We have a house that was built in 1964. The bathtub is the original one built in the house, probably cast iron covered in porcelain. It's surrounded by the four inch tiles.

The grout is cracked between the tiles, and now a couple of the tiles on that wall have actually fallen out. We have two people to come this weekend to give estimates on replacing the tub with one of those "pieced in" things with a tub, and the walls that surround it.

Anyone have any idea on how much that will cost to replace? :confused: We priced the tub at $275 already.

They are only replacing the tub/shower and working around the high window there on that wall. The floor, etc. is all intact and not to be replaced.

Thanks,
--CakeLady--

Not sure why you are asking this since it sounds like you will have two estimates this weekend. Did you just want a ballpark to compare to the pros? Removal of the old tub needs to be included in their estimates, a cast tub can weight up to 500 lbs and needs to be broken or cut out, not fun.

You're right, I am looking for ballparks. I don't want to get "taken" by these "pros." So that's why I'm asking, along with wanting to be prepared for the hit my checkbook is going to take. I am paying cash and I've saved up to do it.

Not sure of labor costs in your area but your ballpark is about $1500 parts included.

Thanks very much. That's what we'd figured, pretty close.

--Cake Lady--

Hi,

I can't speak much to the install/labor costs, but as someone who is currently having a similar tub/shower unit installed, I can give you a few bits of info. We got one of the Sterling Kohler units because they were recommended by our contractor. It cost about $500 for the tub and three walls.

We had it delivered and have had major issues with units coming in with cracks in them. At this point we've sent one tub back, and now have to send a set of walls back. Any little hairline fracture will prevent installation, so when you get them, look them over really carefully, and don't let you're installer pull out the old tub until you are SURE they are in perfect condition. We got stuck without a tub or shower for 4 days because I didn't look at ours carefully enough the first time.

Hope that info helps in some way.

Wow! Surely good advice there, CACOCHRAN---we will have to have the same kind installed here, because there's no way they can get one of those one-piece ones in through the narrow hall and doorway there.

I will for sure look out for that.

The guy is coming today to give his quote---I will let y'all know what he says this evening!

Thanks,
Cake Lady

Best to get 3 quotes and the lowest isn't always the smartest.

Turns out the 3 piece idea won't work either (which I'd thought) because there's a high window there in the bathtub which would have to be cut around... impossible to seal out the water effectively from around that window.

So---the first guy came, said to rip out old tub, go to the studs, replace insulation, using rubber backer-board, paint with mildew retardant/killer, repaint with rubber paint sealer, using rubber headers on all screw points, re-plumb new tub in and replace all tile around tub...

$1800-$2000. Which is crap, because I happen to know what every piece of supplies will cost, using a tax-free contractor's license, adds up to $800 at home depot.

I'm willing to pay someone about $400-$500 labor to do it. $1000 labor is stupid.

My other option is to leave the tub installed, rip out the wall myself and replace it and the tiling myself with the husband. Not anywhere near the costs of having someone else replace the tub. Because the wall studs and plumbing is all still in good useable order---I may just end up doing that.

I have no problem paying someone what the job is worth---I am not sending them on summer vacation because of it, though. I think the guy really thought he was talking to a woman who had no idea what he was saying. WRONG. My father was a master plumber and I learned. I just don't have the tools or the manpower to rip out that old tub.

I do however have the tools and the know-how to replace the surrounding wall and tiling. Which I should have done a year back, and I wouldn't have had to deal with his condescending plumber/remodeler talk yesterday!

Cake Lady

I've got two more people coming for quotes this week... forgot to add that in the last posting.

Thanks,
Cake Lady

Glad to hear there will be two more quotes. What did he mean when he said "using rubber backer-board" I have not run into a rubber board or a need for one. I use Hardibacker screwed directly to the studs for the base of all my ceramic work. I think he may have had a rubber head.

