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Bathroom · Accessibility

Accessible Bathroom Remodeling in South Florida

ADA-compliant bathroom modifications for safety and independence

A Safeguard Impact company — licensed South Florida contractor with 1,200+ projects completed each year

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Introduction

n accessible bathroom remodeling project can mean the difference between living at home safely and moving into assisted care. At Haven Home Remodeling Group, GC Aldo Dellamano leads a team with over 30 years of South Florida construction skill. We pull more than 1,500 building permits per year.

We complete over 1,200 projects annually. And we do it all with 20 full-time, in-house crews — no subcontractors. gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/) inside and out.

This guide covers every key decision you'll face. It also links to city pages across Miami-Dade so you can see exactly what we do in your neighborhood.

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South Florida has one of the highest concentrations of adults over 65 in the United States. Miami-Dade County alone is home to hundreds of thousands of older adults who want to stay in their homes. Accessible bathroom remodeling makes that possible. The ADA Standards set clear rules for turning radius, grab bar placement, and fixture height. These rules were written for public buildings, but they are the best guide for home access upgrades too.

South Florida homes also come with unique challenges. Many houses in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and other older areas were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Their bathrooms are small, often 40 to 50 square feet. Adding a curbless shower or widening a doorway in those spaces takes real trade skill. The tile, the drain slope, the subfloor sealing — each step must be done right the first time. A licensed contractor who knows local code will catch problems a handyman will miss.

South Florida has one of the highest concentrations of adults over 65 in the United States.
Key insight from this section

Our Bathroom Remodeling vertical covers the full range of what we do. Accessible bathroom remodeling is one of the most specialized areas within it. It blends plumbing, tile work, carpentry, and code knowledge into a single project.

What You Get

Core Modifications in an Accessible Bathroom Remodel

Grab Bars

Stainless steel or chrome grab bars mount to blocking in the wall framing. ADA rules call for bars rated to 250 lbs of force. We install them at the toilet, shower, and tub as needed.

Barrier-Free Shower

A curbless, barrier-free shower has no step or lip to trip over. The floor slopes gently toward a linear or center drain. Full sealing under the tile protects the subfloor from water damage.

Comfort-Height Toilet

A comfort-height toilet sits 17 to 19 inches from floor to seat. That is 2 to 4 inches higher than a standard toilet. It is much easier to sit and stand for people with limited mobility.

Non-Slip Flooring

Wet tile is a major fall risk. We use porcelain with a Coefficient of Friction (COF) of 0.60 or higher for wet areas. Textured or matte finishes add grip without looking clinical.

Widened Doorways

ADA rules call for a clear doorway width of at least 32 inches, ideally 36 inches. We can widen a door opening, swap a swing door for a pocket or barn door, and add a lever-style handle.

Roll-In Shower or Fold-Down Seat

For wheelchair users, a roll-in shower needs at least 60 x 30 inches of clear floor space. A fold-down teak or ADA-rated seat lets users shower while seated without permanent clutter.

Haven Accessibility in South Florida — waterproofing membrane installation on shower walls
Haven Accessibility in South Florida — waterproofing membrane installation on shower walls

In the Field

Curbless shower with ADA grab bars and non-slip tile

Haven Accessibility in South Florida — waterproofing membrane installation on shower walls

Material choice drives how long an accessible bathroom remodeling project lasts. South Florida's humidity and salt air are hard on hardware. We spec 304 or 316 stainless steel grab bars for coastal homes in Miami Beach Accessibility, Aventura Accessibility, and other waterfront areas. Stainless fights rust far better than basic chrome in those salt-air conditions.

For tile, we work with large-format porcelain planks and natural stone. Large tiles mean fewer grout lines. Fewer grout lines mean less mold growth over time. In curbless showers, we use Schluter Systems waterproof membranes and linear drain profiles. Schluter's KERDI membrane bonds directly to the subfloor and wall board. It stops water before it can reach the framing. That matters a lot in older homes in Coral Gables Accessibility or Kendall Accessibility where the subfloor may already show some moisture history.

We spec 304 or 316 stainless steel grab bars for coastal homes in Miami Beach Accessibility, Aventura Accessibility, and other waterfront areas.
Key insight from this section

For toilets, we carry comfort-height, elongated models from brands like TOTO and Kohler. These pair well with bidet seats, which add another layer of independence for users with limited reach.

ADA vs. Florida Building Code

The ADA sets access rules for public spaces. The Florida Building Code governs home construction. For home accessible bathroom remodeling projects, we follow both — because doing so future-proofs your home and protects your resale value.

