Before you sign for a tub to shower conversion, check five things. Confirm the company’s license and county registration, verify its insurance, and find out who pulls the plumbing permit. Get a written contract with an itemized scope, along with a payment plan built on a modest deposit and lien releases. A good company answers each of these questions plainly and in writing, and you can verify most of the answers yourself with a phone call or an online search. The sections below give each question, what a sound answer looks like and where to check it.
What license does the company need?
Several Florida license types cover bathroom remodeling. A building contractor may remodel, repair or improve a building of any size as long as the work doesn’t affect the building’s structural members. A general contractor’s scope is unlimited as to type of work, except as s. 489.113 provides. Ask which one the company holds, then check who handles the plumbing.
Plumbing needs a separate check, because Florida law requires a contractor to subcontract plumbing work unless that contractor holds a state certificate or registration in plumbing. A plumbing contractor’s scope covers installing, repairing, altering and extending plumbing. Before you sign, ask who will do the drain, supply and valve work, and check that company’s license as well as the prime contractor’s.
How do you verify the license?
The Florida Attorney General advises that you verify the contractor’s license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for the type of work at www.myfloridalicense.com, and check any county license with the county’s construction licensing board. The Attorney General also suggests calling DBPR at (850) 487-1395 to find out whether complaints have been filed against the contractor.
In Escambia County, a contractor can be licensed either by the State of Florida or by the county. Whichever license it holds, nearly every contractor working in Escambia County must register with Escambia County Building Inspections, with exceptions such as architects, engineers and propane gas contractors, and contractors in Santa Rosa County register with Santa Rosa County Building Inspections. Escambia County suggests that you call its Contractor Licensing Section to verify a county license’s status and insurance, and it notes that an occupational license is not sufficient in the construction trades. Santa Rosa has no online search for county licenses, so call 850-981-7000, option 2. Whichever office you check with, make sure the name on the license matches the company name on the contract.
The license also determines where you can turn if something goes wrong. The City of Pensacola directs complaints about a locally registered contractor to Escambia County’s Competency Board, and complaints about a state-licensed contractor to DBPR. If you hire someone without a license, Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) and DBPR may be unable to help you recover losses from an unlicensed contractor, and your only remedy may be civil court.
Start Here: The 7 Fast Questions To Ask Every Tub-To-Shower Contractor
What insurance should the contractor carry?
Florida’s Construction Industry Licensing Board makes it a violation for a certified or registered contractor to fail to continually maintain public liability and property damage insurance. The rule sets minimums of $300,000 liability and $50,000 property damage for general and building contractors, and $100,000 liability and $25,000 property damage for residential and plumbing contractors. Santa Rosa County also states that a licensed contractor in the county is required to have workers’ compensation and general liability insurance, though that is the county’s own statement and doesn’t cite a statute. A website that says “licensed and insured” doesn’t prove either one, so ask for proof of insurance and, as the Attorney General advises, verify with the insurer that the policy is current.
Who pulls the permit, and what gets inspected?
Don’t assume a conversion counts as cosmetic work. At least one local office specifically requires a permit for it. In unincorporated Escambia County, Building Services requires a Plumbing Fixture Permit to replace a bathtub with a shower or shower pan. The City of Pensacola requires an alteration permit for bathroom remodels in which all cabinets and plumbing, gas or electrical fixtures are removed, and whenever sheetrock comes out to rough in subtrades. Its permit exemptions cover items like tile floor coverings and minor cabinetry with no plumbing or electrical fixtures. In the City of Gulf Breeze, building also requires a Santa Rosa County building permit, and Santa Rosa County’s guidance says a permit is most often required except for minor repairs. That guidance doesn’t address conversions specifically, so homeowners in Milton and Navarre should confirm the requirement with the City of Milton or Santa Rosa County Building Inspections. Whatever the jurisdiction, Florida law prohibits starting or performing permit-required work without the permit in effect.
