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Bathtub Installation Services
Installing a bathtub isn't rocket science, but man, it's definitely not something you want to tackle yourself over a weekend. I can't tell you how many bathrooms I've had to fix after someone's brother-in-law gave it a shot or they hired some guy off Craigslist for $200.
You end up with leaks nobody can find, cracks showing up a month later, tubs that take forever to drain. Worst one I saw? Floor started sagging after six months because nobody reinforced the joists properly.
We’ve been doing this in Newton, Wellesley, and Brookline for years now. Most of our work I’d say 90% easy comes from homeowners who just want their bathroom done right the first time. Maybe that sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised.
What we do: Show up when we tell you we’re coming. Put down floor protection and plastic sheeting so we’re not wrecking your house. Get your tub in there level and secure so it’s not going anywhere. Make sure nothing leaks. Clean everything up and haul the old tub away. That’s it. No drama, no runaround. Just plumbing work that lasts.
What Actually Goes Into Installing a Bathtub
Everybody wants to know how long it takes. Honestly? Depends what we're looking at. Simple swap job your old alcove tub comes out, new one goes in that's usually a full day. Sometimes two if there's tile work or we run into something unexpected. But if you're going custom, adding a walk-in tub, or you've got one of these older homes that needs the plumbing brought up to code, we're talking a few days minimum. Here's the deal with removing the old tub: That thing's been sitting there for 30 years probably. It's caulked in six ways from Sunday. The tile's attached to it. And if it's cast iron? Good luck, because it weighs 300 pounds when it's empty. We don't rush this part. One wrong move and we've got a hole in your wall or we're cracking your floor tiles, and now we're fixing stuff that didn't need fixing.
Once we get the old tub out and trust me, that’s usually the hardest part then we actually see what we’re working with. Floor solid? Drain lines good? Water supply lines in decent shape? Does any of this meet current code?
In these older Massachusetts homes, and we see plenty of them, there’s almost always something. Floor joists need beefing up. Those galvanized pipes should’ve been replaced 20 years ago. Or my personal favorite, the previous owner did some “creative” plumbing work that makes you wonder how the house didn’t flood. We fix it now so you’re not calling us back in six months with water coming through your ceiling.
Then we do the actual install. Set the tub, get it perfectly level which matters way more than most people realize hook up all the plumbing, test everything a couple times, seal it up properly.
At RL Plumbing, quality comes first. Our technicians follow strict installation standards to ensure your bathtub is level, sealed, and connected properly. We only use top-grade materials and proven installation techniques to guarantee a leak-free and durable finish.
We are dedicated
From start to finish, we’re committed to delivering dependable plumbing solutions and excellent customer service. Our goal is to make your bathtub installation experience smooth and stress-free leaving you with a clean, beautiful bathroom you’ll love for years.
We offer a wide range of plumbing services, including installation, repair, and maintenance, to meet all of our customers' needs.
While maintaining the highest level of quality, we provide all of our plumbing services at reasonable prices.
We offer emergency plumbing services every day of the week, twenty-four hours a day.
We stand by our work and promise that all of our clients will be happy with the services we provide.
In order to minimize the disruption to your day, our plumbers will arrive at your home quickly, identify the issue, and begin working to fix it.
We offer flexible scheduling options to make it easy for our customers to get the plumbing services they need.
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The Types of Tubs We Work With
Alcove Tubs
Your basic tub-shower combo situation. Three walls, one open side. They're practical, they don't cost a fortune, and they fit in most bathrooms without you having to knock down walls. We probably install more of these than anything else.
Drop-In Tubs
These sit inside a frame or deck that you build around them. See these a lot in Wellesley where people have bigger master bathrooms and want that whole spa thing with the nice tile surrounds. They cost more, but yeah, they look really good when it's done right.
Freestanding Tubs
The fancy ones that just stand there in the middle of your bathroom looking all dramatic. They're beautiful, I'll give you that. But you need a solid floor underneath and the plumbing work to hide all the pipes gets tricky. Not every bathroom can pull it off, but when it works, it really does work.
Walk-In Tubs
Got a door on the side so you walk in instead of climbing over. We've been installing more and more of these, especially for older folks or anyone with mobility problems. The door seal has to be absolutely perfect though—otherwise you're mopping up your bathroom floor every time you take a bath.
Faucets, Drains, All That Other Stuff
New tub needs new fixtures. Or it should anyway.
We can put in whatever faucet style you want wall-mounted, deck-mounted, the traditional handles, those modern single-lever ones everyone likes now. Done them all. Just pick something that actually works with your water pressure. I’ve seen people spend $800 on a beautiful fixture that barely dribbles water because their home’s pressure is too weak for it.
The drain assembly matters too, even though nobody thinks about it. The modern ones are way better than what you’ve probably got. They seal better, work smoother, last way longer. Plus we make sure everything’s vented right so your tub actually drains at a decent speed instead of taking 10 minutes.
