Tub Removal: What Is Involved
The first step is getting the old tub out. Fiberglass and acrylic tub surrounds are the easiest. We cut them into sections with a reciprocating saw and carry them out in pieces. The whole process takes two to three hours including cleanup. Cast iron tubs are a different story. They weigh 300 to 400 pounds and cannot be cut easily. These come out in one piece, which means navigating doorways and hallways. Sometimes we break cast iron tubs with a sledgehammer to make removal manageable, but this is loud and messy.
Once the tub is out, we inspect everything behind it. The walls behind tubs often reveal old water damage, mold, or deteriorated drywall. In Miami, the humidity makes this more common than in drier climates. Any damaged framing or drywall gets replaced before the shower build begins. This inspection step is critical because you do not want to build new tile over a rotten wall.
Conversion Costs: $3,000 to $5,000 Add-On
When a tub-to-shower conversion is part of a larger bathroom remodel, the add-on cost runs $3,000 to $5,000 above what a standard shower installation would cost. That covers tub demolition and hauling ($300 to $800), additional waterproofing for the new shower footprint ($400 to $800), building the shower pan and curb ($500 to $1,000), and the extra tile needed for the larger shower area ($800 to $1,500).
As a standalone project, the total runs $4,500 to $8,000 because it includes all the work a full shower build requires. The difference between $3K and $5K as an add-on usually comes down to tub type (cast iron costs more to remove), whether the drain needs relocating, and how much additional tile the larger shower footprint requires. If the tub drain can serve as the shower drain with minor adjustments, you save on plumbing. If a new drain position or linear drain is needed, add $1,000 to $2,500 for slab work.
The Conversion Process
After tub removal and wall inspection, the process follows the same steps as any shower build. We frame any new walls if the shower will be a different size than the old tub footprint. Most conversions use the existing tub alcove dimensions, which gives you a 60-inch wide shower, more than enough for a comfortable walk-in.
The shower pan gets built with a mortar bed sloped toward the drain. Waterproofing membrane goes over the pan, up the walls, and around any niches or bench seats. After the membrane cures, tile installation begins on the walls, then the floor. The shower curb gets tiled and capped. Grout goes in after all tile is set and needs 24 hours to cure. Glass measurement happens as soon as the tile is complete so we can order the enclosure while finishing the rest of the bathroom. Fixtures, trim, and the shower head go on last. Start to finish, the conversion adds about 2 days to the overall remodel timeline.
Should You Keep or Remove the Tub?
This decision depends on two things: who uses the bathroom and how many tubs are in the house. If the bathroom is the master and nobody takes baths, remove the tub. You gain a larger, more comfortable shower that you will actually use daily. If this is the only bathroom with a tub and you have young children, keep it until the kids are older.
For resale, the general rule in Miami-Dade is to keep at least one bathtub in the house. Families with small children will not buy a home with zero tubs. But most buyers prefer a spacious walk-in shower in the master bathroom over a tub/shower combo. The ideal setup is a tub in the hall or guest bath and a walk-in shower in the master. If you have two or more bathrooms with tubs, converting one to a shower is a clear upgrade. Call us at (786) 363-7039 to talk through whether a conversion makes sense for your home.