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AfterHow Much Does Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in Fort Lauderdale?
A tub-to-shower conversion in Fort Lauderdale typically costs between $3,500 and $10,000 in 2026, with most homeowners landing around $5,500 to $7,500 for a standard 60-inch alcove conversion using mid-range materials. The final number depends on whether you’re swapping a tub for a prefabricated shower pan or doing a full custom tile job, plus what’s hiding behind your existing walls once we open them up. Sawyer Remodel Fort Lauderdale puts a written price in your hands before any work starts, so the number you approve is the number you pay.
Key Takeaways:
- Fort Lauderdale tub-to-shower conversions run $3,500 to $10,000, with $5,500 to $7,500 being the sweet spot for most jobs.
- Basic prefab pan swaps start around $3,500; full custom tile with glass doors can push past $10,000.
- Biggest cost drivers: waterproofing method, glass enclosure, plumbing moves, and whether water damage is found behind the tub.
- Most conversions take 3 to 7 working days, not weeks.
- You’ll get a written price before work starts with Sawyer Remodel Fort Lauderdale. No surprises at the invoice.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost Breakdown (2026)
Here’s how the dollars actually break down in the Fort Lauderdale market this year. We’ve separated the line items so you can see where money goes, whether you’re budgeting a basic swap or planning something closer to a full tub-to-shower conversion in Fort Lauderdale with custom finishes.
| Line Item | Typical Range (Fort Lauderdale, 2026) |
|---|---|
| Demolition & tub removal | $400 – $900 |
| Pre-fabricated shower pan (basic acrylic/fiberglass) | $500 – $1,200 |
| Custom tile shower pan (mortar bed + waterproofing) | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Wall surround (acrylic or fiberglass) | $800 – $2,000 |
| Wall tile (ceramic, 3-wall alcove) | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| Wall tile (porcelain or natural stone) | $2,500 – $5,500 |
| Glass shower door (frameless, standard width) | $800 – $2,200 |
| Shower valve, trim, and showerhead | $300 – $1,200 |
| Plumbing rough-in adjustments | $300 – $1,500 |
| Waterproofing (Schluter Kerdi, RedGard, or similar system) | $400 – $1,200 |
| Permit and inspection (Fort Lauderdale) | $150 – $500 |
Those line items are what we actually see on Fort Lauderdale jobs, from Victoria Park condos to Plantation single-family homes. A basic prefab pan swap with an acrylic surround might not need every line above, which is why it lands near $3,500. A custom tile shower with a frameless glass door and plumbing moved from one wall to another climbs fast, which is where the $10,000 figure comes from.
One thing we tell every homeowner: the quote you get should include demolition, haul-away, and the finished shower enclosure. If a contractor quotes you $2,800 and “disposal” or “trim” shows up as a separate surprise later, that’s not pricing, that’s a game. Our price is written down before tools come off the truck.
What Affects Tub-to-Shower Conversion Pricing in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale has its own quirks when it comes to bathroom work. Here’s what moves the number on a tub-to-shower conversion here specifically:
- Water damage behind the tub. South Florida humidity and older plumbing means a lot of tub surrounds in Fort Lauderdale have hidden water intrusion. When we pull the tub and find rotted subfloor or swollen drywall, the repair work adds to the total. In neighborhoods like Sailboat Bend and Riverside Park, where homes date to the 1940s and 1950s, this is more common than not.
- Waterproofing method. A basic acrylic surround is cheaper up front. A full Schluter Kerdi system (the orange waterproof membrane you’ll see in every pro tile job) adds $400 to $1,200 but is the difference between a shower that lasts 12 years and one that lasts 30. We use Schluter on every custom tile shower we build, no exceptions.
- Glass enclosure vs. curtain. Frameless glass doors are $800 to $2,200. A curtain rod is $35. Most Fort Lauderdale homeowners doing this conversion choose glass, because it makes the bathroom feel twice as big and shows off the tile work. But if budget is tight, a curtain gets you a working shower and you can add glass later.
- Whether you move plumbing. If the shower valve stays where the tub faucet was, plumbing costs stay low. If you’re moving the valve to a different wall, extending supply lines, or adding a second showerhead, expect the plumbing line to jump to $1,500 or more.
- Condo and HOA requirements. Fort Lauderdale has a huge condo market, from Galt Ocean Mile to downtown high-rises. Many HOAs require licensed contractors with specific insurance minimums, and some buildings require water shutoff coordination with building management. That doesn’t change the price of materials, but it can add a half-day of labor on the front end.
