Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Wellington: What It Costs and How Long It Takes
A tub-to-shower conversion in Wellington, FL typically runs $3,500-$10,000 and takes 5 to 10 working days from demolition to final inspection. Most homeowners in Wellington call us at (844) 665-0162 when they’re ready to lose an unused tub, gain a walk-in shower, and stop climbing over a 14-inch wall every morning. The job involves removing the existing tub and surround, evaluating the drain and valve locations, installing a waterproof pan or curbless system, and finishing with your choice of wall surround or tile.
Wellington’s housing stock - mostly CBS construction from the late 1970s through the early 2000s in places like Wellington‘s Berkshire Park and Sugar Pond Manor - means we see the same scenario repeatedly: an original fiberglass tub-shower combo in a 5-by-8-foot hall bath, aluminum-framed window nearby, and a homeowner who wants something that actually fits how they live now.
How We Handle a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Start to Finish
We break every tub-to-shower conversion into five distinct stages. You’ll know where we are, what we’re doing, and what you need to decide before we move forward.
Stage 1: On-site measure and scope lock (1-2 hours)
We visit your home, photograph the existing conditions, and verify three things that will make or break your budget: the drain location relative to your desired shower footprint, whether the valve can stay or must move, and whether the surrounding walls are plumb enough for a direct-to-stud surround or need re-framing. You’ll decide at this stage between a curbed pan and a curbless entry, between keeping the existing window or closing it, and between a prefabricated surround system and full tile. We bring material samples from our brand roster - Kohler shower pans and receptor systems, Moen valve trim in multiple finishes - so you’re choosing from actual products, not catalog photos.
Stage 2: Demolition and rough inspection prep (1-2 days)
We remove the tub, surround, and any water-damaged substrate. In Wellington’s older homes, we often find the original greenboard or improperly flanged tub units that failed years ago. We expose the drain line, test for adequate slope, and verify the vent stack. If you’re moving the drain or valve, this is when we open walls and submit revised plumbing plans to Palm Beach County. The rough plumbing inspection happens at this stage, and we don’t close walls until it passes.
Stage 3: Pan installation and waterproofing (1-2 days)
The pan goes in - either a composite receptor or a traditional hot-mop/liquid-applied membrane system depending on your spec. For tile showers, we install cement board or foam-board waterproofing panels, apply membrane to seams and penetrations, and flood-test for 24 hours. This is the stage where Wellington’s humidity matters: we run dehumidification and won’t seal tile or set fixtures until moisture readings in the wall cavity drop to acceptable levels.
Stage 4: Wall finish and fixture set (2-4 days)
Tile crews set field tile, accent strips, and niche boxes, or we install your direct-to-stud surround panels. Grout, sealant, and trim follow. We set the valve trim, showerhead, door hardware, and any glass enclosure. If you’ve chosen a frameless glass door, lead times can stretch this stage - we order glass during demolition to avoid delays.
Stage 5: Final inspection and walkthrough (1 day)
Palm Beach County inspects for code compliance on plumbing, ventilation, and structural changes. We walk the shower with you, demonstrate the valve operation, explain cleaning and sealant maintenance, and document any manufacturer warranty registration for your Kohler or Moen components.
The Spec Choices That Change Your Shower
Every tub-to-shower conversion forces real decisions. Here’s what we see Wellington homeowners weighing:
- Curbed pan vs. curbless entry: A curbed pan with a 4-6 inch threshold costs less, installs faster, and contains water reliably. Curbless requires floor recessing or a ramped transition, adds $800-$2,500, but removes the trip hazard and reads as more spacious. In Wellington’s single-story homes with slab-on-grade construction, curbless often means grinding the slab - a significant upcharge we flag early.
- Prefabricated surround vs. tile: Acrylic or fiberglass surrounds (Kohler Choreograph, Swanstone) run $1,200-$3,000 installed, resist mold, and clean easily. Full tile with cement-board backing and waterproof membrane adds $2,500-$6,000 but lets you match adjacent bathroom finishes and specify exact colors. We carry Silestone and Caesarstone quartz slab options for niche shelves and bench tops if you want material continuity with a vanity or countertop elsewhere in the bath.
- Fixed showerhead vs. full thermostatic system: A pressure-balanced valve with single showerhead is standard. Upgrading to thermostatic control with multiple body sprays, a handheld, and a rain head adds $900-$2,400 in fixtures alone and may require upsizing the water line from 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch.
- Glass enclosure vs. curtain rod: A framed sliding door starts around $600; frameless hinged glass runs $1,800-$4,500 depending on panel count and hardware finish. We measure and template only after tile is set - critical for frameless, where 1/8-inch tolerance matters.
- Keeping, relocating, or eliminating the window: Many Wellington hall baths have an aluminum-framed window in the tub surround. Keeping it requires a vinyl or fiberglass replacement rated for wet locations and proper sill pan flashing. Eliminating it and sheathing the opening simplifies waterproofing but changes exterior appearance and may trigger HOA review in communities like Manchester Greens or Lakefield West.
