Convert your outdated bathtub into a spacious, modern shower.
A Safeguard Impact company, licensed South Florida contractor with 1,700+ projects completed each year
No obligation. We'll respond within 24 hours.
Introduction
That old bathtub probably hasn't been used in years. Most South Florida homeowners shower daily and bathe almost never, yet a full tub footprint eats up a third of your bathroom.
A tub to shower conversion trades that wasted space for a modern, open shower you'll actually use every day. Haven Home Remodeling Group handles every phase (demolition, plumbing relocation, waterproofing, tile work, glass enclosure, and final inspection) one crew, one schedule.
Our dedicated, long-tenured crews have completed thousands of tub to shower conversions across Miami-Dade, Broward, and beyond, typically finishing in as little as three to seven days. If you're comparing contractors, this guide covers everything you need to make a confident decision. Materials, process, costs, and what to watch for in South Florida specifically.
Get a free, no-pressure estimate from Haven's licensed Florida team.
Get Estimate
Local Insight
Tub to shower conversion is the single most requested bathroom upgrade in South Florida's housing stock, where pre-1990s homes and condos were built with one or two full tubs that sat unused once the kids grew up. The Florida Building Code requires only one bathtub or shower per dwelling unit, so as long as one tub remains in the home, you are fully code-compliant removing another. That small code detail opens the door for millions of homeowners to reclaim square footage without any legal hurdle.
South Florida's subtropical climate adds a layer of urgency most northern contractors never think about. High humidity and salt air accelerate mold growth behind old tub surrounds. Acrylic tub decks crack. Caulk joints fail within a few years. A tub to shower conversion done with a full cement board or Schluter Systems KERDI waterproofing membrane eliminates those moisture traps permanently. Proper waterproofing is not optional here. It's what separates a five-year install from a twenty-year one.
Historic neighborhoods like Coral Gables and Coconut Grove have some of the oldest plumbing in Miami-Dade. A tub to shower conversion in those homes often reveals cast-iron drain lines and galvanized supply pipes that benefit from an upgrade during the same project. Haven's licensed plumbers assess the existing rough-in during the free estimate so there are no surprise change orders once the tile comes down.
The Florida Building Code requires at least one tub or shower per dwelling, not one tub. Remove a second tub freely, and your home stays fully code-compliant.
What You Get
We demo the tub, surrounding tile, and backer board down to the studs and subfloor. Cast iron tubs are cut in sections on-site to clear tight bathroom doors. A technique that protects your hallways and floors.
Tub drains sit at one end of the footprint. Shower drains center under the floor. Our licensed plumbers re-route the P-trap and drain line, then cap the old tub spout supply and rough in new valve and showerhead positions.
We install cement board or a sheet-membrane waterproofing system like Schluter KERDI before any tile goes up. This step is the most important one, and the one most DIY conversions skip.
Large-format porcelain, natural stone, and subway tile are all options. We set the floor with a mortar bed sloped precisely to the drain so water drains completely, no standing puddles, no mold.
Semi-frameless and frameless glass enclosures are the most requested finishes in South Florida. We also build curbless walk-in openings for a spa-style look or for accessibility upgrades.
Haven pulls the required building permit for every tub to shower conversion. We schedule and pass the final inspection. You get a closed permit, which protects your home's value at resale.
Local Insight
The tile or stone you choose sets the look, but the substrate underneath determines how long it lasts. We build every shower pan on a properly sloped mortar bed, typically a 1/4-inch drop per foot toward the center drain. That slope is code-required under the Florida Building Code and prevents the pooling water that destroys grout joints over time. For walls, cement board covered with a liquid-applied waterproof membrane gives the most flexible finish for tile choices.
For showerheads and valves, Moen, Delta, and Kohler pressure-balance valves are the standard in South Florida's residential market. They prevent scalding when a toilet flushes, required in all new shower installs under Florida's plumbing code. Thermostatic valves with separate volume controls are available for a more custom, spa-like experience. Rain heads, body sprays, and handheld wands can all be roughed in during the same conversion if you tell us upfront.
Glass enclosures deserve special attention in coastal markets. Frames and hardware exposed to salt air corrode fast if you use standard aluminum. We specify brushed nickel or matte black finishes with marine-grade seals. Frameless 3/8-inch tempered glass is the most popular choice in places like Miami Beach, where high-rise condos demand a sleek, open look. In suburban homes across Kendall and Cutler Bay, semi-frameless swinging doors offer a balance of style and cost.