Good morning Lady,
Had I been your plumber, (and that cast iron tub was still in good shape), I would have advised you to do exactly what you ended up doing which was,
to leave the tub installed, rip out the wall myself and replace it and the tiling myself with the husband.
I'll opt to keep a cast iron tub any day over a plastic one, even with walls. I think the plumber attempted to blow smoke up the wrong ladys skirt. I'd place you on one of my crews any day of the week. If your dad is still with us give him my regards, I too was raised by a master plumber. Regards, Tom

Good morning Lady,
Had I been your plumber, (and that cast iron tub was still in good shape), I would have advised you to do exactly what you ended up doing which was,
I'll opt to keep a cast iron tub any day over a plastic one, even with walls. I think the plumber attempted to blow smoke up the wrong ladys skirt. I'd place you on one of my crews any day of the week. If your dad is still with us give him my regards, I too was raised by a master plumber. Regards, Tom


Ohh, Tom! Thanks so much for the kudos!

Had another gentleman show up Friday afternoon, after a recommendation from a well-known builder here. This man was vastly different from the first, let me tell you! He showed up in an OLD Ford pickup (always a good sign!), wore clean-but-well-worked-over clothing, brought his measuring tape and a tablet inside, and generally made an easy impression.

He was more of the "ask what you want" type than a "know it all" and his first question? Did I want to keep the tub in place! After a bit of discussion on costs and other things, we came to an agreement that he would leave the old huldy in place, being that the floors, studs, and plumbing were all good. He DID say that he recommended replacing the faucet system---which we're all for, bearing on the age of it all.

All in all a better experience, and he's supposed to call Monday with a final quote after checking on tile and faucet prices. I will re-post to let y'all in on the price he gives after that... along with our decision, which hopefully will include my excitement at actually being able to fully SHOWER once again without the aid of a huge black garbage bag taped over the whole wall back there...

Thanks again to everyone who has commented here!

Sincerely,
Cake Lady

Please Keep us informed. Good luck, Tom

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let y'all know that the job is finally finished. The two gentleman came in and did it all in less than two full days of work. They went down to the studs, replaced one stud, replaced insulation, used cement backer board, new tile and grout. They even replaced the two towel racks in the shower area and bathroom.

The total cost for all of that was $1300 and we paid cash, as we do for everything. We don't like the credit card racket!

Thanks for all the answers suggestions and replies!

Sincerely,
Cake Lady

Sounds like you got a fair deal. I was ballparking $1500 but its always a bit of a guess without knowing what tile and fixtures will be selected. I have put in some $75 toilets and some $450 toilets, both seem to do what they are meant to do.

The supplies and materials aren't what's going to cost you money on this job.
It's the time involved in exposing the tub and demo'ing finished walls and plumbing to do that. Some might even cut it out. Lot's of dirty hard labor and disposal of demo'd items as well as re-framing, gyping, finishing painting.
I would think $1800 is fair price for a totally completed and customer satisfied job in this day and age.

Yes, Mike you would be right, if there were any finish painting and other stuff to be done. However, the plumbing was all good, the old tub stayed. Only thing they had to do was remove the three walls around the tub, replace one stud, replace three walls of backerboard, put tile up and seal it in.

I could have done it all myself had I had the right tools... and time. I didn't though, and I am glad to have it all done. Every time I stand inside the new shower now, I am very grateful for the guys' hard work and fast timing doing it. They completely finished it in within 2 days of work, hauled everything away, were very kind and professional and we are very satisfied.

One little thing: The new grout is peeling in a couple places, but I bought some of those little "snap packs" of grout and re-did it quickly. Let it dry for a day and showered again! LOL

Thanks everyone for the great replies and help!

Sincerely,
Cake Lady

Glad things worked out for you. Ou know I'd call the guy about the grout. If its peeling now, never should peel ever, you may have bigger issues later. Most of us do not mind call backs, too much. We want you satisfied so you tell your friends. I'm thinking he will scrape out the failing grout and redo it free of charge. I'd use an epoxy stain proof grout.

:) Ballenger, you can tell they used two different kinds of grout, too. The dry, chalky kind in between the tiles-----and along the tub itself, the rubbery silicone-ish kind. It's the rubbery bit around the tub that peeled off some, so I just ran a new few inches of bead, smoothed it (like a pro, if I do say so!:p ) and it's fine.

