Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Andover, FL: What It Costs and How Long It Takes
A tub-to-shower conversion in Andover typically runs $3,500-$10,000 and takes 5-10 business days from permit approval to final walkthrough. Most homeowners in ZIP 33023 call us at (844) 665-0162 because they’re tired of climbing over a tub they never use, or they’re preparing a bathroom that’ll work as they age. We handle the demo, plumbing reconfiguration, waterproofing, and finish installation as part of our full Bathroom Remodeling in Andover service.
How We Handle Tub-to-Shower Conversion Start to Finish
Every job follows five stages. Here’s what happens on your property, what we need from you, and how long each phase takes.
Stage 1: Site measure and scope lock (1-2 hours)
We visit your Andover home to confirm tub dimensions, wall conditions, and what’s behind the surround. You’ll decide right then: keep the existing footprint or expand into adjacent space, and whether you want a standard threshold or a curbless entry. We photograph everything, note any mold or subfloor softening, and give you a written estimate before we leave. No deposit required to get the number.
Stage 2: Permit pull and material order (3-10 business days)
Because Andover sits in Broward County’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, we pull a plumbing permit and, if we’re moving walls or drains, a building permit. Our team manages the submittal; you don’t visit the county office. Meanwhile you finalize your selections: shower base material, wall surround or tile, fixture finish, and glass type. We order only after you sign off, so nothing sits in our warehouse with your name on it.
Stage 3: Demo and rough-in (2-3 days)
Day one we remove the tub, surround, and any compromised drywall or cement board. Day two we set the new drain position, upgrade supply lines if your 1960s copper is thinning, and install blocking for grab bars or bench seating if you’ve specified them. If your Andover home has the original cast-iron tub, demo takes longer and costs more; we warn you about this at the estimate stage, never as a surprise.
Stage 4: Waterproofing and finish installation (2-4 days)
This is where the job splits by material choice. A fiberglass or acrylic surround goes up fast, sometimes same-day. Tile work, especially if you’re running it to the ceiling or adding a niche, takes two to three days with cure time between waterproofing membrane and grout. We use Schluter-Kerdi or an equivalent bonded membrane on every job, no exceptions. Glass enclosure measurement happens after tile is complete, so that ships separately.
Stage 5: Inspection, glass install, and walkthrough (1-2 days)
The county inspector checks drain venting and supply pressure. We schedule glass installation the day after final inspection clears. You walk the shower with our lead carpenter, test every valve and spray setting, and sign off on a punch list if anything needs tweaking. Most Andover homeowners are using the shower by day seven or eight.
The Options You’ll Actually Choose Between
These decisions drive your final number more than anything else. Here’s where homeowners in Andover tend to land:
- Shower base: fiberglass/acrylic vs. tiled mud pan. Fiberglass runs $400-$900 installed and works fine for standard 60-by-30-inch openings. A custom-tiled mud pan with linear drain starts around $1,800 but lets you lose the threshold entirely for curbless access. In Andover’s older CBS homes with slab floors, curbless often requires grinding the slab, which adds $800-$1,500.
- Wall surround: acrylic kit vs. tile. Acrylic panels in a subway or stone pattern install in hours, cost $1,200-$2,500, and carry 10-year warranties. Real tile, whether ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone, runs $2,500-$6,000 depending on pattern complexity and niche details. Tile wins on resale and feel; acrylic wins on speed and grout-free maintenance.
- Fixture grade: builder-basic vs. thermostatic valve. A standard pressure-balance valve with a single-handle mixer costs $150-$350. A thermostatic system with separate volume and temperature controls, plus a handheld and rain head, runs $600-$1,800. For Andover homeowners planning to age in place, we recommend the thermostatic setup with a handheld on a slide bar.
- Glass enclosure: framed, semi-frameless, or frameless. Framed sliding doors start around $800. Semi-frameless hits $1,200-$1,800. True frameless with 3/8-inch tempered glass and minimal hardware runs $2,000-$3,500. The frameless look dominates in our Bathroom Remodeling portfolio, but framed holds up better in households with kids who slam doors.
