Bathtub Replacement in St. Paul, MN
Bathtub replacement is the right call when you want to keep a tub but the one you have is chipped, stained, leaking, or too small. We take out the old tub, fix what is underneath, and install a new one with a surround that keeps water where it belongs.
- Licensed under the Minnesota DLI residential building contractor licence
- Permits pulled with the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
- Free in-home estimate
Get a Free Bathroom Remodel Estimate
Tell us what you need — we’ll get back to you fast.
We'll be in touch shortly.
Please call us at (651) 615-8757.
Replacing a Tub the Right Way
Getting an old tub out is harder than it looks. Many older tubs are heavy and set in before the walls were finished, so the surround tile and some wall backing have to come out with them. Once the tub is out, we check the subfloor for water damage, which is common around old drains, and repair it before anything new goes in.
A new tub gets a new drain and overflow, and usually a new valve. That is plumbing work, and plumbing is separately licensed by Minnesota DLI. We use licensed plumbers and pull the permit. The installation itself follows the Minnesota Plumbing Code, Minnesota Rules chapter 4714.
Then comes the surround: tile over cement board and a membrane, or a solid-surface wall system. Both work; tile costs more and takes longer, and a panel system goes in faster. We show you both at the estimate.
Bathtub Options
Alcove tubs
The standard three-wall tub, replaced in the same footprint.
Soaking tubs
Deeper tubs for soaking, where the framing and water heater allow.
New surround
Tile or solid-surface walls installed over proper waterproofing.
Drain and valve
New drain, overflow, and valve, installed by a licensed plumber.
Tub Replacement in St. Paul Homes
With 44% of St. Paul's housing was built in 1939 or earlier, many of the tubs we remove are decades old and sit in bathrooms that have been updated around them more than once. That history shows up as uneven floors, patched walls, and drains that have been repaired before. We plan for it so the new tub sits level and drains properly.
Permits run on separate tracks in St. Paul: separate building, plumbing, and electrical permits through the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). A tub swap usually needs the plumbing permit at a minimum. We file it and schedule the inspection.
Not sure you want a tub at all? A tub-to-shower conversion uses the same space for a walk-in shower. If the whole room needs work, a full bathroom remodel may make more sense than replacing the tub alone.
We work across St. Paul, from Summit Hill to Hamline-Midway, and in nearby Roseville, Maplewood, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, and Falcon Heights.
Our Process
How We Replace a Tub
Estimate
We check the tub, the surround, the floor, and the drain, then give you a written price.
Removal and Repair
The old tub comes out and any damaged subfloor or framing is fixed.
Plumbing and Install
New drain and valve are installed and inspected, and the new tub is set level.
Surround and Finish
Waterproofing, tile or panels, trim, and caulk, then a final walkthrough.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What affects bathtub replacement cost?
The tub itself, the surround material, how hard the old tub is to remove, and any floor repair underneath. A new valve adds plumbing work. St. Paul permit fees are valuation-based with a state surcharge. We give you a written price after seeing the room, never a phone guess.
Does a bathtub installation need a permit in St. Paul?
Usually, yes. Replacing the drain or valve is plumbing work that needs a plumbing permit from the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). If wiring changes too, that is a separate electrical permit. We file what your job needs and schedule the inspection, so you do not have to.
Who can install a bathtub drain and valve in Minnesota?
In Minnesota plumbing is separately licensed by Minnesota DLI. A general contractor licence does not cover the plumbing. We use licensed plumbers for drain, overflow, and valve work, and the job is inspected against the Minnesota Plumbing Code before the walls close.
Can a new tub fit in an old St. Paul bathroom?
Usually. Standard alcove tubs have been close to the same length for decades. Older floors can be out of level, and in a city where the median home is 69 years old we expect some framing work. We measure carefully and shim or repair so the new tub sits flat.
Get a Tub Replacement Price
Tell us about your tub and bathroom. Visit the home page or go to our estimate request form.