Most homes in Kempsville and Lynnhaven still have the original fiberglass tubs from the 1980s. Those units leak at the seam where the wall meets the floor because the thin backing never held up to the humid subtropical climate moderated by the Atlantic Ocean. We pull the old unit, check the subfloor for rot, then lay a pre-sloped base with a Schluter membrane before any tile goes down. Virginia Beach City requires a permit for any plumbing change, so we pull that before we start and schedule the inspection on day two or three.
Salt air from the Oceanfront and Sandbridge eats cheap fixtures fast. The valves and drains we use are all brass or stainless so they last longer than the plated junk some crews throw in. We also run the tile up to the ceiling on the wet walls because steam from daily showers finds every gap above a normal height tile job. That extra row of tile stops mold from starting in the upper corners where people never wipe.
Cheap crews skip the waterproof test and just hope the caulk holds. We flood the pan overnight and check every seam before we set the first tile. If the house sits on the old fill near Princess Anne or Great Neck, we add extra blocking under the base because the floor can settle an eighth inch in the first year. That step keeps the door from binding later.
Grab bars and a low threshold make the shower safer for older users. We bolt the bars into the studs, not just the drywall, and set the threshold at three quarters of an inch so a walker rolls through without catching. The whole install usually takes four to six working days once the permit clears.
Walk in Shower Installation Services We Offer
✓Tub to Shower Conversion
We remove the tub and set a curbless base so you step straight in. Most jobs finish in five days and use the same drain line.
✓Senior Walk in Shower
Low threshold base, built-in bench, and two grab bars installed into studs. We finish the job in four to five days with slip-resistant tile.
✓Same Week Walk in Shower
If the old unit is leaking and you need it fixed fast we can pull permits and start within two days of the signed agreement.
✓Custom Tile Walk in Shower
Full height tile on all walls with a built-in niche and linear drain. Takes six days once we start and uses a Schluter membrane under the tile.
Walk in Shower Installation Cost in Virginia Beach, VA
| Service | Typical Range | What Affects It |
|---|---|---|
| Basic acrylic walk in shower swap | $4500-$6500 | Same drain line, no plumbing moves, standard tile to 6 feet. |
| Curbless shower with linear drain | $6500-$8500 | New drain location or larger pan adds cost. |
| Full custom tile walk in shower | $7500-$9500 | Ceiling height tile, niche, and upgraded glass door. |
| Senior grab bar package add on | $350-$600 | Two bars bolted to studs plus bench seat. |
| Free written estimate at 272 Bendix Rd | Free | Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–2pm. Call first so we bring the right samples. |
Ranges are typical for Virginia Beach, VA and confirmed with an exact written quote before any work starts.
How it works
- 1
Site Visit And Measure
We come to the house, check the plumbing stack, and write the scope. Takes one hour.
- 2
Permit And Material Order
We pull the Virginia Beach City permit and order the base, tile, and fixtures. Allow three to five days.
- 3
Demo And Waterproof
Remove old tub, check floor, install membrane and pre-sloped base. One full day.
- 4
Tile, Door, And Final
Set tile, install door or curtain rod, test for leaks, and call for inspection. Two to three days.
Pricing
Prices vary by size and whether plumbing moves. Call during Mon–Fri 8am–6pm or Sat 9am–2pm for a written number.