Freestanding and soaking tubs, Austin
A freestanding soaking tub looks simple, but it moves the drain into the middle of the floor, needs a filler from the floor or wall, and puts a lot of weight in one spot. Bailey & Bear installs freestanding tubs as part of bathroom remodels and handles the plumbing that comes with them.
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Our published tub-to-shower and tub replacement range is $7,000–$18,000, and a freestanding tub inside a larger remodel usually sits in the $18,000–$40,000 full remodel range. The shower, tub and glass together are about 12–20% of a typical bathroom budget.
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A built-in tub drains at one end against a wall. A freestanding tub usually drains near its center, so the drain has to move. On a slab that means cutting the slab; on a raised floor it means working from below.
The filler is the second decision. A floor-mounted tub filler needs supply lines brought up through the floor at an exact spot. A wall-mounted filler needs the tub placed close to a wall with the valve behind it. We lock the tub model before rough-in so the pipes land where they should.
Redmond (October 2022): a freestanding soaking tub is the centerpiece, with a shiplap accent wall, floating shelves, marble countertops on custom vanities, gold fixtures and a walk-in shower.
Salcon Cliff (June 2022): a standalone soaking bathtub with floor-to-ceiling tile and polished fixtures.
Resaca (October 2020): a soaking tub in a classic white master bath with frameless shower glass and a chandelier. Nickols (May 2021) placed a soaking tub on a hexagon tile floor.
Freestanding tubs look best with space on all sides, and you need room to clean behind them. In a tighter room, a tub placed inside the shower enclosure can be a better fit. See our wet room bathroom page.
At a glance
| Item | What this page states |
|---|---|
| Tub replacement or conversion | $7,000–$18,000 (published) |
| Full bathroom remodel | $18,000–$40,000 |
| Shower, tub and glass share | About 12–20% |
| Plumbing share | About 10–15% |
| Permit | Required when drain or supply lines move |
Ranges come from Bailey & Bear's published Austin cost guides. Your exact number comes from a free walkthrough and a written line-item quote.
Real Bailey & Bear bathrooms
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Straight answers
A tub replacement or conversion on our published range runs $7,000 to $18,000, and a freestanding tub inside a larger remodel usually sits in the $18,000 to $40,000 full remodel range. Drain relocation and the filler type drive the difference.
Often, but a filled tub is heavy. We check the floor framing and add support where needed before it goes in.
A floor-mount filler lets the tub float in the room but needs supply lines through the floor at an exact spot. A wall-mount filler is simpler but keeps the tub near a wall. We decide this before rough-in.
Yes. Moving drain or supply lines needs a City of Austin plumbing permit, which Bailey & Bear pulls.
Keep planning
Wet rooms and tub-in-shower layouts.
High-end bathroom remodels, Austin.
Marble tile, slab and counters.
Primary bath, closet and bedroom together.
Start with the overview: bathroom remodeling in Austin · bathroom remodel cost in Austin
Free walkthrough and a written, line-item quote from an owner-run Austin remodeler.