Replacing a bathtub is rarely just the tub. An alcove tub is set before the walls are finished, with its flange tucked behind the tile or surround, so getting the old one out means removing at least the lower rows of wall finish. Most replacements therefore include a new surround, a new drain and overflow, and often a new mixing valve while the wall is open. Planning for that from the start gives a truer budget than pricing the tub alone.

  • Old tub removed and hauled away
  • New tub set level on a proper bed and connected to the drain
  • Surround walls replaced in tile, acrylic or solid surface
  • New valve and trim while the wall is accessible
  • Subfloor or slab checked for water damage before the new tub goes in

Choosing the tub

Acrylic and fiberglass tubs are light, warm to the touch and the least expensive to buy and install. Porcelain-enameled steel is inexpensive and durable but chips and is noisy. Cast iron holds heat and lasts generations, but it is very heavy — getting it into the room takes extra hands. A standard alcove tub is 60 inches long; check yours before ordering. Manufactured homes, of which Lakeland has a good many, frequently use 54-inch tubs and non-standard drain positions, so a replacement needs to be chosen for that opening.

What replacement costs

Angi's 2026 data puts bathtub replacement at an average of $5,924, with a typical range of $2,102 to $9,745. The low end is a straightforward swap of a standard tub with a simple surround. The high end reflects a heavy or freestanding tub, a fully tiled surround, plumbing changes or repairs to a damaged floor.

Do you need a permit to replace a tub?

Generally yes. Lakeland exempts small plumbing repairs such as replacing a faucet or clearing a stoppage, but replacing a tub involves the drain, the overflow and usually the valve, which is plumbing alteration under the Florida Building Code. A licensed contractor will include the permit. Confirm with the city's Building Inspection Division if you are told one is not needed.

Common bathtub replacement situations in Lakeland

  • A cracked or flexing fiberglass tub
  • Rust or chipped enamel that keeps spreading
  • Soft or stained flooring beside the tub
  • A tub too shallow to soak in or too high to step over safely
  • Failed caulk and mold along the tub-to-wall joint

Keep in mind: If the tub is sound and only the finish is worn, reglazing or an acrylic liner costs less than replacement. Neither fixes a leak, a soft floor or a tub that flexes underfoot.

Bathtub Replacement FAQs

How long does it take to replace a bathtub?

A like-for-like swap with a manufactured surround is often done in one to three days. A tiled surround adds several days for backer board, waterproofing, setting, grouting and curing before the shower can be used. Discovering water damage in the floor or wall adds time.

Can a tub be replaced without redoing the tile?

Sometimes the lower few rows can be removed and patched, but matching old tile is difficult and the repair usually shows. Most contractors recommend replacing the whole surround so the waterproofing behind it is continuous.

This content is reviewed by the Lakeland Bathroom Remodeling editorial team and informed by licensed-contractor sourcing, manufacturer documentation, and established industry standards for Bathroom Remodeling. Read our editorial standards.