How Much Does Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in Lauderhill, and How Long Does It Take?
A tub-to-shower conversion in Lauderhill typically runs $3,500-$10,000 and takes 3-5 days from demo to final inspection. Most of the homes we work on here are 1950s-1970s CBS construction with original fiberglass or cast-iron tubs, so the job usually involves updating drain lines to current code and adding a proper waterproofing membrane. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll walk through your exact layout and give you a written estimate.
Lauderhill’s flat terrain and seasonally high water table mean we pay extra attention to subfloor and drain pan integrity on every conversion. The older stock of single-story tract homes in neighborhoods like those off Inverrary Boulevard and along State Road 7 often has original plumbing that predates modern PVC standards, so we always scope the waste line before quoting.
Our Tub-to-Shower Conversion Process, Stage by Stage
We break every conversion into five clear phases so you know what’s happening and when you’ll need to make decisions.
Stage 1: Demo and discovery (Day 1, 4-6 hours)
We remove the tub, surround, and any tile backer down to the studs. This is where we find what we’re working with: cast iron, steel, or fiberglass tub; galvanized or copper drain; the condition of the subfloor; and whether the existing valve is in a workable position. You’ll decide here if you want to keep the valve location or move it. Moving it adds a day and $800-$2,400 depending on how far and what’s in the wall.
Stage 2: Plumbing rough-in and drain update (Day 1-2, 6-8 hours)
We convert the tub drain to a 2-inch shower drain with a proper P-trap and install a pre-sloped shower pan. In Lauderhill homes with original cast-iron drains, we often find corrosion at the trap arm. If the line is compromised, we replace back to the stack. This is the point where you confirm your showerhead height and any body-spray locations. We rough in for the valve and test pressure.
Stage 3: Pan and waterproofing (Day 2-3, 4-6 hours)
We set the shower pan, whether it’s a bonded membrane system like Schluter-Kerdi or a solid surface base. For Lauderhill’s humidity and the occasional slab moisture we see in older CBS homes, we prefer a bonded membrane with liquid-applied corners. You’ll have already chosen your wall material: acrylic surround (fastest, lowest cost), tile with cement board and RedGard (mid-range, most popular), or solid surface panels (highest cost, seamless). This choice drives the next stage’s timeline.
Stage 4: Wall finish and fixture set (Day 3-4, 6-10 hours)
Acrylic surrounds go up in a few hours. Tile takes longer: cement board, waterproofing, layout, set, and grout. We use a 24-hour cure minimum before grouting. Fixture installation happens after walls are complete. You’ll have picked your valve trim, showerhead, and any grab bars or niche shelves by this point. We install Moen or Kohler pressure-balanced valves as standard; thermostatic upgrades are available.
Stage 5: Final inspection and cleanup (Day 4-5, 2-3 hours)
We test flood the pan, check all connections, and verify door or curtain clearance. In Lauderhill, Broward County requires a plumbing inspection on drain relocations, which we schedule. We leave with the space broom-clean and your old tub hauled away. The permit closes out after the inspector signs off, usually within 48 hours of our call.
The Choices You’ll Make for Your Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Every decision below affects price, durability, and daily use. Here’s how we talk through them with Lauderhill homeowners:
- Shower pan type: A prefabricated acrylic or fiberglass base ($300-$800) installs fast and works fine for standard sizes. A custom-tiled pan with bonded membrane ($1,200-$2,800) fits odd dimensions and feels more substantial underfoot. Solid surface bases from Swanstone or similar ($900-$1,800) split the difference, seamless and repairable.
- Wall surround material: Acrylic panels in a stock pattern ($600-$1,400 installed) are done in a day. Tile on cement board with proper waterproofing ($1,800-$5,000) gives you design control and better resale, but needs re-grouting every 5-8 years in Florida’s hard water. Solid surface panels like Silestone or Caesarstone ($3,500-$7,000) are grout-free and hold up to daily cleaning without staining.
- Valve and trim grade: A standard pressure-balanced valve with chrome trim ($180-$350) prevents scalding. A thermostatic valve with brushed nickel or matte black finish ($450-$950) holds temperature precisely and looks higher-end. For multi-head setups, thermostatic is nearly required.
- Glass enclosure vs. curtain rod: A framed sliding door ($400-$900) keeps water in on tight budgets. A semi-frameless or frameless door ($900-$2,400) opens the space visually but needs exact wall plumbness, which we verify during demo. A curved curtain rod ($40-$120) is the fallback if walls are out of square.
- Structural modifications: Widening the opening, moving the drain, or converting a three-wall alcove to a walk-in with a knee wall adds $1,500-$4,500. We only recommend this if the existing layout genuinely doesn’t work for mobility needs.
