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CostHelper > Home and Garden  > Kitchen & Bath > Replacing a Bathtub

Replacing a Bathtub Cost


How Much Does Replacing a Bathtub Cost?

 
low costLow: Equipment Can Run $200-$600, But Can Run $800-$3,000+average costMedium: Averages $2,500-$3,500 Installedhigh costHigh: Can Run Over $3,500 In Complicated Situations

Replacing a bathtub usually involves a lot more than just buying a new tub. It can be necessary to move and/or replace the plumbing pipes to fit the new tub; repair carpentry, drywall and tile; and cut a hole in a wall to get the old tub out and the new one in. It's less expensive to refinish the bathtub ($300-$600) or install a bathtub liner ($500-$4,000), but a replacement can mean you get precisely the tub you want.

Typical costs:

  • A standard new bathtub starts around $200-$600, but can be $800-$3,000 or more, depending on size and features such as water jets. Fiberglass and steel are less expensive but not as durable as cast iron, which keeps the heat in better.
  • Total cost for removing the old tub and installing a new one can run $1,500-$5,000 or more but averages $2,500-$3,500 depending on the ease of access, local rates, the quality of the new fixtures, and the extent of the repairs/replacements for the walls, plumbing and flooring.
Related articles: Refinishing a Bathtub, Bathtub Liner, Bathroom Remodeling

