The big question is will taking out a bathtub affect home resale value? The answer is probably not. As long as you have at least one other bathtub in the house it's fine to remove one.
Whether a shower or tub is better for resale is a common question many homeowners consider before removing a tub. Real estate professionals advise that as long as it's not your only bathtub, converting a tub to a shower shouldn't hurt (and might even help) your home's resale value.
Local Preferences: Cultural or regional preferences can also influence buyer expectations. In some areas, homes without bathtubs may be more common and thus more acceptable. Overall, while it can make selling a house more challenging, it's not necessarily a deal-breaker if other aspects of the home are appealing.
Yes it will hurt resale. There's lots of safety reasons to have a tub aside from baths. A tub can be hidden in during tornados, it can hold drinkable water in hurricanes or water outages, it can help with first aid, etc etc.
Without a bath, you'll be limiting your market when you come to sell your property. Regardless of the value of your home, if your property is ideal for families but it doesn't have a bath, it will almost certainly take longer to sell. And the longer your property is on the market, the less it will often sell for.
Bathroom Updates for Resale Value
Removing your only tub to install a walk-in shower can make your home's value take a hit because most prospective homebuyers, especially families with small kids, want at least one bathtub.
Tubs require a lot of water to fill and use, and they are generally less water-efficient than showers. Think of taking out the tub as another move toward a more eco-smart design, like replacing outdated and leaky shower heads or toilets.
Many younger homeowners are opting for shower-only bathrooms, valuing the time and space savings over the option to soak in a tub. Additionally, the trend toward smaller, more urban homes with limited bathroom space means that showers often win out.
Removing an existing tub typically costs between $59 and $108. This includes breaking up the tub, if necessary, and disposing of it—usually in a contractor-provided dumpster. Costs increase for heavy cast iron tubs due to the extra labor required.
If your home has a particularly large or luxurious bathtub, it may be worth more than a smaller shower. And if you live in an area where most homes have baths rather than showers, your home's value may not be affected as much by whether or not it has a shower.
Although not as popular among adults, bathtubs are still the most effective way to bathe young kids and pets. For young families, a bathtub is practically a necessity. Most children younger than 8 have a difficult time using a shower. In addition, baths are much more efficient when cleaning up multiple kids at once.
Though upgrading your tub to a shower could arguably be seen as a “pro” for better resale value, replacing your only tub is not as versatile for every type of homeowner. More difficult to bathe children and pets. Bathtubs can be a must-have for smaller children or pets.
Miller, a big shot in real estate appraisal, says at least one bathtub is pretty much non-negotiable. Why? It makes your house appeal to more people. Having no bathtub could pose some problems upon resale.
Yes, among other services, plumbers do install and replace bathtubs. In addition to removing and installing your new bathtub, they will also connect the plumbing associated with the bathtub as well.
Increasingly, homeowners are getting rid of their tubs for lavish, high-end showers. Small spaces and homes owned by millennials and kid-free adults are particularly more apt to agree with the bathtub becoming obsolete. They simply ditch the tub.
A soaking tub offers a deep, spa-like bathing experience, making it a luxurious addition to modern bathrooms. Benefits include enhanced relaxation, therapeutic advantages, aesthetic appeal, and potential to increase property value.
Replacing an existing tub with a luxurious walk-in shower can cost about $15,000 or higher depending on the complexity of the project. The amount you pay may vary depending on whether you choose a custom design or a one-piece stall.
To remove a bathtub without damaging the surrounding walls, first turn off the water supply. Then disconnect the drain and overflow from the plumbing. Carefully remove any caulking or sealant, cut away drywall if necessary, and gently pry the tub out, ensuring not to damage the walls.
Local junk collection professionals are capable of helping remove trash from your home, even bathtubs and toilets. Thus, you may contact junk collection crews all around the country who are available for junk collection services, including the removal of bathtubs.
If you live in a newly built area or the location attracts mostly younger buyers, the current market may favor showers over bathtubs. However, keep in mind the area may not always attract youthful homebuyers, and having a shower instead of a bathtub could bring down your property's value.
In larger properties with multiple bathrooms, the absence of a tub in just one of the rooms might not be as detrimental. But if you just have the one bathroom, which is the norm for many homes, removing the only bathtub could significantly diminish the home's appeal to certain buyers.
Resale Value
In a one-bedroom apartment with limited space, a lack of a bathtub is unlikely to put off prospective buyers. However, having at least one bathtub can be an advantage if you have a multi-bathroom home or you want to appeal to first-time homebuyers who are planning a family.
A bath can significantly increase the value of your home as it makes it competitive in the real estate markets. Potential homebuyers may be impressed with the unique features of your home but without a bathtub, they can easily turn down your offer.
Many younger homeowners are opting for shower-only bathrooms, valuing the time and space savings over the option to soak in a tub. Additionally, the trend toward smaller, more urban homes with limited bathroom space means that showers often win out.
Opting for a shower without tub can significantly improve the safety and accessibility of your bathroom, making aging in place easier. For homeowners not overly concerned about future resale or inheritance issues, the decision to remove the tub becomes simpler.