When homeowners call me for a Bathroom Remodel, this question comes up almost every time: “If we remove the only bathtub, will it hurt our resale value?”
It’s a smart question. Because while a remodel should improve your daily comfort, it should also protect your home’s market appeal. As a contractor, I always explain that this decision isn’t emotional, it’s strategic. It depends on your layout, your local market, and how buyers think when they walk through a home.
So let’s break it down the same way I do during a real consultation.
Why This Bathroom Remodel Decision Matters
A Bathroom Remodel isn’t just cosmetic. It changes how buyers categorize your home.
For example, when a home has at least one bathtub, it qualifies as “family-ready” in many buyers’ minds. However, when there’s no tub at all, certain buyers immediately narrow their interest. This doesn’t always lower value but it can reduce demand.
Now, demand influences competition. And competition influences price.
In practical terms, removing your only bathtub can:
- Shrink your buyer pool
- Influence how long your home sits on the market
- Affect how families perceive functionality
On the other hand, a well-designed walk-in shower can elevate the overall feel of the bathroom and attract buyers who prefer modern finishes.
Therefore, the impact depends on who your future buyer is likely to be.
What Today’s Homebuyers Actually Want
Over the past few years, I’ve worked on remodels in both urban and suburban neighborhoods. Buyer expectations vary more than most people realize.
Families with Young Children
Families with toddlers often prioritize having at least one bathtub. It simplifies daily routines. Because of that, homes without a tub may not even make their showing list.
First-Time Buyers
Many first-time buyers prefer flexibility. Even if they don’t use a tub daily, they like having one available. Therefore, removing the only bathtub can influence how practical your home feels.
Downsizers and Aging Homeowners
Interestingly, older buyers often prefer walk-in showers. They value accessibility and ease of entry. In these cases, replacing a tub with a curbless shower may actually increase appeal.
Urban vs. Suburban Markets
In condos and smaller city homes, showers dominate. Space efficiency matters more than tradition. However, in suburban neighborhoods with family homes, at least one tub still holds importance.
That’s why I always tell clients: your zip code matters more than design trends.
How Removing the Only Tub Impacts Resale
Let’s talk about measurable factors.
Buyer Pool Size
When you remove the only bathtub during a Bathroom Remodel, you may reduce the number of buyers who consider your home suitable. While that doesn’t guarantee a lower price, it can influence the number of offers.
More offers typically create stronger negotiating positions.
Appraisal Perspective
Appraisers focus on overall square footage, condition, and comparable sales. They don’t assign a specific dollar deduction just because a tub is missing. However, if comparable homes nearby all have at least one bathtub, differences can influence perception.
Days on Market
Homes that appeal to broader audiences often sell faster. If your property no longer fits family criteria, it may take slightly longer to attract the right buyer.
That said, in markets where modern showers dominate, this impact can be minimal.
When Removing the Tub Makes Sense
Now let’s look at situations where I confidently recommend removing the only bathtub during a Bathroom Remodel.
You Have Another Bathroom with a Tub
If there’s already a second bathroom that includes a bathtub, resale concerns drop significantly. Buyers simply need access to one functional tub.
The Bathroom Is Extremely Small
In tight layouts, a tub can make the room feel cramped. By installing a well-designed walk-in shower with clear glass panels, you create visual space. As a result, the entire bathroom feels larger and more updated.
Aging-in-Place Goals
If you plan to stay in your home long-term, accessibility becomes more valuable than hypothetical resale. A curbless shower reduces fall risk and improves everyday usability.
High-End Renovation Strategy
In luxury homes, oversized spa showers with multiple shower heads and built-in benches often replace tubs entirely. In that segment, design quality outweighs tradition.
Smart Bathroom Remodel Alternatives
Sometimes, we don’t need to choose extremes. There are practical middle-ground solutions.
Install a Compact Soaking Tub
Modern soaking tubs take up less space than traditional models. Therefore, you preserve resale flexibility while upgrading aesthetics.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion with Layout Planning
If space allows, repositioning plumbing slightly can sometimes accommodate both a shower and a smaller tub. Although this requires careful planning, it protects long-term value.
Design for Future Flexibility
When remodeling, I often suggest reinforcing subfloors and planning plumbing lines in a way that allows future adjustments. Even if you remove the tub now, designing intelligently keeps options open.
That’s strategic remodeling not reactive remodeling.
Questions I Ask Homeowners Before Making the Call
Before I finalize any Bathroom Remodel plan involving tub removal, I walk clients through a few important considerations:
- How long do you plan to stay in this home?
- Is your neighborhood primarily family-oriented?
- What do nearby recently sold homes include?
- Do you already have another bathtub in the house?
These questions bring clarity. Because while trends change, buyer demographics in your area usually move more slowly.
What It Means for Your Home
Removing your only bathtub doesn’t automatically hurt resale value. However, it can influence buyer demand depending on your location, home type, and target market.
From a contractor’s perspective, the safest strategy is simple: maintain at least one bathtub somewhere in the home whenever possible. If that’s not feasible, then ensure the replacement shower is professionally designed, visually appealing, and built to high standards.
A thoughtful Bathroom Remodel should balance your daily comfort with smart investment decisions. When both align, you improve your home for today and position it well for tomorrow.
If you’re considering a remodel and want a plan that works for your lifestyle and resale goals, start by evaluating your local market and layout. A well-informed decision always outperforms a rushed upgrade.
