Bath Fitter vs. Full Bathroom Remodel: Which Is Right for You?

If you’re considering a bathroom update, you’ve probably seen the advertisements. Bath Fitter, Re-Bath, and similar companies promise a beautiful new bathroom in just one day with no mess and no hassle. The before-and-after photos look impressive, and the convenience factor is undeniably appealing.

But here’s what those commercials don’t explain: these companies aren’t actually remodeling your bathroom. They’re covering it up.

We’re going to break down exactly what you’re getting with a liner system versus a full bathroom remodel, including honest pricing for both options. By the end of this article, you’ll know which approach makes sense for your situation—and it might not be us. That’s okay. Our goal is to help you make the right decision, even if that decision takes you somewhere else.

What Bath Fitter and Similar Companies Actually Do

Bath Fitter, Re-Bath, and Jacuzzi Bath Remodel are what the industry calls “liner companies” or “bath-in-a-day” services. Understanding what they do—and don’t do—is essential before making your decision.

The Liner Installation Process

Here’s how these systems work: A technician comes to your home and takes precise measurements of your existing bathtub and shower walls. Those measurements are sent to a manufacturing facility where custom-fit acrylic panels are molded to match your current fixtures. When the panels arrive, the installer applies adhesive and places them directly over your existing tub and walls.

Your old bathtub stays in place. Your old shower walls stay in place. The new acrylic shell simply goes over the top, creating a fresh surface. Think of it like putting a phone case on your smartphone—the original structure remains underneath, completely untouched.

What Liner Systems Include

• Custom-molded acrylic tub liner that fits over your existing tub
• Acrylic wall panels installed over existing tile or surround
• New fixtures (faucet, showerhead, handles) in most packages
• Optional accessories like grab bars, corner shelves, and soap dishes
• Tub-to-shower conversions (removing the tub and installing a shower base)
• Installation sometimes completed in one day

What Liner Systems Don’t Include

This is where most homeowners are surprised:

• No inspection of what’s behind your walls
• No removal of existing materials
• No plumbing assessment or upgrades (unless pipes are actively leaking)
• No electrical work
• No flooring replacement
• No vanity, toilet, or other bathroom fixture updates
• No mold or water damage remediation
• No layout changes—everything stays exactly where it is

Honest Pricing: What Each Option Actually Costs

Let’s talk real numbers. Pricing varies based on your specific bathroom, material selections, and project scope, but these ranges reflect what homeowners in the Greater Cincinnati area, Highland County, and surrounding Southern Ohio communities typically pay.

Bath Fitter and Re-Bath Pricing

Tub liner only: $2,500 to $5,000

This covers just the acrylic shell that fits over your existing bathtub. It does not include wall panels, fixtures, or any other updates.

Tub liner with wall surround: $5,000 to $10,000

Most homeowners end up in this range. The package includes the tub liner, three-wall surround panels, and basic fixtures. Higher-end finishes, patterns, and accessories push you toward the top of the range.

Tub-to-shower conversion: $8,000 to $18,000

Converting your tub to a walk-in shower requires removing the existing tub and installing a new shower base. This is the most extensive service these companies offer, and it approaches the cost of a partial bathroom remodel.

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel: $11,000 to $25,000

Jacuzzi positions itself as the premium option in this category, with higher-end materials and finishes. The national average runs around $15,500.

Full Bathroom Remodel Pricing

Cosmetic refresh: $3,000 to $8,000

Paint, new fixtures, updated hardware, lighting, and accessories. No demolition, no major changes. This is ideal for bathrooms that are structurally sound but visually dated.

Surface-level remodel: $8,000 to $15,000

New vanity, flooring, lighting, and fixtures with plumbing and electrical staying in their current locations. This level addresses more significant cosmetic issues while keeping costs manageable.

Full gut remodel (same layout): $15,000 to $30,000

Everything comes out. Walls are opened for inspection. Plumbing is assessed and updated as needed. New tile, new fixtures, new vanity, new toilet—all installed in the same locations. This is the most common full remodel.

