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A bathtub gets replaced when the surface is past cleaning, crazed gelcoat, rust bleeding around the drain, cracks you can catch a fingernail on or when the household needs something different: a deeper soaker, a walk-in tub for aging in place, or simply a tub that fits a body over six feet. Homeowners in Columbus usually find the tub is the cheap part. Labor is 40% to 60% of the total.

The cleanest version of this project is a like-for-like alcove swap: old tub out, new tub into the same three-wall opening, same drain location, existing surround reused or lightly patched. That lands around $2,000 to $3,000 most places, with a broader range of $1,500 to $4,000. Scope creep is what changes the number. Freestanding, drop-in, jetted, and walk-in tubs commonly reach $4,000 to $15,000 because they need relocated drains, floor reinforcement, or a dedicated electrical circuit.

Three details decide whether your quote holds. Drain-side tubs are left- or right-hand drain, and getting it wrong means moving plumbing. Floor support: a stone or cast iron tub full of water and a person concentrates serious weight on a small footprint, and standard joist spacing doesn’t always handle it. And what’s under the old tub: soft subfloor or a leaking valve found during demolition adds $200 to $700. Contractors in Columbus should inspect before quoting.

Most jurisdictions require a permit and inspection once plumbing is touched, and a licensed installer handles that. Below you’ll find licensed plumbers and bathtub contractors in Columbus handling tub replacement, alcove and freestanding installation, walk-in tubs, and surround work. Plan on one to two days for a standard swap and three to five for a specialty tub. Compare licensing, reviews, and written bids on identical scope before committing.

Bathtub Installation Services In Columbus

Based on our criteria
Workman Score
88.3 /100
Based on
3 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 88%
  • Professionalism 90%
  • Experience 88%
  • Price-friendly 85%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

All three reviews are highly positive and explicitly praise professionalism, responsiveness, and work quality. Two reviews specifically mention pricing transparency and cost-effectiveness, while all three confirm job completion and follow-through. The contractor demonstrated emergency availability (10pm Friday response, New Year's Day service) and problem-solving ability. However, the small sample... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
79.4 /100
Based on
157 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 76%
  • Professionalism 82%
  • Experience 80%
  • Price-friendly 72%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Plumbing One earns strong marks for professionalism across a large volume of reviews, with dozens of customers praising punctuality, communication, friendliness, and responsiveness — including same-day and weekend service. Pricing scores moderately well overall, with many reviewers calling rates fair or reasonable, but a meaningful minority flagged concerns including charges for parts-run travel t... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
88.2 /100
Based on
12 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 88%
  • Professionalism 90%
  • Experience 87%
  • Price-friendly 85%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

MB Plumbing demonstrates strong performance across all dimensions with consistent positive feedback. Professionalism is the strongest area, with 9 mentions highlighting punctuality, friendliness, communication, and responsiveness. Project completion is well-documented across 8 reviews, showing timely delivery and thorough follow-through on both small and large jobs. Pricing receives solid marks fr... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
78.4 /100
Based on
54 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 72%
  • Professionalism 78%
  • Experience 76%
  • Price-friendly 82%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Mr. and Mrs. Plumbing earns strong marks across all four dimensions, with professionalism and pricing being consistent highlights across dozens of reviews spanning several years. The majority of customers praise technicians — particularly Sebastian and Martin — for being courteous, communicative, and knowledgeable. However, several credible negative reviews meaningfully drag scores down: one detai... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
78.2 /100
Based on
172 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 77%
  • Professionalism 82%
  • Experience 82%
  • Price-friendly 72%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

McDermott Plumbing demonstrates strong professionalism and technical expertise, with consistently positive feedback on punctuality, communication, and workmanship quality. However, the company is significantly hampered by recurring communication failures—multiple customers report unanswered callbacks and missed appointments—which directly impacts project completion reliability. Pricing feedback is... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
78.2 /100
Based on
142 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 77%
  • Professionalism 83%
  • Experience 84%
  • Price-friendly 71%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Clearwater Plumbing demonstrates strong technical expertise and professionalism, with consistently positive feedback on punctuality, courtesy, and skilled workmanship across numerous reviews. However, the company is significantly hampered by serious pricing concerns and notable project completion failures. Multiple reviews document instances of incomplete work, abandoned projects (particularly inv... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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How much does bathtub installation cost?

A like-for-like alcove swap runs $2,000 to $3,000 in most cases, with a wider typical range of $1,500 to $4,000. Freestanding, jetted, and walk-in tubs reach $4,000 to $15,000 or more. Labor alone is $100 to $2,000 and accounts for 40% to 60% of the total. Prices sit inside these ranges. Removing and hauling the old tub adds $200 to $500, more for cast iron. Moving plumbing lines adds another $400 to $1,900 to that.

How long does bathtub installation take?

