For more than three decades, Bath Fitter has been a strong player in home renovations. The magic of Bath Fitter lies in the simplicity; most of the Bath Fitter jobs take only one day from start to finish, leaving you with a bathtub that looks like a brand-new addition to your bathroom. The company provides not only bathtub liners, but bathroom wall coverings, bath and shower accessories, shower liners, and even conversions from bathtub to shower.
Bath Fitter — The Brand and the Product
Bath Fitter was founded in 1984 and is currently available in 45 states. All the work Bath Fitter does is customized and comes with lifetime and limited warranties. Even though each job is tailored to your needs, the price is still much lower than what you would expect to pay to fully replace the bathtub or shower. This can make your bathroom renovation much more affordable.
There are many options to choose from with Bath Fitter. There are currently four colors of bathtub liners, complete with 12 potential finishes. Customizations include everything from faucets and shower doors to soap dishes and corner shelves. You can opt for an ADA-compliant option that includes safety features. Even bathroom walls are available through Bath Fitter, so you can enjoy a handsome surround without the hassle of installing tile.
It’s important to remember that Bath Fitter is the name of a company that provides easy bath renovation services; however, other companies might call their products “bath fitter” products because they are so similar.
To ensure you’re actually getting work from Bath Fitter, go through the company’s official website to set up an appointment for your quote.
Bath Fitter Cost Breakdown
When all is said and done, your Bath Fitter installation will run an average of $5,000. The smallest and easiest installations might run about $3,000 from start to finish, while higher-end materials and any extra work required can add up to $7,500 or more. That is often much cheaper than demolishing and replacing the old bathtub.
Your choice of materials for your Bath Fitter can make a big difference in your final cost. For instance, the acrylic bath liner – the most common type of material Bath Fitter provides – will cost much less than the higher-end liners made of marble or fiberglass.
Labor costs for the Bath Fitter installation itself are included, as all the work is done with an in-house team. There might be labor costs for things that fall outside the scope of the Bath Fitter job, such as plumbing issues that need to be addressed before the work can be completed.
Additional potential costs can include the following.
Removing Old Fixtures
When you get Bath Fitter work done in the bathroom, you’ll probably want to let go of the old fixtures to make room for new ones that better suit your aesthetic style. A good rule of thumb is $50 for removal and disposal of each fixture. This is likely rolled into your Bath Fitter quote; double-check to make sure.
Repairs
By the time most homeowners are ready to remodel or use a Bath Fitter liner, they are working with an older bathroom and all the problems that can come along with it. Repairing a leak in the faucet, for instance, can run between $150 and $350, on average. Repairs to existing bathroom tile might run between $300 and $800. And if you choose to refresh the grout in your current surround, you’re looking at between $600 and $1,750 for the job.
Upgrades
You might choose to upgrade your existing space to make it more modern or user-friendly. For instance, installing a bathroom fan will run between $250 and $500 for the job, but it’s an investment that will pay off with better ventilation, which could prevent mold and mildew from taking hold.
Now might also be a good time for electrical upgrades. If you want to add an outlet, make existing outlets safer, or add more lights to your bathroom, you’re looking at a cost between $2 and $4 per square foot.
Moving Plumbing Lines
In most cases, Bath Fitter installation won’t require any changes to your plumbing. However, if you are using a Bath Fitter as part of a larger remodeling job, you might be moving around plumbing elsewhere in the bathroom. If you will move plumbing lines, expect to spend between $400 and $1,900, on average, depending upon the complexity of the job.
Mold Remediation
Anytime you’re working with an area where water is the norm, you could wind up dealing with mold. It’s not uncommon for a contractor to open up the walls around a bathtub only to find a proliferation of mold that needs to be removed before the project can move forward. Mold remediation can run between $1,200 and $3,400 or more, depending upon the scale of the problem.
Bath Fitter doesn’t list pricing on its website and you can’t get up-front pricing from customer service; the only way to get pricing is to go through the quote process. Sign up on the website for a free consultation to receive an accurate quote tailored to your bathroom needs.
Factors Influencing Bath Fitter Cost
When it comes to your bottom line, there are several factors at play. The quote you get from a Bath Fitter representative takes the following into account:
- Installation Location: The cost of installation depends upon your geographical location — some areas are more expensive than others — and the size of the bathtub. Also be aware that hidden problems, such as plumbing issues, mold and mildew, and repair of cracks in the area around the original tub can drive up the cost.
- Labor Costs: The quote for a Bath Fitter product will include the cost of labor. That’s because everything is done in-house with the company’s own representatives who are trained to install the product in the most efficient way. The cost of labor might be higher for complex jobs and dependent upon the type of liner you choose to install, as some materials are more difficult to work with.
- Materials: Acrylic is by far the most common material chosen by Bath Fitter customers, but you can get other materials, such as PVC vinyl, fiberglass, and even marble. As you might imagine, choosing marble for your Bath Fitter renovation will be more expensive than choosing the typical acrylic. Marble tends to add up to $3,000 to the cost of the Bath Fitter.
- Design and Customization: There are other customizations that can add to the cost of the Bath Fitter, but you might find it’s worth the price to get the bells and whistles that give you a spa-like bathroom. The finish of the materials, colors, and accessories such as shelves can drive up the price.
The cost of Bath Fitter can range widely depending upon the choices you make during the consultation. Let’s look at the potential costs.
Comparing Bath Fitter with Other Brands
Bath Fitter is not the only option out there for bathtub liners, but there are numerous reasons why Bath Fitter is so popular. Many other brands offer a few basic options for materials, finishes, and add-ons, but few of them offer the in-house installation process.
Many other companies roll the bathtub remodel into the larger remodeling for your bathroom, so it’s tough to know how long it would actually take for a stand-alone product to be installed. Bath Fitter makes it clear up-front how long it will take and how much it will cost, and they allow you to choose from a wide variety of options to customize the liner.
Preparing for Installation
The installation process with Bath Fitter is completed entirely with in-house staff. They follow a five-step process that covers everything you might need and gets you ready for the big day.
- A Bath Fitter salesperson will meet with you in your home or virtually to talk about what you need. You’ll have all the potential customizations laid out for you.
- The salesperson will take measurements of your bathtub and then create a quote that reflects your choices for the remodeled bathtub.
- Creation of your new bathtub or shower commences.
- Your bathroom will be thoroughly cleaned on the day of installation. The installation team will make any necessary repairs before installing the new product.
- Most installations take one day. There is no demolition required! You must wait for 24 hours before using your new bathtub or shower.
Before the installers arrive, make sure your bathroom is as clean as possible and remove anything that might be in the way. If you have any sort of bathroom furniture, such as a shelving unit, you might need to remove it before Bath Fitter representatives show up to work on your bathroom.
Maximizing Your Investment
One of the big selling points of Bath Fitter is that it makes cleaning and maintenance much easier. Keep your investment looking great by regularly cleaning the tub or shower with a cleaner recommended by Bath Fitter. There are currently 25 products approved by the company. Using these can help ensure your warranty stays in force.
No matter your choice of Bath Fitter products, it pays to know what you’re getting into financially. Understanding the cost of Bath Fitter and speaking with a representative to figure out what fits your budget is the first step toward creating a bathroom remodel that your wallet won’t regret.
Compare top-rated bathroom remodel pros in your area.
Read real homeowner reviews, explore qualifications, and view promotions. Modernize makes it easy to browse professionals and find one that will be perfect for your project.