- Permit specifics. The City of Fort Lauderdale requires a permit for tub-to-shower conversions when plumbing is altered. That’s a building department visit, not a formality. A licensed contractor will pull it, handle the inspection, and close it out. If a contractor says you don’t need a permit here, call someone else.
How to Save on Tub-to-Shower Conversion
You can get a solid tub-to-shower conversion in Fort Lauderdale without spending $10,000. Here’s what actually saves money, and what doesn’t:
- Keep the footprint the same. A 60-inch alcove tub replaced with a 60-inch shower pan in the same location is the least expensive conversion there is. No drain relocation, no floor patching, no extra framing.
- Choose ceramic over porcelain or stone. Ceramic wall tile looks great, holds up in a bathroom, and costs less per square foot than imported porcelain or natural stone. It’s the smart middle ground between cheap acrylic and high-end marble.
- Use a prefab pan with tile walls. This is our most common recommendation for budget-conscious remodels. A solid composite shower pan (not flimsy fiberglass) with tiled walls gives you the custom look for roughly 60% of the cost of a fully tiled pan.
- Don’t skip waterproofing to save money. This is the one place where “saving” money costs you double later. A failed shower pan in Fort Lauderdale means mold, damaged subfloor, and a rip-out that starts at the same price as the original job.
- Stage the project. If the budget is tight, do the full structural conversion now and hold off on the frameless glass door until later. A curtain gets you through for a few months, and the glass door can be added without touching the shower itself.
If you’re trying to figure out where your specific project lands, call us at (754) 354-7423. We’ll walk through your bathroom over the phone and give you a realistic range before we ever step foot in your house. The estimate is free, and it comes with a written price.
FAQs: Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost
How much does it cost to convert a tub to a walk-in shower in Fort Lauderdale?
In Fort Lauderdale, expect to pay $3,500 to $10,000 for a tub-to-shower conversion in 2026. The low end covers a basic prefab pan with an acrylic surround; the high end covers full custom tile, a frameless glass door, and plumbing adjustments. Call (754) 354-7423 for a written quote on your specific bathroom, free.
Is it cheaper to convert a tub to a shower or replace the tub?
Converting to a shower is usually $1,500 to $3,000 more expensive than a basic tub replacement, because you’re adding waterproofing, a shower pan, and a glass enclosure. But if the existing tub is being replaced because of accessibility or because nobody uses it, the conversion pays for itself in daily usefulness. A standard tub replacement might run $2,000 to $5,000; a conversion runs $3,500 to $10,000.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take in Fort Lauderdale?
A standard alcove tub-to-shower conversion takes 3 to 7 working days from demo to a finished, usable shower. Custom tile work and plumbing moves add time. With Sawyer Remodel Fort Lauderdale, you get a live arrival time and photo updates before and after each day’s work, so you’re never guessing where the project stands.
Does a tub-to-shower conversion require a permit in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes, when plumbing is altered, which it almost always is on a tub-to-shower conversion. The City of Fort Lauderdale requires a permit and inspection. A licensed contractor pulls the permit, schedules the inspection, and closes it out. Budget $150 to $500 for permit and inspection costs. If a contractor offers to skip the permit to save money, run the other direction. Unpermitted plumbing work becomes a nightmare when you sell the house.
What’s included in a tub-to-shower conversion quote?
A complete quote should include demolition of the old tub, haul-away and disposal, shower pan, wall surround or tile, waterproofing, shower valve and trim, glass door or curtain, and all labor. Our quotes at Sawyer Remodel Fort Lauderdale also include the permit, the inspection, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing. Call (754) 354-7423 for a free estimate with every line item spelled out before any work begins.
Ready to Get a Written Price?
Luca Romano, who leads Sawyer Remodel Fort Lauderdale, has overseen hundreds of tub-to-shower conversions in this market since our founding in 2005. We operate under The Relay Standard: a written price before work starts, live arrival time tracking, photo updates during the project, and a digital invoice you pay from a link. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers every job for a full year after we wrap it. If it’s not done right, we make it right.
Call us at (754) 354-7423 to schedule a free estimate for your Fort Lauderdale tub-to-shower conversion. You’ll talk to a live person, get a real price in writing, and know exactly who’s showing up and when, before the first tool leaves the truck.
Pricing reflects the Fort Lauderdale market as of 2026. Sawyer Remodel Fort Lauderdale offers free estimates, call (754) 354-7423.
What Our Customers Say
"Good renovation. The countertop slipped a week, but I got a text and a new date right away."
- Dina M."Quote was itemized and every change was approved in the app."
- Sasha L."Crew cleaned up each day. Swept and wiped down the work area every evening, which I did not expect."
- Joy B.
