Just How Important Is a Bathtub for Resale?

It's long been believed that every home needs at least one bathtub to attract the widest group of buyers. But with increased interest in big, well equipped, walk-in showers, does a tub really matter that much?

Bathrooms reflect trends as much as any room in a house does. Back in the 1980s and ’90s, whirlpool tubs with multiple water jets were all the rage. They fell out of favor as many homeowners found they just didn’t use them as much as they expected to. Other users were frustrated by the time deeper tubs took to fill. Some tubs even posed health concerns due to piping that was tough to keep clean.

The basic rectangular tub returned, although it was soon eclipsed by the oversized, deluxe shower, big enough for two and with multiple controls and rainfall heads offering a personalized experience.

So where does this leave the bathtub? Many buyers still think they need one. But is this must-have really more akin to the desire for a separate dining room, in an era where families congregate, cook, and eat in their kitchens every day?

The Must-Have POV

Most realtors considers at least one bathtub a must. The tub falls into the category of another commodity in a house. Sellers who have the most commodities—or amenities—win because their houses appeal to the widest audience and you’re always trying to expand the buyer pie.

Clients want at least one tub or a tub-shower combination. Some even add a bathtub before selling to improve the odds of resale. Some also say there absolutely has to be at least one bathtub in any condo or home. When you sell, you’re also selling a lifestyle and having no tub will hinder a sale to most buyers.

The need for at least one tub is most common among two specific homeowner groups. The first is young families with small children, since many parents consider a traditional tub safer than a shower. The second group is luxury home owners whose houses usually have multiple bathrooms.

 

Help Sellers Invest Wisely

If your clients decide to take the plunge and add a tub to boost resale, they may look to for advice. There’s a wide variety of tubs in nearly every size, shape, material, and price. For a reasonable sum, homeowners can install a basic built-in acrylic model measuring 60 inches long, 30 to 32 inches wide, and 12 to 15 inches high that will average $1650. A standard drain, faucet, and lever will add another $400, Rothman says. If the new tub needs to double as a shower, adding a frameless, standard glass shower door surrounded in chrome will increase the cost by about $450. Custom sizes can run as much as $2,000 or more.

Installation costs will also vary depending on what’s already in the bathroom. Also examine how much tile and other materials need to be removed, the existing plumbing conditions, and how many holes need to be drilled for faucets and levers to get an idea of the breadth of the project. But in general, a ballpark figure of $650 for installation as a good place to start. The good news is that most tubs can last 15 years with proper care.  

The luxury home market—much thanks to high expectations of master bathrooms inspired by hotels and resorts—is obviously pricier. Plumbing manufacturers have been trying to rev up interest in the high-end niche by introducing hip, sculptural variations on Victorian-era claw-foot tubs, which are designed to suggest long, leisurely soaks. Far sleeker than their predecessors, these new models vary in shape—from rectangular to oval, egg, and slipper. Most sit directly on the floor rather than atop feet, and are fabricated from more modern materials than the traditional porcelain, including acrylic, resin-stone composites, concrete, stainless steel, and even copper, which retains heat well. White remains the preferred color, though black is making inroads. However, they come with a steeper price—more than double traditional built-in rectangular tubs, averaging between $1,750 and $6,000. Some made from volcanic limestone and marble retail for upwards of $12,000. To maximize their dramatic effect, these freestanding tubs are usually placed in the middle of a room, at one end, or in front of a window if there’s a view. If the tub material is extra heavy, homeowners should check that their floor can support the weight.

Beyond their glamorous look, buyers of these tubs should know of some potential caveats. They can be tough for aging boomers and young children to climb into and out of; many don’t come with a bar to grip, though sometimes that can be added. Another issue is that this style’s sleekness usually doesn’t have a large enough rim to set bathing supplies, though portable trays can sometimes be laid across the width or hung over the side. But a larger issue is that these tubs may simply go out of style before too long, effectively dating your listings in the future. And the cost to remove these tubs—or any tub—can be more than installing one if a lot of tile and floor repair needs to be done. In the worst-case scenario, this style could even derail a sale.

Though Exceptions Abound

Of course, homes without bathtubs are not impossible to sell. Some bathrooms are just too small, and the shower wins out as the better option. Small condominiums sacrifice a tub for a shower. Some plans that no longer include a tub because so few buyers want one. If they do, they'll add it in a secondary or guest bathroom.

We suggest to clients to focus on if the cost per use of anything they add to a home, to ensure it makes economic sense. Advice in such cases is to emphasize the shower and I don’t think it hurts the value, probably because we do very nice showers. Others suggest offering a credit toward bathtub purchase and installation if its absence proves a real sticking point.