Fast, Reliable Bathroom Remodeling Across Lakes by the Bay
Bathroom remodeling in Lakes by the Bay typically runs $9,000-$28,000 for a full renovation, with walk-in shower installations and tub-to-shower conversions among the most requested projects we handle in the 33189 ZIP. We’re Raymond Estevez’s team at Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida, and we make the drive down to Lakes by the Bay regularly from our Fort Lauderdale base - usually arriving for consultations within the same day you call. You can reach us at (844) 665-0162.
What makes bathroom work here different from remodeling in, say, Coral Gables or Aventura is the housing stock itself. Lakes by the Bay was built almost entirely in the late 1980s and early 1990s, placing its homes directly at the fault line of Hurricane Andrew. That means your bathroom remodel isn’t just about tile and fixtures - it’s about understanding whether your home was built pre-Andrew with older wind standards, rebuilt post-1993 to Miami-Dade’s tightened NOA requirements, or somewhere in between. We know how to navigate that split, and we build that knowledge into every project.
Why Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida Is Lakes by the Bay’s Preferred Bathroom Remodeling Company
We’ve earned our reputation in Lakes by the Bay by treating the area’s unique construction history as a project variable, not an afterthought. Our Bathroom Remodeling team has worked on enough CBS homes here to recognize the telltale signs of pre-Andrew framing, single-wrap hurricane straps, and non-impact glazing before demolition even starts.
Homeowners near the lakes and along 184th Street have told us they chose us because we spotted wind-load issues other contractors missed. One customer on a lakefront townhome said our crew found structural concerns that would have cost thousands to fix mid-project had they gone unnoticed. We don’t chase emergencies - we’re the contractor you call when you’re planning a real renovation and want it done with professional-grade materials and full accountability.
Our response time to Lakes by the Bay is typically same-day for consultations. We’re familiar with Miami-Dade County’s permitting office, the FEMA AE/AH flood zone requirements that govern much of 33189, and the county’s high-velocity hurricane zone standards for impact-rated products. That local fluency saves you delays.
Raymond Estevez built Groundwork on the principle that homeowners deserve genuine material choice and single-source accountability. In Lakes by the Bay, that means you get a contractor who understands both your bathroom’s finish and its structural readiness for the next storm season.
Our Bathroom Remodeling Services in Lakes by the Bay
Full Bathroom Remodeling
A full bathroom remodel in Lakes by the Bay starts with understanding what year your home was built and what code cycle it falls under. Pre-1993 homes here often need wind-load upgrades as part of the project - especially if we’re replacing windows or altering exterior walls. We coordinate permits through Miami-Dade County, account for the shallow water table in any slab or drainage work, and deliver a finished space that meets current standards. A typical full bathroom remodel in Lakes by the Bay runs $9,000-$28,000.
Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling
Walk-in shower installation is our most requested bathroom upgrade in Lakes by the Bay, and for good reason. These homes’ original 1980s and early ’90s bathrooms often have cramped tub-shower combos with dated fiberglass surrounds. We remove the old unit, assess the subfloor for moisture damage (common given the area’s humidity and high water table), and install a modern walk-in shower with proper waterproofing. In Lakes by the Bay, we pay special attention to framing reinforcement if the new enclosure includes glass panels that add wind-load to exterior walls. Expect $4,500-$12,000 depending on size, tile selection, and whether we need to upgrade adjacent windows to impact-rated units.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Converting a tub to a shower in a Lakes by the Bay CBS home requires more than ripping out porcelain. The concrete block walls are solid, but the plumbing rough-in, drain slope, and waterproofing membrane all need precise execution - especially with the shallow water table that can complicate any drainage modification. We’ve converted dozens of tubs in this community, from original 1989 units in the townhome clusters to post-Andrew rebuilds with updated plumbing. Most tub-to-shower conversions here fall between $3,500-$10,000.
Vanities, Tile & Fixtures
The finishing layer matters. We work with KraftMaid and Wellborn cabinetry for homeowners who want solid wood construction and soft-close hardware, and we source tile that holds up to Lakes by the Bay’s year-round humidity and salt air from Biscayne Bay. For countertops, Cambria engineered quartz offers non-porous performance in a bathroom environment where moisture is constant. You choose the brand and style; we handle the precision install. Vanity installation typically runs $800-$3,000, with tile and fixture costs layered on top depending on scope.
Frameless Glass Shower Enclosures
Frameless glass is popular in Lakes by the Bay’s lake-facing homes where natural light matters. These enclosures require exact measurements and tempered glass that meets Miami-Dade’s safety standards. We specify hardware and anchoring appropriate for CBS construction, not the wood-framed methods used further north. The result is a clean, modern look that doesn’t compromise the wall’s structural integrity.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Trusted Brands We Service in Lakes by the Bay
We don’t lock you into proprietary products. Our relationships with KraftMaid, Wellborn, and Cambria mean you see actual samples, not catalog photos, and we stock common hardware and trim locally to keep your project moving. For bathroom-specific needs, we also source from our broader roster of 50+ brands across plumbing fixtures, tile, and waterproofing systems. If you’re remodeling a bathroom in Lakes by the Bay and want a specific vanity line or countertop edge profile, we’ll get it - built to spec, not to convenience.
