How much does it cost to install a bathtub?

Bathtubs are a must-have feature for many homeowners. They are great for relaxing tired muscles at the end of a long day, for bathing young children, and are available in a variety of sizes and styles to suit just about any design. Some new models also offer special features like chromatherapy, inline heaters, whirlpools, and air jets for an enhanced bathing experience.

A 5 ft. acrylic bathtub from a reputed manufacturer with new surround and fixtures can be installed for around $2,500.

Before installation

Before choosing a bathtub, it is important to determine how much room you have in your bathroom. For example, a drop-in tub can only be installed in large bathrooms with plenty of floor space.  Another important factor that will affect your final decision is your purpose for installing a bathtub. If you are planning to use your bathtub mainly for soaking/relaxing, a luxurious whirlpool tub may be what you are looking for. If a quick bath is your only requirement, a standard bathtub will fit your needs. If someone in your family prefers showers over baths, you may want to look for one which accommodates both purposes.

Surround

A tub surround gives a smooth and even surface to the walls around the tub. Tub surrounds are available in many materials such as acrylic, composite and fiberglass ¹ and are easier to clean and maintain than standard tile and grout ² because there are no cracks for dirt to get in. Here is a quick comparison of some of the most common materials used for tub surrounds.

Materials

Bathtubs can be made of different materials such as cast iron, acrylic, fiberglass ¹ or marble. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Make sure you choose the right material that suits your purpose and style requirements.

Popular bathtub configurations

Bathtubs can be fitted in different configurations, depending on the type and amount of space available.

Purpose

Depending on how they are used, bathtubs are generally classified into four separate categories: general purpose ($125-$600), soaking ($250-$12,500), walk-in ($1,500-$9,900) and whirlpool/airjet ($400-$13,800). General purpose bathtubs are the standard bathtubs that everyone is familiar with. They can be used for a number of things from giving your children a bath to washing the dog. Soaking tubs are deeper than general purpose tubs and allows you to immerse your entire body in the water. Freestanding clawfoot and slipper tubs are included in this category. A walk-in tub, as mentioned earlier, will have a door that allows people to walk into the tub instead of climbing over the rim. A tight seal on the door keeps the water inside once it is closed. Lastly, whirlpool and air jet tubs are intended for providing a spa-like or therapeutic experience and are great for massaging tired muscles. However, such tubs take a lot of time to fill up and consume a large volume of water.

Installation process

Bathtub installation requires a number of tools and materials that you may not normally find lying around the house, for example, adjustable wrench ($4-$14), pry bar ($10), screwdrivers ($20 per set), pliers ($12-$42), slip-joint pliers ($15-$50), hammer ($15-$45), rubber gloves ($12 per pair), safety glasses ($4-$15), sledgehammer ($15-$50), keyhole saw ($5-$12), shower stem socket wrench ($20).

During installation, your contractor will fasten a 2x4 ledger board in the same length as the tub to the wooden studs to provide support where the edges of the tub are in contact with the walls of the enclosure. Next, the drain assembly and overflow pipe will be put together as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Finally, mortar ³ will be applied to the subfloor ⁴ of the tub and the tub will be secured to the wooden studs using roofing screws.

Before installation, your contractor should make sure that the subfloor ⁴ should be level. If not, it can put undue strain on the plumbing and cause leaking after some time. You can use a leveling compound or wood shims to even out the surface. A cement backerboard can be used under the tiles in the bathtub to prevent moisture accumulation and mold growth.

Labor

Depending on the nature of your project, you may choose to hire a licensed plumber ($45-$65 per hour) or a handyman ($60-$90 per hour) to install your bathtub. A new tub installation will take around 6-9 hours and will cost you between $540 and $1,620 in labor. If you have to remove an existing tub, it will add at least an additional 3-4 hours to the total time and cost you $270-$540 more.

Some plumbers might charge a fixed rate ($500-$1,100) for bathtub installation, which includes tub, flange, strainer and overflow pipe installation, redoing the hot and tub piping in line with the new fixtures, drain pipe sizing, and connecting waste pipe. Any additional work might be charged at an hourly rate.

If you are installing a whirlpool tub, you may also need to hire an electrician ($65-$85 per hour) to put in new wiring.

Enhancement and improvement costs

• If you are planning to install a large whirlpool bathtub, make sure your water heater is big enough to handle the load. Ideally, the water heater should be roughly two-third the size of the bathtub. A new water heater can set you back by as much as $600-$1,100.
• If your whirlpool or air jet tub requires its separate electric circuit, you may need to upgrade your complete electric panel. This can raise the installation costs by as much as $1,300-3,000.

Additional considerations and costs

• If you are renovating your bathroom and planning to replace your bathtub, look for one which is of the same size and style as the old one and can be installed in the same location. This can help you avoid extra charges by eliminating the need for demolishing walls or changing plumbing.
• Instead of replacing your old bathtub (which involves demolishing the old bathtub, updating all the fixtures, plumbing, adjacent flooring and surround, and installing a new one), you can choose to refinish the old one ($300-$1,000) or have it relined with a new liner ($800-$1,400). Cast iron, steel and fiberglass ¹ bathtubs are good candidates for refinishing. Cast iron and steel bathtubs can also be relined, unlike fiberglass ¹ and acrylic.
• Your water tank should be about 2/3 the size of your bathtub. For example, a 40-gallon water heater would be adequate for a small 60-gallon tub. However, if you have a large 110-gallon whirlpool tub, you need at least a 75-gallon water tank to be able to fill it with enough hot water to operate the jets.  
• You may need to reinforce the bathroom floor if your bathtub is made of a heavy material like cast iron or if you live in an older home ($100-$300 per joist). Do not forget to take into account the weight of the water and body weight while making this decision.
• It is important to try the bathtub before buying it. When you go to the store, sit down or lie down in the bathtub to understand if the tub style and slope suits your body frame. Also consider the position of the fixtures.
• Building codes and standards for bathrooms, especially whirlpools and air jet tubs, can vary from area to area. Your local library may be a good resource for finding out more about your local codes.
• Most regions require a plumbing permit before undertaking any major plumbing work, for example, converting a shower to a bathtub and so on. Check with the local planning department to find out if you need a permit for your bathtub project.
• Since bathtub installation is a complex project requiring some plumbing, soldering and carpentry skills, it is not recommended for a DIY project. Even minor mistakes in leveling ⁵ or connecting the drainage pipes can cause huge disasters later. A professional plumber or handyman who can make sure the installation is compliant with the building codes is the right choice for this project.
• Always work with a licensed plumber. Some manufacturers may not honor the product warranty if the tub was not installed by a licensed professional.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Fiberglass: Plastic that is reinforced with glass fibers. The fibers may be mixed randomly throughout the plastic, or come in the form of a flat sheet, or be woven into a fabric

² Grout: A fluid form of cement used to seal the joints between tiles. It also makes the surface stronger because it bonds the tiles together

³ Mortar: A mixture of Portland cement or lime or a combination of both, sand, and water used to bind bricks, stones, and concrete masonry units together

⁴ Subfloor: The bottom-most layer of a floor, supported by joists, over which finished flooring material is laid

⁶ Shower pan: Waterproof base that protects the subfloor of a shower