$3,400–$15,600: Jacksonville & St. Johns Tub to Shower Costs, Permits & Quotes

Most Jacksonville homeowners pay between $3,400 and $15,600 to convert a bathtub into a shower, with most projects landing around a $7,000 midpoint. Your final number depends on materials, plumbing changes, and whether you choose a prefab kit or a custom tile build. Before you commit to anyone, get two or three comparable licensed quotes and confirm what permitting your project needs.


TL;DR:

  • Costs vary widely based on materials and scope, with custom tiled and curbless showers reaching $8,000 to over $15,000, while simple inserts stay below $6,000.
  • Plumbing moves, subfloor repairs, and upgrades like accessibility features can significantly increase final costs and project complexity.
  • Jacksonville generally requires permits that can range from $85 to $295, with the entire process taking two to five weeks including inspections.
  • Comparing detailed, itemized quotes from licensed contractors helps avoid surprises and ensures all scope and costs are clear.
  • A full-service local provider can streamline the process, handle permits, and offer design options from consultation through installation.

Table of Contents

Local cost breakdown by conversion type

Your price depends heavily on which type of shower you choose, so it helps to see the bands side by side before you start calling contractors.

  • Acrylic or fiberglass insert: $3,000 to $6,000 installed, usually finished in one to two workdays once demolition starts.
  • Accessibility package with low-threshold acrylic: $5,000 to $9,000, often including a built-in bench and grab bars.
  • Tiled shower, custom built: $6,500 to $12,000, driven by labor hours for tile setting and waterproofing membrane work.
  • Curbless or zero-entry shower: $8,000 to $15,000 or more, because the pan or slab needs to be recessed for a flush transition.
  • Wet room conversion: $10,000 to $20,000 or more, the most involved option since the whole room becomes a waterproofed enclosure.

A typical quote breaks down into demolition and tub removal, the new shower pan or base, waterproofing membrane, any plumbing work, tile or wall panels, fixtures and hardware, and debris disposal. Ask your contractor to itemize each of these so you know exactly what you’re paying for and where you have room to adjust.

What drives your final price up or down

Two homes with the same square footage can land in completely different price bands, and the difference almost always comes down to a handful of factors you can check before you ever request a quote.

  • Plumbing moves: relocating a drain or valve adds real cost and triggers a plumbing permit, since you’re altering the supply or waste lines.
  • Subfloor condition: rot or water damage under an old tub means repair work before the new shower goes in.
  • Base and wall system: a prefab insert costs less and installs faster than tile, but tile offers more design flexibility and a different waterproofing approach.
  • Accessibility features: curbless pans, built-in benches, and grab bars add material and labor but improve long-term safety.
  • Finish-level extras: frameless glass doors, tile niches, recessed lighting, and upgraded valves all push the budget higher.
  • Hidden surprises: mold, old asbestos-containing materials, or backordered fixtures can stall a project and add unplanned cost.

Pro Tip: Ask your contractor to inspect the subfloor and plumbing layout before you finalize your budget, not after demolition has already started.

If you’re trying to trim costs without cutting corners on safety, our guide to reducing bathroom renovation costs walks through where it’s safe to save.

Permits, inspections, and how long the project takes

Jacksonville and Duval County generally require a permit for tub-to-shower conversions because the work alters plumbing, even when the new shower sits in the same footprint as the old tub. The Jacksonville Building Inspection Division calculates permit fees based on project valuation, with typical fees for this scope modeled between $85 and $295.

Here’s what the process usually looks like from start to finish:

  1. Your licensed contractor submits the permit application and project valuation to the city.
  2. Plumbing rough-in inspection confirms drain and supply lines are correctly placed before walls close up.
  3. A shower pan water test checks the new pan holds water without leaking, required when you install a new base.
  4. A final inspection signs off on the completed work before you resume regular use.

On-site labor for most conversions takes three to seven days, but the full timeline, including permit review and inspection scheduling, typically runs two to five weeks. Build that buffer into your plans if you’re working around guests or a tight schedule.

Choosing between prefab, tile, and curbless designs

Each conversion style comes with its own trade-offs in cost, maintenance, and how the finished bathroom functions day to day.

