By Bruno Venichand, J. Perry & Sons — Florida CGC1540699
Recaulk shower cost in South Florida runs $350–$650 per tub or shower when every old bead is stripped out, mildew is treated and 100% silicone goes back at each change of plane. A kitchen runs $250–$450. A single fixture booked alone falls under our $650 minimum, which is why most owners do every bath in one visit. Our bathroom and kitchen re-caulking crew will also tell you when caulk will not fix what you are seeing.
Recaulk shower cost by fixture
| Fixture | What is sealed | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Tub | Tub-to-wall, tub-to-floor, valve and spout trim | $350–$550 |
| Walk-in shower | Corners, pan or curb, glass frame, niche edges | $400–$650 |
| Kitchen | Backsplash-to-counter, sink rim, range and wall ends | $250–$450 |
| Minimum visit | Any single fixture on its own | $650 |
Per-fixture prices apply to two or more fixtures, or when re-caulking is added to other work. Glass enclosures with many joints, steam showers and heavy mildew under the old bead sit at the top.
Three common visits:
- Two hall baths with tubs plus the master shower: about $1,100–$1,750
- One master shower plus the kitchen: about $650–$1,100, so right around the minimum
- A rental turnover with two tub-showers and a kitchen: about $950–$1,550
What you are paying for in a shower re-caulk
The tube of silicone costs a few dollars. The time goes into getting the old material out and the joint dry:
- Strip. Every bead is cut and scraped out, including the thin film that new silicone will not stick to.
- Treat. Mildew in the joint and the grout line next to it is treated and rinsed.
- Dry. The joint must be bone dry. We ask that the shower not be used for several hours before we arrive, then dry it again on site.
- Load the tub. Tubs are filled with water before sealing, so the joint is at its widest when the bead goes in.
- Tape and seal. Painter's tape both sides, then kitchen-and-bath 100% silicone in white, clear or a grout-matched color.
- Tool and cure. Tooled concave, tape pulled wet, no water for at least 24 hours.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Send a photo of each tub, shower or counter and we'll reply with a range the same day.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.
Silicone, not acrylic, at every wet joint
Siliconized acrylic is cheaper and easier to tool, which is why it ends up in so many showers. It shrinks, hardens and grows mildew within a year or two in a wet corner. 100% silicone stays flexible and survives standing water. Grout belongs in the flat joints between tiles. Caulk belongs at every change of plane: inside corners, where tile meets the tub or pan, at the curb, around glass frames and where tile meets another material. Grout in a corner cracks as the walls move.
When re-caulking is not enough
Caulk keeps water off a joint. It does not repair a shower that is already wet behind the tile. Look for:
- Tile that sounds hollow or moves when pressed
- Cracked or missing grout across a whole wall, not just at corners
- Soft drywall, swollen baseboard or a stain on the other side of the wall
- Mold that comes back within weeks of a proper re-caulk
- Water on the floor outside the curb, or a pan that has dropped at the drain
The next step up is tile repair and regrouting, typically $1,000–$1,500 to regrout a standard shower, or $2,250–$4,000 to open a leaking area, fix the pan or wall and retile it. When the waterproofing has failed across the shower, a full shower replacement runs $11,000–$16,000 for a standard 3x5. We tell you which at the visit rather than selling a re-caulk that will not hold.
Florida bathrooms are hard on caulk
Humidity here means bathrooms rarely dry out fully, especially in condos with weak exhaust fans. That keeps joints damp and feeds mildew. Run the fan during and for 20–30 minutes after every shower, squeegee the corners, and expect to re-caulk every few years. In condos, a slow leak from a failed tub joint can reach the unit below, so associations and landlords often schedule re-caulking at every turnover. Snowbirds should also ask for it before leaving for the summer, since a joint that fails in an empty, closed-up unit has months to do damage.
How long it takes
- One bathroom: 1–2 hours of work
- Three fixtures and a kitchen: half a day
- Shower back in use: after at least 24 hours, longer in a humid room with no fan
Re-caulking service by county
- Broward County renovation and building services
- Palm Beach County renovation and building services
- Miami-Dade County renovation and building services
Related guides: Shower regrout vs replace cost · Shower leak tile repair · Caulking cost per linear foot
Prefer to send photos or plans? Send us your project
Recaulk shower — FAQ
How much does it cost to recaulk a shower? $350–$650 per tub or shower with full removal, mildew treatment and 100% silicone. One fixture on its own falls under the $650 minimum.
How often should a shower be recaulked? Every few years in a Florida bathroom, or sooner when the bead discolors, cracks or pulls away.
Can new caulk go over the old? No. Silicone does not bond to old caulk or its residue, so everything comes out first.
Why does mildew come back under new caulk? Old caulk or mildew left behind, the wrong product, or water already behind the tile. Fast return after a proper job points at the tile or waterproofing.
How do I get an exact price? Call (561) 556-7509 or send photos and rough dimensions through our project form. A written estimate is typically ready within 24–48 hours after a site review and scope confirmation.
Free estimate — call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project. Licensed Florida general contractor CGC1540699. Serving Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.
Call (561) 556-7509 or send us your project with photos, the city, approximate dimensions, and material selections.