How Much Does It Cost to Fit a Bath?

Fitting a bath can be an affordable and quick alternative to replacement. It typically takes less than a day to get a bathtub fitted with a new liner, and some companies also provide wall surrounds and other accessories to make the entirety of the space feel new.

What Does It Mean to Fit a Bath?

Fitting a bath involves working with a specialized contractor to custom-fit a liner for your bathtub and/or shower made from acrylic, fiberglass, or even marble. These liners get installed directly over your existing fixtures, allowing for a quick and efficient transformation, often completed in just one day.

Depending on the company you select, you might also be able to upgrade other components of your bathroom so the space has a cohesive look and feel. Some brands offer wall surrounds, acrylic liners in a variety of colors, and textured products that are anti-slip.

Fitting a bath is ideal for those looking to modernize their bathroom with minimal disruption and downtime.

Cost Breakdown to Fit a Bath

When all is said and done, your cost to fit a bath 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 can make a big difference in your final cost. For instance, an acrylic bath liner – the most common type – will cost much less than higher-end liners made of marble or fiberglass.

Be aware that there might be labor costs for things that fall outside the scope of fitting a bath, such as plumbing issues that need to be addressed before the work can be completed.

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Additional potential costs can include the following.

Removing Old Fixtures

A good rule of thumb is $50 for removal and disposal of each fixture. This is likely rolled into your contractor quote; double-check to make sure.

Repairs

By the time most homeowners are ready to remodel or fit a bath, 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, fitting a bath won’t require any changes to your plumbing. However, if you are fitting your bath or shower 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.

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Factors Influencing Cost

When it comes to your bottom line, there are several factors at play. The quote you get fit a bath 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 to fit your bath will include the cost of labor, but you should ask to see labor broken out into its own category if possible so you can evaluate multiple quotes. 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.

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• Materials: Acrylic is by far the most common material chosen by homeowners when they fit a bath, but there are other options such as PVC vinyl, fiberglass, and even marble. As you might imagine, choosing marble to fit your bath will be more expensive than choosing the typical acrylic. Marble tends to add up to $3,000 to the cost of fitting a bath.
• Design and Customization: There are other customizations that can add to the cost of fitting a bath, 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 fitting a bath can range widely depending upon the choices you make during the consultation. Let’s look at the potential costs.

Comparing Brands

Many brands that fit baths offer a few basic options for materials, finishes, and add-ons, but few of them offer an in-house installation process. You may find that labor costs are cheaper by choosing a brand that hires their own installers.

Many companies roll the bathtub fitting into the larger remodeling cost for your bathroom, so it’s tough to know how long it would actually take for a stand-alone product to be installed. If you are primarily interested in having a bath fit, you can find specialized companies that can accomplish the task in less than a day.

Preparing for Installation

The installation process to fit a bath is fairly straightforward and efficient. Here’s a general look at what you can expect from inquiry to install.

1. A salesperson or contractor from the company 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.
2. The salesperson will take measurements of your bathtub and then create a quote that reflects your choices for the remodeled bathtub.
3. Creation of your new bathtub or shower commences.
4. Your bathroom will need to be thoroughly cleaned on the day of installation. Some companies will handle this step for you, so be sure to ask about it when you are getting quotes. The installation team will then make any necessary repairs before installing the new product.
5. 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.

Maximizing Your Investment

One of the big selling points of having your bath fit 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 your chosen professional.

No matter your choice, it pays to know what you’re getting into financially. Understanding the cost of fitting a bath and speaking with multiple contractors to figure out what fits your budget is the first step toward creating a bathroom remodel that your wallet won’t regret.

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