Bathtub Replacement
Bathtub Replacement Bonita Springs FL done right the first time
Bathtub Replacement Bonita Springs FL homeowners can schedule this week: we pull the old tub, check the subfloor and shower valve, then set a new American Standard or Kohler tub on a properly waterproofed base. Whether you're in Bonita Bay or a 1970s ranch off Imperial River, you get a straight price, a clean job site, and a tub that drains right. Most jobs finish in one to two days.
Service overview
What Bathtub Replacement Bonita Springs FL really involves
Bathtub Replacement Bonita Springs FL is a plumbing and waterproofing job, not a cosmetic swap. We cut the old tub out, inspect the subfloor for rot, replace any soft plywood, and check the drain, overflow and shower valve while everything is open. Then we set the new tub level on a mortar or foam base, tie it into a waterproofing membrane, and close the walls with cement backer board instead of greenboard. Skipping any of those steps is why so many tubs squeak, flex or leak within a year.
Most calls we run in Lee County start with a cracked bathtub finish, a rusted steel tub from the 1980s, or a tub that flexes when you step in. Hard water stains on shower glass and grout cracking from Florida humidity usually show up in the same bathroom. If you've been searching "bathtub replacement near me Bonita Springs" after a chip turned into a crack, that's the right time to call. A small crack spreads fast under a full tub of water.
Practical benefits
Why homeowners replace instead of patch
A refinish buys you a few years. A full replacement fixes the reason the old tub failed in the first place: soft subfloor, a tired drain assembly, and a wall cavity that's been soaking up steam since the Reagan years.
No more flex or squeak
A new tub set on a mortar base doesn't move. We bed the tub, level it with a laser level, and check it with a moisture meter before the surround goes back up. That's the difference between a tub that feels solid for 20 years and one that pops a seal in 18 months.
Waterproofed behind the walls
We install cement backer board over a waterproofing membrane that meets ANSI A118.10, then seal the tub-to-wall joint with silicone, not grout. In Bonita Springs humidity, that membrane is what keeps mold and mildew from growing inside the wall cavity where you can't see it.
Modern drain and valve
Old cast iron drains and failing shower valves are the two most common leaks we find behind a tub. We swap in PVC or PEX supply lines and a Moen or Delta valve while the wall is open, so you're not tearing tile out again in three years for a $40 part.
Better fit for the room
Standard 60-inch alcove tubs fit most Bonita Springs bathrooms, but we also set 54-inch and 66-inch tubs, drop-ins and freestanding models. A properly sized tub opens up floor space and makes the whole bathroom feel bigger without moving a single wall.
How service works
How our tub replacement process works
Five steps, one crew, no surprises. Here's exactly what happens from the first phone call to the day we haul the old tub to the curb.
STEP 01
On-site measure
We measure the alcove, check the drain location, and confirm whether the existing valve is rebuildable or needs replacing. You get a written price the same day, usually within an hour of the walkthrough. No deposit to schedule.
Tools and methods
Tools and methods we use
Oscillating multi-tool
Cuts the old tub into sections for removal without damaging surrounding tile, drywall, or trim. Essential on cast iron and steel tubs that won't fit through a standard doorway in one piece.
Laser level
Levels the new tub in both directions before the mortar bed sets. A tub that's off-level by even a quarter inch won't drain fully and will stress the overflow connection over time.
Moisture meter
Checks the subfloor and surrounding framing for hidden water damage before we set the new tub. Catches rot that looks fine on the surface but would fail within a year under a new tub.
Wet saw and tile spacers
Cuts porcelain, ceramic, and natural stone tile for the tub surround. Spacers keep grout lines consistent so the finished wall looks factory-set, not hand-cut.
Pipe wrench and plumber's snake
Reworks the drain and overflow assembly and clears any blockage in the branch line before the new tub goes in. Cheaper to fix now than to pull the tub again later.
Caulking gun with silicone sealant
Seals the tub-to-wall and tub-to-floor joints with a flexible, mold-resistant bead. Silicone, not grout, because grout cracks where the tub and wall meet.
Shop vacuum
Cleans up demo debris, tile dust, and drywall fragments before we set the new tub. You shouldn't find grit in your bathroom for weeks after we leave.
ANSI A118.10 waterproofing membrane
We install a membrane rated to ANSI A118.10 behind the tub surround, over cement backer board. This is the standard that keeps steam and splash water out of the wall cavity, which is where mold and mildew start in Florida bathrooms.
