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How Much Does It Cost To Install Bathtub?
The national average cost for the installation of bathtubs is $1,800 to $13,000. The average homeowner needs to spend around $4,000 on an installed 6-foot freestanding soaking tub with a tub filler. The lowest cost for a bathtub is around $1,200 for a 5-foot acrylic alcove tub. The highest cost would be around $25,000 for a 6-foot stone Japanese soaking tub with decking and a drop-in installation.
| National average cost | $4,000 |
| Average range | $1,800-$13,000 |
| Low-end | $1,200 |
| High-end | $25,000 |
Bathtub Cost by Type
You can expect to spend between $400 and $23,000 on a bathtub based on different types. Bathtubs come in a wide cost range of shapes and installation styles. Bathtubs can be installed freestanding, with a deck, or as part of a shower. Every bathtub has different configurations that affect both how much the tub costs and how it is installed. Nearly all tub combinations come in various sizes, styles, and materials, so no matter which configuration best fits your needs, you can also easily find one that meets the decoration. The table and subsections below show the most common types, their related costs, and other factors.
| Type | Tub Cost (Unit Only) |
|---|---|
| Alcove | $400 – $1,300 |
| Bathtub / Shower Combo | $400 – $2,300 |
| Drop-In | $500 – $4,500 |
| Undermount | $600 – $5,500 |
| Freestanding | $700 – $21,000 |
| Corner | $1,500 – $5,800 |
| Japanese-Style | $3,000 – $23,000 |
Alcove Bathtub Cost
Alcove tubs cost between $400 and $1,300, depending on the different sizes, styles, and materials. Many people are familiar with the alcove bathtub installation. This is the most common type of bathtub and is installed along with a shower. The bathtub is finished across its front, with an apron, while the back and sides fit flush against the wall. These tubs are usually 5 feet long and cost range from 30 to 36 inches wide. When needed primarily for showering, they are usually about 14 inches deep, but you can find alcove bathtubs of different sizes made for soaking, with whirlpool or air bath options.
Shower Bathtub Combo Costs
Need to spend around $400 to $2,300 if you choose a shower/tub combo design. Any alcove bathtub can be made into a tub/shower combo by giving it a waterproof surrounding. You can also purchase readymade bathtub/shower combinations. These units are usually made of acrylic or fiberglass 1 and come in 1 to 3 pieces. They have few seams and are easy to care for. The tub portion is almost always 60 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 14 inches deep, but there can be variations between brands.
Undermount Bathtub Cost
Undermount bathtubs cost range from $600 to $5,500. The second method of installing a tub into a deck is to undermount it. In this part, you have a plywood box for the deck with the sides and top tiled or covered in slab materials. Then the bathtub is installed on the underside of the deck top, exactly like an undermount sink in a standard kitchen counter. This gives a cleaner, more contemporary appearance. However, it is also a slightly more complex and expensive bathtub installation.
Corner Bathtub Costs
Corner bathtubs cost between $1,500 and $5,800, depending on the different sizes, materials, and styles. If you need to conserve space but still want a dedicated bathtub for soaking or with jets, a corner bathtub helps you save room. Corner bathtubs extend along two walls, with usually 1 long connecting side in the front. They can be designed for a single user, or for two, with one bathing space extending along each wall. Installation is a choice between alcove-style with an apron front or undermounting into a deck.
Bathtub Costs by Material
You need to spend between $300 and $24,000 on the bathtub based on the different materials that you choose. Bathtubs are made from many different materials, depending on if the bathtub needs to be lightweight or hold heat well. Other materials are chosen based on aesthetics or to match a particular decor. Every unique material has its own costs and attributes to consider, impacting the total cost for each tub.
For example, the average steel tub price is minimal because these are affordable, durable tubs that last for many years without much maintenance.
| Material | Tub Cost (Unit Only) |
|---|---|
| Steel | $300 – $2,700 |
| Acrylic | $400 – $15,750 |
| Fiberglass | $400 – $5,500 |
| Cast Iron | $575 – $2,800 |
| Cultured Marble | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Solid Surface | $2,500 – $6,500 |
| Copper | $2,600 – $7,000 |
| Ceramic Tile | $6,000 – $13,000 |
| Granite | $12,000 – $24,000 |
New Tub Cost by Purpose
The cost for a tub ranges from $200 to $17,000, depending on its purpose. Depending on how they are used, bathtubs are generally sorted into several categories, such as general-purpose, soaking, walk-in, and whirlpool. Each of these tubs has its own characteristics as well as price range. There can also be overlap between them, such as a whirlpool tub with air jets or a walk-in tub also designed for soaking. In addition, installation styles impact the final project costs. In the table below, you will see a breakdown of each tub type and the costs for the unit only.
| Purpose | Tub Cost (Unit Only) |
|---|---|
| General-Purpose | $300 – $1,000 |
| Soaking | $1,300 – $13,000 |
| Whirlpool | $1,700 – $12,000 |
| Air Bath | $1,700 – $12,000 |
| Walk-In | $1,800 – $17,000 |
| Hot Tub | $1,900 – $19,000 |
General-Purpose Tubs Cost
General-purpose bathtubs are the standard bathtubs that everyone recognizes. This may cost between $300 and $1,000. They are generally shallow, about 14 inches on average, so they are not the best tubs for adults who want to bathe regularly. They may be made of almost any material and are usually installed with a shower.
