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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
71.4 /100
Based on
37 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 62%
  • Professionalism 68%
  • Experience 84%
  • Price-friendly 82%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

RCG Plumbing and Robert receive strong praise across pricing, workmanship, and technical knowledge, with many reviewers explicitly noting fair and competitive pricing, skilled repairs, and clear communication. However, a recurring and serious pattern of no-shows and ghosting — documented in at least 5 separate reviews — significantly drags down both professionalism and project completion scores. T... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
82.3 /100
Based on
7 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 75%
  • Professionalism 89%
  • Experience 85%
  • Price-friendly 80%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

The contractor demonstrates strong professionalism with consistent mentions of quick response times, professional demeanor, and excellent customer service across multiple reviews. Pricing appears fair based on limited explicit mentions, with one customer pleasantly surprised by competitive rates. Project completion shows some concern—while most work was completed, one review explicitly noted incom... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
78.4 /100
Based on
10 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 82%
  • Professionalism 78%
  • Experience 80%
  • Price-friendly 80%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Capital City Mechanical has a generally positive review profile, with multiple customers praising responsiveness, communication, and prompt service across plumbing, heating, and cooling work. Pricing is mentioned favorably in a few reviews, with one customer specifically noting best value and no pressure for unnecessary add-ons. Project completion feedback is solid, with jobs described as complete... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
78.2 /100
Based on
7 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 80%
  • Professionalism 82%
  • Experience 85%
  • Price-friendly 73%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Hobbs Plumbing demonstrates strong professionalism and technical competence across most reviews, with consistent praise for responsiveness, courtesy, and quality workmanship. However, a detailed 1-star review from January 2023 raises serious concerns about accountability, damage responsibility, and owner conduct during dispute resolution. While five reviews are highly positive, the severity of the... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
78.2 /100
Based on
7 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 88%
  • Professionalism 72%
  • Experience 88%
  • Price-friendly 85%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Kidd Plumbing demonstrates strong technical competence and project completion capability, with multiple reviews praising workmanship quality and timely job delivery. Pricing is consistently noted as fair and competitive, often significantly lower than competitors. However, professionalism scores are pulled down substantially by one detailed 2021 review documenting poor communication, lack of follo... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
76.8 /100
Based on
13 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 78%
  • Professionalism 72%
  • Experience 85%
  • Price-friendly 65%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

The Service People demonstrates strong technical expertise and workmanship, with multiple reviews praising skill level and problem-solving ability. However, professionalism is inconsistent—while many reviews highlight punctuality and responsiveness, several older reviews cite poor phone communication, unresponsiveness to follow-ups, and unprofessional office staff. Pricing concerns appear in multi... 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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