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Bathtub Replacement (Like-for-Like)

Handis bathtub replacement is the same-footprint swap — old tub out, new tub in the same rough opening — with Handis handling demolition, disposal, sub-floor inspection, tub setting, and finished caulk, and a licensed Washington L&I plumber handling the in-wall supply, the overflow and waste drain, and any valve work — from $2,500 plus the plumber's separate invoice. A porcelain-on-steel tub that has chipped on the apron. A cast-iron tub that is structurally fine but the surface is past refinishing. A jetted tub that has been off for years and the homeowner wants a flat soaking tub. Same-footprint replacement keeps the surround tile intact wherever possible and avoids a full bathroom remodel. The job runs 1 to 2 days end-to-end — demo and prep day one, set and finish day two, with the plumber's rough-in scheduled between.

Bathtub replacement image — new white acrylic alcove tub being set into the same footprint as the old tub it replaced, joist framing visible at the apron, mortar-bed bag and shims staged on a drop cloth, tile surround behind still intact.

Service

Photo of a like-for-like bathtub replacement in progress — old porcelain-on-steel tub sectioned and removed, sub-floor and joist framing exposed, new white acrylic tub staged in the room ready to be set, mortar bag and shims on a drop cloth, plumber's tools beside the supply lines.
Process

How a Like-for-Like Bathtub Replacement Works

Seven sequential steps across a 1 to 2 day project — demo, plumber rough-out, sub-floor inspection, tub set, plumber rough-in, finish caulk, water test. The actual sequence we follow on every like-for-like swap.

Step 1/7

Plumber Disconnects the Supply and Drain

Licensed Washington L&I plumber disconnects the in-wall supply lines (hot and cold), caps them, and disconnects the waste and overflow assembly from the old tub. This is the plumber's scope on day one. Handis cannot disconnect supply or drain plumbing legally on a tub-out project.

Step 2/7

Handis Demos and Removes the Old Tub

Old tub cut at the apron and tile flange. Acrylic and fiberglass cut and remove single-handed; porcelain-on-steel requires sectioning; cast iron usually requires breaking up in place with a sledgehammer and tarp. Removal to the truck and disposal at a licensed transfer station.

Step 3/7

Inspect Sub-Floor and Frame

Rough opening inspected for water damage to the sub-floor and joist framing. Soft sub-floor, blackened joist tops, swollen plywood get surfaced. Minor framing repair (joist sister, sub-floor patch under 4 sq ft) handled by Handis; larger structural damage routes to a licensed contractor.

Step 4/7

Set the New Tub on Mortar Bed

Mortar mixed to the manufacturer's spec, set under the new tub bottom while still wet (acrylic and fiberglass requirement; cast iron usually does not need mortar). Tub leveled across both axes with shims at the apron and the back wall. Mortar cures 24 hours.

Step 5/7

Plumber Reconnects Supply, Drain, and Overflow

Plumber returns on day two to connect supply lines to the new tub's inlet, install the new waste assembly and trip lever, install the new overflow drain plate, pressure-test the supply, and verify the waste runs clean with no leaks. This is the plumber's day-two scope on a separate visit, coordinated with Handis.

Step 6/7

Caulk the Perimeter in 100% Silicone

Once the tub is set and the plumber's hookup is verified, we caulk the perimeter — tub-to-tile horizontal seam, tub-to-wall front and back at the apron, vertical wall corners that meet the tub flange — in 100 percent mildew-resistant silicone. Dry-tool every bead with a Cramer profile tool.

Step 7/7

Water Test at 90 Minutes, Full Cure at 48 Hours

At 90 minutes after the last silicone bead, handheld showerhead at low flow against every joint. Plumber's connections pressure-checked one final time. Standing-water bath or shower use waits the full 48 hours for silicone cure. Printed cure-window note left on the bathroom door.

Pricing

Bathtub Replacement Pricing

Final pricing depends on the old tub material (cast iron demo is heavier and slower), the new tub material, access (second-story tubs cost more for the haul), sub-floor or framing repair needed, and the licensed plumber's separate scope. The plumber invoice is shown alongside the Handis quote. Request a free estimate for an accurate quote.

Tell us the existing tub material and the new tub you want — we will coordinate the plumber scope and quote both pieces separately.