Full gut remodel with layout changes: $25,000 to $50,000+

Moving plumbing, relocating fixtures, or expanding into adjacent space significantly increases complexity and cost. Permits, structural work, and extensive plumbing runs add up quickly.

The Real Cost Comparison

Here’s where things get interesting. A ReBath as well as a Bath Fitter tub and wall package at $7,000 to $10,000 costs roughly the same as a surface-level remodel. But with the remodel, you’re getting actual new materials installed—not a cover-up. You’re also getting the opportunity to inspect for hidden issues and address them before they become expensive emergencies.

A Jacuzzi Bath Remodel at $15,000 to $20,000 puts you solidly in full gut remodel territory. For similar money, you could have every surface in your bathroom replaced with real tile, a solid wood vanity, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what’s behind your walls.

The Hidden Problem with Covering Things Up

We need to be direct about something: bathrooms are wet environments where water constantly tries to go places it shouldn’t. Over time, even well-maintained bathrooms develop issues behind walls and under floors. Grout cracks. Caulk fails. Water finds its way into places you can’t see.

What Might Be Lurking Behind Your Walls

In older homes throughout Chillicothe and the Cincinnati metro area, we regularly find these issues during bathroom demolition:

Mold growth: Even small amounts of moisture infiltration can lead to mold colonies behind walls. You might not see it or smell it, but it’s affecting your air quality and potentially your health.

Rotted subfloor: The plywood under your bathroom floor takes a beating. Decades of humidity, small leaks, and condensation can turn solid wood into spongy material that won’t properly support your fixtures.

Deteriorated framing: Wall studs and floor joists can rot from the inside out when exposed to prolonged moisture. We’ve seen 2x4s that looked fine from the outside but crumbled when touched.

Outdated plumbing: Galvanized pipes corrode from the inside, reducing water pressure and eventually failing. Polybutylene pipes (common in 1980s and early 1990s construction) are prone to sudden failures. Old drain lines develop cracks and leaks.

Improper venting: Older plumbing installations sometimes lack proper venting, leading to slow drains, gurgling sounds, and sewer gas issues.

Electrical hazards: Ungrounded outlets, improper junction boxes, and wiring that doesn’t meet current code are common in bathrooms that haven’t been updated in decades.

The Cover-Up Problem

When a liner company installs acrylic panels over your existing surfaces, none of these issues get addressed. They’re still there—you just can’t see them anymore.

Worse, if the liner’s seal fails at any point, water gets trapped between the old surface and the new liner. Now you have moisture with nowhere to evaporate, sitting in a dark space that’s perfect for mold growth. Discovering this problem requires removing the liner system entirely, and at that point, you’re paying for demolition you could have done during a proper remodel in the first place.

This isn’t speculation. We’ve been called to address water damage in homes where liner systems were installed just a few years earlier. The homeowners thought they were getting a new bathroom, but they were actually sealing in problems and creating conditions for new ones.

When a Liner System Actually Makes Sense

Despite everything we’ve said, there are legitimate situations where a Bath Fitter or similar system is the right choice. We believe in honesty, which means acknowledging when we’re not the best option.

You Might Choose a Liner If…

You’re selling soon and need a quick cosmetic fix: If you’re listing your home in the next few months and your bathroom is visually dated but structurally sound, a liner can provide a fresh appearance quickly. Just understand that savvy buyers and home inspectors will recognize it for what it is.

You have a relatively new home with confirmed sound construction: If your home was built in the last 10-15 years with quality materials and you’ve had no moisture issues, the risk of hidden problems is lower. A liner might make sense if you simply want a different look.

Time is your absolute top priority: Medical procedures, family circumstances, or other urgent situations sometimes mean you need a functional bathroom update immediately. A one-day installation might be worth the trade-offs in those scenarios.

You’re a landlord managing rental property turnover: Minimizing vacancy time matters for your bottom line. A quick cosmetic update between tenants can make financial sense even if it’s not the ideal long-term solution.

