Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling in Lantana, FL - What to Expect
Walk-in showers & shower remodeling in Lantana typically runs $4,500-$12,000 for a full walk-in installation, or $3,000-$8,500 for a shower replacement, with most projects completed in 5 to 10 working days. You’ll need to decide on enclosure type, pan material, and fixture placement before we pull permits, since Palm Beach County inspects waterproofing and drainage on every shower remodel. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll walk through your existing layout, explain what can stay and what must change, and give you a written estimate with line-item pricing.
How We Handle Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling from First Visit to Final Inspection
Every walk-in shower project in Lantana follows a five-stage sequence. Knowing the order helps you time decisions and understand why some days are loud and others are quiet.
Stage 1: Site measure and scope lock (Day 1)
We photograph the existing shower, measure rough opening dimensions, and test water pressure. You’ll decide here whether we’re keeping the drain in place or relocating it, whether the wall between toilet and shower stays or goes, and whether you want a curbless entry (which requires floor recessing or a ramped pan). This visit takes 60-90 minutes. We bring physical samples of pan materials and tile boards so you can feel texture and weight.
Stage 2: Demo and substrate inspection (Days 2-3)
Crews remove existing tile, backer board, fixtures, and the old pan. In Lantana’s 1950s-1970s CBS homes, we often find original mud-set beds over wire lath, or early cement board with degraded waterproofing. We inspect wall framing for rot, especially at the curb and around window openings (common in older Lantana baths with jalousie windows retrofitted into shower walls). If we find damage, we photograph it and pause for your go-ahead before reframing.
Stage 3: Rough plumbing and pan installation (Days 4-5)
Licensed plumbers relocate or replace supply lines and drain assemblies. We install the shower pan, whether that’s a prefabricated acrylic base, a custom poured polyurethane pan, or a tiled mud pan with waterproof membrane. Your material choice here affects timeline: prefab pans set same-day; mud pans need 48-72 hours to cure before tile can begin.
Stage 4: Waterproofing, tile, and fixture mount (Days 6-8)
We apply liquid or sheet membrane to walls and pan seams, then install tile or solid surface panels. Grout, sealant, and fixture trim go in last. You’ll do a walkthrough with our lead carpenter to confirm grout color, caulk line neatness, and fixture operation before we call for inspection.
Stage 5: County inspection and final punch (Days 9-10)
Palm Beach County inspects drain flow, valve pressure balancing, and waterproofing continuity. We address any punch items, haul debris, and turn over care instructions. Most Lantana shower remodels clear inspection on first pass; delays usually trace to permit paperwork, not workmanship.
The Spec Choices That Shape Your Walk-In Shower
Walk-in showers & shower remodeling in Lantana involve more decisions than most homeowners expect. Here’s what actually moves the experience and the price:
- Shower pan type: Prefabricated acrylic or fiberglass bases ($400-$900) install fast and seal reliably but limit size and shape. Custom poured polyurethane pans ($1,200-$2,800) let you define any footprint and pitch, essential for curbless or oversized entries. Tiled mud pans with membrane ($1,800-$3,500) match period bathrooms in Lantana’s mid-century homes but demand skilled labor and longer cure times.
- Wall surface: Ceramic or porcelain tile ($8-$25/sq ft installed) offers the widest style range. Large-format porcelain slabs ($25-$45/sq ft) minimize grout lines and read as solid stone. Acrylic or cultured marble wall systems ($12-$20/sq ft) go up in a day and suit rental properties or quick turnovers. Solid surface like Corian or Swanstone ($30-$55/sq ft) is seamless, repairable, and performs well in Lantana’s humid salt air.
- Enclosure style: Framed sliding doors ($600-$1,400) are economical and proven. Semi-frameless hinged doors ($1,200-$2,500) open wider for accessibility. True frameless glass ($2,000-$4,500) needs precise wall plumbness, which older Lantana block walls sometimes lack without shimming or reframing.
- Fixture grade: Moen and Kohler mid-line pressure-balance valves ($180-$350) handle Lantana’s variable municipal pressure well. Thermostatic valves ($450-$850) hold temperature within 1 degree, worth it for households with children or elderly users. Handheld and slide-bar combos add $150-$400.
- Niche, bench, and accessibility features: Tiled corner benches ($400-$800) and recessed shampoo niches ($200-$500 each) are best decided before waterproofing. Grab bars need backing in block walls, which we install during Stage 2 if you mention the need early.
What Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling Costs in Lantana, FL
Walk-in shower installation in Lantana ranges from $4,500 to $12,000. Shower replacement without layout changes runs $3,000-$8,500. Here’s what pushes a project to either end:
| Cost Driver | Low-End Scenario | High-End Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Size and layout | 36″ x 36″ alcove, drain stays put | 60″+ curbless entry, relocated drain and walls |
| Existing condition | Sound drywall or cement board, clean framing | Rotten studs, corroded cast drain, failed window in wet wall |
| Plumbing/electrical moves | Reuse supply and drain locations | Relocate valve wall, add dedicated GFCI circuit, install exhaust fan |
| Material grade | Acrylic pan, ceramic tile, framed door | Custom pan, large-format porcelain or stone, frameless glass, thermostatic valve |
| Permit and compliance scope | Standard remodel permit, no flood triggers | Substantial improvement review, elevation study, engineered letter for flood zone |
A written estimate from Groundwork Construction Co. includes demo, disposal, rough and finish plumbing, pan and wall materials, tile or surface installation, fixture trim, glass enclosure, permit fees, and county inspection scheduling. It does not include bathroom vanity replacement, floor tile outside the wet area, or mold remediation beyond standard surface treatment. If your home sits near the Intracoastal and the project scope risks triggering substantial improvement review, we’ll flag that in writing before you sign.
