A bathroom remodel in Florida usually runs 4 to 8 weeks. The single most common cause of overruns isn’t the tile, the plumbing, or the permit — it’s the homeowner who orders the custom shower glass at the wrong moment in the project. Glass that’s ordered too early can’t be measured accurately. Glass that’s ordered too late stalls the project for two weeks while the rest of the bathroom sits finished and unusable. Here’s the day-by-day timeline we walk every Henderson’s Glass & Mirror client through.
The 8-Week Florida Bathroom Remodel
Most Tampa, Orlando, and Kissimmee bathroom remodels we coordinate with general contractors run on roughly this schedule:
- Week 0 (Pre-Project): Design, selections, contractor signed.
- Week 1: Demolition.
- Week 2: Rough plumbing and electrical.
- Week 3: Drywall, cement board, waterproofing.
- Week 4–5: Tile setting and grouting.
- Week 5–6: Vanity, plumbing fixtures, paint.
- Week 6–7: Glass measurement, fabrication, install.
- Week 7–8: Punch list, final inspection.
The glass scope — from first measurement to final install — takes about 10 to 14 business days inside that timeline. Where most projects fail is in the handoff between the tile contractor and the glass installer.
The Critical Rule: Measure AFTER the Tile
The single most important rule of shower glass scheduling: we cannot measure your shower until the tile is fully installed and grouted.
Why? Because frameless shower glass is custom-fabricated to the exact dimensions of your finished shower opening, often to within 1/16th of an inch. Tile is never perfectly flat — it has subtle bows, corners that aren’t quite 90°, and minute variations between setting and grouting. We measure off the actual tile surface; the glass is then cut to fit that exact reality. There’s no other way to get a frameless install that doesn’t leak.
Working from architect drawings, contractor framing dimensions, or pre-tile measurements doesn’t work for frameless. Period. We’ve seen homeowners try; the glass never fits.
Day-by-Day: The Glass Scope
Day 0: Tile Is Complete
Tile is set, grouted, and the grout has cured (typically 24 to 48 hours after grouting). The shower pan is installed. Drains are in. The shower is essentially physically complete except for glass.
Day 1–2: Schedule the Measurement
Call us to schedule. We’re typically able to measure within 1 to 3 business days in our Orlando, Tampa, and Kissimmee service areas — sometimes same or next day for established GC partners.
Day 3–4: On-Site Measurement
Our technician arrives with laser measures, levels, and templating tools. Measurement takes 30 to 60 minutes. We confirm:
- Final glass configuration (door swing, hinge sides, panel layout)
- Hardware finish
- Glass thickness and clarity (standard or low-iron)
- Optional protective coating
- Exact opening dimensions in three places per panel (top, middle, bottom)
- Plumb and level deviations
- Curb height and slope
We hand you the final invoice, take the deposit, and send the order to fabrication that afternoon.
Days 5–14: Fabrication
Glass is cut, ground, polished, tempered, optionally low-iron processed, and optionally coated. Hardware is sourced and prepped. Standard frameless inline or 90-degree fabrication runs 7 to 10 business days. Steam units, large doorless walk-ins, and unusual configurations may run 12 to 14 days.
This is the longest stretch in the timeline and the one homeowners most often miscalculate. Plan for two weeks of glass fabrication time after the tile is done. If you booked the rest of the project assuming you’d be showering on day 30 of an 8-week remodel, the glass alone will push that into week 7 or 8.
Day 14–15: Installation
Our installation team arrives with the fabricated glass and hardware. Standard installs take 4 to 6 hours. Larger installs (multi-panel inline, doorless walk-ins, steam units with transom) take 6 to 8 hours.
The installer:
- Verifies measurements against the as-fabricated glass
- Drills hardware holes in the tile (we use diamond bits and a vacuum to keep dust contained)
- Sets the glass with appropriate seals
- Installs hinges, handles, and any towel bars
- Caulks all seams with clear silicone
- Walks you through care and maintenance
Day 16–17: Cure Time
Silicone cures fully in 24 hours. We ask you not to use the shower for the first 24 hours after install — though most homeowners are eager to take that first shower the next morning.