Common Bathroom Remodeling Problems We See in Lakes by the Bay Homes
- Non-impact bathroom windows that fail inspection. Many pre-Andrew homes retain original single-pane bathroom windows with no hurricane rating. When we pull permits for a remodel that includes window replacement, Miami-Dade County requires impact-rated units in this high-velocity hurricane zone. We catch this early and spec appropriate products so your project doesn’t stall at inspection.
- Moisture intrusion behind walls from humidity and slab conditions. The combination of Lakes by the Bay’s near-sea-level elevation, shallow water table, and minimal original waterproofing means we often find mold or rot behind tub surrounds and under floors. We don’t cover it up - we remediate, install proper vapor barriers, and use moisture-resistant backer board before tile goes on.
- Outdated plumbing in original 1987-1992 builds. Copper pipes in this era can develop pinhole leaks, and original drains may not accommodate modern fixture flow rates. We assess the full plumbing run during demolition and upgrade where needed, not as a change order surprise.
- Structural gaps from pre-Andrew roof-to-wall connections. If your remodel involves removing soffits, bulkheads, or walls near the roofline, we inspect the hurricane strap configuration before proceeding. Missing or single-wrap straps in original construction need reinforcement - especially in a community that Andrew proved was vulnerable.
Pricing for Bathroom Remodeling in Lakes by the Bay, FL
Here’s what bathroom remodeling costs in the Lakes by the Bay market, based on our recent projects in 33189:
| Service | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Full Bathroom Remodel | $9,000 - $28,000 |
| Small Bathroom Remodel | $5,000 - $12,000 |
| Walk-In Shower Installation | $4,500 - $12,000 |
| Tub-to-Shower Conversion | $3,500 - $10,000 |
What moves you within these ranges? Window upgrades to impact-rated units add $800-$2,500 per opening. Structural reinforcement for wind-load compliance adds labor and material. Tile selection - porcelain versus natural stone versus large-format - shifts material costs significantly. And any moisture remediation we discover behind walls is addressed before finish work proceeds.
We don’t guess at your project. Call (844) 665-0162 for a free, itemized estimate. We’ll walk your Lakes by the Bay home, identify the code cycle it was built under, and give you real numbers.
We Also Serve Cities Near Lakes by the Bay
Our crews work throughout southern Miami-Dade County, including Bathroom Remodeling in Lakes by the Bay and neighboring Cutler Bay, Cutler Ridge, Goulds, and East Perrine. Each community has its own construction history and permitting nuances - Cutler Bay’s newer master-planned developments face different wind-load standards than Lakes by the Bay’s pre-Andrew stock, for instance. We adjust our approach accordingly.
Serving Lakes by the Bay, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Lakes by the Bay area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs - Bathroom Remodeling in Lakes by the Bay
Yes, if you’re replacing windows, altering walls, or changing plumbing rough-in, Miami-Dade County requires permits even for fixture-only updates in many cases. The high-velocity hurricane zone designation means window replacements must meet NOA standards, and plumbing changes need inspection. Cosmetic updates like painting, vanity swap-outs using existing connections, and surface tile may not require permitting. Call us at (844) 665-0162 and we’ll tell you exactly what your specific project triggers - no charge for that guidance.
Extremely high. Pre-1993 homes in Lakes by the Bay were built under the older South Florida Building Code, which did not require impact-rated glazing. We’ve yet to encounter an original 1989 bathroom window in this community that meets current high-velocity hurricane zone standards. We inspect and spec replacements as part of our initial assessment so you’re not surprised at permit review. Replacing with a non-impact unit will fail inspection here.
Yes, and concrete block construction actually works in your favor for this conversion. CBS walls provide solid anchoring for grab bars, frameless glass, and shower fixtures. The key considerations are drain slope (especially with the shallow water table), waterproofing at the slab interface, and ensuring any adjacent windows meet impact standards if they’re part of the remodel. We’ve completed dozens of these conversions in Lakes by the Bay’s CBS homes without structural issues.
Stop the moisture source first, then remediate before any finish work proceeds. In Lakes by the Bay, mold behind bathroom walls usually stems from failed original waterproofing, humidity penetration, or slab moisture wicking upward. Our crews remove affected drywall or backer board, treat the substrate, and install proper moisture barriers and cementitious backer board before tile. Covering mold with new material guarantees failure. We address it as part of demolition, not as a surprise add-on.
It can be, which is why we assess drainage carefully in Lakes by the Bay. The shallow water table and FEMA AE/AH flood zone requirements mean any slab penetration needs proper sealing and, in some cases, a sump or drainage plane to prevent standing water intrusion. Shower drain modifications are common and manageable, but we engineer them for local conditions rather than installing standard hardware and hoping. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll evaluate your specific slab and drainage situation during your free estimate.
Ready to remodel? Call (844) 665-0162 for your free Lakes by the Bay estimate. We’ll assess your home’s construction era, identify any wind-load or moisture considerations upfront, and deliver a bathroom built to spec with the brands you choose.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co. of South Florida, serving Lakes by the Bay and southern Miami-Dade County.