How to Remove a Bathtub for a Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom renovations often involve installing a new bathtub or making room for an open shower. In either case, you may need to remove an existing tub first. While relatively simple in isolation, tub removal is usually part of a more complex bathroom renovation process better left to the pros. This guide lays out how to remove a bathtub and what to expect from your contractor.

How to Remove a Bathtub

Bathtub removal involves disconnecting the tub from the plumbing and surrounding walls. Follow these steps to remove a bathtub safely.

1. Prep the Area

Before you start, you may shut off the tub's water supply. This isn’t required since no water lines connect to the tub itself. However, it ensures that the area remains dry if a valve gets bumped accidentally while you remove the different parts of the bathtub.

If the bathroom you're working in doesn't have a separate shutoff valve, you can also turn off the water to the entire house while you work. With the valve closed, test that the water is off by turning on the bathtub faucet.

2. Disconnect the Plumbing Components

Although all tubs have different components, removal is fairly intuitive. Some components—such as drain stoppers, drain screens, overflow valve covers, and tub spouts—may have visible screws that you can remove with a screwdriver or power drill. Others may come off if you twist them counterclockwise by hand.

Once you remove the stopper or screen, you can access the drain flange or plug, which requires a special tub drain wrench to remove.

3. Remove the Drain Connectors

Some tubs are attached to a drain assembly below. If this is the case for your tub, access the assembly from an unfinished space below the tub or by cutting through walls or ceilings to expose the drain lines. This can lead to unnecessary damage if you're unsure where your connections are, so you may want to leave this step to a local plumber.

If the assembly is attached to the tub with plumber’s putty, you'll need to cut through to separate them. Others simply have threaded connections to unscrew. You may need to cut through pipes with a pipe cutter. Again, a plumber is best equipped for this.

4. Remove a Section of Tub Surround

Detach the tub by removing about 6 inches of the tile, drywall, or other surrounding materials down to the studs. Wear safety glasses and a face mask for this step, and lay a drop cloth in your tub basin for easy debris cleanup.

Drywall Surround

Mark a guideline around your tub with a straight edge. Cut the drywall with a drywall saw and remove it to the studs.

Tile Surround

Cut along the grout line using a grout remover tool and pry away tiles with a stiff tool such as a putty knife. If there's a cement backer board under your tile, score it with a utility knife until you reach the studs below. Avoid using a power saw, as this can release harmful dust into the air.

5. Detach the Tub From the Wall

Clear away debris and use a drill or pry bar to remove the screws or nails that attach the tub to the studs. Use a utility knife to cut away any caulk between the tub and the floor.

6. Remove the Tub

Have a second person assist you with the next step. The ideal removal method varies by tub material.

Porcelain or Enamel Steel Tub

You can remove a porcelain or enamel steel tub in one piece. Have one person lift the front edge of the tub while the other slides a few boards underneath to lift the tub and serve as skids. Then, carefully slide the tub out.

Steel, Acrylic, Composite, or Fiberglass Tub

Use a reciprocating saw to cut up a steel, acrylic, composite, or fiberglass tub before removing it in several pieces. You and any helpers should protect yourselves from dust with safety glasses and face masks.

Cast Iron Tub

Cast iron tubs are heavy and difficult to lift in one piece, but they're also unsafe to cut with most tools. Instead, cover the tub basin with a drop cloth and use a sledgehammer to break it up. A cloth helps prevent flying debris, but you should still wear safety glasses and ear protection.

7. Dispose of the Bathtub 

To dispose of your tub properly, contact your waste management provider to learn what to do with your specific tub material. Some companies may offer a bulky item pickup, while others may recommend recycling.

If you need to haul your tub to a specific disposal or recycling facility, a local junk removal service may be able to help. Expect to pay between $150 to $350 for the cost of junk removal.

Why Remove a Bathtub? 

Many homeowners remove a bathtub during a full bathroom renovation. There are many potential reasons:

• Refreshed look: The old tub may be dated and require an update

• Modernization: To install features like rain showers, handhelds, or extra showerheads

• Floor space: Replacing a tub with a shower is often a more efficient use of space

• Efficiency: Showers are better for the environment than tubs since they use less water

• Accessibility: A walk-in shower with no step or lip can help those with mobility issues

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Hiring a pro to remove and dispose of an old bathtub can cost $150 to $4,500, depending on the tub type, removal time, and disposal method. While you can save by removing a bathtub yourself, it’s better to hire a pro in many contexts.

Tub removal rarely happens in isolation—if you’re already paying a local bathroom remodeler to update your bathroom, tub removal is likely included as part of that project.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Bathtub?  

Bathtub replacement costs vary by tub type since some materials are more time-consuming to remove. Expect the cost to remove and dispose of an old tub to range from $150 to $4,500. You may pay for tub removal as part of the larger cost to demo a bathroom during renovation.