One to two days for a standard replacement in the same alcove with the same drain location. Freestanding, drop-in, and walk-in installations stretch to three to five days, longer if floor reinforcement or electrical work is needed. Please add time for permit review and inspection before the walls close up. Tile surrounds extend the calendar further because waterproofing needs cure time. Ask your installer for a day-by-day schedule when you book. Expect the bathroom to be out of use throughout.

What type of bathtub should I choose?

Alcove tubs give the best cost-to-function ratio and fit the standard 60-by-30-inch three-wall opening most homes already have. Drop-in tubs sit in a built deck and suit larger bathrooms. Freestanding tubs look best with floor space to spare but often need supply and drain lines moved into the floor. Walk-in tubs solve accessibility but cost $8,000 to $20,000 installed and need electrical. Installers can tell you what your existing rough-in will support without major plumbing or structural changes.

Acrylic or cast iron which material is better?

Acrylic is the practical choice for most homes: lightweight, warm to the touch, good heat retention, resistant to chipping, and minor scratches buff out. Cast iron holds heat longer and lasts decades but weighs enough to need floor reinforcement, and installation labor runs several times higher. Fiberglass costs the least but scratches and dulls within years. Stone and copper are luxury materials with luxury pricing. Ask contractors whether your joists can carry a heavy tub before you order one.

Do I need a permit to replace a bathtub?

Usually yes, once plumbing is touched, most jurisdictions require a permit and inspection even for a like-for-like fixture swap. Inspectors check the drain connection, valve, and any framing changes before walls close up. Electrical work for a jetted or walk-in tub triggers separate permitting. Fees vary widely, and your contractor should pull them rather than you. Confirm requirements with the building department, since unpermitted bathroom work surfaces during a home sale can force a retroactive inspection later.

Can I install a bathtub myself?

A lightweight acrylic or fiberglass alcove tub going into an existing opening is technically DIY-able, but it’s rarely worth it. The job involves demolition, precise leveling, drain and overflow connections, waterproofing, and rebuilding the surround, and the failure mode is a slow leak into the subfloor you won’t see for two years. Cast iron and stone tubs need multiple people just to move. Most homeowners hire out everything past removal. Permits usually require licensed work anyway.

Should I replace the tub or refinish it?

Refinishing costs $330 to $600 and works only on a structurally sound tub with surface problems, chips, dull glaze, or staining. It buys maybe 10 years. Replace when the tub is cracked, rusted through, or when the floor around it feels soft, since that means water has been getting past the tub for a while. Refinishing over a hidden leak just hides it. Have a contractor check the subfloor before you commit to either option. Both quotes take one visit.

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See customer stories
IR
Igal Rubinshtein @igal

Joel and his team went above and beyond to make sure they helped us fix the gas leak. Joel is a man of his word and came through on his promise.

AP
Alex Pritchard @alexpritch

Very expensive. Make sure you establish the price up front. They did some work on gas pipes, which was specialized so the prices weren't so horrible.

JS
Joe S. @joe

They did a good job and came quickly. Installed a bidet in my toilet. Shout out to Casey for the quality work.

DE
D Evonne W. @evonne

Scheduled service for a clogged toilet and never showed. No call, all messages unanswered

JA
Jari @jari22

If its an easy fit sure they maybe great but if its something different then quoted they are going to charge you either way a hefty price.

AU
Ashley Undercuffler @undercuffler

They never called my property manager, or myself, to ask if they could do an additional estimate while at my property. I was shocked. Companies cannot go around doing estimates.

AJ
A Jackson @jacksona

Mike showed up in an hour to shut off a spigot that I could not shut off. Always great friendly service at a reasonable price!!!

IR
Igal Rubinshtein @igal

Joel and his team went above and beyond to make sure they helped us fix the gas leak. Joel is a man of his word and came through on his promise.

AP
Alex Pritchard @alexpritch

Very expensive. Make sure you establish the price up front. They did some work on gas pipes, which was specialized so the prices weren't so horrible.

JS
Joe S. @joe

They did a good job and came quickly. Installed a bidet in my toilet. Shout out to Casey for the quality work.

DE
D Evonne W. @evonne

Scheduled service for a clogged toilet and never showed. No call, all messages unanswered

JA
Jari @jari22

If its an easy fit sure they maybe great but if its something different then quoted they are going to charge you either way a hefty price.

AU
Ashley Undercuffler @undercuffler

They never called my property manager, or myself, to ask if they could do an additional estimate while at my property. I was shocked. Companies cannot go around doing estimates.

AJ
A Jackson @jacksona

Mike showed up in an hour to shut off a spigot that I could not shut off. Always great friendly service at a reasonable price!!!

What does the Wise Workman score mean?
<70 Low
71–80 Moderate
81–100 High
77.5
WW Score
Learn more about how the Wise Workman scoring system works, along with our data governance policy.
What things affect the Wise Workman score?
Price-Friendly
💰Professionalism:
Experience
🛠️Project
Completion

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