What should be included:
  • A typical bathtub replacement project can take several days to a week or more, depending on what's involved. Often a one-piece tub won't fit into an existing home, so many manufacturers make sectional tub surrounds. Once installed, it can be hard to tell a sectional surround from a one-piece unit. But it's still important to make sure the replacement tub you select will fit through the doorway.
  • Replacing a bathtub can be somewhat complex for a beginning do-it-yourselfer, requiring some plumbing experience and basic carpentry tools. It can also call for soldering skills if you're working with copper piping. Stretcher.com describes how to cut up[1] the old bathtub to make it easier to carry it away and the Family Handyman magazine provides how-to instructions for installing a new acrylic tub and surround. However, AskTheBuilder.com recommends hiring a pro[2] to be sure the plumbing work meets the building codes.
  • Laws vary by location, so be sure to check with your local planning department to see what codes govern your bathtub replacement project and if you need a building permit.
Additional costs:
  • If the replacement tub is larger and heavier than the old bathtub, you might also need to install larger copper water pipes (anywhere from $1.30-$10 a foot) and a bigger-capacity hot water heater ($150-$3,500), and to reinforce the floor joists ($100-$300 per joist).
Discounts:
  • Replacing a bathtub can be less expensive if you're also doing other remodeling projects that involve opening up the walls, making it easier to get the old tub out and the new tub in. And some plumbers may agree to have you do some of the basic demolition or other back-breaking work yourself, to cut the total cost.
Shopping for replacing a bathtub:
  • Major bathtub manufacturers include American Standard[3] and Kohler[4] .
  • Get several estimates, making sure all services, charges and fees are included in each quote. Request and check references, and be sure they're properly bonded, insured and licensed in your state.
  • You might hire a local handyman to do a fairly straight-forward tub replacement without a lot of repairs or changes to plumbing, floors and walls.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Replacing bath tub
Amount: $1,600.00 total
Posted by: Terry Parker in Odessa, TX.Posted: June 10th, 2021 08:06AM
Contractor: Handy man
I took the old one out and put the new one in costumer bought the new tub I bought only the material I needed to install the tub which was a bigger tub raised the copper 2" and cut tile replaced 2×4 because of termite damage. Material cost was around 400 labor and some of my own material and replaced a sheet of sheetrock in the ceiling 1200
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bathtub for mobile home
Amount: $2,000.00 total
Posted by: Tincey F Coronado in Fort Walton Beach, FL.Posted: April 9th, 2021 11:04AM
Contractor: Honey Do
is that a good price to just replace the tub no tear out walls I have not hired them as yet.
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DELTA 400 30x60 surround and Briggs porcelain enamel steel tub.
Amount: $750.00 total
Posted by: Markie G in Cranston, RI.Posted: September 11th, 2020 07:09PM
Contractor: Handy man
I’m having a fiberglass tub and walls taken out and having the steel tub out in with the delta wall kit. They will tell you it only works with a cpl of the delta tubs but that’s not true. As long as the tub has a flange on it and they are the same size you can install it with any tub. The tub was 150 wall kit was 300. New drain+ plug, shower head kit, and replacement face cover and knobs for my existing symmons control knob cost 150. And another 30 bucks for plaster and a sheet of blue board to replace the sheet rock cut to remove tub and cover new wall and tubs nailing flanges. Most of the things like the plug, surround wall kit and the control/mixer cover could have been cheaper but I wanted to go with the nicer ones. If it was a rental I could have went with cheaper stuff I could have brought down material cost to 300 instead of the around 650. And it would have been 400-450 for labor. But I decided to do the demo myself and save $100, plus I lended a hand with install so 300 total
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Replacing a fiberglass bathtub
Amount: $9,500.00 total
Posted by: nora ramirez in Alice, TX.Posted: December 6th, 2018 01:12PM
Contractor: home depo
they said it was gonna cost that much money to replace the tub that's crazy.
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replace bathtub
Amount: $5,000.00 total
Posted by: jacqueline gunnels in wilmington, NC.Posted: December 23rd, 2017 01:12PM
Contractor: bathfilter
I like to know if im paying to much 5 thousand for replace and old bathtub and put a new one that go all the way to the cieling.pluse they change rotten wood if there is and put new pipes too.
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home depot estimate california
Amount: $7,077.00 total
Posted by: kellybar in wheatland, CA.Posted: November 19th, 2016 03:11PM
Contractor: home depot
just got a quote for a plain acrylic surround plain white no shelves ;no pattern...from home depot sacramento area 7077. he said this was his lowest he could go...you don't even want to know what he quoted for a simple marble pattern surround....crazyyyyyy!
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Replace tub
Amount: $4,600.00 total
Posted by: JOUEEE in Williamsburg, VA.Posted: October 19th, 2016 07:10PM
Contractor: Home Depot
Quoted $4,600 for labor alone to remove standard sized acrylic tub & surround then install standard sized tub & tile surround. Almost 5G in labor. Ridiculous.
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replace cracked/brittle one piece shower/tub combo
Amount: $1.00 total
Posted by: I need it done in Belle Fourche, SD.Posted: September 4th, 2016 07:09PM
Contractor: Cant find one
I need this shower/tub unit replaced. It is nearly 20 years old and has become brittle and cracked in several places. I fear it will leak onto the bookshelves downstairs below it. It is getting so that I might just buy a sheep trough at the farm & ranch store & set it in the tub. I have been to big box hardware stores, home shows and local hardware store. They will all sell me materials, but no one wants to do the work.grrrrr.
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Replacing a fiberglass tub
Amount: $4,700.00 total
Posted by: S. Johnson in Columbus, GA.Posted: March 21st, 2011 07:03PM
Contractor: Benjamin Franklin
I am trying to replace a tub. Replacing a fiberglass one with an acrylic whirlpool one. The estimate I got was for $3900.00 with me buying the tub and with a notice that the costs could go up if they have difficulty setting the tub. The tub cost $800. I am trying to keep costs down, so I am having them minimize the tile replacement. Does this seem a little high?
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4 1/2 foot Tub
Amount: $1,600.00 total
Posted by: CharmCityPlumber in Baltimore, MD.Posted: October 8th, 2009 08:10AM
Contractor: Myself
Installed a Kohler Cast Iron 4 1/2 foot tub because they are the only ones who make Cast Iron 4 1/2 foot tubs. Yes...its little but that is all that would fit within the design. Tub list was $1800, my discount made it $1300. Cost listed was with demo, freight, and material. NO LABOR. And it would have been right up there around $1200 because that demo and install was a bear with the weight involved. That being said...every plumber will tell you Cast Iron is the only way to make it "quiet", everything else trying to do what it does naturally.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.stretcher.com/stories/99/991129h.cfm
  2.  www.askthebuilder.com/adding-a-new-tub-or-shower/
  3.  www.americanstandard-us.com/sitemap.aspx
  4.  www.us.kohler.com/us/catalog/merchandisingCategoryList.jsp?id=429296&parentCategor...
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