Mortar bed tub setting
The new tub sits on a mortar or structural foam base, not directly on the subfloor. That's what stops the flex and squeak that plagues tubs set with shims or spray foam by less careful installers.
Florida Building Code and IRC compliance
Every tub replacement we do is built to Florida Building Code and the ICC Residential Building Code, including proper venting, GFCI protection near water, and correct drain sizing. We pull the permit and meet the inspector.
EPA Lead-Safe work practices
On pre-1978 Bonita Springs homes, we follow EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm procedures during demo: containment, HEPA vacuuming, and proper disposal. Required by law, and it keeps your family out of lead dust.
Where this service fits
When to replace instead of refinish
You're selling a Bonita Springs home and the master tub is dated or stained.
We do a fast, clean tub replacement with a neutral acrylic tub and fresh surround tile, scheduled around your listing photos. Most jobs finish in two days with no lingering dust. A bathroom that photographs well and passes inspection, without a full remodel budget.
You're aging in place and stepping over a 17-inch tub wall is getting risky.
We replace the tub with a low-threshold model or convert to a walk-in shower with a curb you can step over safely. Grab bars and a shower seat can be added in the same visit. A safer bathroom you can use without help, done in one project instead of two.
Your tub drains slowly and the floor near it feels soft.
We pull the tub, replace the soft subfloor, rework the drain with PVC pipe, and set a new tub on a properly bedded base. The slow drain and the soft floor get fixed in the same job. A tub that drains fast and a floor that's solid again, with the rot gone instead of covered up.
You've been searching "bathtub installation near me Bonita Springs FL" after a DIY refinish peeled.
We remove the failed refinish, inspect the tub shell, and set a new tub with proper waterproofing behind it. If the shell is still sound, we'll tell you refinishing is an option instead of upselling you. A finish that holds up to Florida humidity, backed by a written warranty.
Local execution
How tub replacement runs in Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs sits at sea level with year-round humidity, and that shapes every tub replacement we do here. Subfloors stay damp longer than they would inland, so we always check with a moisture meter before setting a new tub, and we use pressure-treated lumber for any subfloor repair. Older homes near Downtown Bonita Springs and Imperial River often have cast iron drains and 14-inch rough-ins that need adapting to modern PVC. Newer builds in Bonita National and The Brooks usually have PEX already, which makes the rough-in faster. Lee County requires a plumbing permit when the drain or valve is altered, and we pull it on every job. If you're comparing quotes for a new bathtub installation Bonita Springs Florida 34135 homeowners can trust, ask whether the price includes the permit, the waterproofing membrane, and haul-away. Ours does.
Bonita Bay
Many condos here have HOA rules on work hours and elevator use for hauling tubs out. We schedule around the building's requirements and protect common-area floors.
Imperial River
Older ranch homes with cast iron drains and 14-inch rough-ins. We adapt to modern PVC and check the subfloor carefully, since these homes sit close to the water table.
Coconut Point
1990s and 2000s builds with garden tubs that homeowners want swapped for standard alcove tubs or walk-in showers. Straightforward rough-ins, fast turnaround.
Bonita Terra
55-plus community where low-threshold tubs and walk-in conversions are the most common request. We plan the layout so grab bars can be added later without re-tiling.
Sun Village
Mix of manufactured and site-built homes. We confirm the subfloor structure before quoting, since some units need extra framing under a heavier tub.
Year-round humidity and steam buildup
Bathrooms here stay damp longer, so we always install a properly sized exhaust fan vented to the exterior and use epoxy grout in wet areas to resist mildew.
Hard water from local wells and municipal supply
Hard water etches tub finishes and stains shower glass. We recommend non-porous acrylic or cultured marble tubs that wipe clean without abrasive cleaners.
Sea-level water table near the coast
Homes in Bonita Beach and Barefoot Beach sit close to the water table, so subfloor moisture is a real concern. We check with a moisture meter and use pressure-treated lumber for any repair.
Lee County permitting and inspection timelines
Permits for plumbing alterations typically clear in a few business days. We schedule demo and inspection back-to-back so your bathroom isn't out of service longer than necessary.
Problems we solve
Tub problems we fix in Bonita Springs
Most tubs don't fail overnight. They crack, flex, or leak for months before you notice. Here are the four calls we run most often in Bonita Springs, and what it takes to fix each one.
