Bathtub Replacement in Chicago
Replacing a bathtub sounds like a one-day swap, and sometimes it is. But the tub is only part of the bill: removal, floor checks, the drain and the wall around it all count. Angi reports that most homeowners pay between $2,104 and $9,756, with a national average near $5,929. Your own price depends on the tub and the scope, so tell us about the project and we will match you with independent licensed Chicago remodelers who can give you a written scope and price to compare.
Updated October 21, 2026. Every figure links to its source at the end of this page.
Three questions that set the scope
Before you shop for a tub, answer these. They decide how big the job is.
- Same spot, or a new layout? Replacing an alcove tub with another of the same size is the simplest case. Fixr notes that choosing a new tub with the same dimensions makes the project easier. Changing the type of tub can mean new plumbing.
- Keep the wall finish, or redo it? A new tub often means new tile or a new surround. Fixr lists a tub-and-surround combination as an added $500 to $1,000 for the surround.
- Do you want to keep a tub at all? If you are weighing a shower instead, read about tub-to-shower conversion.
Alcove, drop-in or freestanding
| Tub style | What it is | Installed range |
|---|---|---|
| Alcove | Fits between three walls; the usual replacement in older homes | $450 to $1,400 |
| Bathtub and shower combo | Alcove tub with a matching surround | $950 to $2,400 |
| Drop-in | Set into a built platform | $900 to $5,000 |
| Freestanding or clawfoot | Stands on its own, away from the walls | $1,200 to $10,000 |
Alcove is the most common choice for a swap. Kohler’s cast iron Villager, for example, is a 60-inch by 30-1/4-inch alcove tub. Alcove tubs come in left-drain and right-drain versions, so match the new tub to the drain position already in your floor, or plan to move the drain.
Going from alcove to freestanding is a bigger project. Fixr says removing the old shower surround, adding tile and finishing the floor where the old tub stood can cost an extra $800 to $3,000. Angi advises confirming you have open floor space on all sides. Plumbers also report $400 to $1,900 to relocate lines (Angi). For Chicago-specific totals, see the bathroom remodel cost guide.
Cast iron or acrylic
Material changes the price, the feel and the carrying plan. Angi lists planning ranges of $200 to $800 for fiberglass, $700 to $1,000 for standard acrylic, $200 to $1,000 for steel and $400 to $14,000 for cast iron.
| Tub | Empty weight | Water capacity | Minimum floor load |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villager, enameled cast iron | 316 lbs | 33 gal | 49 lbs per sq ft |
| Archer, acrylic | 73 lbs | 57 gal | 46 lbs per sq ft |
The surprise is what happens once the tub is full. Using about 8.3 pounds per gallon for water, the cast iron tub plus water comes to roughly 590 pounds and the deeper acrylic tub to roughly 550, before anyone gets in. That is our arithmetic from Kohler’s figures. The light tub is much easier to carry up the stairs, but it does not remove the question of floor strength. Both tubs list a minimum floor load, and your remodeler should compare that number with your framing, especially above the first floor. Angi notes that a heavy cast iron tub may need structural reinforcement.
Removal matters too. Angi lists removing an old tub at $150 to $4,500, with heavy cast iron tubs at $300 or more for removal alone, and $300 to $800 for subfloor preparation and reinforcement.
What to plan in a Chicago home
Getting the tub in and out
In a two-flat, a third-floor walk-up or a condo building, the route matters as much as the tub. Measure the front door, stair turns, landings and the bathroom door, and tell each remodeler the route up front. Ask whether a heavy old tub will be broken up for removal and how the stairs and common halls will be protected. In a condo, ask the association about elevator reservations and work hours before the date is set.
Old leaks hide under old tubs
Angi lists water damage repair at $450 to $14,000, a very wide range that shows why the allowance for hidden damage should be in writing. A tub that leaked slowly at the drain or wall seam can leave a soft subfloor. See hidden bathroom remodel costs and bathrooms in Chicago bungalows, greystones and two-flats.
