How Much Does Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in Tequesta, and How Long Does It Take?
Tub-to-shower conversion in Tequesta typically runs $3,500-$10,000 and takes 5-10 business days from demolition to final inspection. Most homeowners in 33469 call us because they’re tired of climbing over a tub they never use, or they’re preparing a home for aging-in-place. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll walk your specific space this week, no charge.
Our Tub-to-Shower Conversion Process, Start to Finish
We’ve done enough of these in Tequesta’s 1960s-1980s ranch and split-level stock to know where the surprises hide. Here’s how the job actually unfolds.
Stage 1: On-site measure and decision lock (Day 1, 2-3 hours)
We photograph and laser-measure your existing tub alcove, check which walls are load-bearing, and locate your drain line’s exact path. You’ll decide right then: keep the drain where it is or relocate it (adds $800-$2,400), choose between a prefab shower pan or a mud-set tile base, and pick your wall surround material. We note whether your existing valve is a simple swap or needs upgrading to a pressure-balanced or thermostatic unit. Most Tequesta homes this age have galvanized or early copper supply lines we need to assess.
Stage 2: Demolition and rough inspection prep (Days 2-3)
We remove the tub, surround, and any water-damaged subfloor or studs. In Tequesta’s humid coastal climate, we frequently find concealed rot behind decades-old fiberglass surrounds, especially on exterior walls facing the Intracoastal. We expose everything, treat for mold if needed, and reframe the alcove to your new shower’s dimensions. If you’re widening the opening or removing a knee wall, we install the header and submit for Village of Tequesta rough inspection. Their inspectors are thorough; we don’t close walls until we pass.
Stage 3: Plumbing and electrical rough-in (Days 4-5)
Our licensed plumber resets or relocates the drain to center (or offset, your call), installs the new valve body at code height, and adds blocking for grab bars if you want them. Electrician runs GFCI-protected lighting or a vent fan if the old bath lacked one. Tequesta’s building department requires all plumbing to be air-tested before inspection; we schedule that and the rough electrical together to avoid delays.
Stage 4: Pan, surround, and fixture installation (Days 6-8)
Prefab acrylic or fiberglass pan gets set in mortar bed and leveled. For tile, we float the mud pan, waterproof with a bonded membrane (RedGard or equivalent), then tile and grout. Wall surrounds go up: acrylic panels in a day, tile in two to three depending on pattern complexity. We install glass doors or a curtain rod, set fixtures, and caulk all joints. The glass lead time is usually 7-10 days, so we measure for it during Stage 1.
Stage 5: Final inspection and walkthrough (Day 9-10)
Village inspector confirms flood-test on the pan, GFCI function, and egress clearances. We walk you through operation, cleaning, and the warranty packet. You’re writing the final check only when you’re satisfied.
The Tub-to-Shower Conversion Choices You’ll Actually Make
Every option below changes the price and the daily experience. We don’t push one over another; we explain the trade-off.
- Shower pan: prefab acrylic vs. mud-set tile base. Acrylic runs $400-$900 installed, cleans easily, and carries a 10-30 year warranty. Mud-set tile starts around $1,800, takes two extra days, and gives you any size or slope you want. In Tequesta’s hard water, light-colored grout needs sealing every 12-18 months or it stains.
- Wall surround: fiberglass panels, acrylic sheets, or full tile. Fiberglass is the budget route at $600-$1,200 but feels institutional and cracks under impact. Acrylic ($1,200-$2,500) has better color depth and repairability. Full tile ($2,500-$6,000+) is what most waterfront Tequesta renovations specify; porcelain holds up, natural stone needs more maintenance than people expect.
- Plumbing configuration: keep existing or relocate. Keeping your drain and valve location saves $800-$2,400 and a day of work. Moving the drain to center a rainfall showerhead looks better and drains more reliably. We map your joist bay layout before promising what’s possible.
- Glass enclosure: framed sliding, semi-frameless, or frameless. Framed sliders ($600-$1,200) are functional and leak-resistant. Semi-frameless ($1,200-$2,200) cleans up the sight lines. True frameless ($2,200-$4,500) needs thicker glass and precise walls; we only recommend it if your alcove is plumb within 1/8 inch. Many Tequesta ranches settled enough that we need to shim or reframe first.
- Grab bars and accessibility features. Blocking for future grab bars costs nothing extra if we do it during rough framing. Installing actual bars adds $150-$400. A curbless pan for wheelchair access adds $1,500-$3,500 and requires floor recessing, which isn’t always possible on slab-on-grade homes common in 33469.
What Tub-to-Shower Conversion Costs in Tequesta, FL
| Component | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic tub-to-shower conversion (prefab pan, acrylic surround, reuse plumbing) | $3,500 | $5,500 |
| Mid-range conversion (tile base, tile walls to 8′, semi-frameless glass) | $5,500 | $8,000 |
| High-end conversion (mud-set pan, full tile, frameless glass, relocated plumbing, custom niche) | $8,000 | $10,000 |
Five factors push you up or down this range:
1. Existing condition. A tub in a 1970s Tequesta ranch with rotted subfloor, outdated electrical, and non-ventilated space adds $1,000-$3,000 before we install anything new.