Next, ask the contractor and the permit office which inspections the permit includes and which code requirements they check. Treat the following as examples to confirm with your inspector. According to a Florida Home Builders Association training course that quotes the 2023 Florida Building Code, Residential, section P2708.4 requires shower and tub/shower valves of the pressure-balance, thermostatic-mixing or combination type, with a high limit stop set to no more than 120°F, so if the valve is being replaced, ask whether the new one meets that standard, and if you’re keeping the existing valve, ask whether it does. The same course quotes P2503.6, under which a lined shower floor is flood-tested by plugging the drain and holding water at least 2 inches deep at the threshold for at least 15 minutes with no leakage. Ask to see the permit number before work starts and the inspection result before final payment. Our projects have plumbing permits pulled and go through county inspection, and any contractor you hire should be able to show you both.
Any hesitation, vague deflection, or “we’ll figure that out later” on these basics is your sign to move on. A contractor who does this work regularly will answer these without blinking.
Why Tub-To-Shower Conversions Need A Specialist, Not A General Handyman
What if the contractor asks you to pull an owner-builder permit?
Treat that request as a warning sign. Florida’s owner-builder disclosure statement itself warns that unlicensed persons frequently have the property owner obtain an owner-builder permit, and the owner may be held liable for injuries to an unlicensed person working on the property. Under that permit, any unlicensed worker must work under your direct supervision and be employed by you, which means you must withhold federal income tax and FICA and provide workers’ compensation. You also can’t delegate supervision to anyone who isn’t licensed for the work being done. If these rules are broken, the local permitting agency must withhold final approval, revoke the permit, or pursue unlicensed-activity remedies against you and anyone doing licensed work under it. A contractor who wants the permit in your name is asking you to carry its risk.
There’s a real difference between bathroom contractors who do wet-area work every week and general remodelers who “also do patios, decks, and the occasional bath.” Here’s what a specialist handles routinely that a handyman often gets wrong:
How do you compare bids that cover different work?
Bids compare fairly only when they price the same job. An acrylic liner or overlay installed over the existing tub and walls is a different job from a full tear-out with a new shower floor, waterproofing and wall system, so the lowest number may simply reflect the smallest scope. Ask every bidder for a written, itemized scope that answers each of these points:
- The scope states whether the job is an overlay or a full tear-out and includes demolition and disposal.
- The scope names the waterproofing method for the floor and walls and says whether the floor gets a flood test.
- The scope says whether the drain moves or changes and whether the valve gets replaced.
- The scope names the wall system, such as tile, grout-free panels or an acrylic surround.
- The scope describes the entry, whether curbed, low-curb or curbless, and the glass door, fixed panel or curtain.
- The scope lists any accessibility features, such as grab-bar blocking, a bench or a handheld shower.
Your price will depend on those same choices: the system type, the waterproofing and drain work, the glass, and any damage found once the old tub comes out. Ask each bidder how it handles hidden damage, for example with a separate contingency line, so that a surprise after demo doesn’t become an open-ended change order.
The schedule belongs in writing as well. We provide a written scope with itemized pricing and a realistic schedule before demo day, and for grout-free installs we typically sequence a standard conversion across 3–5 working days, assuming no major hidden damage turns up once the tub comes out, and share that schedule before demo starts. Ask any bidder how long the work will take and plan around whether you’ll have a second bathroom during it.
Which accessibility features belong in the plan?
If you plan to stay in the home as you age, decide on accessibility features while the walls are open. AARP’s aging-in-place guidance recommends installing horizontal wood blocking for grab bars around tub, shower and toilet areas before walls are finished. It also recommends replacing a step-over shower curb with a zero-step entry that could later become fully accessible for seated transfer or roll-in use. Ask whether that’s practical in your bathroom and, if it isn’t, whether a lower curb is an option. The ADA’s design rules won’t settle these choices for you, because according to the ADA National Network, the ADA does not cover strictly residential private homes. Decide which features you want and make sure the scope names them.
