BATHROOM
Bathtub Replacement Cost: Alcove to Walk-In in 2026
Estimate bathtub replacement cost — with the free bathroom calculator.
Replacing a tub is one of the highest-impact bathroom upgrades — and one of the most variable. Alcove to freestanding changes everything. Here's the real 2026 cost.
THE SHORT ANSWER
The short answer
Bathtub replacement runs $1,000–$3,000 typical in 2026: standard alcove tub $250–$800 plus $500–$1,200 labor. A full alcove replacement with walls and tile runs $4,000–$8,000. Freestanding tubs add more.
What it costs
A standard alcove tub runs $250–$800. Installation labor runs $500–$1,200 for a straight swap. Soaking tubs run $700–$2,500; whirlpool $1,000–$5,000. Walls, tile and waterproofing push a full job to $4,000–$8,000.
- Standard alcove tub: $250–$800
- Labor (straight swap): $500–$1,200
- Soaking tub: $700–$2,500
- Full alcove with tile: $4,000–$8,000
Tub vs shower conversion
Converting a tub to a walk-in shower runs $3,000–$10,000. Converting a tub area to a tub-shower combo runs $2,000–$5,000. If the plumbing stays, the swap is much cheaper.
Try the bathroom calculator
Enter the fixture cost and labor to estimate the swap.