Bathtub Cost Guide: How Much Does a Bathtub Cost in 2024?

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.

Materials Costs:

• Porcelain
• Cast iron
• Steel
• Copper
• Acrylic

Common Bathtub Types Costs:

• Freestanding:
• Drop In
• Bathtub & Shower Combo:

Additional Bathtub Costs:

• Tub Surroundings
• Refreshing
• Relining

You can also check this overview of prices of different bathtub types, organized from the lowest to the highest price:

Porcelain Bathtub Cost -$400-2,000+

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 making 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 a 60-inch standard porcelain bathtub ranges from 350-2,000, not including installation.

Cast Iron Bathtub Cost – $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 Bathtub Cost – $500-$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 Bathtub Cost – $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 occurred. 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 Bathtub Costs – $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 Costs –$1,000-$3,000+

What is a freestanding bathtub?

A freestanding bathtub is a bathtub that can stand on its own, usually supported by a flat base.
Min-max cost for a freestanding bathtub?
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

Other considerations

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 Costs-$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.

Cost range of a drop-in bathtub

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 Costs- $500-$3,500+

What is a shower combo?

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.

Cost range of a shower combo

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.

Walk-in Bathtub costs – $4000-$8500+

A walk-in bathtub typically costs anywhere between $4000 and $8,500, including labor and installation. This cost constitutes the national average, but the final price will depend on the features, material, and ease of installation. Higher-end models can easily cost around $7000-8,000 with added features like jets that require electrical systems or seat modifications for more comfortable bathing. 

What is a walk-in bathtub?

A walk-in bathtub is a bathtub that is designed for those with limited mobility or who are handicapped. The bathtub allows individuals to walk into it and provides seating that eliminates slipping and falling hazards. Handlebars and footholds are also placed around the tub to assist with getting in and out of the tub.

Cost range of Walk-in bathtub

Walk-in bathtubs can go as cheap as $1900, with more expensive models going for $8,000+. However, additions such as jets can increase installation costs by $300-600 with an increase in energy bills. 

Cost of Installation

Installation costs range from $700-$3,000, with a general average of $1,500 or less. Labor costs will increase if you need to reconfigure plumbing, install an electric motor or need to remodel your bathroom to accommodate a larger than a standard tub. 

Ease of installation

Walk-in bathtubs are quite simple to install. Find a trusted electrician and plumber with the proper licenses, and they can install your walk-in bathtub in just one day. It is highly recommended you don’t attempt to DIY this installation as walk-in bathtubs are quite heavy and difficult to install on your own. 

Tub Surrounds Costs

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 installation 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.

badeloft

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.