  • Prefab acrylic or fiberglass: the fastest and most affordable route for a straightforward swap, with fewer seams to maintain and a shorter install window.
  • Tiled showers: cost more and take longer, but they offer a higher-end look and tend to support resale value better than a basic insert.
  • Curbless or zero-entry showers: the most expensive option because of the pan or slab work and the precision waterproofing required, but they’re the strongest choice for aging-in-place or ADA-compatible goals.
  • Maintenance and warranty: prefab surfaces resist mildew with less scrubbing, while tile grout needs more upkeep but can be repaired section by section instead of replaced whole.

If safety and long-term independence matter more than upfront cost, a curbless design paired with a bench and grab bars is worth the investment. For a quick refresh on a tighter budget, prefab remains the practical choice for most households.

Getting quotes you can actually compare

A little prep work before you call contractors saves you from apples-to-oranges bids that are impossible to compare fairly.

  1. Write down your preferred materials, take photos of the current tub and plumbing, and note your budget range before the first call.
  2. Ask every bidder who pulls the permit, whether they carry current license and insurance, what warranty they offer, and what their payment schedule looks like.
  3. Insist on a written contract with a detailed scope of work, a clear change-order policy, a lien release, and a defined final sign-off point.
  4. Decide upfront which tasks you’re comfortable handling yourself, since cosmetic work like painting is reasonable for a confident do-it-yourselfer, but plumbing moves and curbless pan installation call for a licensed contractor.

Comparing like-for-like scopes, not just bottom-line numbers, is the clearest way to avoid surprises once work begins.

A local, one-stop option for your conversion

If coordinating permits, plumbing, and finish selections on your own sounds like more juggling than you want, The Kitchen, Bathroom & Flooring Store handles tub-to-shower conversions from design through installation under one roof. That means one point of contact for design assistance, product selection from bathroom showers and tubs, permit coordination, and project management, rather than chasing separate plumbers, tile setters, and permit runners yourself. Financing options are offered, and packaged bathroom remodeling options can provide a defined starting point for your project rather than a blank slate.

A local, one-stop option for your conversion — overview diagram

What homeowners wish they’d known going in

Homeowners who’ve gone through a conversion often say the permit timeline surprised them more than the cost did, especially when a drain relocation added a plumbing inspection they hadn’t planned for. Others mention that finishing touches, grout curing, caulking, door adjustments, took longer than the demolition itself. The common thread is a clear written scope agreed up front, with one person accountable for the schedule, which keeps small surprises from turning into big delays.

— Anna

Ready for a free consult and a real quote

A free consult with The Kitchen, Bathroom & Flooring Store includes a design review, a clear scope of work, a ballpark estimate, and guidance on what permitting your specific job will need. We offer financing options so you can budget your conversion as a monthly payment rather than one lump sum, and our bathroom remodeling packages give you a straightforward starting point to build from.

The Kitchen, Bathroom & Flooring Store

Visit our showroom or request an on-site estimate to see your options and get a written quote built around your bathroom, your budget, and your timeline.

FAQ

What is the average cost of converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower?

In Jacksonville, a typical walk-in shower conversion costs between $3,400 and $15,600, with most homeowners landing near a $7,000 midpoint. The final number depends on whether you choose a prefab insert, a tiled shower, or a curbless accessibility design.

How much does it cost to convert a bathtub to a shower?

Statewide, Florida conversions generally run $3,000 to $12,000 installed, with many households falling in the $5,000 to $9,000 middle band. Materials, plumbing changes, and accessibility features are the biggest factors pushing a project toward the higher end.

Will Medicare pay to convert tub to shower?

Medicare does not typically cover bathroom modifications like tub-to-shower conversions, since these fall under home improvements rather than medical equipment or services. Homeowners looking for help with accessibility upgrades should check with their contractor about other local or state assistance programs available in their area.

How much does Home Depot charge for tub to shower conversion?

Home Depot does not publish a flat rate since pricing depends on the local installer, materials chosen, and the scope of plumbing work required. For a transparent, itemized quote specific to your bathroom, it’s worth comparing a big-box estimate against a local full-service remodeler like The Kitchen, Bathroom & Flooring Store, which provides design, materials, and installation together.

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