The Five Scheduling Mistakes That Delay Florida Projects
Mistake 1: Calling for Glass Quote Before Tile Selection
We can give a budget number based on configuration, but a true quote requires confirmed glass thickness, hardware finish, and any options — which depend on your tile selection. Get the tile picked first, then get an accurate quote.
Mistake 2: Booking the Measurement Before Tile Is Done
The most expensive mistake. We arrive, the tile isn’t done, we have to reschedule, our next available slot is in 4 days, and the entire project pushes back. Wait until the tile is fully grouted and inspected before you call.
Mistake 3: Underestimating Fabrication Time
Glass isn’t pulled off a shelf. Each piece is custom cut, edge-finished, tempered, and optionally coated. 10 to 14 business days is the realistic minimum. Add buffer.
Mistake 4: Discovering a Configuration Change Mid-Project
Halfway through the remodel, the homeowner decides they actually want a 90-degree corner instead of inline. The framing was built for inline. Now there’s a 5-day reframe, a tile change, a new waterproofing pour. Make the layout decision before demolition begins.
Mistake 5: Forgetting to Confirm Hardware Finish
You’ve picked your faucet, your towel bars, your cabinet pulls. The shower hinges and handle should match. Confirm the hardware finish at measurement — finish swap requests after fabrication has started can add a week.
How to Run a Smooth Glass Scope (The 5-Step Plan)
- Pre-project: Get a budget number from us during your design phase. We do this by phone or email with a few photos and rough dimensions.
- Tile selection: Bring a tile sample to a quick site visit so we can confirm glass type recommendations (low-iron vs. standard) against your actual tile.
- Tile installation: Confirm completion date with your contractor. Call us 2 days before tile completion to pre-book the measurement slot.
- Tile complete: Confirm the grout is cured, then we measure within 1 to 3 business days.
- Buffer: Plan 14 calendar days from measurement to installation. Don’t book a vacation, a house guest, or a real-estate showing in that window.
City-Specific Notes
Tampa & Tampa Bay
Permitting in Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco runs faster than Orange County right now — bathroom remodels with no structural change often clear in 5 to 10 business days. We schedule measurements in South Tampa, Hyde Park, Davis Islands, and St. Petersburg quickly. Tampa shower door details.
Orlando & Central Florida
Orange County permitting can run 10 to 20 business days for full bathroom remodels — build that into your schedule. Lake Nona, Winter Garden, and downtown Orlando installs schedule routinely; Reunion and Champions Gate sometimes have HOA architectural review delays. Orlando shower door details.
Kissimmee & Osceola County
Osceola permitting is generally efficient. Vacation home remodels in Reunion, Champions Gate, and Solara are routine; we coordinate with property managers when owners are out of state. Kissimmee shower door details.
What If You’re a DIY Renovator?
We work with DIY homeowners regularly — the timeline is the same, the rules are the same, and the measurement still has to happen after the tile is grouted. The one thing DIYers most often miss: the curb height needs to be sloped slightly toward the inside of the shower to direct water away from the door. If your tiled curb is dead level or sloped the wrong way, the door sweep can’t do its job. We’ll flag this at measurement, but it’s easier to get right the first time.
What About Replacements (No Renovation)?
If you’re replacing existing shower glass without renovating the tile, the timeline collapses dramatically:
- Day 1: Free in-home measurement (we usually have a slot within 2–3 business days).
- Days 2–14: Fabrication.
- Day 14–15: Removal of old glass and installation of new glass — same day.
Most existing-shower replacements are done within 10 to 14 business days end-to-end, with no project-management complexity.
Emergency Replacements
For broken or shattered shower glass that can’t wait, see our same-day glass replacement service. Standard glass sizes are typically replaceable within 24 hours; custom-fabricated frameless can be expedited to 5–7 business days in genuine emergency cases.
Seasonal Considerations in Florida
Florida’s climate affects scheduling in ways most homeowners don’t anticipate:
- Hurricane season (June–November): Plan for occasional weather delays. Glass deliveries can be paused during named storms. We rarely lose more than a single day, but it’s worth a buffer.
