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Replacing tub-showers...Time involved?

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Spencer

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
It seems like I get a lot of opportunities to replace tub showers.

This usually involves:
-cutting out drywall around the existing unit
-demo old unit
-address plumbing
-insert new 4 piece unit
-re-drywall and mud
-I hook up drain and new shower fixture

Usually the HO takes care of paint afterwards.

I typically figure 3 days by myself, but I haven't done enough to say I'm really proficient at it.

I also get some were it is an old cast iron tub with plaster on the walls. So far I have been passing those up. It makes me nervous when I have a wall thickness on both sides around an inch, and not knowing for sure what the RO is between the studs.

Do you guys like these jobs? Any tips for moving them along faster. Is three days in line for a one man show?
 
#2 ·
You are figuring it about right for a one man crew.

Protect home---demo to dumpster--6 hours--add new mixer valve--2 hours

replace drains if needed ??3 to 4 hours---install tub and sides---3 to 4 hours

Drywall work---3 to 4 hours or more

Caulk---?
Floor repair if tub size is different???

Do not be afraid of plaster walls--the rough opening is still 5 foot--and a few 2x4s will correct that if it is not---the big challenge with the plaster installs--they are old--meaning the plumbing is also obsolete---

Keep your dads phone number on speed dial--his plumbing experience might save you a lot of time---
 
#3 ·
Sounds about right Spencer. You'll find ways over the years to even reduce your time whether it be through tools or techniques. I would figure 3 days with one guy. I might be able to get it down in one long day with my carpenter. We would have everything ready for the unit by lunch. It's all down hill after that.
 
#4 ·
I must get a call a week to do pretty much this exact same thing. With me and one helper, we have the demo done, the new tub set and hooked up to drain, and the new mixer valve installed in a good size day. If we're tiling, we'll stay until the backer board is up and a good coat of RedGard is on too. This is assuming we didn't have to do a lot of extra crap to get the drain setup right.

Second day is throwing up the surround, putting in the trim kit for the control valve, trimming out edges of the shower if needed, throwing a piece of vinyl quarter round along the edge of the tub (where it meets the floor), and other miscellaneous stuff.

If we're tiling, we'll get tile up in the morning, head somewhere else, and come back day three to grout.


Your time line is about right for one man, I'd say.

And I'll tell ya, having to put furring strips up on one wall or the other to get a perfect fit for the tub is not unusual at all.
 
#5 ·
It depends a lot on access and what's there. 2 days if it's smooth with a direct to studs 2 piece coming out and direct to studs going in, 3+ for more complicated. I have a plumber come in - plumbing is 2 hours.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
hdavis said:
It depends a lot on access and what's there. 2 days if it's smooth with a direct to studs 2 piece coming out and direct to studs going in, 3+ for more complicated. I have a plumber come in - plumbing is 2 hours.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I have also done them in two days under the right conditions, but if something goes wrong that requires trips to town or who knows what, it can quickly tack on another day.
 
#7 ·
A lot of the houses around here only have 1 full bathroom and a half bath. When we do them, I tell the homeowners they won't have a shower for 2 days. We gut it, and repair the floor on the first day, plumbing and set the shower first thing on the second day. Then electrical and insulation to finish the second day. That way they really only can't take a shower 1 day. Then drywall day 3 and 4. Tile 4 and 5. Trim day 6, paint day 7, set the vanity and toilet and finishing touches day 8.

That's if everything goes smooth.
 
#8 ·
I'm currently doing one. Today I removed drywall around tub cut surround into 3 pieces to remove and then lifted old tub out. Went and got the new tub and surround then removed old valve and waste. Installed new valve and waste and set tub in place bedded on plaster . I started at 10 and left at 5.

Tomorrow is set wall panels, install drywall and corner beads. Mud walls and sand. Add some baseboard and qtr round and pick up check hopefully.

But I got a feeling I'm gonna be there for a 3rd day finishing up.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I've done several solo. Takes me 3-4 days start to finish. Expect reroute of plumbing. Don't forget vapor barrier if outside wall. Also, don't forget mortar under the tub for solid support.
I did one job with a cast iron tub. Never again! I think that might have been the cause of my hernia. Try throwing one of those into a dumpster!
 
#10 ·
That sounds about right Spencer. I like to demo, change mixer valve, adjust drain, and set the base or pan in mortar on day 1. I like to have a helper at minimum on day 1 if possible.

Then day 2 is walls and drywall patch. Day 3 is usually only needed if you ran into problems.
 
#11 ·
m1911 said:
I did one job with a cast iron tub. Never again! I think that might have been the cause of my hernia. Try throwing one of those into a dumpster!
Click to expand...
I sledge those into 4 pieces. Lots of really sharp pieces of enamel flying around, and it's loud - but it's pretty quick once you get the hang of it.
 
#12 ·
hdavis said:
I sledge those into 4 pieces. Lots of really sharp pieces of enamel flying around, and it's loud - but it's pretty quick once you get the hang of it.
Click to expand...
I sledged it, but it wasn't budging, managed to break off some of it, but it was a motherfather to drag downstairs and into the dumpster by meself.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
m1911 said:
I've done several solo. Takes me 3-4 days start to finish. Expect reroute of plumbing. Don't forget vapor barrier if outside wall. Also, don't forget mortar under the tub for solid support.
I did one job with a cast iron tub. Never again! I think that might have been the cause of my hernia. Try throwing one of those into a dumpster!
Click to expand...
hdavis said:
I sledge those into 4 pieces. Lots of really sharp pieces of enamel flying around, and it's loud - but it's pretty quick once you get the hang of it.
Click to expand...
Shnap...one of the ones I could do is a cast iron tub base with old tile on the walls that is falling off. Old plaster behind the tile. Don't really want to do this one but we will see.

I'm gonna make sure I'm covered when I give them the price.
 
#16 ·
Spencer said:
Shnap...one of the ones I could do is a cast iron tub base with old tile on the walls that is falling off. Old plaster behind the tile. Don't really want to do this one but we will see.

I'm gonna make sure I'm covered when I give them the price.
Click to expand...
Be prepared for big problems. They could and did install those with a ledger for the back lip to sit on, and the skirt on the floor as the only support The floor may need some significant leveling, although it could just be rotten.:whistling

The walls don't have to be plumb or square, either, they could take up the slop with the tile job. The worst one I did the tub didn't fit in the space, so they cut all the studs off in the wall at one end and left the ends hanging in space...
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
hdavis said:
Be prepared for big problems. They could and did install those with a ledger for the back lip to sit on, and the skirt on the floor as the only support The floor may need some significant leveling, although it could just be rotten.:whistling



The walls don't have to be plumb or square, either, they could take up the slop with the tile job. The worst one I did the tub didn't fit in the space, so they cut all the studs off in the wall at one end and left the ends hanging in space...
Click to expand...

Sounds like a hoot. :(
 
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