I'm neurotic about the tub now. ANY little thing and I'm on it. I'm scared to death something else is going to "pop up" if you KWIM.

Cake Lady

The two types are the right way to seal the tub. The rubbery stuff is likely silicone used on the wall inside corners and where the tub meets the wall. The space between the tiles gets the hard stuff. If the rubbery stuff is peeling there was probably water or dust on the surface when it was applied and you did the right patch job. If the hard stuff was peeling the I'd do a call back.

Good to know! I love this place!

Cake Lady

Anytime, any question, someone will be here. Have agood one young lady.

I found this thread through an on-line search engine and found it most helpful. Thanks for all the input. I couldn't find anywhere else on the internet that gave an idea of what price would be charged to replace a tub/shower.

I can add that I am currently going through the process of replacing my bathtub/shower. It was an old fiberglass one-piece from the early 80's in a horrid brown color, so keeping it wasn't an option for our situation.

I researched the price of materials, as CakeLady did and was blown away by the price of my first few estimates, $4000, then $5500. Both came with lengthy presentations given in a "designer's vocabulary." On my 3rd estimate, I found a general contractor, fully licensed and insured and been in business for over 10 yrs, able to tackle plumbing, tub removal and installation, and tile, who took on the job for $1750. The job is now almost complete and it really looks great.

The job's about over for us, hopefully this post may give somebody else some guidance in the future with a ballpark estimate, depending on your exact setup. It's true that sometimes not always the lowest quote is the best, but also watch out for the guys who are priced ridiculously high and looking to charge several thousand more than what materials should cost for 2-3 days labor.

You have to figure a lot of the material price will be marked up because the contractor has to pick the stuff up. And labor if he has another guy to pay. I know of using a rubber liner before cement board or hardibacker but its not necessary and replacing all the tile around is where a lot of the labor comes in also, seeing how a 1 day tub replacement turns into a 3 day job, waiting for mastic to set up then come back and grout, then wait for that to set up then come back and seal the grout. Like you said just have the guy do the tub and you do all the rest save money

You have to figure a lot of the material price will be marked up because the contractor has to pick the stuff up. And labor if he has another guy to pay. I know of using a rubber liner before cement board or hardibacker but its not necessary and replacing all the tile around is where a lot of the labor comes in also, seeing how a 1 day tub replacement turns into a 3 day job, waiting for mastic to set up then come back and grout, then wait for that to set up then come back and seal the grout. Like you said just have the guy do the tub and you do all the rest save money

I have installed 100's of tubs made some tubs into big shower .Yes the average person does not know anything. Your crazy yes the supplies would be about $800 maybe more depending on what you really want but I am sorry to tell you you are wrong most contractors want as much as the supply cost .Think about it do you really want to break your back getting that old tub out and the new one in there .It is hard work so that $1500 is about rite hate to tell you that .Call a plumbing company see what they say.My dad owns a company stuff as this.They will remove and install the tub and install new water controls for $1200 but you have to have at least 2 to 3 rows of the tile out already for them yes this is for real.$1200 just to install tub and replace controls and your are the one who has to replace the tile.I have done this work my whole life and if you get someone to install the tub and the tile surround then hope it last .And of coarse yes it is a little cheaper to install a crappy 2 or 3 piece surround but we all know tile looks so much nicer

SKILLEDCONSTRUC--I think everyone has had something valuable to contribute to the thread. I was grateful to find the help and support here that I did back when we were worried over every dime extra or otherwise it was potentially going to cost. I was and still am thrilled with the level of work that was done. They were brothers, worked together like clockwork, carried out the old stuff in big 5 gal buckets, cleaned up behind themselves, picked up all the products and brought them to the house--carried off the old in their own trucks, etc.

As well, I do realize how most bigger name plumbers/contractors mark up their materials and time, as I've worked for the "big name" service plumbing companies as well as watched my dad plumb commercial contracts throughout seven states. So yes--I'm aware of the markups and the reasons behind them.

