Cast Iron Tub Removal Cost: What You'll Actually Pay [2026]
Cast iron tub removal costs $255 to $395 for a ground-floor tub and $395 to $750 or more for a second-floor bathroom. The weight — 300 to 500 pounds — is what drives the cost. Dropcurb picks up cast iron tubs placed curbside starting at $79.
| Method | Cost | Speed | You Do... | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY break apart + Dropcurb pickup | $0 + $79 | Same day | Break tub with sledgehammer, move pieces to curb | Maximum savings |
| Contractor removal (ground floor) | $255–$395 | 1–3 days | Nothing | Standard bathroom remodel |
| Contractor removal (2nd floor) | $395–$750+ | 1–3 days | Nothing | Upstairs bathrooms |
| LoadUp bathtub disposal | $107+ | 2–5 days | Have it accessible | Already disconnected from plumbing |
| 1-800-GOT-JUNK | $150–$400+ | 2–3 days | Point at it | Full-service, don't care about cost |
| Dumpster rental | $300–$400/week | 3–7 day rental | Break it up, load it yourself | Multiple renovation items |
| Scrap yard pickup | Free or profit | Varies | Call around for pickup | Tub is already disconnected and accessible |
Why Does Cast Iron Tub Removal Cost So Much?
Cast iron tubs are the most expensive bathtubs to remove because of their extreme weight. A standard 5-foot cast iron tub weighs 300 to 500 pounds — roughly 4 to 6 times heavier than a fiberglass tub at 70 to 80 pounds.
That weight creates three cost problems:
- •Labor intensity — Most contractors need a 2- to 3-person crew just to move a cast iron tub safely. A fiberglass tub is a one-person job.
- •Breakup requirement — Many cast iron tubs can't fit through doorways intact. Contractors break them apart with a sledgehammer or angle grinder, which adds 30 to 60 minutes of labor.
- •Stairway surcharges — Second-floor cast iron tub removal costs $395 to $750 or more according to FireDawgs Junk Removal. Navigating 300+ pounds down a staircase requires extra crew and risks damage to walls, flooring, and railings.
Plumbing disconnection adds another $75 to $200 if the tub is still connected to the drain and water supply lines.
| Tub Type | Weight | Removal Cost | DIY Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass | 70–80 lbs | $134–$260 | Easy — one person can lift it out |
| Acrylic | 80–100 lbs | $134–$260 | Easy — lightweight and flexible |
| Steel/enamel | 100–150 lbs | $150–$300 | Moderate — two people recommended |
| Cast iron (ground floor) | 300–500 lbs | $255–$395 | Hard — sledgehammer or grinder needed |
| Cast iron (2nd floor) | 300–500 lbs | $395–$750+ | Very hard — stairs + weight = danger |
| Clawfoot cast iron | 300–400 lbs | $200–$300 or profit | Medium — worth selling intact |
How to Remove a Cast Iron Tub Yourself
DIY cast iron tub removal is doable if the tub is on the ground floor and you're comfortable with power tools. The key is breaking the tub into manageable pieces since you probably can't carry 300+ pounds out in one piece.
Safety gear is non-negotiable. Cast iron shards and enamel chips are razor-sharp. You need hearing protection, safety glasses, a respirator mask, heavy work gloves, and steel-toed boots. Cover any exposed skin — flying enamel chips cut like glass.
DIY Cast Iron Tub Removal Steps
- 1
Disconnect plumbing
Shut off the water supply. Remove the drain fitting and overflow plate. Disconnect the P-trap beneath the tub. If you can't access the plumbing from below, you may need to cut the drain pipe.
- 2
Remove surrounding tile or walls
If the tub is an alcove style, remove any tile or surround panels that overlap the tub lip. Use a pry bar and utility knife to cut caulk lines.
- 3
Break the tub apart
Cover the tub with a moving blanket to contain shards. Use a sledgehammer (8 to 12 pounds) to strike the center of the tub floor. Cast iron is brittle — it shatters rather than bends. Alternatively, use an angle grinder with a 4.5-inch diamond cut-off blade for more controlled cuts along the rim and sides.
- 4
Remove pieces
Carry pieces out in a heavy-duty wheelbarrow or 5-gallon buckets. Each chunk should weigh under 50 pounds. A standard tub breaks into 6 to 10 manageable pieces.
- 5
Haul to the curb
Stack pieces at the curb. Book Dropcurb for same-day pickup starting at $79 — or take them to a scrap yard for $10 to $25 in scrap value.
Is a Cast Iron Tub Worth Scrapping?
Cast iron scrap prices sit at roughly $0.03 to $0.15 per pound as of April 2026 according to iScrap App. A 350-pound cast iron tub is worth approximately $10 to $50 at the scrap yard — hardly a windfall, but enough to offset a dump fee.
Clawfoot tubs are the exception. Vintage clawfoot cast iron tubs in good condition sell for $400 to $600 on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace according to Reddit's r/ScrapMetal community. Refinished or rare antique models fetch even more. Before you swing a sledgehammer, check if your tub has resale value.
If the tub is a standard built-in alcove model with chips and rust, scrapping is the best option. Most scrap yards accept cast iron tubs, and some will even pick up from your location for free if the tub is already disconnected and accessible.
Got a cast iron tub at the curb? Dropcurb picks it up same day — starting at $79.
Get Instant Pricing →Cast Iron Tub Removal Cost by City
Removal costs vary by city due to labor rates, dump fees, and contractor availability. Here are typical ranges for cast iron tub removal in major metros:
- •New York City — $400 to $800+. Tight bathrooms, walkup apartments, and high labor rates push costs to the top of the range.
- •Los Angeles — $300 to $600. Ground-floor removals are more common in single-story homes.
- •Chicago — $300 to $550. Many older homes have cast iron tubs on upper floors, which adds to the cost.
- •Houston — $250 to $450. Lower labor rates help keep costs down.
- •Philadelphia — $300 to $600. Rowhouses with narrow staircases make upstairs removal especially challenging.
How to Save Money on Cast Iron Tub Removal
The single biggest savings comes from breaking the tub apart yourself and moving the pieces to the curb. This eliminates the labor-intensive part of the job — the part contractors charge $255 to $750 for.
- •Break it yourself, hire curbside pickup — DIY demolition plus Dropcurb curbside pickup ($79) saves $175 to $670 compared to full-service removal.
- •Bundle with a bathroom remodel — If you're already hiring a contractor for renovation, negotiate cast iron tub removal into the overall project price. Many contractors include removal at no extra charge when you're spending $5,000 or more on a remodel.
- •Sell a clawfoot tub instead — List vintage clawfoot tubs on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Buyers often pick them up for free and pay you $250 to $600.
- •Call a scrap metal hauler — Some scrap metal companies pick up heavy items for free because the metal has value. You won't get paid much, but you also won't pay anything.
Ready to get rid of your cast iron tub? Book curbside pickup online in 60 seconds.
Get Instant Pricing →Frequently asked questions
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