New wall finish
If the old surround comes off, the wall behind the tub needs proper waterproofing before new tile goes on. Our page on bathroom tile explains what to ask.
Homes built before 1978
The EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting rule applies to paid work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing, and plumbing work is covered. Ask each remodeler whether the firm is certified, and read lead-safe remodeling in pre-1978 Chicago homes.
Where this comes up
Condo owners in Lake View and Lincoln Park face building rules; owners of bungalows and two-flats in Portage Park and North Center often deal with tight stairs and shared floors. See remodeling a condo bathroom in Chicago.
Permits and licenses in Chicago
Replacing a tub replaces a plumbing fixture, so plan on a City permit; our permit guide lists it among the work that needs one. The City’s Express Permit Program has a plumbing category that covers repairing or replacing an existing plumbing fixture. It requires a licensed plumbing contractor, with a narrow owner exception, and the new fixture must meet the Chicago Plumbing Code’s water-efficiency requirements. Changing the layout, or adding walls, is a different permit path.
The remodelers we match you with are independent companies. Check the license of anyone you consider with our guide to verifying a Chicago contractor license.
How to get a fair comparison
- Pick the tub first. Material, size, depth and drain side change every other line.
- Ask for a written quote from each remodeler that lists the tub, removal and disposal, permit, drain and valve work, wall finish and an allowance for hidden damage.
- Ask about the floor and how the tub will be moved in.
- Verify the plumbing license and who holds the permit.
Back to full bathroom remodeling, home or all services.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace a bathtub?
Angi reports that most homeowners pay between $2,104 and $9,756, with a national average near $5,929. Tub type, material, removal and any floor or wall repair drive the total. These are planning ranges, not a quote.
Do I need a permit to replace a bathtub in Chicago?
Replacing a tub replaces a plumbing fixture, so plan on a City permit. The Express Permit Program has a plumbing category for replacing an existing fixture, and it requires a licensed plumbing contractor. Ask your remodeler to confirm the path for your scope.
Is a cast iron tub too heavy for my floor?
It depends on the framing. Kohler lists its 60-inch cast iron Villager at 316 pounds empty, with a minimum floor load of 49 pounds per square foot. A deep acrylic tub holds more water, so ask your remodeler to check the floor for either one, especially above the first floor.
Can I replace an alcove tub with a freestanding tub?
Yes, but it is a bigger project. Fixr says removing the old surround and finishing walls and floor can add $800 to $3,000, and the plumbing may change. You also need open floor space around the tub.
Will a new tub fit up the stairs of my two-flat or condo?
Measure the route first: door widths, stair turns and landings. Light acrylic tubs are far easier to carry than cast iron. In a condo, ask the association about elevator and work-hour rules before you schedule.
Does the new tub need the same drain position?
Alcove tubs come in left-drain and right-drain versions, so match the drain side already in your floor. Moving the drain adds plumbing work, which Angi puts at $400 to $1,900 to relocate lines.
What if there is rot or water damage under the old tub?
It happens, especially with a slow leak at the drain or wall seam. Angi lists water damage repair from $450 to $14,000, so ask each remodeler for an allowance for hidden damage in writing.
Is this service a contractor?
No. Chicago Bathroom Remodeling Experts is a free referral service. We do not remodel, plumb or do electrical work. We connect you with independent, licensed remodelers, who are responsible for their own licenses, permits, insurance and contracts.
Sources
- Angi, “How Much Does Bathtub Replacement Cost?” (updated October 20, 2026): angi.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Fixr, “Bathtub Replacement: How Much Does It Cost?”: fixr.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Kohler specification sheets, Villager K-715 (cast iron) and Archer K-1946-LA (acrylic): kohler.com, kohler.com. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- City of Chicago, Express Permit Program, plumbing work: chicago.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings, plumbing license FAQ: chicago.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- U.S. EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program: epa.gov. Accessed October 21, 2026.
Related
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