Bathtub Renovation Cost Vancouver 2026

What does a bathtub renovation cost in Vancouver? From refinishing (.5K) to full soaker tub installs (K+), get real pricing based on our completed Metro Vancouver projects — plus timelines and what to ask contractors.

If you're replacing a bathtub in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland — whether you're converting to a walk-in shower, upgrading to a soaker tub, or doing a full bathroom refresh — this guide gives you real cost data based on our completed projects.

Bathtub Renovation Cost in Vancouver: Quick Summary

Project Type	Estimated Cost	Timeline
Bathtub liner or refinishing	,500–,500	1 day
Tub-to-shower conversion (basic)	,000–,000	1–2 weeks
Full bathroom reno with new tub	,000–,000	3–5 weeks
Freestanding soaker tub install	,000–,000+	4–6 weeks
Walk-in tub (accessibility)	,000–,000	2–3 weeks

Prices include labour and materials. Plumbing relocation, structural work, and permits are additional if required.

What Drives the Cost of a Bathtub Renovation?

1. The Scope of Work

A simple bathtub liner covers the existing tub surface and costs a fraction of a full replacement. A full renovation — removing the tub, waterproofing the walls, retiling, and upgrading plumbing — costs significantly more but adds lasting value.

Bathtub liner / refinishing: ,500–,500 Best for: Tubs in good structural shape with cosmetic wear. Covers chips, stains, and outdated colour. Not a permanent fix — liners typically last 10–15 years.

Tub-to-shower conversion: ,000–,000 Best for: Households that don't use the tub. Removes the tub, installs a curbless or low-curb shower with tile and glass. Adds accessibility and resale value.

Full bathroom renovation with tub replacement: ,000–,000 Replaces the tub and surrounds with new tile, plumbing fixtures, vanity, lighting, and flooring. This is the most common scope for older Vancouver homes.

Freestanding soaker tub installation: ,000–,000+ Requires a structural floor check (freestanding tubs filled with water can weigh 500–700 lbs), floor tile replacement, a floor-mounted tub filler, and often an updated electrical circuit.

2. Tub Type and Material

Tub Type	Material Cost	Notes
Alcove tub (standard)	–,200	Most common, fits in 3-wall enclosure
Drop-in tub	–,000	Installed in a deck or platform
Freestanding tub	,000–,000+	Acrylic to cast iron; floor space required
Walk-in tub	,000–,000	Accessibility-focused; requires specific plumbing
Soaker tub (deep)	–,000	Deeper profile; floor load check recommended

3. Plumbing Changes

If you're moving the tub location or upgrading to a floor-mounted filler, plumbing costs increase significantly. Expect ,500–,000 for plumbing work depending on complexity.

4. Permits

In Vancouver and most Metro Vancouver municipalities, a building permit is required for any bathtub replacement that involves:

Moving or altering drain/supply lines
Structural changes to the floor

Permits typically cost – through City of Vancouver or your local municipality. Permit pulls are included in Reno Stars projects where required.

3-Piece vs 4-Piece Bathroom Renovation Cost

A common question we receive: what's the difference in cost between a 3-piece (toilet, sink, shower) and 4-piece (toilet, sink, tub, shower or combo)?

Bathroom Type	Typical Cost Range	Notes
3-piece (with shower, no tub)	,000–,000	Less tile, no tub surround
4-piece (with tub/shower combo)	,000–,000	Standard in most Vancouver homes
4-piece with separate shower + soaker	,000–,000+	Master ensuite style

Bathtub Renovation by City — Local Pricing Context

Vancouver: Projects average ,000–,000 due to higher labour costs and permit requirements for older homes.

Richmond: Comparable to Vancouver. Condo strata approval required for most units. Budget ,000–,000.

Burnaby: Strata-heavy market. Tub-to-shower conversions popular in smaller suites. Budget ,000–,000.

Surrey: More detached homes with older plumbing. Full replacements common. Budget ,000–,000.

North Vancouver: Older stock homes with cast iron tubs. Removal adds cost. Budget ,000–,000.

How Long Does a Bathtub Renovation Take?

Scope	Timeline
Refinishing only	1 day (24h cure time before use)
Tub-to-shower conversion	7–14 days
Full 4-piece bathroom renovation	3–5 weeks
Master ensuite with custom tile + soaker tub	5–8 weeks

Timelines include permit review time where applicable (typically 2–4 weeks for a building permit in Metro Vancouver).

What to Ask Before Hiring a Bathtub Renovation Contractor

Is the quote all-in? Ask if permits, disposal, and tile are included.
Do they pull their own permits? In BC, the contractor of record must pull permits — if they ask you to pull your own, that's a red flag.
Is waterproofing included? BC Building Code requires waterproofing in all wet areas. Ask for specifics (Schluter Kerdi, Redgard, etc.).
What tub brands do they work with? Quality brands: Mirolin, American Standard, Kohler, MAAX, BainUltra.
Do they have strata experience? If you're in a condo, they need to understand strata approval processes and insurance requirements.

Our Completed Bathtub Renovation Projects

We've completed bathtub renovations across Metro Vancouver, including:

Burnaby condo: Tub-to-shower conversion in a 600 sq ft suite — ,200 all-in, 2 weeks
Richmond townhouse: Full 4-piece bathroom renovation with soaker tub — ,500, 4 weeks
Vancouver house: Removed cast iron tub, installed custom tile shower and freestanding soaker — ,000, 6 weeks
Surrey detached home: Alcove tub replacement with subway tile surround — ,000, 3 weeks

See our full renovation portfolio for before-and-after photos.

Get a Free Bathtub Renovation Quote

Reno Stars is a licensed, insured Vancouver renovation contractor specializing in bathroom renovations across Metro Vancouver. We provide detailed, all-in quotes with no hidden fees.

Contact us for a free in-home estimate — we'll assess your bathroom, discuss your options, and give you a written quote within 48 hours. Call or text: 778-960-7999.

Bathtub Renovation Cost in Vancouver (2026): From Refinishing to Full Replacement