After over 25 years in the bathroom remodeling industry, ZINTEX is here to share the inside scoop. Read on to discover the most budget-friendly bathtubs and additional tips on keeping your bathtub replacement estimate low without sacrificing quality.

Table of Contents:

• Standard Alcove Bathtubs
• Skirted Bathtubs
• Drop-In Bathtubs
• Tub Liners vs. Bathtub Replacements
• Standalone Bathtubs vs. Tub-Shower Combos
• Design Choices That Impact Your Tub Remodel Budget Most

Skirted bathtubs are similar in size and shape to an alcove bathtub, but there is one key distinction. Skirted bathtubs have an extra built-in panel (or “skirt”) that conceals the tub’s plumbing. This is the type of tub you’ll need if your tub surround has less than three walls.

The cost of a bathtub replacement using a skirted bathtub will range from $11,000-$16,000. Generally speaking, a skirted bathtub will cost more than a standard alcove bathtub. It may also require more complex installation.

A drop-in bathtub is a tub that has no front or side panels to hide plumbing, and must instead be mounted on a separate deck or platform. You can find drop-in bathtubs in a variety of shapes and sizes, but a standard rectangular size is going to be the most budget-friendly.

The cost of a drop-in rectangular bathtub replacement will vary widely depending on the scope of your remodel. For example, if the deck or platform needs to be completely replaced, you could be looking at an estimate of $16,000 or higher. Some companies may be willing to replace just the drop-in tub itself for a cheaper price, but this comes with the risk of overlooking water damage or plumbing issues.

Just like some companies are willing to replace just a drop-in bathtub, others provide a service involving tub liners. Tub liners are essentially shells that fit over an existing tub. They enclose your old tub completely, hiding away unsightly damage and even mold growth, with no demolition required.

As you might imagine, the upfront cost of a tub liner is a lot cheaper than the upfront cost of a full tub replacement. You can get a tub liner installed for $5,000 or less. The question is, are they actually the more cost-effective option over the long term?

Tub liners buy you a couple of years before problems like mold growth or old plumbing become pressing enough that you need to invest in the full bathtub replacement. If all you want to do is, say, spruce up your bathroom before selling your home, this is one way to avoid the $11,000+ expense of a bathtub replacement.

If, however, you’re investing in a home you intend to stay in for more than 2-3 years, you might as well pay for the bathtub replacement now, rather than 2-3 years from now.

We’ve already answered the question of whether or not a walk-in shower is cheaper to install than a tub-and-shower combo. What about a standalone bathtub? Is that cheaper than a tub-and-shower combo?

While the ultimate answer is going to depend on design specifics, it’s probably not going to be cheaper to install a standalone bathtub than it would be to install a tub-and-shower combo. That’s because most of the time, standalone bathtubs are designed for a more luxurious, spa-like experience. They are often larger than a standard tub and have more bells and whistles, like hydrotherapy jets.

A basic tub-and-shower combination is going to take between $11,000 and $16,000 to install. If you’re placing a standalone tub with a tub-and-shower combo, that will cost more than a one-for-one replacement because it will require some new plumbing configurations.

The type of tub you choose is only one of the design choices that will impact your total bathtub replacement cost. Additional design choices that have a major impact on your bathtub remodel estimate include:

• The material of the tub (e.g., fiberglass, acrylic, or cast iron)
• The material and design of the wall surround (e.g., acrylic or tile)
• Custom accessories (e.g., corner shelves or grab bars)

Want to see for yourself what your bathtub replacement would cost based on your preferred design? Use our ZINTEX bathroom remodel calculator and receive an instant, no-obligation quote.

You’re ready to replace that old tub, and now you’ve got more information to make budget-friendly decisions about your tub design. What’s next?

At ZINTEX Remodeling Group, we specialize in acrylic tub and shower systems. Take a look at our guide, Tub and Shower Material Comparison: Acrylic vs. Fiberglass, where we discuss the pros and cons of two of the most popular tub materials on the market.