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Why Handis for Like-for-Like Bathtub Replacement
Trust

Why Handis for Like-for-Like Bathtub Replacement

Like-for-like tub replacement is the bathroom update that delivers the most visible change for the least disruption — the tile surround stays, the rough plumbing stays in roughly the same location, the bathroom is offline for 2 days instead of 4 weeks. The honest scope split with the licensed plumber is the part most homeowners ask about first. Handis does demo, sub-floor work, and tub setting (the carpentry side). The plumber does anything that hooks to a supply or waste line (the licensed-trade side). Two invoices, one project. We coordinate the scheduling so the plumber lands on day one for the disconnect and day two for the reconnect, and the homeowner does not have to make two separate calls.

Estimate

Tell us the existing tub material (acrylic, fiberglass, porcelain-on-steel, cast iron, jetted), the new tub you want (material, color, brand if you know it), the approximate age of the bathroom and the rough plumbing, and any access constraints (second-story tub, narrow stairwell, finished hallway between the bathroom and the door). We coordinate the licensed-plumber visit and send you both quotes — Handis carpentry + plumber scope — together.

Service cost estimate illustration
Reviews

Customer Reviews

Like-for-like bathtub replacement reviews from real Handis customers.

30-year-old porcelain-on-steel tub in our Mercer Island guest bath — chipped at the apron, scratched everywhere. Handis sectioned it out, found a small wet patch in the sub-floor, patched that, set a new acrylic tub on mortar to spec. Their plumber did the supply and waste hookup on day two. Two separate invoices like they said on the booking call. Bath was back in service on day three.

Justin and Brianna T., Acrylic Like-for-Like Swap

Cast iron in our 1928 Wallingford — magnificent old tub but the surface had gone past refinishing. Handis broke it up in place with the sledgehammer and tarp (loud but contained), removed in pieces, set a new cast iron in the same footprint. They sourced the new tub through their plumber. Project ran two and a half days end-to-end. New tub looks like it belongs in the bathroom.

Helen and Doug F., Cast-Iron to Cast-Iron Replacement

Jetted tub from the 1990s in our master bath — never used the jets, the pump had failed years ago. Wanted a flat soaking tub. Handis disconnected the jet plumbing, electrician capped the dedicated circuit, plumber did the supply and drain hookup, Handis set the new flat tub. Bathroom finally feels modern. Three different trades coordinated by Handis, one quote sheet with each scope itemized.

Patricia G., Jetted-to-Flat Replacement

Sub-floor under our old steel tub was rotted on the right side — a slow leak we never knew about. Handis spotted it the moment they got the tub out. Patched the sub-floor (about 3 sq ft, under their included scope), sistered one joist along the top edge, and set the new tub on mortar. They were straight with us on the scope expansion before doing the work. No surprises on the invoice.

Edwin and Jessica L., Sub-Floor Patch + Tub Swap

Hall bath tub replacement coordinated with a frameless shower door install in the master bath — Handis ran both as a 3-day package. The plumber came for the tub side. The frameless glass arrived on day three. End of week the bathrooms were both done. Tighter coordination than we have ever had with separate trades.

Lauren and Marcus T., Tub + Door Package
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about like-for-like bathtub replacement and the plumber handoff.

