How Much Does a Bathtub Cost?

You are in the market for a new bathtub, but with so many options to choose from, which is right for you? Maybe getting a new bathtub isn’t for you and you simply want to refinish or reline your bathtub. How much will that cost you? Well hopefully today, we can help you keep your budget on track so you can end up getting the right bathtub for your home without breaking your bank.

• Porcelain
• Cast iron
• Steel
• Copper
• Acrylic

Common Bathtub Types Costs:

• Freestanding:
• Drop In
• Bathtub & Shower Combo

Additional Bathtub Costs:

• Tub Surroundings
• Refreshing
• Relining

Porcelain-$350-2,000+

Porcelain is a shiny and pretty material that is actually quite durable for its appearance, though this material has some issues as a whole. It has middling heat retention, the surface of it being very bright and shiny, also make it quite slippery and hazardous to some and finally, it cannot sustain any heavy impacts or scratches or it will break or chip. Average cost of 60-inch standard porcelain bathtub ranges from 350-2,000, not including installation.

Cast Iron – $500-$2,000

Cast iron is a material that is very durable and solid, having excellent heat retention, allowing for longer soak times, though the material is quite heavy so additional support reinforcement is required. The average cost for a 60-inch standard cast iron tub ranges from $500 to $2,000, not including installation.

Steel – $300-$2,000+

Similar to cast iron, though a great deal less expensive and not as heavy in weight is enameled steel. The only downside to this material though is that it can chip easily and will create a lot of noise when the tub is filled. The average cost for a 60-inch enameled steel tub ranges from $300 to $2,000 not including installation.

Copper- $2,000-5,000+

Copper is seen as quite a luxury item, and for its price tag it most certainly is. The material is perhaps the most durable on the market, able to weather every punishment without scratching, retains heat spectacularly and will never attract mold or dirt. Though it is not usually necessary, non-abrasive cleaners can be used to remove any buildup that has occured. It is also quite aesthetically pleasing, carrying a rustic feel, but as discussed before, this material is the most expensive on the market as they are all custom made, with a starting price of at least $2,000 for the bathtub itself, not including any additional costs.

Acrylic – $500-$900+

Acrylic is a commonly used bathtub material due to its versatility and large selection of shapes and styles. because it is available in a wide variety of shapes and styles. Resistant to abrasion, fading as well as having a non-porous finish, acrylic is easy to clean and retains heat well. While acrylic can scratch, light buffing with a mild liquid, non-abrasive cleaner will usually remove the marks. The average cost for a standard 60-inch acrylic tub ranges from $500 to $900, not including installation.

Freestanding Bathtubs –$1,000-3,000+

A freestanding bathtub is a cool type of bathtub that just sits on the bathroom floor without the need for any support from walls or framework. It's like a centerpiece in your bathroom and can be made of materials such as acrylic, cast iron, stone, and copper. These tubs can have unique shapes, like oval, round, rectangular, or even crazy asymmetrical ones. They're not just functional, but also designed to match various bathroom styles and give you a spa-like experience while taking a bath!

At minimum, you are looking to pay at least $1,000 for a freestanding bathtub, though this does not include labor or any additional fixtures or modifications you wish to implement. At the extreme maximum, you can easily spend around $3500+ with some more costly materials out there such as polished brass or copper.

Cost of Installation

For this style of bathtub, the cost of installation will roughly range from either $500-1,000 dollars if professional help is requested.

Ease of installation

Free standing bathtubs are remarkably easy to install, which adds to one of their many benefits. Simply place them where you desire in your bathroom, and the associated plumbing can easily be fixed to it. Though, take care of your surroundings and make sure you actually have enough space before installing as freestanding bathtubs can be quite large. Another drawback may be that freestanding bathtubs are quite heavy, so you may need assistance, especially if you decide on a bathtub made from heavier material such as cast iron or copper.

Other considerations about freestanding bathtubs

Generally, these bathtubs are seen as quite comfortable as they are made from high quality raw material and carry a more natural feeling, coming in a wide range of types such as soaking or your more traditional bathing spheres. Many do not have electrical support initially, but the market is supporting electrical systems in many bathtubs today.

Drop-in Bathtubs-$300-2,000+

What is a drop-in bathtub? A drop-in bathtub is a bathtub that is pre-made, and essentially dropped in to a carved-out indentation, either in an alcove or a supporting pedestal.