Ask any remodeler: “What percentage of your work is tub-to-shower conversions or shower remodels?” If the answer is below 50% wet-area work, keep looking.
Checking Credentials: Licensing, Insurance, And Legal Protection
This is the non-negotiable section. If a contractor fails here, nothing else matters-not their price, not their portfolio, not their personality.
Most bathroom remodelers either perform the work under a plumber’s or contractor’s licnese. It is extremely risky to hire a “Chuck in the truck” handyman who does not have insurance and is not pulling permits.
How much deposit is reasonable, and how should payments be tied to the work?
Florida law puts deadlines on any contractor, licensed or not, that takes more than 10 percent of the contract price as an initial payment for residential work. That contractor must apply for the necessary permits within 30 days of the payment and start work within 90 days after the permits are issued, unless it has just cause or you agreed in writing to a longer period. If those deadlines pass, you send a written demand by certified mail to apply for the permits, start the work or refund the payment. A contractor that does none of those within 30 days of receiving your demand may be inferred to lack just cause.
Separately, a contractor holding more of your money than the value of the work performed may not fail or refuse to perform any work for any 90-day period, or for any period set in the contract. These rules give you leverage after a problem starts, but a good payment schedule prevents the problem. Such a schedule takes a modest deposit, ties progress payments to finished stages and passed inspections, and holds the final payment until the final inspection passes and the punch list is complete.
How do lien releases keep you from paying twice?
Before each payment, collect written lien releases from anyone who has served you a Notice to Owner, and before final payment, also get the contractor’s final payment affidavit. Unpaid subcontractors, sub-subcontractors and material suppliers may look to your property for payment, even if you have already paid your contractor in full. Escambia County suggests you make sure your contractor provides releases of liens from subcontractors and suppliers. Except for laborers, lienors who don’t contract with you directly must serve a Notice to Owner before they start or within 45 days after starting, and before your final payment; failing to serve it on time is a complete defense against their lien.
For progress payments, you may require the contractor’s affidavit, but it doesn’t relieve you of paying lienors who gave notice, and you owe nothing to lienors other than laborers who hadn’t served a notice when you paid. At final payment, the contractor must give you an affidavit stating that every lienor who timely served a Notice to Owner has been paid in full, or naming each one who hasn’t and the amount due. Because lien rights can’t be waived in advance, each release covers only labor and materials already furnished, and Florida law provides standard release forms for progress and final payments.
Concrete questions to ask:
“Can you email me a current certificate of insurance with me listed as certificate holder?”
“What license number should I check with the state?”
What is a Notice of Commencement, and why does it matter?
A Notice of Commencement is a recorded document that isn’t itself a lien but gives constructive notice that claims of lien may be recorded. Except for exempt improvements, the owner or the owner’s authorized agent must record it with the clerk and post a certified copy, or a notarized statement of filing with a copy, before starting the improvement. The statutory form warns that payments made after the notice expires are improper payments and can result in paying twice for the improvements, so ask the contractor who records it. Even if the contractor files it for you, confirm it was recorded and posted, and note when it expires.
Experience That Actually Matters For A Bathroom Remodel
How are cleanup, the final walk-through and warranties handled?
Ask every bidder how the crew will protect your floors and the rest of the house from dust and debris, and how it cleans up each day. I’ve walked into homes where a previous contractor left thinset tracked through the hallway and dust coating every surface in the master bedroom, and a written protection plan heads off that kind of mess. At the end of the job, we walk every completed job with the homeowner, address punch list items before final payment, and provide written warranty documentation covering our labor alongside the manufacturer’s paperwork, and you should ask any company how it handles those same steps. Before work starts, get the shower system manufacturer’s installation instructions and warranty terms, and confirm whether it requires an authorized installer or specific materials and methods.
Take these questions to each bid appointment and ask for the answers in writing.
Ask these questions:
“How many tub to shower conversion projects have you done in the past year in homes like mine?”