2. Plumbing relocation. Moving drain or supply lines through a concrete slab, common in these homes, is harder and costlier than crawl-space access.
3. Material grade. The jump from acrylic to porcelain tile isn’t just material cost; it’s labor days and waterproofing detail.
4. Permit scope. Village of Tequesta requires permits for any plumbing or electrical change; if your project triggers flood-zone elevation review near the Loxahatchee River, plan extra time, not necessarily extra cost.
5. Alcove size and configuration. A standard 60-by-30-inch tub swap is straightforward. Converting a garden tub in a master suite with a window in the surround means reworking waterproofing and possibly impact-rated glass, which we source from our PGT or CGI lines.
Our written estimate includes demolition, disposal, all materials, labor, permits, and inspections. It does not include bathroom vanity replacement, floor tile outside the alcove, or any mold remediation beyond standard treatment. Call (844) 665-0162 for an exact quote; estimates are free.
What Tequesta Homes Specifically Do to This Job
Tequesta’s housing stock shapes every tub-to-shower conversion we bid here. The typical 1960s-1980s CBS ranch or split-level in neighborhoods near Tequesta Drive or County Line Road has a tub alcove framed with 2-by-4s on the flat, often with an exterior wall behind it. That exterior wall matters: it’s where we find the worst moisture damage, because decades of salt-laden air penetrated around single-pane aluminum windows that should have been replaced years ago. When we open that wall, we often discover the sheathing behind the stucco is compromised, which means we coordinate with our Metal Roofing in Tequesta and Tile Roofing in Tequesta crews if the wall ties into a low-slope roof detail that also needs attention.
The Village of Tequesta’s building department operates independently from Palm Beach County, and their inspectors know these homes well. They’ll flag a tub-to-shower conversion that doesn’t include an exhaust fan if the bathroom lacked one, which triggers electrical permitting even on a “simple” plumbing job. For waterfront properties along the Loxahatchee River, we’ve learned to confirm early whether the project sits in an AE or VE flood zone; it rarely affects a second-floor bath, but ground-floor conversions in riverfront homes sometimes trigger elevation documentation requirements that out-of-area contractors miss entirely.
High water tables throughout 33469 mean slab-on-grade homes have minimal subfloor access. When we need to relocate a drain, we’re cutting concrete, not crawling underneath. That adds a day and $400-$1,200, but it’s the only honest way to do it. We’ve also learned to specify corrosion-resistant fasteners and valve hardware; standard zinc-plated products that hold up inland show rust within three years here.
Many Tequesta homeowners doing a tub-to-shower conversion are also updating other systems in these aging homes. If you’re considering a full Bathroom Remodeling in Tequesta, we coordinate the entire scope as one project, one timeline, one point of contact. Our Bathroom Remodeling crew handles everything from demolition to final paint, and we serve Tequesta alongside Jupiter, Hobe Sound, North Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens.
Serving Tequesta, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Tequesta 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 Tequesta
Most conversions take 5-10 business days, depending on whether we relocate plumbing, use tile or prefab materials, and how quickly Village of Tequesta inspectors can schedule. Tile work and glass fabrication add the most time. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll give you a firm timeline after seeing your space.
Yes. The Village of Tequesta requires permits for any plumbing or electrical modification, including valve replacement and exhaust fan installation. We pull all permits and schedule inspections as part of our scope; you won’t need to visit the building department yourself.
Often yes, if your existing drain location works with your chosen pan and you don’t mind the valve staying where it is. Many Tequesta homeowners keep the plumbing in place to save $800-$2,400 and a day of work. We evaluate your joist layout and drain slope during our first visit to confirm what’s feasible.
The lowest-cost path is a prefab acrylic pan and surround, keeping your existing drain and valve location, with a shower curtain instead of glass. That typically lands near $3,500 in Tequesta. It’s functional and warrantied, though it won’t match the resale impact of a tiled walk-in. Call (844) 665-0162 for an exact quote; estimates are free.
We warranty our workmanship for one year. Material warranties vary: acrylic pans carry 10-30 years from the manufacturer, tile installations are backed by our waterproofing guarantee, and glass hardware typically has a lifetime finish warranty. We register all material warranties in your name before we leave the job.
Get Your Free Estimate for Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Tequesta
We’ll walk your bathroom, measure precisely, explain what’s possible with your existing plumbing and structure, and email a detailed estimate within 24 hours. No pressure, no deposit to schedule the visit. Call (844) 665-0162 or use our contact form. Raymond Estevez and our team at Groundwork Construction Co. have handled residential construction across South Florida’s full scope, and we’re straightforward about what works in Tequesta’s specific conditions.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Tequesta and South Florida.