Does a bath or shower add more value?

Author: Elwin Wunsch V  |  Last update: Friday, June 20, 2025

The Difference Between Showers And Bathtubs According to the Cost vs. Value Report for Modesto, CA, a shower is typically worth more than a bathtub. In 2024, homeowners who are looking to sell their homes can expect to receive an average of $1,583 more for a home with a shower than for one with a bathtub.

Is a bath or shower better for resale?

Generally, a bathtub is seen as more valuable in terms of resale value. This is because bathtubs are seen as more difficult and more expensive to install when compared to showers. The market itself has seen a surge in freestanding bathtubs especially, with their popularity growing over the past 10 years.

What adds the most value to a bathroom?

Top Bathroom Remodel Projects That Add the Most Value
  • Vanities, Mirrors, and Counters. Vanities, mirrors, and counters are the first places to look for simple upgrades that can greatly impact your home's value. ...
  • Lighting. ...
  • Upgrade to a Walk-In Shower. ...
  • New Flooring. ...
  • Accessibility Upgrades. ...
  • Skylights Instead of Windows.

Does it devalue your house to not have a bathtub?

It is unlikely to decrease value directly, but it may decrease due to less competition - people with small kids are going to be more likely to walk away from a house without a bath. More likely than not it's not an issue.

Do you save more money taking a bath or shower?

A bath costs more. Generally, taking a shower uses less water than a full bath. A standard showerhead flows at a rate of 2.5 gallons per minute. This means that a ten minute shower only uses 25 gallons of water. A full bath can use up to 70 gallons of water.

Bathroom Remodeling: Choosing Between a Tub or Shower

Is a bath or shower more desirable?

Some people find it more hygienic to have a shower, rather than sitting in bathwater. But a hot bath can also be excellent for reducing stress and soaking aching muscles. So, it's ultimately down to personal preference.

What uses more water a 20 minute shower or a bath?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons. You might argue that very few people fill the tub to the top, but a simple calculation shows that either way, baths use more water.

Why are people getting rid of bathtubs?

Many younger homeowners are opting for shower-only bathrooms, valuing the time and space savings over the option to soak in a tub. Additionally, the trend toward smaller, more urban homes with limited bathroom space means that showers often win out.

Does adding a shower increase home value?

Simply adding a shower to a half bath can increase your home's real estate value by an average of 5.7%, particularly if the number of bathrooms is equal to the number of bedrooms in your home.

How hard is it to sell a house without a bathtub?

“There absolutely has to be at least one bathtub in any condo or home. When you sell, you're also selling a lifestyle and having no tub will hinder a sale to most buyers,” she says. Research backs up the anecdotal evidence.

What color bathroom sells the most?

What bathroom color is best when selling a house? According to a 2021 Zillow analysis, home buyers love blue bathrooms and reported that they would pay 1.6 percent more for bathrooms with soothing, light blue walls. Other popular choices include neutral colors like gray, off-white, or light yellow.

What is the best bathroom to sell a house?

The biggest luxury selling point home buyers want to see in a...
  • A shower AND a tub. If your master bathroom only contains a shower stall or a tub and not both, you're going to be at a big disadvantage when it comes to selling. ...
  • A double vanity. ...
  • A linen closet. ...
  • A heated towel rack.

Which bathroom upgrades have the highest ROI?

Some items that may increase the return on a bathroom remodel include new flooring, tile, paint, lighting, vanity, and mirrors.

Do house buyers want a bath?

Well, it certainly could do – especially if your house is a family home, as potential buyers will likely expect at least one family bathroom with a bath. Even if adding a bath doesn't increase your home's value, it will certainly improve its saleability by appealing to a bigger pool of buyers.

Do people use bathtubs anymore?

Although used much less frequently than showers, bathtubs are still a standard of the American home. However, not everybody needs or wants a bathtub. During home remodels, many homeowners consider whether or not to keep a bathtub in their house.

Is it cheaper to run a bath or have a shower?

With more water to heat, a shower costs more

This works out at 0.03kWh (kilowatt-hour) of energy per litre. Heating an 80-litre bath would therefore use 2.4kWh of energy and running a standard shower for 10 minutes (using 120 litres of water) would use 3.6kWh of energy.

Do buyers prefer a bathtub or shower?

As a result, it's no surprise that bathtubs are one of the most popular features in new homes. In fact, according to a recent study by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), over 50 percent of home buyers prefer a master bath with a bathtub and a shower as opposed to just a shower stall.

What adds the most value to a home?

6 Room Additions That Add the Most Value to a Home
  1. Kitchen Bump-Out. We've said it before and we'll say it again: A kitchen is the central gathering space in a home. ...
  2. Second Story Addition. ...
  3. Primary Suite Addition. ...
  4. Extra Bedroom Addition. ...
  5. Bathroom Addition. ...
  6. Sunroom Addition.

How much is a bathroom worth on an appraisal?

Adding a bathroom to a home can significantly increase its value, but the exact amount depends on several factors, including the type of bathroom added, the quality of the finishes, and the local market. In general, adding a full bath may increase your home's value by up to 20%, while a half bath can add another 10%.

Why are people replacing baths with showers?

They feel these showers are convenient and provide additional safety. “I think it's easier just to jump in the shower real quick and jump out,” Fielden said. “Some folks do it out of necessity because they need something easier to get in and out of as opposed to like a bathtub.

Are bathtubs losing popularity?

Andrew Hancock, President of Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, recently told Apartment Therapy that people are getting rid of the common (and often outdated) shower/bath combination, evolving the tub into “a luxury feature rather than a standard one.” With the right design, Hancock noted, a bathtub can “turn a ...

Is it a good idea to get rid of a bathtub?

Even if you don't use the bath often, it is well worth keeping one to maximise the return potential on your house value when it comes to selling your home. Depending on the size of your bathroom(s), you may even be able to consider buying a corner bath which will give a luxurious feel to the space.

What uses the most water in a house?

An average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water daily—70 percent of which occurs indoors. The largest use of household water is to flush the toilet, followed by taking showers and baths. Toilets account for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption.

How often should you shower?

While there is no ideal frequency, experts suggest that showering several times per week is plenty for most people (unless you are grimy, sweaty, or have other reasons to shower more often). Short showers (lasting three or four minutes) with a focus on the armpits and groin may suffice.

How many times does a person flush the toilet a day?

On average, and according to detailed (external) research the average person flushes their toilet 5 times a day! to be more precise, a brown flush – you guessed it.. happens about 1.5 times a day by one person alone, the rest are classed as yellow flushes.. you guessed that too.

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