Bathtub Replacement in Newmarket

When it makes sense to replace the bathtub and surround

Homeowners in Newmarket usually call us to replace a bathtub for one of four reasons: a shallow 1970s or 1980s steel or cast-iron tub in Huron Heights, Bristol-London or Armitage is chipped and cold; grout and drywall along the tub rim have softened from years of shower spray; the tub waste-and-overflow gasket is leaking onto the ceiling below; or an oversized 1990s corner whirlpool deck in Stonehaven or Woodland Hill is crowding the primary ensuite.

While a spray-on acrylic reglaze or a glue-over plastic liner can hide a dull surface for a short time, neither fixes loose wall tile, a weeping mixing valve or damp framing behind the alcove. Because the tiling flange of a built-in bathtub sits behind the bottom course of wall board and tile, a proper bathtub replacement means stripping the surround to the studs, repairing the subfloor, bonding a continuous waterproof membrane up the walls, and setting fresh porcelain tile to the ceiling. (If your tub has already stained the drywall ceiling downstairs, see our bathroom repairs in Newmarket page.)

Three bathtub styles we install across Newmarket

1. Deep 60-inch alcove soaking tubs with tiled surrounds

For 5 x 8 ft and 7 x 9 ft hall bathrooms in Gorham-College Manor, Summerhill Estates, Glenway and Woodland Hill, a modern skirted alcove tub fits neatly between three walls while offering a much deeper water line than builder-grade steel tubs. We set the tub level in a mortar bed so the floor never creaks, waterproof the three alcove walls, tile to the ceiling with a recessed hex or porcelain niche, and fit a frameless glass tub screen or sliding door.

2. Tearing out 1990s drop-in and corner whirlpool tubs

Ensuites built between 1990 and 2008 across Stonehaven-Wyndham, Woodland Hill and Armitage frequently feature a large corner jetted tub set into a framed, tiled platform. Those jets are hard to keep sanitary and the deck consumes up to 25 square feet of floor space. We disconnect and cap the pump circuit, demolish the wooden deck, and either install a sculptural freestanding tub in that bright window corner or convert the footprint into a larger walk-in shower; read our guide on upgrading a builder-grade ensuite in Newmarket.

3. Freestanding soaking tubs

In larger primary ensuites across Stonehaven, Glenway and nearby Bradford—like our Bradford primary ensuite case study—a freestanding oval or slipper tub under the window creates a calm focal point. Installing a freestanding tub properly requires three checks before ordering the fixture: enough clearance around the rim to reach with a mop, solid floor framing underneath, and precise subfloor positioning for the centre or end drain and the floor-mounted or wall-mounted tub filler.

What our bathtub installation includes

• Floor protection from your front entry to the bathroom, followed by removal and haul-away of the old cast-iron, steel or acrylic tub and wall tile.
• Inspection of the subfloor, joists, P-trap, waste-and-overflow assembly and shower mixing valve, with any rot repaired before closing up.
• Setting the new tub dead level in a mortar base or manufacturer frame, with sound-deadening insulation around an alcove apron.
• Waterproof backer board and a continuous waterproofing membrane on all alcove shower walls, plus a custom recessed shampoo niche.
• Large-format wall porcelain, a new pressure-balanced or thermostatic shower valve and 3-way shower kit (or freestanding filler), and a tempered glass tub panel or bypass door.

What bathtub replacement costs in Newmarket

Because removing a built-in bathtub opens the adjacent wall tile and floor connection, most homeowners refresh the full 3-piece room at the same time. Our published labour package for a 7 x 9 ft main bathroom covers the complete build:

The bathtub, tile, vanity, quartz top, faucet and toilet are finish materials chosen by you, so you control whether the room uses a practical acrylic alcove tub or a freestanding stone-resin tub with a floor-mounted brass filler. Compare all-in ranges and individual line items on our Newmarket bathroom renovation cost guide.

Town of Newmarket permits and on-site timeline

Replacing a bathtub in the exact same spot using the existing drain and vent connection does not require a Town of Newmarket building permit. Source: Town of Newmarket: Building and Permits (When is a Building Permit Required?) (accessed October 10, 2026) If we relocate the drain across the floor—for example, moving from a corner deck drain to a centred freestanding tub drain and running new supply lines for a floor filler—Town of Newmarket Building Services requires a plumbing permit. Read our article on Newmarket bathroom renovation permits.

A straightforward tub and tiled surround replacement takes about one week on site, while a complete remodel follows our three-to-five-week full bathroom renovation schedule.

Send us the spec sheet before you buy a tub

Before paying for a bathtub online, let us review the manufacturer specification sheet against your room measurements. The three most common ordering mistakes are choosing a left-hand drain when your plumbing stack is on the right, ordering a freestanding tub that leaves only two inches of wall clearance, and buying a rough-in filler valve that conflicts with a floor joist. Upload photos of your bathroom for a free itemized quote backed by our written labour warranty.