How much does a like-for-like bathtub replacement cost?
An acrylic or fiberglass like-for-like swap starts at $2,500 on the Handis carpentry scope. A porcelain-on-steel swap is $2,900 (steel demo requires sectioning before removal). A cast-iron tub demo with acrylic replacement starts at $4,500. Cast iron in plus cast iron out is $5,500. A jetted-tub removal with flat-tub replacement is $3,500. Sub-floor patch under 4 sq ft is $400 add-on; a single joist sister is $600 add-on. The licensed plumber's separate scope (in-wall supply, drain, overflow, valve work) typically runs $400 to $900 depending on access and the condition of the existing rough-in. You get the Handis quote and the plumber quote together before any work starts.
Why does the plumber have to do part of the work?
Washington state requires a licensed Washington L&I plumber for any work on supply or waste plumbing inside a wall, including the in-wall supply lines to a tub, the overflow drain assembly, the waste assembly, and any valve work. This is a state licensing requirement, not a Handis policy. The split is honest scope: Handis does the carpentry side (demo, sub-floor, framing, tub setting, perimeter caulk) and a licensed plumber does the licensed-trade side (supply, drain, overflow, valve). We coordinate the scheduling so the plumber lands on day one for the disconnect and day two for the reconnect; the homeowner sees both quotes upfront and gets both invoices.
How long is the bathroom out of service?
1 to 2 days for the work, plus 48 hours for the perimeter silicone to cure before bath or shower use. A standard acrylic or fiberglass like-for-like swap is plumber-disconnect + Handis demo + sub-floor inspect on day one, mortar set and tub level (mortar cures overnight 24 hours), plumber reconnect + Handis finish caulk on day two. Bath use starts about 48 hours after the final caulk is laid. Cast-iron and jetted-tub projects run 2 to 3 days end-to-end because the demo is heavier and the coordination with the plumber takes longer.
Can I keep the existing surround tile?
Yes — that is the point of the like-for-like service. The demo is done with the tile preserved in mind — we cut at the tub apron and the tile flange, not into the tile field. Tile damage at the surround edges (rare on careful demo) gets routed to a tile setter before the final caulk lands. The bathroom comes out of the project with the same tile surround it went in with. The new tub flange seats against the existing tile lip and the perimeter caulk seals the joint.
What if there is water damage under the old tub?
We tell you on arrival, before any new tub goes in. Soft sub-floor, blackened joist tops, swollen plywood — any of these means water has been migrating under the old tub for years. Minor repair (sub-floor patch under 4 sq ft for $400, single joist sister on a rotted top edge for $600) is in Handis scope and we do it the same day. Larger structural damage (multiple rotted joists, sub-floor failure over a wider area, a leak that has reached a load-bearing element) routes to a licensed contractor on a permitted scope. We will not cover a known water-damage problem with a new tub.
Do you handle cast-iron tubs?
Yes — both demo and new install. Cast iron weighs 200 to 400 pounds and almost always requires breaking up in place with a sledgehammer and a tarp because the intact tub cannot fit through most bathroom doorways. The demo is noisy but contained (we lay tarps over the sub-floor and tile to catch the chips and the dust). New cast iron installation requires a setting crane or a four-person lift to get the new tub into position — we coordinate the lift on the day of the set. Cast-iron pricing is $4,500 for cast iron out + acrylic in, $5,500 for cast iron out + cast iron in.
Can you handle a jetted tub removal?
Yes — we disconnect the jet plumbing and the pump first, route the dedicated electrical circuit cap to an electrician (the circuit must be capped at the panel, not just disconnected at the tub), and replace the jetted tub with a flat soaking tub or another jetted tub. The plumber handles the supply and drain hookup on the new tub as on any like-for-like swap. Jetted-tub removal + flat-tub replacement starts at $3,500. Most homeowners we work with want to retire the jets because the pumps are decades old and the gel-coat surface in jetted tubs is harder to keep clean.
What about a different-footprint tub — can you do that?
That is a remodel scope, not a like-for-like swap. A different footprint changes the rough plumbing locations (supply and drain need to be re-routed), the surround tile has to be cut and re-tiled to the new tub dimensions, and the project usually triggers a Seattle SDCI permit. We route different-footprint projects to a licensed remodeling contractor; the like-for-like service is specifically for the same-footprint swap that preserves the rough plumbing locations and the tile surround. We can recommend a contractor if helpful.
Do you do the disposal?
Yes — old tubs go to a licensed transfer station for disposal. Steel and cast iron go to a metal recycler (often paid back to offset the disposal cost). Acrylic and fiberglass go to C&D disposal at a licensed transfer station. We never leave the old tub in the driveway for the homeowner to figure out. You see the disposal receipts with the invoice.
How do I confirm the plumber is licensed?
Every plumber we sub to is fully licensed, bonded, and insured under Washington L&I. We share the plumber's name, license number, and bond information alongside the plumber quote before booking. You can verify the license directly through the Washington L&I online lookup (search by name or license number on the L&I website). We will not route to an unlicensed plumber on any in-wall scope.
Is the work guaranteed?
Yes — 30-day workmanship guarantee on the Handis scope. If the new tub creaks from inadequate mortar bedding, the perimeter caulk pulls within 30 days, or our sub-floor patch settles, we come back and fix it at no extra charge. The plumber's scope (in-wall supply, drain, overflow, valve) is covered by the plumber's separate workmanship guarantee, which we share alongside the plumber's quote before booking. The guarantee does not cover damage from a different-trade root cause (a roof leak above the bathroom dampening the new sub-floor, for example) or aggressive cleaning chemicals that damage the new tub surface. Every Handis tech carries liability insurance and has cleared a background screening.

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