Category: budget

You saved all year for a bathtub. Finally you have the power to purchase the best one, you have many options in mind. You have checked PlumbTile and seen all the options, and thought about them. You are excited and can’t wait any longer.

So, will it be the 83″ Zuma? The luxury whirlpool and air system tub with overflow grid and toe touch drain, and comes in Almond, Biscuit, Black, Bone, Fawn, and all other color varieties you can think of.

Or will it be the sleek Monaco from Victoria-Albert? Featured in the Architectural Digest, this modern dual ended tub you can never go wrong with. It will fit and accentuate any bath design.

Perhaps, you want to go with a massager like the Kohler – Sojourn BubbleMassage bath? Your tired body will receive the utmost relaxation and rejuvenation from these types of tubs.

There are a lot of options and it is up to you to make that decision on which bathtub to buy. Of course you have to factor in your budget and bathroom design, but always remember think about your lifestyle and purpose for buying one.

Before you proceed and before you make that purchase, stop and think. Is that all you have to worry about? Bathtub replacement involves more than just going to the store and buying the bathtub of your dreams.

 Consider these factors;

• Is it necessary to move or replace plumbing for the new bathtub?
• Do you need to retile, drywall, and repair carpentry to get the new tub in?
• Do you need to change the wall or the bathroom floor for the replacement tub?

Remember, refinishing a bathtub or installing a liner is always cheaper to get a new tub but will not give you precisely the design choices you want.

 What are the costs?

A new bathtub can start as low as $200 and can be as expensive as thousands of dollars depending on size, make, and the technology that comes with it. From whirlpools to LED displays, to those cast in gold and silver; the more stuff it has or does, the more expensive it’s going to get. Steel, as well as fiberglass, are less expensive. Cast iron tubs are durable but are more expensive.

Here’s where the bulk of the budget will go. Removing the old bathtub and replacing it with a new one can go as high as $5000. On the average, the total cost of installation is about $3,500, but is dependent on the difficulty of the job, local rates, repairs and replacement of fixtures, walls and floors.

The total cost must include everything from removing and reinstalling doors (yes, huge tubs can’t fit standard size doors), repair and redesign of existing plumbing, maybe some soldering if with copper piping. Do not attempt to make this a DIY project unless you have experience in construction and plumbing.

Call PlumbTile to get more information about installation and costs. They will appreciate the opportunity to talk with you and will respond to any issues as promptly as possible.