Your existing tub is cast iron and in excellent condition: Old cast iron tubs are incredibly durable and often worth preserving. If the porcelain finish is the only issue, a liner or professional refinishing might be appropriate rather than removing a fixture that could last another 50 years.

When a Full Remodel Is the Clear Choice

For most homeowners planning to stay in their homes, a full bathroom remodel provides significantly better value. Here’s when it’s clearly the right decision.

Your Home Is More Than 25 Years Old

Older homes have had more time for moisture to cause hidden damage. Materials and construction practices from previous decades weren’t as moisture-resistant as what we use today. Plumbing systems have finite lifespans. If your home was built before 2000, there’s a reasonable chance that something behind your bathroom walls needs attention.

You’ve Noticed Any Warning Signs

Soft spots in the floor near the tub or toilet suggest subfloor damage. Musty smells indicate mold growth somewhere you can’t see. Peeling paint or bubbling wallpaper often means moisture is migrating through walls. Slow drains or gurgling sounds point to plumbing issues. Cracked grout and failed caulk mean water has been finding its way into places it shouldn’t.

Covering these symptoms with a liner system doesn’t fix them—it hides them while they continue to worsen.

You Want to Change the Layout

Liner companies work with existing configurations. Want to move the toilet to a different wall? Swap the tub for a walk-in shower in a new location? Add a double vanity? These changes require opening walls, moving plumbing, and often updating electrical—work that liner companies simply don’t do.

You Want Materials That Will Last Decades

Ceramic tile has been used in bathrooms for thousands of years because it handles moisture beautifully and lasts virtually forever when properly installed. Porcelain fixtures endure for generations. Solid wood vanities can be refinished and will outlast your homeownership. Quality materials in a properly constructed bathroom will still look good and function perfectly 30 or 40 years from now.

Acrylic liners have a useful life of 15-25 years under ideal conditions. When they need replacement, you’ll face the same decisions you’re facing now—except the underlying structure will be that much older.

You’re Planning to Stay in Your Home

If this is your forever home—or at least your home for the next 10-20 years—investing in a proper remodel makes financial sense. You’ll enjoy the bathroom longer, avoid potential problems from hidden issues, and add genuine value to your property rather than a cosmetic shell that sophisticated buyers will recognize.

The Real Cost of Cutting Corners

Let’s work through a scenario we see regularly.

A homeowner has a 30-year-old bathroom with a fiberglass tub surround that’s seen better days. They get a quote from a liner company for $8,500 and a quote from a remodeling contractor for $18,000. The liner seems like a no-brainer—same result for half the price, right?

Three years later, they notice their bathroom floor feels soft near the tub. A contractor opens the wall and discovers significant mold growth and rotted subfloor—damage that was already present when the liner was installed but invisible because nobody looked behind the walls.

Now they’re facing a different set of costs:

• Removing the liner system they just paid for: $1,500 to $2,500
• Mold remediation: $2,000 to $6,000 depending on extent
• Subfloor replacement: $1,000 to $3,000
• Wall framing repairs: $500 to $2,000
• Now the actual remodel they should have done originally: $18,000

Total spent: $31,500 to $32,000—nearly double what a single proper remodel would have cost. Plus three years of living with hidden mold and the stress of emergency repairs.

This isn’t a scare tactic. We genuinely see this pattern play out. Not every liner installation leads to disaster, but the ones that do are extraordinarily expensive to fix.

Questions to Ask Before Making Your Decision

Whether you’re talking to a liner company or a remodeling contractor, these questions will help you make an informed choice.

Ask the Liner Company

1. What happens if you find mold or water damage when you start the installation?
2. Do you inspect behind the existing walls before covering them?
3. What does your warranty actually cover—and what does it exclude?
4. If the seal fails and moisture gets trapped between the liner and existing surface, what’s the remediation process?
5. Can you provide references from customers who had their liner installed more than five years ago?

Ask the Remodeling Contractor

1. What’s your process for inspecting the structure once demolition is complete?
2. How do you handle unexpected issues like mold, rot, or outdated plumbing?
3. Do you use waterproofing systems behind tile installations?
4. What permits does this project require, and who handles obtaining them?
5. Can you walk me through the materials you recommend and why?