Side-by-Side

Barrier-Free Shower vs. Walk-In Tub

Barrier-Free Shower vs. Walk-In Tub
FeatureBarrier-Free ShowerWalk-In Tub
Entry methodNo step — roll or walk straight inSmall door, still requires stepping over a low sill
Wheelchair accessYes, with 60" x 30" minimum clear spaceNo — door opening is too narrow for wheelchairs
Fall riskVery low — no threshold, grab bars, non-slip tileLow — but user must wait for tub to drain before exiting
Cost rangeGenerally $5,000–$12,000 installedGenerally $3,000–$10,000 installed
Resale appealHigh — also appeals to non-seniorsModerate — niche appeal, may deter some buyers
Best forAging in place, wheelchair users, post-surgery recoveryUsers who want soaking baths with safety features

We serve every corner of Miami-Dade. In the urban core, homeowners in Miami Accessibility and Hialeah Accessibility often deal with older tile baths that need full gut-outs. In Doral Accessibility, newer construction makes grab bar installs faster, but residents still want curbless showers and comfort-height toilets as they plan ahead for aging in place.

In the southern suburbs, Homestead Accessibility and Cutler Bay Accessibility have a growing senior population. Many homes there were built in the 1980s and 1990s with standard 5-foot tub-shower combos. Converting those to a barrier-free shower is one of the most common accessible bathroom remodeling jobs we do in that area. For families in Kendall Accessibility and Miami Lakes Accessibility, we often pair access upgrades with a broader Full Bathroom Remodel so the result looks designed, not just functional.

Many homes there were built in the 1980s and 1990s with standard 5-foot tub-shower combos.
Key insight from this section

North of downtown, North Miami Accessibility clients often call us after a family member returns home from a hospital stay. Those jobs move fast. Our 20 in-house crews can often start within days of permit approval.

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Process

Our Accessible Bathroom Remodeling Process

  1. 1

    Free In-Home Assessment

    We visit your home at no charge. We measure the space, check the subfloor condition, and ask about your mobility needs. We review ADA clearance rules and Florida Building Code rules together.

  2. 2

    Design and Product Selection

    We build a layout that meets code and fits your style. You pick tile, grab bar finish, toilet model, and drain style. We walk you through every product before ordering.

  3. 3

    Permit and Scheduling

    We pull the required building permit from your local municipality. Most bathroom permits in Miami-Dade are approved in 5 to 10 business days. We schedule your crew once the permit is in hand.

  4. 4

    Demo and Rough Work

    We remove old tile, fixtures, and flooring. We check the subfloor for water damage and repair it before anything else goes in. Plumbing rough-in and blocking for grab bars happen at this stage.

  5. 5

    Tile, Fixtures, and Final Inspection

    We install the waterproof membrane, tile, drain, toilet, grab bars, and door hardware. Most accessible bathroom remodeling projects finish in 3 to 7 days. A city inspector signs off at the end.

Lifetime Workmanship Warranty

Haven backs most accessible bathroom remodeling installs with a lifetime workmanship warranty. Our callback rate is below 3%, meaning 97+ out of every 100 projects close without a return visit.

Haven Accessibility in South Florida — tile layout and grout work in progress
Haven Accessibility in South Florida — tile layout and grout work in progress

In the Field

Comfort-height toilet with non-slip porcelain tile

Haven Accessibility in South Florida — tile layout and grout work in progress

Accessible bathroom remodeling often overlaps with other bathroom upgrades. If you are already removing a tub for a curbless shower, a Tub-to-Shower Conversion may be the right starting point. We convert standard tub-shower combos into open, walk-in spaces. We add ADA-rated drains, non-slip tile, and grab bars in the same project. The result is both safer and more modern.

If you want to go further, a Walk-In Shower Installation lets you design from scratch. Custom glass panels, frameless doors, and built-in niches can all work alongside ADA grab bars and barrier-free entry. Many clients in Miami Beach Accessibility and Aventura Accessibility choose this route. They want a luxury look that also meets access needs.

Many clients in Miami Beach Accessibility and Aventura Accessibility choose this route.
Key insight from this section

For the biggest scope, a Full Bathroom Remodel covers everything — new layout, new plumbing, new tile, new lighting. We can widen doorways, lower counters, and add a roll-in shower all in one permit pull. This approach costs more upfront but saves money versus doing each upgrade separately over several years.

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By the Numbers

Haven by the Numbers

1,500+

Permits Pulled Per Year

Across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and beyond

3–7 Days

Typical Bathroom Install

From demo to final inspection on most access upgrades

Under 3%

Warranty Callback Rate

97+ of 100 projects close with no return visit needed

20 Crews

Full-Time In-House Teams

No subcontractors — same crew from start to finish

Financing Available

Haven offers financing options for accessible bathroom remodeling projects. Ask about our plans when you book your free estimate — making your home safer should not have to wait.

Common Questions

Accessibility Upgrades FAQs

Content Disclosure

This article is provided for general information only and reflects current Florida Building Code requirements, common South Florida construction practices, and Haven's field experience. Actual project costs, permit requirements, material availability, and timelines vary based on your home, municipality, and project scope. Florida law requires that any residential construction work over $1,000 be performed by a licensed contractor — always consult a Florida-licensed contractor before starting a roofing or bathroom remodel and verify credentials at myfloridalicense.com. This guidance is not a substitute for a project-specific estimate or on-site evaluation by a licensed professional.