What Tub-to-Shower Conversion Costs in Lauderhill, FL
In Lauderhill, tub-to-shower conversion costs $3,500-$10,000. Here’s what moves you through that range:
| Cost Factor | Low-End Impact | High-End Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping existing valve and drain location | Baseline | - |
| Moving drain or valve | +$800 | +$2,400 |
| Wall material: acrylic surround | Baseline | - |
| Wall material: tile with waterproofing | +$1,200 | +$3,600 |
| Wall material: solid surface panels | +$2,900 | +$5,500 |
| Glass door upgrade | +$500 | +$2,000 |
| Subfloor repair or drain line replacement | +$400 | +$1,800 |
| Permit and inspection (Broward County) | +$150 | +$400 |
A written estimate from us includes demo, disposal, pan and waterproofing, wall finish installation, fixture set, and permit coordination. It does not include bathroom flooring extension (if you want the new floor to run into the shower), electrical work beyond a simple exhaust fan, or any structural modifications beyond the wet area. We itemize those separately so you’re not surprised.
Jobs at the $3,500 end are straightforward swaps: fiberglass tub out, acrylic pan and surround in, valve stays put, no surprises behind the walls. Jobs at $10,000+ typically involve tile on three walls with a niche, frameless glass, thermostatic valve, moved drain, and subfloor remediation in a 1960s-era home where we’ve found galvanized drain lines.
Call (844) 665-0162 for an exact quote on your layout. Estimates are free and we bring samples.
What Lauderhill Homes Specifically Add to This Job
Lauderhill was largely built out in the 1950s-1970s by General Development Corporation as one of South Florida’s early planned communities, leaving the city with a dense concentration of aging CBS homes that predate post-Hurricane Andrew Florida Building Code wind-resistance requirements. Nearly every major construction project here triggers mandatory hurricane-hardening compliance: roof-to-wall strap retrofits, impact-rated openings, and permit scrutiny that neighboring newer suburbs rarely face at the same scale.
For a tub-to-shower conversion, this usually means two things. First, Broward County inspectors are thorough about plumbing code compliance on any drain modification, because they know these homes’ original systems were grandfathered in under far older standards. Second, if your conversion is part of a full Bathroom Remodeling in Lauderhill that involves exterior wall work, you may trigger the full hurricane-hardening review. We’ve done conversions on homes off NW 19th Street and along Inverrary Boulevard where the bathroom shared a gable end, and the inspector required documentation that we weren’t compromising the wall sheathing. We handle that coordination, but it adds a day to the permit timeline.
The dominant stock of single-story CBS tract homes here, many with original single-pane jalousie windows and minimal tie-down hardware, also means we frequently find slab moisture and minor settling around drain penetrations. Lauderhill’s flat, low-elevation position with a seasonally high water table puts constant hydrostatic pressure on slab-on-grade foundations. We always check the pan area with a moisture meter; if readings are elevated, we recommend a bonded membrane system over a direct-to-slab install. It’s not the cheapest path, but it’s the one that lasts in this soil and climate.
Homeowners in Lauderhill’s Caribbean-American community often pair interior updates with exterior hardening, and our Metal Roofing in Lauderhill and Tile Roofing in Lauderhill crews frequently coordinate with our bathroom team on whole-house renovation schedules. If you’re planning multiple projects, we sequence them so you’re not living in construction for months.
Our Bathroom Remodeling crew serves all of Lauderhill and the surrounding area, and we know the specific inspectors and typical hold points for this jurisdiction.
Serving Lauderhill, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Lauderhill 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 Lauderhill
Most conversions take 3-5 business days from demo to final walkthrough. If we’re moving the drain or valve, or if Broward County’s inspection schedule is backed up, add one day. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll confirm current inspection lead times.
Yes, if the drain or valve location changes. Broward County requires a plumbing permit for any waste line modification. We pull the permit, schedule inspections, and handle corrections. If you’re doing a direct swap with no plumbing changes, some jurisdictions allow a homeowner exemption, but we still recommend permitting for resale documentation.
Often, yes. If your existing tub valve is at a comfortable standing height (typically 45-48 inches) and the drain centers line up with a standard shower pan, we can keep both in place. This saves $800-$2,400 and a day of work. We verify alignment during our free estimate.
The lowest-cost path is a direct swap: remove the tub, install a prefabricated acrylic pan and surround, keep the valve and drain where they are, and use a curtain rod. This typically lands near $3,500. We don’t recommend cutting corners on waterproofing, but acrylic surrounds from reputable manufacturers perform adequately if installed correctly.
We warranty our workmanship for one year, which covers installation defects, leaks at our connections, and grout or sealant failure. Manufacturer warranties apply to fixtures and materials: typically lifetime on Moen and Kohler valve cartridges, 10-15 years on acrylic surrounds, and varying terms on tile and solid surface products. We register all warranties in your name and leave you the documentation.
Get Your Free Estimate for Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Lauderhill
Call (844) 665-0162 to schedule a free, on-site estimate. We’ll measure your space, check your existing plumbing, and show you material samples from our cabinet of options. You’ll get a written, itemized quote within 24 hours, and we can typically start within two weeks of approval. No deposit required to get on the schedule.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Lauderhill since our South Florida founding.