Replacing a bathtub can be a daunting task. It is important to know the cost of this project before you begin, in order to budget accordingly.
In this blog post, we will explore the average cost of replacing a bathtub in different parts of the United States. We will also provide tips on how to reduce the overall cost of this project. But, how much does replacing a bathtub cost?
As a general guide, the average cost of installing a bathtub is $4,686, but it can range between $1,583 and $7,814, depending on the type of tub and the modifications required. The tub itself can cost anywhere from $200 to $8,500 or more.
Because the state you live in and the locality factor into how much it will cost to replace a bathtub, let’s look at some examples.
The state of New Hampshire has the least expensive average cost of $3,981 to replace a bathtub. The most expensive? That would be the District of Columbia with an average cost over $8,000.
Listed below are prices according to city and state…
Washington DC: $9,741
Providence, RI: $5,902
Minneapolis, MN: $4,932
Raleigh, NC: $4.910
Milwaukee, WI: $3.153
Atlanta GA.:$2.970
Albuquerque NM.:$1.784
New York, NY: $1.722
Los Angeles CA.:$1.662
Las Vegas, NV: $1.591
Boston, MA: $1.562
Seattle, WA: $1,563
Sacramento CA.:$1,518
Phoenix AZ: $943
New Orleans, LA.:$1,182
Miami FL: $1,441
Houston TX: $925
Chicago IL.:$1.206
Detroit MI.:$1,120
So what does this mean to you? How much it costs to replace a bathtub depends on the factors mentioned above. Even though the average cost is around $4,686 to replace a bathtub nationwide, the cost may be higher or lower depending on where you live.
If you are having a hard time coming up with that kind of money for your project, there is always the option of refinishing the existing tub.
Nonetheless, adding a new tub or replacing an old one is vital as it can help you create a luxurious spa environment in your bathroom. This project, however, can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Unless you’re a skilled carpenter or plumber, it’s probably best to hire a local professional bathtub installer to do the job.
Why Does Replacing A bathroom Cost So Much Money?
Typically, the removing and replacing an old bathroom involves the removal of the old bathtub, disposal costs of the old and fixing or the preparation of the bathtub surfaces if you are refinishing or enameling an old bathtub.
Bathtub Removal Costs $50 – $100.
If you hire a local professional bathtub installer to complete your project, then you should expect to pay 1.5 times the cost of the average tub installation. The flexibility that you have with a brand-new tub will probably increase the total price of this job.
Disposal Of The Old Materials $100 – 4200.
When you hire a local installer, they will advise you how much your local landfill and disposal costs are. Most of the time, however, you will probably pay about $100 to $200 or more for disposal costs alone.
Fix & Prepare Surface $300 – $800
While fixing the surface of the bathtub may not be mandatory, it is recommended that you have this done. This will involve prepping the surfaces so your new tub adhesive will bond properly to the porcelain.
Preparing The Floor For New Tub $120 – $150.
The floor must be prepared for any type of project where you are changing the type of tub. Most bathtub installation experts will give you an estimate of how much it might cost to prepare the floor.
Sink $150 – $800
If part of your bathroom remodel includes replacing the sink in your bathroom, then expect another $150 or more for the new sink installation which starts at about $100 and can go up to $800 depending on the type of sink that you are having installed.
The Walls $300 – $700
If you want to replace any walls in your bathroom, most professionals charge about $300 per hour for labor and they will probably give you a rate of around $100 or more for materials. Depending on how much work you are asking them to do, it can cost you anywhere from $300 up to $700 or more.
Overall, replacing a bathtub is an expensive prospect. The average tub installation costs around $4,686, not including the bathroom renovation expenses. However, if you want your bathroom project finished right and done well, then you will have to budget accordingly.
What if I Can’t Afford New Tubs?
If you can not afford to buy a new bathtub, you can always refinish the existing one. Refinishing older tubs is much cheaper than buying a new one. In addition, refinishing that old tub will add years of beautiful life to your original purchase.
However, if you’re going to attempt replacing a bathtub on your own, it’s important for you to understand that there is a lot of work involved.
The steps listed below indicate how much it costs to replace a bathtub without hiring professionals…
1. Locate the Existing Bathtub Drain – You need to find out where the existing bathtub drain is located in order to determine what size plumbing line you will have to install for your new tub.
2. Disconnect Old Bathtub Supply Lines – The existing bathtub’s supply lines need to be disconnected along with any overflow pipes that are attached to the tub.
3. Cut Out Section of Drywall for New Drain Location – If your bathtub is set on an elevated floor, you’ll have to cut out a section of drywall for the new drain location.
4. Cut and Clear Bathtub Drain and Overflow Holes – You’ll need to cut out a hole for your new bathtub drain and overflow tube. After the hole is cut, you must clear all debris from that area before installing your new drain cover plate.
5. Install New Drain Location – You must install a new P-Trap and connect it to the drain supply line. When installing any P-trap, make sure you have it seated completely at the bottom of the floor joist or subfloor.
6. Install Drain Cover – You must attach your new drain cover to the outside of your bathtub using ceramic adhesive caulk.
7. Install New Bathtub Supply Lines – With your new bathtub in place, you can now install the new bathtub supply lines. If you are installing a single-handle faucet, you will need to install fittings for this as well.
8. Turn On Water and Test Function of Newly Installed System – Make sure that you test out all of the components that were just installed. If everything is working, then it’s time to turn off the water and caulk around your new bathtub drain cover plates.