Cracked or chipped bathtub finish that keeps spreading
We pull the tub, inspect the subfloor, and set a new acrylic or cast iron tub on a mortar base. Most cracked-tub jobs are done in one to two days, with the old tub hauled away the same visit. A small crack lets water into the tub shell and the subfloor beneath it. Left alone, it turns into rot, a soft floor, and a much bigger repair bill.
Tub flexes or squeaks when you step in
We reset the tub on a mortar bed, level it with a laser level, and re-seal the tub-to-wall joint with silicone. If the drain or overflow is compromised, we replace it while the tub is out. Flex means the tub isn't bedded properly, and every step stresses the drain and overflow connections. That's how slow leaks start behind the wall where you can't see them.
Hard water stains and mildew that won't come off
We replace the tub with a non-porous acrylic or cultured marble model that wipes clean, and we install a Broan or Panasonic exhaust fan sized to the room so steam doesn't sit on the new finish. Bonita Springs water is hard on tub finishes. Once the surface is etched, no cleaner brings it back, and the stained tub drags down the whole bathroom.
Rusted steel tub from an older Bonita Springs home
We cut the steel tub out, check the subfloor and drain, and set a new tub with modern PVC plumbing. We handle the Lee County permit and meet the inspector on site. Steel tubs from the 1970s and 80s rust from the inside out. Once rust breaks through the enamel, refinishing won't hold, and the tub starts staining the water.
A practical standard for every visit.
Clear planningPrepared arrivalsCareful workLocal follow-through
Experience in the details
Local tub replacement experience
Our crew has set tubs in Bonita Springs ranches, Bonita Bay condos, and 1990s builds off Coconut Point, so we know what's behind the walls before we open them. We hold a Florida Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) license and carry EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm status, which matters on pre-1978 homes where old paint and caulk can be disturbed during demo. Every job is permitted where Lee County requires it, and we pull the permit ourselves instead of leaving it on you.
- Florida Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) license, bonded and insured
- EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm for pre-1978 demo work
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety trained crew on every job
- Hundreds of tub swaps across Lee County, from cast iron to acrylic
- Work built to Florida Building Code and ICC Residential Building Code (IRC)
Where we work
One local team. A lot of ground covered.
Downtown Bonita SpringsBonita Springs City CenterBonita BayPelican LandingPelican MarshSpanish WellsImperial RiverBonita NationalVanderbilt BeachBarefoot BeachBonita BeachCoconut Point
Check my address Most tub replacements in Bonita Springs run $1,800 to $4,500 in 2026, including demo, haul-away, the new tub, and standard trim. A basic acrylic alcove swap sits at the low end. Cast iron removal, tile surround work, or a failing shower valve pushes it toward the top. We give you a fixed written price after a 20-minute walkthrough, so you know the number before we start.
A standard tub swap takes one to two days on site. Day one is demo, subfloor repair, and rough-in plumbing. Day two is setting the tub, waterproofing, tile or surround, and the leak test. If we're replacing the shower valve or repairing rot, add half a day. You'll have a working bathroom back the same evening in most cases.
Yes, if the drain, overflow, or shower valve is being altered, Lee County requires a plumbing permit. A straight swap of the same size tub with no plumbing changes sometimes qualifies as a minor repair, but we pull the permit anyway to keep the inspection record clean for resale. We handle the application and meet the inspector on site.
Acrylic and cultured marble tubs hold up best in Bonita Springs humidity because they don't rust and they wipe clean without harsh chemicals. Cast iron lasts longer but weighs 300-plus pounds and costs more to set. For most homes in 34135 and 34134, a 60-inch acrylic alcove tub from American Standard or Kohler is the sweet spot for price, fit, and durability.
Keep exploring
Related Services
Your next step is waiting
Schedule your Bathtub Replacement Bonita Springs FL estimate
One call gets you a same-day written price, a licensed crew, and a tub that's set right the first time. We're local, insured, and we pull the permit ourselves. Call now and we'll get you on the schedule this week.
Start with the basics
Get Your Free Bathroom Estimate
Call us at 512 325 0295 or send a message and we will get back to you the same business day. We answer the phone Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 6:00, and we book most estimates within the week. Tell us what is going on with your bathroom and we will tell you what it takes to fix it.