Our Honest Take

We don’t offer liner services. We do full bathroom remodeling. So you might think we’re biased, and in a sense, we are—we believe in the work we do and the value it provides.

But we’re also genuinely interested in helping you make the right decision for your situation. If a liner makes sense for you based on the criteria we’ve outlined, we’d rather you go that route than spend more money with us on a project that doesn’t fit your needs.

What we don’t want is for you to choose a liner without understanding what you’re getting—and more importantly, what you’re not getting. Too many homeowners are surprised to learn that their “bathroom remodel” was actually a cover-up job, and by then it’s too late to make a different choice.

If you’re still not sure which approach is right for you, we’re happy to take a look at your bathroom and give you an honest assessment. We’ll tell you what we see, what we’re concerned about, and whether we think a liner might actually be appropriate for your specific situation. There’s no charge for the conversation and no pressure to hire us.

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. Whatever you decide, make sure you’re making that decision with complete information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Bath Fitter liner actually last compared to a full remodel?

Bath Fitter and similar acrylic liner systems typically last 15-25 years under normal use, though this assumes the seal remains intact and no moisture intrusion occurs. A full bathroom remodel using quality materials—ceramic or porcelain tile, solid fixtures, and proper waterproofing—can easily last 30-50 years or more. Many tile bathrooms from the 1950s and 1960s remain fully functional today, while liners from the same era would have needed replacement multiple times.

Can I install a liner myself to save money?

Bath Fitter and Re-Bath are proprietary systems that require professional installation—you can’t purchase their products for DIY installation. Generic tub liners are available at home improvement stores for $200-$500, but achieving a proper seal is extremely difficult without professional equipment. A failed seal creates far worse problems than the dated tub you started with, as moisture becomes trapped in a space designed to be watertight. Most contractors, including us, strongly advise against DIY liner installation.

Will a liner system affect my home’s resale value?

Experienced real estate agents and home inspectors can usually identify liner systems, and sophisticated buyers often view them as a neutral or slight negative. Liners don’t add the same value as a properly remodeled bathroom with tile and quality fixtures. During home inspections, the inability to assess what’s behind the liner can raise concerns about hidden issues. If you’re planning to sell within a few years, a liner provides cosmetic improvement, but it won’t command the premium that a genuine bathroom remodel does.

What happens if I have a liner and later want a full remodel?

The liner and wall panels must be completely removed before any remodeling work can begin. This demolition typically costs $1,500-$2,500 depending on how the system was installed. You’ll also likely encounter the original surfaces in degraded condition—whatever moisture, mold, or deterioration was present (or developed since) will need to be addressed. Essentially, you’ll pay for demolition twice: once to remove the liner and again for standard bathroom demolition. Homeowners who later regret choosing a liner often find that their total investment exceeds what a single proper remodel would have cost.

Is there a middle-ground option between liners and full remodeling?

Yes, several options exist between the extremes. Bathtub refinishing (also called reglazing) applies a new coating to your existing tub for $350-$600 and lasts 10-15 years—a fraction of liner cost. A cosmetic refresh that includes new fixtures, paint, lighting, and accessories runs $3,000-$8,000 and updates the look without major construction. Partial remodels that address specific problem areas (like replacing just the shower surround with proper tile) offer targeted improvements. We’re happy to discuss these options and help you find the approach that matches your budget, timeline, and goals.

Related Bathroom Remodeling Resources

• Bathroom Remodeling Calculator
• Free Bathroom Assessment Tool
• Bathroom Remodeling in Southern Ohio: Complete Guide to Professional Bathroom Renovation
• Bathroom Remodeling: Complete Guide to Planning, Costs, and Design
• Bathroom Moisture Control & Mold Prevention in Southern Ohio’s Humid Climate: Complete Waterproofing Guide
• Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Southern Ohio: Complete Guide to Benefits, Costs & Process

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