Side-by-Side
| Feature | Custom Tile Pan | Prefab Acrylic Base |
|---|---|---|
| Installation time | 2–3 days (mortar bed cure needed) | Same day |
| Design flexibility | Any size, shape, or tile | Standard sizes only |
| Durability | 20+ years with proper waterproofing | 7–12 years before cracking |
| Mold resistance | High: grout sealed, no seams | Lower: edges and seams collect mold |
| Cost | Higher upfront | Lower upfront |
| Resale value | Strong: buyers notice quality tile | Neutral to negative |
Process
Aldo Dellamano's team visits your home, inspects the existing tub surround and plumbing rough-in, and gives you a detailed written estimate. We note any cast-iron plumbing, existing waterproofing failures, or structural surprises so there are no change-order shocks mid-project.
Haven pulls the building permit with your local municipality before the first tile comes down. In Miami-Dade, that means complying with the Florida Building Code's High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements. We handle all permit applications and inspections so you don't have to.
Bathtub removal typically takes a half-day. Our crew protects your floors and walls, then removes the tub, backer board, and any damaged framing. The plumber re-routes the drain and supply the same day, so the project keeps moving.
We install the mortar bed and slope, apply the waterproofing membrane, and set tile. Large-format tiles, 24x24 or 12x24 planks, are the current standard. Grout lines are kept tight and sealed with a penetrating sealer at project close.
Glass enclosures are measured after tile is complete and fabricated to exact dimensions, usually a 3–5 day lead time. Fixtures are installed, caulk lines are finished, and we schedule the final building inspection. You receive a closed permit card before we leave.
Ready to talk to a real local expert? Tell us about your project. We respond within 24 hours.
Haven completes more than 1,700 roofing and bathroom remodeling projects per year across South Florida, backed by a lifetime workmanship warranty.
Local Insight
South Florida is not one market. It's a dozen micro-markets with different housing types, plumbing eras, and HOA rules. In the urban core, homeowners in Miami, Hialeah, and Doral often work in condos or townhomes where HOA approval and building management coordination are part of the job. Haven handles that paperwork. We schedule deliveries and dumpster placement around building rules and coordinate elevator access so your neighbors aren't impacted.
In historic and mature neighborhoods, tub to shower conversions require extra plumbing awareness. Homes in Coral Gables frequently have original cast-iron drains and galvanized supply lines. We pressure-test supply lines before closing walls and recommend PEX or CPVC re-pipes when the existing pipe shows corrosion. That proactive call saves homeowners from a water damage claim six months down the road. North Miami homeowners in areas like North Miami and Aventura face a similar profile, mid-century construction with plumbing that's long past its design life.
Suburban Miami-Dade (Miami Lakes, Cutler Bay, and Kendall) tends to feature 1980s and 1990s tract homes where the master bath has a garden tub that nobody uses. These are ideal tub to shower conversions: the footprint is generous, the plumbing is in good shape, and the project runs cleanly in three to four days. Down south in Homestead, newer construction from the post-Andrew rebuild era often has straightforward PVC plumbing that makes drain relocation fast and inexpensive.
By the Numbers
Free, itemized estimates from Haven. No obligation, no sales pressure.
Get EstimateLocal Insight
A tub to shower conversion is often the first step into a broader bathroom remodeling project. Once the tub is out, homeowners frequently decide to replace the vanity, update the toilet, or add new flooring while the space is already open. Haven's full full bathroom remodel service covers all of that under one contract and one permit pull, more efficient and less disruptive than staging separate projects months apart.
If you're converting a tub specifically to age in place or accommodate a mobility limitation, our accessibility upgrades service goes further. We install grab bars rated to 250 pounds per the ADA Standards, build curbless zero-threshold entries, add fold-down teak benches, and configure handheld showerheads at seated height. These modifications can be engineered into a tub to shower conversion from the start, no additional demo, no extra tile day.
If you love the idea of a fully custom shower built from scratch (niche shelving, a double showerhead layout, or a wet-room design) our walk-in shower installation service details those options in full. Many homeowners start with a tub to shower conversion budget and upgrade to a full custom walk-in once they see the possibilities. We'll give you both quotes and let you decide.
An unpermitted tub-to-shower conversion can delay or kill a home sale in South Florida. Buyers' inspectors flag open or missing permits every time. Haven closes every permit before the project is complete.
Common Questions
Helpful Reads
Bathroom Remodeling
TV ads promise a one day tub to shower conversion for $5K–$8K: but skipping permits, waterproofing, and plumbing rough-in creates costly problems down the road.
Read article
Bathroom Remodeling
Wondering how long does a bathroom remodel take in Miami-Dade? From HOA approval to final inspection, the real South Florida timeline runs 6–12 weeks.
Read article
Bathroom Remodeling
South Florida has one of the largest 65+ populations in the country, and ADA bathroom upgrades are the fastest way to make any home safer.
Read articleThis 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.