Why Lantana’s Housing Stock and Flood Code Change How We Bid Shower Work
Lantana’s low-lying position on the Intracoastal Waterway means a large share of homes here sit in FEMA AE flood zones, and that reality reaches into bathroom remodeling in ways inland Palm Beach County homeowners rarely face. Palm Beach County’s substantial improvement threshold, 50% of a structure’s assessed value, can turn a seemingly straightforward walk-in shower & shower remodeling project into a flood-elevation compliance event. We’ve seen it happen: a 1962 CBS home on Hypoluxo Island or near Bicentennial Park, with an assessed value of $280,000, crosses that line when the owner adds a kitchen update and master bath gut to the same permit cycle. The shower remodel alone doesn’t trigger it, but the cumulative scope can, and the county will require elevation certification before issuing a certificate of completion.
That’s why our first step on any Lantana project is pulling the FEMA flood map and the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s current assessed value alongside the permit application. If you’re near the threshold, we discuss whether to phase work across separate permit pulls or to commit to full compliance upfront. The salt-laden air here, less than a mile from the Atlantic, also dictates our hardware choices: we specify stainless or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners, escutcheons, and shower door hardware rather than standard zinc-plated, which we’ve seen corrode within three years on ocean-facing Lantana homes. Post-Andrew wind codes add inspection steps for any wall penetration, so we coordinate waterproofing and structural attachment documentation for the county inspector from day one.
Most Lantana shower remodels we handle are in original 1950s-1970s block homes with 32″ x 32″ or 36″ x 36″ fiberglass showers long past service life. The drain lines are often cast iron or early PVC with brittle fittings. We test-drain flow during Stage 1 because replacing a failed drain stack under a slab adds $1,500-$3,500 and two days, and we’d rather you know before demo starts.
Homeowners tackling interior updates often pair this work with exterior projects handled by the same team. If you’re addressing the full envelope, Roof Replacement & Installation in Lantana is a common parallel project, and Metal Roofing in Lantana offers specific advantages for coastal wind and salt exposure. Our Bathroom Remodeling in Lantana page covers the broader scope when you’re renovating the full room rather than focusing on the shower alone.
Serving Lantana, FL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Lantana 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 - Walk-In Showers & Shower Remodeling in Lantana
Most walk-in showers & shower remodeling projects in Lantana take 5 to 10 working days, depending on whether we’re relocating plumbing, using a custom mud pan, or waiting for specialty glass. Palm Beach County inspection scheduling can add 1-3 calendar days. Call (844) 665-0162 and we’ll give you a firm timeline based on your specific layout.
Yes. Palm Beach County requires a plumbing permit for any shower pan replacement, valve relocation, or drain modification, and a building permit if you’re moving walls or altering the wet-area footprint. We pull permits as part of our standard process and schedule inspections so you don’t coordinate with the county directly. If your home is in a FEMA flood zone, we’ll also verify whether your total project value approaches the substantial improvement threshold before filing.
Sometimes. If your existing drain location works for a curbless or low-curb pan, and your supply valves are on the correct wall, we can often install a new walk-in shower within the existing wet-area footprint. The limitation is usually the old pan size; expanding beyond it requires drain relocation and at least partial wall modification. We determine feasibility during the Stage 1 site measure.
A shower replacement swaps the pan, walls, and fixtures within the existing envelope, typically $3,000-$8,500. A full walk-in shower installation reconfigures the space, possibly removing a tub, expanding the footprint, or creating a curbless entry, and runs $4,500-$12,000. The price gap reflects structural, plumbing, and waterproofing complexity, not just nicer materials.
We warranty our installation workmanship for one year, covering waterproofing integrity, tile adhesion, and fixture function. Manufacturer warranties apply to specific products: Kohler and Moen valves carry limited lifetime warranties on finish and function; pan materials vary by brand from 10 years to lifetime. We register all manufacturer warranties in your name and provide documentation at final walkthrough.
Get Your Walk-In Shower Estimate in Lantana
We’re Groundwork Construction Co., and our Bathroom Remodeling crew serves Lantana and nearby Palm Beach County towns from our Fort Lauderdale base. If you’re considering walk-in showers & shower remodeling, we’ll come to your home, measure your existing space, test your drain and pressure, and deliver a written estimate with line-item pricing and a clear timeline. No deposit required to schedule. Call (844) 665-0162 or request your free estimate today.
Written by Raymond Estevez, Owner at Groundwork Construction Co., serving Lantana and South Florida homeowners.