“Have you done projects in Gulf Breeze, Navarre, or Pensacola older slab homes?”
Portfolio, References, And Seeing Real Previous Work
Ask the contractor to provide references from at least two or three recent tub-to-shower conversion clients within the last 12 months, ideally nearby. When you contact those references, ask:
Did they finish on time?
Did the final price match the contract?
How did they handle any change orders or surprises?
One question I always recommend: “Can I see a grout-free shower you installed that’s at least a year old?” Day-of-install photos tell you about cosmetics. A year later tells you about quality.
Contractors should have a portfolio of completed bathroom projects they’re proud to show. Reputable companies like Academy Construction should be comfortable showing galleries and putting you in touch with past clients.
Scope Of Work: Exactly What's Included In Your Tub-To-Shower Conversion
You need a written, itemized description that spells out every piece of the project:
Materials And Shower System Choices: What Your Contractor Recommends (And Why)
Glass: Framed enclosures cost less and are more forgiving in older homes. Frameless looks sharp but needs precise installation, thicker glass (⅜ inch minimum), and corrosion-resistant hardware-especially near salt air.
Timeline, Daily Schedule, And How The Project Will Actually Run
Ask for a clear breakdown:
Demo day
Plumbing rough-in
Waterproofing and backer board installation
Finish work (tile, panels, glass); if the job also includes a vanity, its reinstallation or replacement can affect the final sequence
Cure times for grout or sealants
Money Talk: Estimates, Payment Schedule, And Change Orders
Honest contractors welcome detailed questions about money. If someone gets squirmy when you ask for line items, that tells you something. Clear and detailed written estimates are essential for bathroom remodeling projects.
Deposits: A reasonable deposit is typically 10–30% after permits are secured. Huge upfront payments, cash-only deals, or demands for most of the money before work starts are red flags.
Protecting Your Home: Demolition, Dust Control, And Daily Cleanup
Ask before you sign: “How will you protect my floors, stairs, and nearby rooms during demo and installation?”
Good answers include:
Daily cleanup matters too. At the end of each work day, tools should be put away, debris hauled off or contained, and work areas swept or vacuumed. Hallways should be clear and safe to walk through.
Warranty, Service, And What Happens After The Last Check Clears
There are two types of warranty that matter:
Warranty Type | What It Covers | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
Manufacturer warranty | Shower system, glass, valves, pan | Varies by product (1 year to lifetime) |
Workmanship warranty | Installation quality-slope, waterproofing, tile work, sealing | 1–5 years typical |
The workmanship warranty is usually the one that matters most, because even the best materials fail when installed poorly. |
Ask these questions:
“How long is your labor warranty?”
“Is it in writing as part of the contract?”
“What exactly does it cover, and what does it exclude?”
“What maintenance do I need to do to keep the warranty valid?”
At Academy Construction, we walk every completed job with the homeowner, address any punch list items before final payment, and provide written warranty documentation covering our labor alongside all manufacturer paperwork.
Red Flags And Deal Breakers When Interviewing Bathroom Remodelers
This section helps you read between the lines. Some warning signs are obvious; others are subtle. Either way, when you spot them, politely end the conversation and move on.
Credential red flags:
Money red flags:
Asks for most of the money up front
Cash-only, no paperwork
Refuses to list out the items included in the price of the bathroom remodel scope
“Today only” type of pricing pressure
Workmanship red flags:
No photos of previous work
No local references
Visible shortcuts in their portfolio-caulk used instead of proper flashing, cheap purple or green backer board in wet areas
Communication red flags:
Gets defensive when you ask about change orders, or insurance
Vague or shifting answers about who will actually be on site doing the work
Can’t give you a clear schedule or point of contact like a project manager
How Academy Construction Handles Tub-To-Shower Conversions In The Pensacola Bay Area
You can reach us at 506 Navarre St, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, by phone at 850-260-3360, or email at info@academy-construction.com for a free quote or consultation.