What Tub-to-Shower Conversion Costs in Wellington, FL
In Wellington, a tub-to-shower conversion costs $3,500-$10,000. Here’s what moves you through that range:
| Cost Driver | Low-End Scenario | High-End Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Shower size & layout | Standard 60″ x 30″ footprint, drain stays | Expanded to 60″ x 42″, drain relocated |
| Wall finish | Direct-to-stud acrylic surround | Floor-to-ceiling porcelain or natural stone tile |
| Plumbing changes | Valve and drain in existing locations | Drain moved, water lines upsized, thermostatic valve |
| Structural work | No wall movement, window stays | Wall reframed, window eliminated, curbless recess cut |
| Fixture & hardware grade | Standard chrome pressure-balance set | Brushed nickel or matte black thermostatic system with multiple outlets |
Our written estimates include demolition, disposal, rough and finish plumbing, pan and waterproofing, wall finish, fixture installation, permit fees, and final inspection coordination. What typically isn’t included: bathroom vanity replacement, floor tile extension beyond the wet area, exhaust fan upgrades, or any repair of pre-existing water damage we discover behind the tub - though we photograph everything and discuss before proceeding.
If your tub-to-shower conversion is part of a full Bathroom Remodeling in Wellington, we bundle pricing and sequence trades to avoid redundant demolition and inspection costs. Our Bathroom Remodeling crew coordinates directly with our roofing and exterior teams, which matters in Wellington where homeowners often pair interior updates with exterior envelope work. We’ve completed projects where clients addressed a failing roof simultaneously - our Metal Roofing in Wellington and Tile Roofing in Wellington crews work from the same project schedule.
What Wellington’s Conditions Mean for This Job
Wellington’s master-planned development from the 1970s through early 2000s creates a predictable renovation environment - and a few specific complications. In neighborhoods like Lakeview North and along Okeechobee Boulevard corridor homes, we regularly encounter the original 40-gallon tub-shower combos with galvanized drain lines that have thinned at the trap. The uniform age of housing means we know what to expect, but it also means permit reviewers in Palm Beach County are familiar with these homes and scrutinize any structural or plumbing changes against post-Hurricane Andrew code requirements.
The high seasonal water table - Wellington sits on former Everglades wetlands - rarely affects a second-story tub-to-shower conversion directly, but it matters for first-floor baths in areas like Pinewood Grove where slab moisture can wick into wall cavities if waterproofing is compromised. We specify liquid-applied membrane systems in ground-floor applications as standard, not as an upgrade.
HOA architectural review is common in Wellington’s gated communities. In Manchester Greens and Lakefield West, we’ve learned to submit material boards and fixture cut sheets with the initial application to avoid revision cycles. The Aero Club community presents its own layer - not for the bathroom itself, but because homeowners there often want consistency with the premium finishes throughout their hangar-adjacent homes, and we respect that context even when the scope is a single hall bath.
Permitting through Palm Beach County Building Division typically takes 7-10 business days for a tub-to-shower conversion with no structural changes; add 5-7 days if you’re moving walls or eliminating a window. We pull permits as part of our standard process - never homeowner-assisted - because our inspector relationships and familiarity with Wellington’s specific plan-check quirks save time.
Serving Wellington, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Wellington 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 Wellington
Most conversions take 5 to 10 working days, with permit approval adding another 1 to 2 weeks beforehand. Jobs that relocate plumbing, expand the footprint, or use custom tile patterns run toward the longer end. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll give you a realistic timeline based on your specific layout - estimates are free.
Yes, Palm Beach County requires a plumbing permit for any tub removal and shower installation, and a building permit if you’re moving walls or changing the window. We handle all permit submission, revision response, and inspection scheduling as part of our standard process. You won’t need to visit the county office.
Often yes, if your existing drain center falls within the new shower pan’s tolerance and the valve height works for your chosen fixture. Many Wellington homes built in the 1980s and 1990s have drains positioned for a 60-inch tub that also serve a standard 48-inch shower pan. We verify this during our initial measure - it’s one of the first things we check.
The lowest-cost path is keeping your existing drain and valve locations, installing a direct-to-stud acrylic surround, and using a standard pressure-balance valve with a shower curtain rather than glass. That combination typically lands near the $3,500-$4,500 range in Wellington. We don’t recommend cutting corners on waterproofing or pan installation - the savings disappear fast if moisture gets into your CBS walls.
Our workmanship warranty covers installation labor and waterproofing integrity. Manufacturer warranties apply to specific components - Kohler shower pans carry limited lifetime coverage, Moen valves have varying terms by product line, and tile-setting materials carry their own manufacturer guarantees. We register all eligible warranties and provide documentation at final walkthrough. For exact terms on your chosen materials, call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll walk through the specifics.
Get a Free On-Site Estimate for Your Wellington Tub-to-Shower Conversion
We’ll visit your home, measure your existing space, verify drain and valve conditions, and deliver a written estimate with line-item pricing and a realistic timeline. No pressure, no deposit required to schedule. Call (844) 665-0162 or request an appointment through our site. Most Wellington homeowners we work with in Manchester Greens, Lakefield West, and Lakeview North have their new shower in use within three weeks of saying yes.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Wellington since our founding in Fort Lauderdale.