At minimum, for the bathtub itself, a drop-in bathtub runs on average of $300-500, not including labor or other modifications or fixtures you wish to install or attach. At the high end of things, a drop-in bathtub can run $3,000 with additional features such as hydrotherapy or temperature control systems implemented.

Cost of installation

For this style of bathtub, professional help will start at around $500, though it will largely depend on the contractor and their own rates

Ease of installation

Compared to freestanding, drop-in bathtubs are a bit more complicated to install. In addition to making sure you have a solid foundation for the bathtub to rest on, you need to figure out the plumbing and piping issues beforehand. If you are unfamiliar with this aspect, you may hire a contractor, costing roughly 150-300 based on their rates. After your plumbing is sorted, simply drop the bathtub into the indentation and make sure it is secure-typically with the design of many drop-in bathtubs, there will be an outer lip that secures it.

Other considerations concerning drop in bathtubs

While they offer less freedom in installation when compared to freestanding bathtubs, drop ins are generally seen as a cheaper alternative as their starting price is at least $300 cheaper, though any experienced homeowner will also warn you that in many cases, you get what you pay for. There are many affordable drop-in bathtubs, but their materials vary drastically from one another, which affect their quality and overall durability. Drop-in bathtubs also carry an additional benefit of having hydrotherapy and more advanced water treatment models, though these have a starting price of at least $2,000.

Bathtub/shower combo-$500-3500+

A bathtub shower combo is a common configuration where the surrounds of the bathtub are covered or protected by either a curtain or glass so that you can shower standing up in your bathtub.

Keep in mind that this is a combination of a shower and a bathtub so the prices will be similar to both of these items combined. You can easily obtain a shower/tub combo for around $500, though this is purely for the shower and bathtub itself, discounting any modifications, installation costs or labor. On the high end, you are looking at around $3,000, though these are units with electrical systems such as temperature control, automated water heating and hydrotherapy.

Cost of installation

For this style, installation will run around $500-1,000, though this price is reflective of you simply adding curtains and attaching fixtures. If you wish for an entire glass covering to an existing bathtub space, the price will go up by an additional $500 starting.

Ease of installation

In general, installing a shower to your bathtub is a simple process. First and foremost, you need to address whether you have a freestanding or drop-in bathtub as some spaces are more difficult to accommodate than others, as you may be lacking supporting walls. If you simply have a freestanding bathtub, you can attach a shower fixture closeby, in addition to curtains as well, all very easy to DIY. On the other hand, if you have a more enclosed area and want glass dividers, then it is best to hire a professional to install your shower over your bath space.

Other considerations of tub/shower combo

This style is very popular in many homes because it saves space and fills two roles in the same space, achieving a modern and vintage feel at once. Another benefit is that it is very flexible on your budget as nearly all bathtubs can be converted into a shower combination down the road, which will only add more value to your home in the future if you wish to do so. And yes, there are higher end models with a variety of advanced features such as automated water jets, automatic heating for bathing purposes and even alarm clocks.

Tub surrounds

Bathtub surrounds are for those who are looking for a smooth, even surface for the walls around your bathtub or shower. The surface will not attract grout and mold, nor does it contain crevices to crack or absorb water, very similar to the surface of your bathtub. Their materials vary widely between acrylic, granite, resin, even wood though this will affect how much you are paying as some materials are not very cheap. Though, installation costs can be easily kept to a minimum as installing a tub surround by yourself is a moderately easy process. There are a multitude of kits designed for those with little installion experience, so long as you follow the directions, your tub surround will never absorb water and crack. This method is very popular for updating the look of a bath and shower and is much cheaper than either refinishing or relining.

Refinishing cost

For those looking to replace the existing finish on a bathtub, the price will largely remain the same as the process is linear, though there might be slight changes depending on the material and type of your bathtub. In general, DIY reglazing or refinishing kits costs around $100-150 on average, where hiring professional assistance will run around $300 starting depending on contractor rates and the size and shape of your bathtub.

Relining cost

Similar to refinishing, relining applies a coating over your existing bathtub. The difference being that there is a market for DIY refinishing currently, and not one for relining DIY. Relining costs will vary depending on your contractor, but the average cost begins at around $800 for a relining job.

In short, there are many options for fixing up your home decor, whether it is buying a new bathtub or simply refinishing it, so do well in considering your options carefully and ask yourself what your bathroom actually needs over what may be overly shiny and pretty, as home repair can be quite expensive, so plan accordingly.