower Conversion Costs in Davie, FL
Tub-to-shower conversion in Davie costs $3,500-$10,000. The table below shows where your project likely lands based on the decisions above.
| Project Profile | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Basic: acrylic base, fiberglass surround, pressure-balance valve, no plumbing moves | $3,500-$5,500 |
| Mid-range: tiled pan, cement board + ceramic tile, thermostatic valve, standard niche | $5,500-$7,500 |
| Premium: curbless entry, porcelain or large-format tile, thermostatic + handheld, frameless door, relocated plumbing | $7,500-$10,000 |
Five variables push you up or down that range. Existing condition: water-damaged subfloor, termite damage in the wall plate, or corroded galvanized lines add $400-$2,000. Plumbing relocation: moving drain or supplies adds $800-$2,400. Material grade: porcelain vs. ceramic tile, imported vs. domestic stone, name-brand vs. generic fixtures - the spread is $1,500-$4,000. Structural modifications: widening the opening, removing a half-wall, or reframing for a bench adds $600-$1,800. Permit scope: Broward County charges by valuation; a $6,000 job runs about $180 in permit fees, plus inspection scheduling.
Our written estimates include demo, disposal, all materials, labor, permit pulling, and inspection coordination. What’s typically separate: mold remediation if discovered behind walls, asbestos abatement for pre-1980 surfacing materials, and any electrical work beyond a simple exhaust fan swap.
What Davie’s Homes and Rules Mean for This Job
Davie’s housing stock shapes every tub-to-shower conversion we bid. The 1960s-1980s CBS ranch homes that dominate Davie neighborhoods like Pine Island Ridge and the eastern blocks off Stirling Road were built before the 1994 Florida Building Code overhaul. Original bathrooms often have 14-15 gallon water heaters serving only the master, galvanized or early copper supply lines, and cast iron tubs set in mortar beds on concrete slabs.
That slab sits higher than you might expect relative to groundwater. Davie’s position on the western Broward coastal ridge, draining toward the Everglades basin, means we hit saturated soil at 18-30 inches in many areas - not a problem for your shower pan, but a real factor if we’re lowering the slab for a curbless entry or running new drainage. We’ve learned to probe first and engineer the slope second.
Permitting runs through Broward County Building Division, not Davie directly for residential interior work, but Davie’s equestrian overlay zoning creates a wrinkle most out-of-town contractors miss. If your home sits on an A-1 or equestrian-zoned parcel - common in western Davie - any “substantial improvement” that pushes your total project valuation over 50% of the structure’s assessed value triggers floodplain elevation requirements under FEMA and Broward County ordinances. A standalone tub-to-shower conversion won’t hit that threshold, but if you’re bundling this into a full Bathroom Remodeling in Davie that includes reconfiguration, addition, or exterior work, the combined valuation matters. We run the calculation before we pull permits so you’re not surprised mid-project.
HOA rules in Davie’s planned communities - particularly Pine Island Ridge and pockets of Cooper City-adjacent areas - often require architectural review for any visible exterior change. Since tub-to-shower conversion is interior, this rarely applies, but if your project includes a new window or exterior venting modification, we submit those drawings upfront.
The failure mode we see most in Davie: homeowners who’ve lived with a slow-leaking tub surround for years, causing subfloor rot that doesn’t show until demo day. The CBS block walls hold up fine; it’s the wood sill plate and subfloor that suffer. We budget a contingency for this on every pre-1985 home.
Serving Davie, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Davie 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 - Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Davie
Most conversions take 5-8 working days, or 7-12 calendar days with inspection scheduling. Demolition and plumbing rough-in happen in the first 2-3 days; tile and fixture installation takes the bulk of the remaining time. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll give you a firm schedule based on your bathroom’s specifics.
Yes. Broward County requires a plumbing permit for any tub removal and shower installation, with rough and final inspections. We pull the permit, schedule inspections, and meet the inspector - you don’t handle the county directly. The permit fee runs roughly $150-$250 depending on project valuation.
Often yes, if your existing tub drain is centered and your water supplies come through the wall at standard shower height. We adapt the P-trap and raise the shower valve. If you want the drain relocated, a bench on the opposite wall, or a larger footprint, we open the slab and run new lines. We’ll show you both options during the estimate.
The lowest-cost path is an acrylic shower base and three-piece fiberglass surround, keeping all plumbing in place, with a pressure-balance valve and framed sliding door. That combination starts around $3,500 in Davie. It won’t win design awards, but it’s watertight, functional, and done in 4-5 days. Call (844) 665-0162 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
We warranty our workmanship for one year on all Bathroom Remodeling projects, including tub-to-shower conversions. Manufacturer warranties cover fixtures and materials: typically lifetime on valves, 10-15 years on acrylic surrounds, and varying terms on tile and grout products. We register all warranties in your name and leave you the documentation.
Ready to Lose the Tub? Let’s Look at Your Space
We’ll come to your Davie home, measure your bathroom, check your existing plumbing and slab condition, and deliver a written estimate with line-item pricing for your tub-to-shower conversion. No deposit to schedule, no pressure to decide on the spot. Call (844) 665-0162 or request your appointment online. Our bathroom remodeling crew handles everything from this conversion to full reconfigurations, and if you’re also addressing your home’s exterior, we can coordinate with our Metal Roofing in Davie or Tile Roofing in Davie teams - one contractor, every phase.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Davie and South Florida homeowners.