- Structural extras: bench, niche, grab-bar blocking. A floating corner bench adds $400-$700. A tiled niche with shelf is $250-$500. Grab-bar blocking is cheap insurance at $150 per wall, and we install it by default unless you tell us not to.
What Tub-to-Shower Conversion Costs in Andover, FL
In Andover, expect to pay $3,500-$10,000 for a complete tub-to-shower conversion. Here’s what pushes you toward either end:
| Cost Driver | Low-End Scenario | High-End Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Size and layout | Standard 60″ tub bay, no walls moved | Expanded footprint, door relocated |
| Existing condition | Clean demo, sound subfloor | Rot, mold remediation, sistered joists |
| Plumbing changes | Drain stays put, supply lines reused | Drain moved, new vent stack, repipe |
| Material grade | Acrylic surround, basic valve, framed door | Tile to ceiling, thermostatic system, frameless glass |
| Permit scope | Plumbing only | Plumbing + building + engineering review |
A written estimate from Groundwork includes demo, disposal, permits, rough and finish plumbing, waterproofing, your selected surround and base, fixture set, and glass installation. It does not include bathroom vanity replacement, floor tile outside the shower footprint, or electrical work beyond a basic exhaust fan swap. If your Andover home needs any of those, we’ll line-item them separately so you decide what happens now versus later.
What Andover Homes Specifically Do to This Job
The housing stock in ZIP 33023 shapes nearly every tub-to-shower conversion we bid here. These are post-WWII concrete block homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s, many with original terrazzo floors and bathrooms that haven’t been touched in thirty years. The tub you’re replacing? Probably cast iron, set in a mortar bed, with galvanized supply lines that are thinning from the inside out. We see this in the neighborhoods off Pembroke Road and throughout the area’s single-family sections.
Because Andover falls under Broward County’s High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, any work that touches structural walls or the building envelope triggers HVHZ compliance checks. For a straightforward tub swap that stays within the existing wet wall, this rarely applies. But if you’re expanding the shower footprint, removing a window, or altering a load-bearing partition, the inspector will verify that any new materials carry Miami-Dade or Florida Product Approval numbers. Out-of-county crews sometimes source standard-grade backer board or unapproved glass that fails inspection; we spec HVHZ-compliant products from the start.
The wet season runs June through October, and with 60-plus inches of annual rainfall, we schedule exterior wall penetrations, if any, for drier months. Interior-only jobs proceed year-round. Many Andover homes also sit on slabs with the water table just a few feet down, so any drain relocation that requires concrete cutting needs immediate moisture control. We’ve learned to have pumps standing by, not as an afterthought.
Homeowners in this area often pair bathroom updates with exterior hardening. If you’re already pulling permits and have our crew on site, it’s worth asking about Metal Roofing in Andover or Tile Roofing in Andover to coordinate inspections and minimize disruption.
Serving Andover, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Andover 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 Andover
Most conversions take 5-10 business days after permit approval, with tile jobs running longer than acrylic surround installations. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll give you a realistic timeline based on your material choices and the county’s current inspection schedule.
Yes, Broward County requires a plumbing permit for drain and supply changes, and a building permit if you’re moving walls or altering structure. We pull both as part of our standard process; you don’t handle the paperwork.
Often yes, if the existing drain location works for your new base and you’re keeping the same footprint. A direct swap with a center-drain shower base is the most budget-friendly path; moving the drain adds $800-$2,000 depending on slab access.
An acrylic surround, pressure-balance valve, and framed glass door on your existing footprint starts around $3,500. That’s the floor for a code-compliant, permitted job with proper waterproofing; anything lower typically cuts corners on permits or membrane installation.
We warranty our workmanship for one year on all plumbing and installation details. Manufacturer warranties cover your fixtures, glass, and surround materials, and range from 10 years to lifetime depending on the brand you select.
Ready to Lose the Tub? Get Your Free Estimate
Call (844) 665-0162 to schedule a free, on-site estimate for tub-to-shower conversion in Andover. We’ll measure your space, check what’s behind the walls, and give you a written quote with real numbers. No deposit required to get started.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Andover and South Florida homeowners since 2015.