Bathroom renovation leaving the tub--contractors?

Tubs are crack-your-head-open hard ... what kind of damage do you expect?

This is doable if contractor is competent, but, why save it? If you're doing the entire bath (new tile, new plumbing, new toilet & sink), tub is not that expensive. I'm curious, how much will the job be? I think in the past, a bathroom gut has cost me any where from $6k to $10k. Make sure you get contractor's certificate of insurance.

approx 5 yrs ago, i heard the same number dwell. resently, the number went completely out of whack. one of my friends paid 7K in labor alone and that was not even a high end job.....

I agree with ab 11218. I've heard numbers like $15,000, even $20,000 for a complete bathroom renovation. Fluter, there are a number of companies that specialize in bathroom renovation- maybe go talk to someone before you hire a GC to get some ideas if these companies offer a free consultation. I'll try to find the names. We looked at an apartment which needed both bathrooms to be completely gutted so that's why I did some research. I recall reading some SE discussions on bathroom renovations as well.

ab,

You'd think that with the slow down in renos, the price would be the same or drop. Probably also depends on the extent of the work & fixture prices.

There is actually as material which is especially made to pour onto the tub when you are doing a renovation to protect it and then you remove it when you're done.

Thanks, everybody!

I was told that it's super-expensive to remove a cast iron tub. It's big, it's in near-mint condition, I'm kinda fond of it, but the rest has gotta go. I wouldn't mind a new tub, but it seems wasteful to replace a tub that is just totally fine.

Contractors can scratch or crack the tub with their tools if not careful. I like the idea of that protective stuff, 30 yrs.

I was planning on $15,000 or a little more based on other renovations I've done. I get those $9,000 renovation coupons in the mail (includes free tub reglazing) but I just don't believe them. Plus I unfortunately have expensive tastes in bathroom fixtures....

"This is doable if contractor is competent, but, why save it?"

A lot of the older tubs (mine included) were originally designed as true "soaking" tubs -- a touch narrower and longer, with more graceful curves, making it much more comfortable for baths than today's standard tubs.