9. Remove Old Bathtub – Once you are finished with your project, you can remove your old bathtub remnants, clean out all the dirt and head off to your local landfill or recycling center for disposal. You may need help moving this away from your home.
In addition, if you are planning on leaving the tub in place and refinishing it instead, make sure to cover it with a dropcloth or plastic sheeting before painting.
If you do need to paint the bathtub, make sure that you remove all of the drain gaskets first. After this is done, you should clean out all dirt and debris in the tub with a damp cloth.
After you are done painting, use either masking tape or painters tape along the edge of your bathtub to make sure that you don’t smear paint on surrounding walls when moving it back into place.
- Bathtub Installation Cost
- Bathtub Replacement Cost
- With Surround
- New Tub Installation Cost
- Tile Surround
- Tub Sizes & Styles
- Jet & Whirlpool
- Clawfoot
- Soaking
- Freestanding
- Walk-In
- Tub Material Prices
- Cast Iron
- Acrylic
- Cultured Marble.
- Enameled Steel,
- Fiberglass
- Shower-Tub Conversion Cost
- Additional Factors
- DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
- FAQs
Bathtub Installation Cost
Apart from buying a new bathtub, a huge part of your new bathroom installation costs will be based upon how much work you decide to take on yourself.
If you decide to hire a professional company such as Trugreen Bathroom Exteriors, your installation costs will be significantly lower than if you were to attempt this project on your own.
As far as the labor costs are concerned, you should expect to pay between $2,000 and $5,000 for installation. If this is out of your price range, then it may be time to go back to the drawing board with how much you want to spend on your bathroom renovations project.
Bathtub Replacement Cost
When you are looking at how much it costs to replace a bathtub, you’ll need to consider many different factors. These include the size of your old tub, what type of materials it is made out of and even what style you want for your new one.
If you are coming into this process with nothing more than an idea about how much it costs to replace a bathtub, it’s best to start with the least expensive options.
You’ll want to begin by comparing acrylic versus cast iron styles. Next, you should compare jetted style showers versus the standard shower models and finally whirlpool tubs versus regular bathtubs.
Tile Surround Installation Costs
When installing a bathtub, tile surround is one of the most important aspects of your project. It can not only help to increase the value of your home but it will also provide you with the look that you have always wanted for this area in your bathroom.
When looking at how much a tile surround installation costs, you should expect to pay between $100 and $900 for this part of your project. The size and type of surround will play a role in how much it costs to get this installed.
Cultured Marble Corner Tub Installation Cost
As far as cultured marble corner tub installation cost, you should expect to pay between $300 and $350 for this part of the project. This is relatively cheap when it come to bathtub installation, and you will find that this material is easy enough for anyone to install.
Enameled Steel Bathroom Remodeling Costs
For enameled steel bathroom remodeling costs, you should expect to pay between $1500 and $2000 for your bathtub and surround installation project. This type of material is durable and very easy to maintain, so you will enjoy owning this type of tub for years to come.
Acrylic Bathtub Installation Cost
For an acrylic bathtub installation cost, you should expect to pay between $300 and $900. This is a cheaper option than cast iron or steel models but still looks great when installed correctly. If you want to save even more money, then you should look for a model that offers jets and other features.
Soaking Bathtub Installation Cost
For soaking bathtub installation costs, you should expect to pay between $400 and $500. This is another less expensive option than steel or cast iron styles and it will continue to look great for many years to come.
Slip-Resistant Bathtub Installation Costs
When installing a bathtub, you’ll want to make sure that it has the right slip-resistant surface on the bottom of it. This will help keep you safe while taking a shower or enjoying your new tub for other activities.
For slip-resistant bathtub installation costs, you should expect to pay between $500 and $700. This is a small price to pay for your safety, especially when you consider how much it will cost to re-tile your bathroom if someone does slip in the tub.
Jet & Whirlpool Tub Installation Cost
When installing a jet and whirlpool tub in your bathroom, you’ll want to pay attention to the different types that are available. The most expensive jet and whirlpool tub installation costs will come from natural gas models.
This is because it takes much more equipment to run this type of model without worrying about carbon dioxide emissions getting in the way.
For jet and whirlpool tub installation costs, you should expect to spend between $1500 and $2500. This is another important part of your project that you will want to be sure that you check into before moving forward with any type of bathroom renovation plan.
How To Plan And Keep Bathtub Installation Costs Down.
If you are planning on a DIY bathtub project, there are things you can do to keep your bathroom renovations lower without compromising on the overall finish.
Use online bathtub installation cost calculators.
To get an accurate idea about how much it costs to replace a bathtub, you should find a professional that will allow you to enter all of the necessary information into their calculator. This way, you will know for sure what your total costs are going to be before hiring anyone for this project.
Leverage Online Cost Of Bathtub Installation Calculator
The cost of bathtub installation calculator will tell you the type of tub you are interested in buying. Once this information is entered, it will also let you know how much it would cost to install this item at your home.
Choosing The Right Bathroom Remodeling Contractor
When choosing the right bathroom remodeling contractor, you’ll want to make sure that you only hire a professional with plenty of experience doing this type of work.
You can also ask about their references and what other customers have said about the overall process from start to finish.
When it comes to bathtub installation, there is no need to spend a lot on the materials as long as they are durable enough to stand up to heavy use.
With the right amount of research, you will be able to determine which material is right for your space and find someone that can install it quickly and affordably.
