A walk in shower bathroom remodel is a structural upgrade that replaces your tub or enclosed shower with an open, curbless or low-threshold shower space. In Central Florida, a full walk in shower conversion typically costs $8,000 to $25,000 and takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on tile, glass, and plumbing changes.
What is a walk in shower bathroom remodel?
A walk in shower bathroom remodel is a renovation that removes an existing tub or framed shower and replaces it with an open, tiled shower — usually with a low-threshold base or a fully curbless floor. The glass enclosure is frameless or semi-frameless, and the shower floor tile runs flush with the bathroom floor.
This is not a cosmetic refresh. You’re removing the old fixture, re-framing the floor if needed, relocating or re-plumbing the drain, waterproofing the shower pan, and installing new tile, glass, and fixtures. Done properly, the finished space looks bigger, drains faster, and lasts decades.
In Central Florida, walk-in showers have become the default choice for master bathrooms. They suit aging-in-place planning, they don’t trap humidity like enclosed shower stalls, and they add resale appeal across Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, and Lake Nona.
How much does a walk in shower bathroom remodel cost in Florida?
A walk in shower bathroom remodel in Florida costs between $8,000 and $25,000 in 2026, with most Central Florida homeowners landing between $12,000 and $18,000 for a mid-range build. A basic tub-to-shower conversion using standard tile and a framed glass door starts around $8,000 to $10,000.
Three things drive the number: the tile (porcelain, natural stone, or large-format slab), the glass (framed, semi-frameless, or custom frameless), and the plumbing changes (relocating the drain or valve adds $1,500 to $3,500). A curbless shower with a linear drain and heated floor can push the total past $20,000.
Permits in Orange, Seminole, and Lake counties run $200 to $600 depending on scope. Waterproofing, demo, and haul-away are always included in a professional quote — if a contractor’s number looks low, those line items are usually missing.
How long does a walk in shower remodel take?
A walk in shower remodel takes 2 to 4 weeks from demo to final punch-out for a full tile-and-glass build. A straightforward tub-to-shower conversion with standard tile can be done in 10 to 14 working days. A curbless, custom-tiled, frameless glass shower typically runs the full 3 to 4 weeks.
The timeline breaks down roughly like this: demo and rough plumbing take 2 to 3 days, waterproofing and shower pan prep take 2 to 3 days (with cure time), tile installation takes 4 to 7 days, grout and seal take 2 days, and frameless glass is measured after tile — fabrication adds 7 to 10 days.
Most delays come from material lead times, not labour. Order the tile, shower pan, and fixtures before demo day. That single decision shaves a week off most projects.
Can you convert a tub to a walk in shower in any bathroom?
Most Central Florida bathrooms can be converted from a tub to a walk in shower, but the existing drain location, floor framing, and waterline layout determine how expensive the conversion will be. A standard 60-inch tub footprint converts easily into a 60-inch walk in shower without moving plumbing — that’s the low-cost path.
If you want a larger shower, or you want the entrance on a different wall, the drain has to move. In a slab-on-grade Florida home, that means saw-cutting the concrete, re-routing the drain, and pouring back. Add $2,000 to $4,000 for that work alone.
Older historical homes in Winter Park and College Park often have wood subfloors and narrower joist spacing. These require framing reinforcement before tile goes down, because tile over flex will crack within two years. We inspect the subfloor before quoting a fixed price.
This is where working with an experienced local contractor makes the difference. At Property Fixology we inspect the subfloor and the existing drain before we quote — so the number we give you is the number you pay. Ready to get started? Visit Shower Remodel or get a free estimate — call us on (407) 885-5935.
Do I need a permit for a walk in shower remodel in Orlando?
Yes — a walk in shower bathroom remodel in Orlando requires a permit whenever plumbing is moved, electrical is added, or waterproofing is installed. Orange County and the City of Orlando both require a permit for shower pan replacement because waterproofing failures cause the most common insurance claims in Florida bathrooms.
Cosmetic swaps like replacing a showerhead or regrouting existing tile do not require a permit. Everything beyond that does — including converting a tub to a shower, which always involves rough plumbing and waterproofing inspection.
A licensed contractor pulls the permit in their name, schedules the inspections, and carries the liability. Unpermitted shower work is the single biggest issue uncovered in Central Florida home inspections at resale — don’t skip this step to save $300.
Frequently Asked Questions About Walk In Shower Bathroom Remodels
What is the best tile for a walk in shower floor in Florida?
Porcelain mosaic tile with a textured, matte finish is the best tile for a walk in shower floor in Florida. It handles humidity, resists mould, and the small grout joints give the foot enough grip to meet slip-resistance standards. Natural stone looks beautiful but needs sealing every 12 months.
Is a curbless walk in shower worth the extra cost?
A curbless walk in shower adds $1,500 to $3,500 to a standard shower remodel because the floor has to be recessed and re-sloped. It’s worth the cost if you’re aging in place, if you have mobility concerns, or if you want a seamless master bathroom look. For a standard bathroom, a 2-inch curb works just as well.
How much does a tub to walk in shower conversion cost in Central Florida?
A tub to walk in shower conversion in Central Florida typically costs $8,000 to $15,000 in 2026. That covers demo, waterproofing, a new shower pan, tile, fixtures, and a semi-frameless glass enclosure. Moving the drain or upgrading to frameless custom glass pushes the price toward $18,000.
Can I install a walk in shower in a small bathroom?
Yes — a walk in shower fits in a bathroom as small as 30 square feet. A 36-inch by 60-inch walk in shower with a frameless glass panel and a linear drain actually makes a small bathroom feel larger than a bulky tub surround ever could. Mount the valve on the long wall to maximise open floor space.
Do walk in showers increase home value in Orlando?
Walk in showers increase home value in Orlando by 60 to 70 percent of the remodel cost, based on 2026 Central Florida resale data. Buyers consistently rank walk in showers above tubs in master bathrooms. Homes with at least one walk in shower sell faster and closer to asking price across Orange, Seminole, and Lake counties.
Book Your Walk In Shower Remodel
Ready to upgrade your bathroom with a walk in shower that’s built to last?
At Property Fixology, our Shower Remodel service covers every step — demo, rough plumbing, waterproofing, tile, frameless glass, and final finish. We inspect the subfloor before we quote, pull the permit, and give you a realistic timeline you can plan around. Get a free estimate and we’ll come take a look — no pressure, just a straight conversation about your project. Call us on (407) 885-5935.