What This Costs
Everyone wants the price right away before we even start talking. I get it.
But here’s the problem every single job is different. What tub you pick, what your house looks like, what we find when we start opening things up, whether you want tile work it all changes the price.
Basic alcove tub swap? That’s going to be at the lower end. Custom drop-in with a bunch of tile work and high-end fixtures? Yeah, that costs more.
What really drives up the cost is finding problems. And with old houses Newton, Brookline, Wellesley are full of them there’s usually something. Plumbing’s outdated. Floor needs work. Water damage that’s been hiding behind the wall for who knows how long.
We give you a written estimate before we start. If we find something weird, we talk to you first before doing extra work. I hate surprise bills as much as you do.
Why We Stick to These Three Towns
Could we work anywhere? Sure. But we focus on Newton, Wellesley, and Brookline. There’s reasons for that.
Newton, MA
88,000 people spread across 13 villages. We’ve worked in pretty much all of them at this point. The houses here are all over the place. Beautiful old Victorians from when indoor plumbing was still this new fancy thing. Mid-century ranches. Modern gut renovations. Condos. Everything.
One thing most of them have in common? They need bathroom work. These old Newton houses weren’t built for modern bathtubs. The floor joists were sized for lighter stuff. The pipes are ancient some of them probably original. The bathrooms are small compared to what people want now. We’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out how to fit what you want into what you’ve actually got.
Was in Newton Centre last week pulling out a tub from a 1910 Colonial. Bathroom’s on the second floor, staircase is narrow as hell. Getting that old cast iron tub down and the new acrylic one up took some real creative thinking. But that’s kind of what we do. Newton homeowners get it. They invest in quality work because they know their homes are worth protecting. They’re not looking for the cheapest price they want it done right so they don’t have to deal with it again.
Wellesley, MA
Wellesley’s different. Smaller town about 29,000 people but the homes tend to be bigger, nicer. We do a lot of high-end work there. People in Wellesley usually aren’t looking for just a basic tub. They want the whole spa experience. Custom tile surrounds. Premium fixtures. Heated floors, towel warmers, the works. Also installed a bunch of walk-in tubs in Wellesley. Town’s got a lot of long-time residents who love their homes and want to stay put as they get older. Walk-in tub lets them do that safely.
Last month we finished a master bathroom over in Wellesley Hills freestanding soaking tub, separate walk-in shower, whole nine yards. The homeowners knew exactly what they wanted, and we coordinated with their tile guy and designer to get it done exactly right.
Wellesley jobs sometimes take longer because there’s more detail work involved. That’s fine with us. I’d rather take the extra time and do excellent work than rush through something.
Brookline, MA
Brookline’s packed in tight 60,000 people crammed into less than seven square miles. Lots of old buildings, narrow streets, and interesting plumbing situations.
Housing there goes from huge single-families near the Emerald Necklace to triple-deckers and condo buildings. We work on all of it.
The challenge with Brookline is usually access. Try getting a bathtub up to a third-floor apartment in a 1920s building where the stairwell’s about 30 inches wide. Done it more times than I can count at this point. Sometimes we’ve actually had to bring the tub up through a window.
Work with a lot of landlords in Brookline too who own multi-family properties. They need reliable work at fair prices and they need units ready fast. We get it done.
One thing about all three towns the building departments actually care about inspections. They check your work. Which is fine because we do everything to code anyway. Every installation we do passes inspection first time.
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Bathtub Installation
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FAQ
What preparation is needed before installation?
You’ll want to ensure correct measurements, check drain and plumbing rough-in, level floor/sub-floor, make sure walls are ready for the surround or tile work
What are common installation mistakes to avoid?
- Incorrect measurements or drain alignment
- Poor floor/sub-floor support under the tub
- Bad waterproofing / poor seals around tub and wall interface
- Not following manufacturer instructions or using incorrect materials
Do I need a professional installer or can I do it myself?
While some DIYers may do basic swaps, professional help is recommended especially if plumbing, structural support, waterproofing or permits are involved. Mistakes can lead to leaks or damage.
Will the installation disrupt my home?
Yes — depending on the scope. Plumbing shutdowns, removal of old unit, tile work might mean a partial bathroom shutdown for the day(s). A good installer will minimize downtime and mess.
How long does bathtub installation take?
Most installations can be done in a day or two. A simple replacement may take a few hours; more complex jobs (plumbing changes, structural support, custom surrounds) can take longer.
How much will it cost?
Costs vary widely depending on tub type, materials, plumbing work needed, floor/sub-floor condition, and tile or surround work.
Do I need to replace the bathtub or just install a new one?
That depends on condition, size requirements, design preference and budget. New installations often include a new tub + fixtures + possibly tile/floor changes.
What types of tubs can I choose from?
You can pick from alcove tubs, drop-in tubs, freestanding tubs, walk-in tubs, different materials (acrylic, cast iron, steel, stone resin).