Whirlpool Tub Cost
The average whirlpool bathtub cost ranges from $1,700 to $12,000, depending on the different sizes, styles, and brands. Whirlpool bathtubs are designed to give you a spa-like therapeutic experience. These are jetted tubs that circulate the water and air to provide a massaging burst at every jet. Whirlpool tubs have arrays of jets that are either positionable or fixed. They come in many shapes and sizes, and some offer specialty features like lights or lumbar support.
Walk-In Tub Cost
Walk-in tubs usually cost between $1,800 and $17,000. A walk-in tub is designed for people who have mobility restrictions and cannot climb into a standard tub. Walk-in bathtubs have a door that allows people to walk into the tub instead of stepping over the rim. A tight seal on this door keeps the water inside once closed. The bathtub is designed to start filling when the occupant is seated inside and must completely drain before the door can be opened. They may have whirlpool or air bath options, depending on the brand.
Labor Cost to Install a Bathtub
Of the $1,500 to $10,000 to have a new bathtub installed, about $500 to $2,000 makes up the cost of labor. The rest accounts for the cost of the tub and other necessary installation materials. The cost to install a new bathtub is directly tied to the type of bathtub being installed. Freestanding tub installations are generally the simplest, while a whirlpool undermount installation may be the most difficult. Before any installation, the bathroom subfloor 3 needs to be leveled, if it isn’t already, so there are no leaks or unnecessary strains on the plumbing.
All tubs should be installed by a licensed plumber, with rates ranging from $45 to $200 per hour. A new tub installation takes around 6 to 9 hours, depending on the exact details. To remove an existing tub, add at least 3 to 4 hours to the total time. In some instances, plumbers might charge a fixed rate for a bathtub installation, which includes all necessary materials and labor tasks. Any additional work might be charged at an hourly rate.
When installing a whirlpool tub or air bath, you may also need to hire an electrician ($40 to $100 per hour) to install new wiring, which takes 2 to 6 hours. You should be careful to choose a licensed, experienced electrician that has done bathtub installation work like this before. You can usually ask your plumber or bathroom contractor for an electrician reference if you do not have one.
| Tub Type | Cost to Install (Labor Only) |
|---|---|
| Tub / Shower Combo | $400 – $1,300 |
| Freestanding | $700 – $1,300 |
| Alcove | $850 – $1,650 |
| Drop-In | $1,050 – $1,900 |
| Undermount | $1,300 – $2,100 |
| Corner | $1,300 – $2,500 |
| Japanese-Style | $2,200 – $5,500 |
Tub Surround Cost by Material
Bathtubs come in a full range of sizes, from small “birthday” baths that are just 3 feet long to oversized jetted tubs meant for two that are 6½-feet long. In addition to the length, tubs also come in all different widths and depths. These vary by the type of tub installation, as well as the tub function. Below is a basic size chart to help determine which tub best fits your needs.
| Material | Surround Cost (Materials Only) |
|---|---|
| Tile | $150 – $6,500 |
| Composite | $350 – $2,500 |
| Acrylic | $350 – $900 |
| Fiberglass | $500 – $1,500 |
| Natural Stone | $2,500 – $25,000 |
| Solid Surface | $7,000 – $15,000 |
| Quartz | $7,000 – $15,000 |
Tub Surround Installation Cost
The cost to install a bathtub surround depends largely on the type of bathtub surround. A ready-made surround of acrylic, fiberglass, composite, or some other premade material costs $300 to $500. The cost to install a tile bathtub surround is around $3,420 to $11,000, including the framing of the walls, backer board installation, and tile surround, which needs to be caulked 5 and finished. This is in addition to the cost of the materials, which vary depending on the type of surround and the bathtub installation process involved. Tile tub surrounds are among the most common but require more labor.
Bathtub Faucet Cost by Type
The type of faucet you choose impacts the cost, with different styles cost ranging from $100 to $700 for the materials alone. No matter which type of bathtub you have, you need to have a way to fill it. A tub filler is a faucet that fills your bathtub. It usually has a higher number of gallons per minute than a standard faucet. Tub fillers can be deck-mounted or mounted on the side of the tub, floor-mounted, coming up from the floor and extending over the rim of the tub, or they can be wall-mounted, either as part of a shower valve setup or as a stand-alone filler.
| Faucet Cost (Unit Only) | |
|---|---|
| Deck-Mounted | $200 – $700 |
| Wall-Mounted | $300 – $700 |
| Floor-Mounted | $400 – $900 |
Process To Get Bathtub Installation Cost Estimate Report
Here I am going to share some steps to get your bathtub installation cost estimate report.
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