Installing a new tub in your bathroom can be a daunting task. It’s a big job, especially if you don’t have a helper–but it can add up quickly to hire a team of contractors to do the work for you. So, is hiring professional remodelers really worth it? Or is it better to do the job yourself? In this article, we’ll take a look at the cost of installing a new tub, and we’ll discuss whether or not it’s worth your time and effort–or if it’s better to outsource the project to folks who will make short work of it. We’ll also discuss the average cost of tub installation as well as the cost of raw materials for installing a new tub yourself, so you can make an informed decision about how to proceed!
Why Install a New Tub?
On the fence about whether or not it’s worth it to install a new bathtub? We’re here to tell you that aside from providing a breath of fresh air in terms of updating the aesthetics of your home, replacing an old tub means starting fresh with a more hygienic, likely more functional, efficient, and modern replacement. Considering your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your house, this sort of investment is something you will get to enjoy daily, and can even make a positive impression on guests, inspectors, or potential home buyers should you decide to sell. Additionally, replacing your bathtub adds value to your property should you list it on the market, generally recovering about 60% of the initial expense of installation while making your home more marketable at the same time.
How Much Does Installing a New Tub Cost?
Of course, besides the hours of planning, educating yourself on the best approach to accomplishing the task at hand, and actually installing a new tub yourself, there will also be financial costs to consider for this type of endeavor as well. In the following sections, we will break down the average cost of raw materials for this undertaking, as well as the average cost of labor for hiring skilled contractors to do the job for you.
Raw Materials
Of course, should you choose to install your new tub yourself, you will save the expense of hiring a professional contracting team—but you will also likely have less industry insight into high-value brands and materials for tub manufacturers, faucets, and tools. The price of a bathtub itself can range from roughly $220 to over $1,000, depending on your taste and budgeting priorities. Aside from a tub, other materials you are likely to need include:
- Pipe wrench
- Screwdriver
- Electric drill and bits
- Level
- Wooden 2 x4 planks
- Nails
- Mortar mix
- trowel
- Plumber’s putty
- Caulking materials
- Wooden shims
- And woodworking tools
The cost of these materials can add up to upwards of $100, depending on the cost and quality of the tools you opt for. Of course, budgeting $320 or so all in for installing a new bathtub on your own is only accurate if you are actually able to install it correctly. Should you fail to install your tub appropriately, this can cost around $5,660 on average to replace by a qualified team of experts just to right what you’ve gotten wrong—not including any water damage that may have occurred to the frame or floors of your home due to moisture problems.
Rates for Contracted Labor
While the hourly rate for a bathroom remodeling company generally ranges from $40-$100 an hour, it’s important to note that this may change based on the complexity of the project, the contractor’s experience level, and other factors. While it might seem tempting to forego the expense of hiring a professional, keep in mind this type of project can be tackled in a day or less by an expert—whereas it may take the average homeowner days, or even weeks, to assemble the materials and know-how. It’s important to remember that if you do decide to hire a contractor, yes, you will have to pay for their hourly wage for labor—but a good professional remodeling agency will work within the parameters of every budget, with transparent pricing along the way.
Is Installing a New Tub a DIY Project or Should You Hire a Renovation Team?
For some homeowners, the experience of touching every aspect of their renovation project along its journey is a rewarding characteristic of installing a new tub. A select few folks appreciate taking the time to slow down and solve a problem with their own two hands, potentially saving some money along the way—not to mention the satisfaction that comes with looking back over a job well done.
However, many families or professionals with busy lives have neither the inclination nor the interest in tackling this sort of project—and even if they did, they might not have the knowledge, tools, or ability to complete the job themselves. Installing a new tub is about more than just getting to use a sledgehammer to remove an unwanted bathtub; it requires a moderate understanding of plumbing, waterproofing procedures, and woodworking, not to mention the manual labor involved and accumulating the tools to do the job. This is not a task a person can do without help! Installing a new bathtub requires a buddy.
For someone unfamiliar with plumbing or construction or who is not confident in their skills, the prospect of potentially installing a tub incorrectly and then having to pay to correct it sounds like a waste of time, energy, and money. For these people, it’s generally considered worth it to hire a contractor you trust to get the job done right on the first go, efficiently, and within your predetermined budget.
Best NC Bath Remodel Experts for Installing a New Tub
For a stress-free bathroom renovation experience, it is hard to beat the convenience and value that come with hiring a professional contracting crew. Installing a new tub in your home doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or labor-intensive undertaking. In fact, it can be done in a day—or even a number of hours—by working with an experienced, reputable contractor. If you’re still on the fence about whether to install your bathtub yourself or hire a bathroom remodeling company near you, reach out to the professionals at Carolina Custom Tub and Shower today and ask us for a free, no-obligation quote. We offer easy financing for all credit types and will work with any budget to transform your home as efficiently and effectively as possible.