I wasn't looking for the "top of the line" higher priced contractors at the time, however... both because of the age & scale of the house, (not fancy--just a small "starter home" type line house as they built in many neighborhoods in the 60's) ---so a fancy schmancy job would have been out of place in this house---and although would have brought the value up---wouldn't have fit in with our situation at the time. The money literally was taken from one fund to pay another, ha.

Since using it 3-5 times a day for the last couple of years, only thing I've had to do with it is re-grout around the tub line a couple of times. Seems the silicone stuff doesn't like to stick to the old porcelain forever, but that's to be expected, figuring it's probably been re-done about 20 times in 40 years, hahah!

I'm really lucky to have found AMHD and the kind expertise here that's freely given. I'm just always kind of rueful that BALLENGER wasn't in my neighborhood to come do the work! LOL!! :-)

---Cake Lady---

I know this is probably to late for this post but me to come out and remove tile from surround that's roughly $150.00, remove tub (cast) $200.00, install tub $300.00, tile surround $375.00, dump bill $125.00 well that's 1,150.00 and we are not talking anything else that might come up. I think that price you got was pretty good. I did not see any other post about any other prices she got!

Hi Twowired... welcome to AMHD.

They didn't get any info. On prices above because we try NOT to give prices out to askers as prices can vary from area to area and state to state... and the difference can be quite dramatic. A "STICKY" is posted at the top of the plumbing page that discusses the basics... check it out.

Have a good day!

Mark

Hi TwoWired; Again, welcome to AMHD!

I really do appreciate your answers--wondering if you're anywhere near TN? LOL At the very LEAST--you did give an answer, and a straightforward one at that. Much appreciated!

Hi CakeLady,
I'm in Hickory, N.C. Its like massplumber2008 said, we can't give out prices with out first seeing the job.

Haha, Two-wired--I know it's impossible to do any kind of pricing w/out seeing the job first hand. Same way w/plumbing--you can't even give a "ballpark" because you don't know what you're up against until you get there.

I was just thanking you for stating your (general) pricing right off, and again--do want to thank all for their helpful input on this subject.

Hard to believe the job's been done now for a couple years... however... I'm still SO GRATEFUL for a nice, leak-free shower wall every time any of us step in! :-)

--CakeLady

Hi guys...

Thanks for understanding... I appreciate it!

Mark

I can't stand homeowners that work over these contractors.
They expect free estimates, that takes gas and time to attend to, and play stupid the entire time they're there.
If you wanted the guy to do it for a price that you have set in your mind, why didn't you barter an agreement out there with him?
Tell him you want to demo, tell him you know what it takes.
But I guarantee you won't do it half as well as the guy that does it for a living!!
If you're a dentist, and I need a tooth repaired, I am sure you can do it in your sleep. I don't beat up your prices, or say that I can do it myself, or visit three other dentists trying to save a couple of bucks. I TRUST you to do what you are worth.

That is why paying the cheapest guy doesn't make sense.
That is why doing it yourself, doesn't make sense.
That is why preventive maintenance, saving for repairs, and researching contractors... MAKES SENSE!!

It's people like you that keep food of other tables. The economical flow stops at your doorway.

I agree. I would charge at least $2000 for the entire job. This is not including the materials!
You add:
Grout, Mortar/Mastick, Concrete Board, Board Screws, Caulking, Spacers, Sponge, Plumbing supplies, Drains, Water Lines, Shims, Garbage Bags, Dump Fee, Gasoline, Personal Time/Labor (Estimate, Proposing Estimate, Shopping for Supplies, and Labor on Job), Dump Fee/Time involved Cleaning/Organizing Vehicle after Job, Taxes, and MUCH MUCH MORE!

To add to this... Professional Experience. Insurance. Quality. Warranty. Most importantly... Stressless opportunity to fix a much needed repair that you decided to neglect resulting in this outcome.

PAY UP!

I hear where you are coming from. I have a beautiful new tub and surround that I want to have done by someone other than my boyfriend and myself because of it's awkwardness in getting the tub out of the house. We were quoted $2,000.00 just for the labor, no parts... guess we'll have to suffer with awkward!