Adding a bathtub to a bathroom that does not have one is a more involved project than swapping out an existing tub. There is no drain to disconnect and reconnect, no tub footprint to match, and often no surround structure already in place. The work starts from scratch: plumbing rough-in, framing, waterproofing, tub setting, surround installation, and finish work.
ThriveStar Remodeling handles new bathtub installations throughout Colorado Springs as part of bathroom conversions, basement finishing projects, and full bathroom additions. Because we operate as a licensed general contractor, we manage the plumbing, framing, tile, and finish work under one contract. You do not need to coordinate multiple trades.
Call (719) 602-1307 or request your free estimate.
This service is distinct from bathtub replacement, which involves swapping out an existing tub in the same location. New bathtub installation applies when there is no tub in the space at all. Common scenarios include:
Shower-only bathrooms are common in older Colorado Springs homes and in homes where a previous owner converted the tub to a shower. Converting back to include a tub, or adding one alongside the shower, requires running a new drain line to the tub location, roughing in supply connections, framing the alcove or tub surround structure, and finishing with tile or a wall panel system. This is a plumbing and carpentry project as much as it is a tub installation.
Basement bathroom additions frequently include a tub as part of the initial build or as a later addition. Below-grade plumbing rough-in requires breaking the concrete slab to run the drain line to the correct depth, then patching and finishing after the rough-in is complete. We handle this as part of a broader basement bathroom scope.
If a home addition includes a new bathroom, or if a non-bathroom space is being converted into a bathroom with a tub, the installation starts from framing. We build the entire bathroom assembly including tub, surround, plumbing, electrical, tile, vanity, and fixtures.
The scope of work varies by situation, but here is what a typical new tub installation requires from start to finish.
A bathtub needs a drain line connected to the home's waste system, hot and cold supply lines run to the tub faucet location, and in some cases an overflow assembly. If the bathroom is being converted from shower-only, the existing drain line is typically in the wrong location for a tub and new rough-in is required. We manage licensed plumbers under our general contracting model to handle this properly and to code.
An alcove tub installation requires three walls forming the enclosure. If those walls do not exist or need to be repositioned to fit the new tub, framing work is required before anything else can happen. For freestanding or drop-in tubs, the structural requirements are different but framing or deck construction is still often part of the scope.
Setting the tub correctly matters. An alcove tub needs to be level, properly supported on the subfloor, and nailed or screwed into the framing at the flange before the surround goes up. Getting the tub level and stable before the walls are closed is critical because fixing a poorly set tub after the surround is finished is a significant tear-out.
Once the tub is set, the surround walls go up with cement board substrate and a waterproofing system before tile or wall panels are installed. We use the same waterproofed installation approach here as we do on all wet area tile work. See our custom tile page for tile options, or our acrylic wall systems page for the panel alternative.
Faucet, spout, drain trim, and overflow cover are installed last. If the project includes a broader bathroom build, vanity, flooring, lighting, and other finish work are handled as part of the same scope.
Any tub configuration can be installed as a new addition given the right structural and plumbing setup. Alcove tubs are the most straightforward from a rough-in and framing standpoint. Freestanding and drop-in configurations require more planning around drain placement and deck or floor structure but are fully achievable. Soaking tubs in any configuration are also an option. For accessibility-focused new installations including walk-in tubs, see our walk-in bathtub page.
If you are not sure which tub type fits your space and goals, we will work through that with you during the estimate. We look at the existing plumbing configuration, available space, and your preferences before making a recommendation.
The simplest way to separate the two: if there is already a tub in the space, that is a bathtub replacement project. If you are adding a tub to a space that currently does not have one, that is what this page covers. The distinction matters because new installation involves plumbing rough-in and often framing work that replacement does not, which affects both scope and timeline.
If you want the new tub and the surrounding bathroom finished together as one coordinated project, see our full bathroom remodeling page for what that scope looks like.
It depends heavily on scope. A shower-to-tub conversion in an existing bathroom with accessible plumbing typically takes one to two weeks. A basement bathroom addition or new construction bathroom with a tub from scratch can run two to four weeks or longer depending on the full scope. We give you a specific timeline during the estimate.
Cost depends on the tub type, the amount of plumbing rough-in required, whether concrete needs to be cut for a basement installation, and the full scope of surround and finish work. ThriveStar Remodeling provides free, itemized estimates before any work begins. Request yours here.
Usually yes. Basement drains run below the slab, so adding a new drain line for a tub requires cutting the concrete, running the pipe at the correct slope and depth, and patching the slab after the rough-in is complete. We handle this as part of the overall project scope.
Yes. This is one of the most common scenarios for new tub installation. It involves relocating or adding a drain line, roughing in supply connections, framing the tub enclosure if needed, and finishing with a surround and fixtures. We assess the existing plumbing and space configuration during the free estimate to confirm feasibility and scope.
Yes. Any project involving new plumbing rough-in requires permits and inspections. As a licensed general contractor, ThriveStar Remodeling handles all permit applications and coordinates inspections throughout the project.
Yes. Financing options are available to help make your project more accessible. See our financing page for details.
We serve Colorado Springs and surrounding communities within approximately 20 miles, including Manitou Springs, Monument, Falcon, Black Forest, Fountain, Broadmoor, and Woodland Park.
If you are planning to add a tub to a bathroom that does not currently have one, we make it easy to get started. Call (719) 602-1307 or submit your project details online and we will schedule a free in-home estimate to assess the space and scope.