#CBC1268572
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Tub-to-Shower Conversion in West Palm Beach, FL
Bathtub-to-shower conversion is the most requested single-scope bathroom project across West Palm Beach’s residential market. The combination of Florida’s warm climate, an active outdoor lifestyle, and the high proportion of condominiums and older homes with compact bathrooms makes the traditional 60-inch bathtub a poor fit for how most West Palm Beach residents actually use their bathrooms. Replacing an unused or underused bathtub with a walk-in tile shower adds usable daily function to the space and consistently improves the appearance of a bathroom that has dated tile or a worn tub surround.
Pillar 22 manages tub-to-shower conversions in West Palm Beach as full construction projects, not as cosmetic overlay work. Every conversion includes proper demolition, subfloor inspection for moisture damage, drain repositioning or adaptation, cement board substrate, full waterproofing membrane application, tile installation, and grout sealing. The result is a shower that performs correctly for years, not a fiberglass insert sitting over a plywood subfloor that was never waterproofed.
What a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Involves in West Palm Beach
Bathtub and Surround Removal
Removing a standard 60-inch alcove bathtub in West Palm Beach requires disconnecting the drain assembly, removing the tub surround tile or fiberglass panel, and extracting the tub itself. Cast-iron tubs, common in pre-1980 West Palm Beach construction, weigh 300-400 pounds and require more than one person and sometimes controlled disassembly in the doorway to remove from the bathroom. Pillar 22 manages all demolition safely and disposes of removed materials.
Not sure if removing the tub is the right move? Our guide to walk-in showers vs. bathtubs for Florida homes covers how each option affects resale value, usability, and buyer appeal in the Palm Beach market.
Subfloor Inspection and Moisture Remediation
West Palm Beach bathtubs frequently have moisture damage in the subfloor directly under the drain and around the tub perimeter, particularly in bathrooms with inadequate ventilation or where caulk joints were not maintained. Pillar 22 inspects and photographs the subfloor condition after tub removal before proceeding. Any moisture-damaged subfloor sections are replaced before the shower substrate is installed.
Drain Repositioning
A bathtub drain is positioned at the head or foot of the tub, which may not align with the center of the new shower footprint. Moving the drain requires opening the subfloor, modifying the drain line connection, and running a new trap arrangement. This work is coordinated with a licensed plumber and is included in the permit scope when required. Pillar 22 does not install shower pans over incorrect drain positions.
Shower Pan and Waterproofing
Pillar 22 installs either a pre-sloped mortar bed shower pan or a Schluter KERDI shower tray to create the shower floor, depending on the specific design and drain location. Both methods are then waterproofed with a full membrane system before tile installation. The shower walls receive the same waterproofing treatment. No tile is set until the waterproofing inspection is passed.
Tile Installation and Glass Enclosure
Floor and wall tile are installed according to the design selected during the pre-construction phase. Frameless glass or semi-frameless glass enclosures are typically installed after tile work is complete, fabricated to the actual finished shower dimensions to ensure a precise fit.
Plumbing Fixture Installation
New shower valve, showerhead, and any additional fixtures specified are installed after tile work. If the existing shower valve is older than 10-15 years, Pillar 22 recommends replacing it during the conversion rather than working around a valve that is likely to fail within the useful life of the new shower.
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Do You Need a Permit for a Tub-to-Shower Conversion in West Palm Beach?
A permit is required for a tub-to-shower conversion in West Palm Beach when the project involves drain relocation, plumbing modifications, or structural changes. Because most conversions in West Palm Beach require some plumbing work, a permit is required for the majority of these projects. Pillar 22 determines the permit requirement during the initial assessment and manages the application process as a standard part of the project scope.
Homeowners who have tub-to-shower conversions performed without required permits face complications when selling the property, including the possibility of having to demonstrate compliance retroactively or remove and redo the work. Pillar 22 does not perform work that requires a permit without pulling one.
Why West Palm Beach Homeowners Convert Tubs to Showers
- Most Palm Beach County households with two or more bathrooms rarely use the bathtub in the secondary bath; a walk-in shower serves daily function better
- The outdoor lifestyle in South Florida, including beach activities, sports, and pool use, creates a higher daily showering frequency than most national averages
- Walk-in showers are easier to clean and maintain in a high-humidity coastal environment than bathtub surrounds with horizontal grout ledges that accumulate moisture
- Converting a tub to a walk-in shower increases visual spaciousness in small bathrooms, particularly in West Palm Beach condominiums
- Aging-in-place considerations drive tub removal in Palm Beach County’s significant senior homeowner demographic
Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost in West Palm Beach (2026)
|
Conversion Scope |
Typical Range (WPB) |
Notes |
|
Standard Tub-to-Shower (no drain move) |
$7,000 – $12,000 |
Existing drain position used, standard tile |
|
Conversion with Drain Relocation |
$10,000 – $18,000 |
Plumbing modification, new drain location |
|
Conversion + Frameless Glass + Premium Tile |
$14,000 – $26,000 |
Includes bench, niche, premium porcelain or stone |
Schedule a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Assessment in West Palm Beach
Pillar 22 provides on-site assessments for tub-to-shower conversion projects throughout West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County. The assessment covers demolition scope, drain position evaluation, waterproofing requirements, and a written cost estimate.
State-Certified General Contractor | License CBC1268572 | Palm Beach County, FL
Contact Pillar 22 at +1 (561) 861-2222 or schedule at pillar22.com.
If you want to go further than a conversion, explore our full walk-in shower installation service. And if you’re planning around resale, read what adds the most value to a bathroom remodel in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
A tub-to-shower conversion in West Palm Beach typically takes 8-14 business days from permit approval to final inspection. If drain relocation is required, add 1-2 days for plumbing rough-in and inspection. Permit processing in Palm Beach County adds 5-15 business days before construction can begin.
In properties with two or more bathrooms, removing a bathtub in the secondary bath has minimal impact on resale value in the West Palm Beach market. In single-bathroom homes, maintaining at least one bathtub is generally advisable for the broadest buyer appeal. Pillar 22 advises on this consideration based on the specific property type, number of bathrooms, and current market conditions in the neighborhood.
Pillar 22 does not perform permit-required work without pulling a permit. In West Palm Beach, most tub-to-shower conversions require a permit because they involve plumbing work. Performing this work without a required permit creates code compliance issues that can surface during property sales, insurance claims, or refinancing appraisals.
Pillar 22 inspects and photographs the subfloor condition after tub removal before proceeding with any new work. Moisture-damaged subfloor sections are replaced as part of the project scope, and the cost is identified in the written contract or in a written change order if the damage is discovered during demolition. No new substrate is installed over damaged framing or subfloor material.