- Holiday season (mid-November through New Year): Glass fabrication shops typically run on reduced schedules between Thanksgiving and the second week of January. Standard 10–14 day fabrication can stretch to 18–21 days. Plan ahead or wait until January.
- Snowbird turnover (December and April): Tampa, Orlando, and especially Kissimmee see remodeling demand spike when snowbirds open and close their homes. Booking early in either window helps.
- Theme park peak weeks: For Orlando and Kissimmee vacation rentals, the practical “dead weeks” for renovation are mid-September through mid-November and mid-January through early March. Plan glass installs for those windows.
Coordinating With Your General Contractor
If you’re working with a GC (which we recommend for any remodel beyond a simple glass replacement), here’s how the GC handoff should work:
- Pre-construction: GC introduces us to the project. We provide a preliminary quote based on plans.
- During tile selection: Homeowner brings tile samples to a quick consultation with us. We confirm glass type and hardware finish.
- End of tile phase: GC notifies us 2 days before tile completion. We pre-book the measurement slot.
- Tile complete: We measure, finalize the order, and notify GC of the install date.
- During fabrication: GC schedules the rest of the punch list (paint, fixtures, vanity) so the bathroom is finish-complete by glass install day.
- Glass install day: Bathroom should be empty of debris, tile fully cured, plumbing and accessories installed. Our crew arrives, installs, walks the homeowner through care, and turns the project over.
Henderson’s Glass & Mirror has long-standing relationships with reputable GCs across Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Osceola County. If you don’t have a GC yet, we’re happy to recommend partners we’ve worked with successfully.
What If You’re Permitting?
Most simple shower glass installs do not require a permit on their own — we’re replacing or installing glass into an existing structure. However, if your remodel involves moving plumbing, removing walls, electrical work, or changing the shower footprint, your GC will be permitting that scope. The glass is part of that finish-out and doesn’t typically add a separate permit step. We coordinate with the GC’s schedule and complete our scope ahead of the final inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you give me a firm price before tile is installed?
We can give a firm budget number based on confirmed configuration, glass spec, and hardware choice. The final invoice may adjust by a few percent based on as-measured dimensions, but we’re typically within 5% of the pre-measure quote.
How much should I budget if I’m doing a master bathroom remodel?
For the glass scope only, plan $1,200 to $2,500 for most master bath shower glass installations. Steam units, doorless walk-ins, and large multi-panel inline configurations can run $2,500 to $4,000+. See Tampa pricing, Orlando pricing, or Kissimmee pricing for detailed ranges by configuration.
Can you measure on a Saturday?
For established projects we offer Saturday measurement appointments at no extra charge. Same for installations. Sundays are reserved for emergency response only.
What if my tile guy makes a mistake?
If the tile is out of plumb, out of square, or has a curb that slopes the wrong way, we’ll flag it at measurement and recommend corrections before we proceed. Installing frameless glass on bad tile produces a leaking, ill-fitting door — we won’t do it. The good news: most tile issues are fixable in a day or two.
Do I have to be home for the measurement and installation?
For measurement, yes — we want to walk the layout and finalize selections with you. For installation, yes for the first hour (configuration confirmation and access setup) and the final 30 minutes (walk-through). We can work alone in the middle hours if you need to step out.
Can I use the bathroom during glass install?
Plan on the bathroom being unavailable for the full installation day. Most clients use a guest bath that day. The next morning the shower is fully ready to use.
Is there a warranty?
Yes — we provide a workmanship warranty on installation, and the manufacturer’s warranty on glass and hardware. Specific terms are in your install paperwork.
Ready to Plan Your Remodel?
The earlier you involve us, the smoother your bathroom remodel runs. We’re happy to consult during the design phase — no obligation, no charge.
Request your free in-home consultation or call (321) 443-8502. We’ll help you build the right schedule from day one — before your contractor swings the first hammer.
Ready for a Free Quote?
Get a no-obligation estimate from Florida's trusted glass installers. We come to you.
Get a Free Estimate(321) 443-8502