Removing a bath generally won't devalue your home, provided you keep at least one bathtub elsewhere in the house. However, eliminating the only tub will shrink your buyer pool—particularly among families with young children—which could impact how quickly your home sells.
No! Removing a bathtub can reduce your buyer pool in certain areas, but many new homes are being built without bathtubs at all. Like other amenities, such as swimming pools and fireplaces, buyers will be drawn to the type of bathroom layouts they prefer, including walk-in showers.
Factors that decrease property value the most fall into three main categories: location issues, structural damage, and poor neighborhood conditions. These factors can collectively slash a property’s value by 5% to 30% or more.
It is not necessarily hard to sell a house without a tub, but it does narrow your buyer pool. The impact on your sale depends largely on your local market and who is buying.
Homeowners do have valid re-sale value concerns if all tubs are removed. If you have multiple bathrooms, keep a tub in one of them. If you have toddlers, small children or dogs to bathe a tub is necessary. If soaking in a tub is your surefire way to relax, a tub is a must.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) makes it clear that a home absolutely must have at least one bathtub to preserve resale value and be considered move-in ready for most buyers. Tubs are still preferred in most markets and price ranges. However, this becomes more and more crucial as you go up in price range.
The biggest value-adds for a home are functional square footage (like finishing a basement or adding a bedroom) and first impressions (curb appeal). While major renovations can be costly, strategic, high-ROI updates yield the best return on investment.
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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.
Removing and disposing of an old bathtub costs around $150 to over $4,500, depending on the type of bathtub. Fiberglass tubs, which are lighter in weight, cost $50 to $100 to remove. Hauling away a heavy cast-iron bathtub could cost $300 or more. Disposing of the old tub can cost $100 to $4,200.
Since demand outweighs supply, housing prices are higher, and homes sell faster. Meanwhile, the worst months to sell a house are November through March or during the fall to winter, when potential buyers are preoccupied with holiday plans. Sellers should expect lower sales prices and higher DOM during these months.
The biggest red flag in a home inspection is compromised structural integrity, frequently caused by hidden water damage or foundation issues. While minor electrical or plumbing fixes are easy to manage, structural failures compromise the safety of the entire home and can cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair.
Stephenson advises keeping at least one tub for its functionality and potential resale value. Although not having a tub in the home might not deter today's buyers as much, it limits options for easily bathing kids and pets or enjoying a relaxing soak after a stressful week.
Bathtubs aren't completely out of style, but how we use them is changing. While the bulky, built-in tub-shower combinations and oversized 1990s Jacuzzis are definitely considered dated, sleek freestanding soaking tubs and high-end "wet rooms" are highly sought-after features.
Hotels are phasing out bathtubs in favor of walk-in showers due to shifting consumer preferences, easier maintenance, and the need for spatial efficiency. Modern travelers generally prefer quick showers, and walk-in showers make bathrooms feel larger while using less water.
It depends on your specific neighborhood really. If there are a good amount of families with children you should have at least one bathtub in the home, if it's an older community no bathtubs is fine.
A Cinderella tub is a vintage, space-saving corner bathtub popular from the 1930s to the 1950s. It is designed to fit diagonally into a corner, featuring a wide, rounded front and built-in seating on the sides. These cast-iron, often colorful (pink, blue, yellow) tubs maximize functionality in small bathrooms.
Plumbing and Labor Take the Biggest Bite
Labor in general is the single largest category in most bathroom remodels, typically accounting for 40% to 60% of the total budget. That includes plumbers, electricians, tile installers, carpenters, and any specialty tradespeople.
The 30% rule in home renovation suggests that homeowners should limit their renovation costs to no more than 30% of their home's current market value. This guideline helps ensure that the investment made in renovations aligns with the overall value of the property, thereby protecting the homeowner's equity.
A house is worth fixing up if the total cost—purchase price plus renovation expenses—is significantly lower than the market value of similar, fully renovated homes in the area (the "after-repair value" or ARV). Prioritize homes with solid structures, good locations, and sound foundations, focusing on cosmetic updates rather than extensive structural or system failures.
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A home typically looks outdated when it features overdone, time-stamped trends from specific past decades, such as honey oak cabinetry, popcorn ceilings, or generic word art. Outdated homes also often suffer from poor lighting, worn-out flooring, and heavy window treatments that block natural light.
A small primary bath can fit in $10k if you're selective. You might do a new vanity, upgrade the shower fixtures, add a quieter exhaust fan, and replace flooring. The shower walls might stay as-is, or you may do a simple surround replacement rather than full tile and custom niche work.