What's included
We bring tile and masonry bits, a stud finder, levels and anchors made for grab bars. You can buy the bars and hardware, or tell us the finish you want and we will pick them up.
- Grab bars by the toilet, in the shower, at the tub and at entry steps
- Locating studs or blocking, or using anchors rated for grab bar loads
- Drilling porcelain and ceramic tile without cracking it
- Towel bars, towel rings, robe hooks and toilet paper holders
- Replacing loose or rusted bath accessories
- Cabinet pulls and knobs, on existing holes or with new holes drilled using a jig
- Sealing around grab bar flanges on tiled shower walls
Common South Florida problems
Loose towel bars are common, often because they were held up by plastic drywall anchors. Bathroom humidity and steam make that worse over time. We move them onto studs or use stronger anchors, and fill and touch up the old holes.
Grab bars are a different job. They need to go into a stud, wood blocking or a concrete block wall, or use an anchor designed and rated for grab bars. On exterior bath walls in many South Florida homes, there is block behind the tile, which takes a masonry bit and masonry anchors.
Drilling tile is where things go wrong. We use bits made for porcelain or ceramic, start slowly and keep the bit cool so the tile does not crack. We also avoid drilling through grout lines where the bar would be weaker.
Coastal homes and condos see more rust on chrome-plated hardware. Stainless steel or a quality finish holds up better in salt air.
How a visit works
Tell us who will use the grab bars and how: getting up from the toilet, stepping into the tub, standing in the shower. Send a photo of each spot. We will suggest bar lengths and placement and give you a starting price.
On the day, our tech finds the studs or blocking, marks the bar height with you and checks that it is comfortable to reach. Then we drill, anchor, seal the flanges on tile walls and pull hard on each bar to confirm it is solid.
For cabinet hardware, we use a drilling jig so every pull lines up on every door and drawer. If you are switching to pulls with a different hole spacing, we talk through how to handle the old holes before we start.
What affects the price
The starting price covers one grab bar into studs or blocking. These are the main things that change the total:
- Each additional grab bar on the same visit: $99
- Grab bar on a tiled wall: add $40 per bar
- Cabinet hardware on existing holes: $8 per piece
- Cabinet hardware needing new holes: $14 per piece
- Towel bars and small accessories: billed within the visit time, $85 per hour after the first hour
- Bars or hardware we buy for you: at cost plus 20 percent
Tips before we arrive
If you already bought grab bars, check the length and make sure they are sold as grab bars, not decorative towel bars that look similar. Stainless steel holds up well in humid bathrooms.
Clear the counters, the tub ledge and the floor around the areas we are working on. If the person who will use the bars can be there, we can set the height to fit them instead of guessing.
What we don't do
We install grab bars to be solid and well placed, but we do not certify bathrooms as ADA compliant. We do not move plumbing, swap a tub for a walk-in shower or add new fixtures where none existed. For that kind of remodel, we will point you to a licensed contractor.
Questions we get about grab bars, towel racks and cabinet hardware
Can grab bars be installed on tile?
Yes. We drill the tile with bits made for porcelain or ceramic, anchor into studs, blocking or block behind it, and seal around the flanges so water does not get behind the tile.
What if there is no stud where I need the grab bar?
On block walls we use masonry anchors. On drywall or tile over hollow walls, we use anchors designed and rated for grab bars. We will not use ordinary drywall anchors for a grab bar.
How high should a grab bar be?
It depends on the person and the spot. We mark the height with you and check that it is easy to reach before we drill.
Can a towel bar be used as a grab bar?
No. Towel bars are not built or anchored to hold a person's weight. If someone tends to grab the towel bar for balance, it is a good sign a real grab bar belongs there.
How much does it cost to replace cabinet pulls?
Starting at $8 per piece on existing holes and $14 per piece if we drill new holes, with the $149 minimum visit applying.
Do I need a grab bar in the shower or by the toilet?
Both spots are common. A bar by the toilet helps with sitting and standing, and a bar in the shower or at the tub edge helps with stepping in and out on wet surfaces. We can look at the bathroom with you and suggest where bars would help most.
Where we do this most
We do grab bars, towel racks and cabinet hardware across Palm Beach and Broward. These are some of the cities where we get asked for it most.