Replace, refinish, or convert
A structurally sound cast-iron tub in an older Conway or Downtown Myrtle Beach home can be refinished for a fraction of a replacement and hold 3–7 years. If the tub is cracked or the surround shows water damage, refinishing hides a bigger problem, Grand Strand humidity year-round plus undersized bath fans in older stock and condo bathrooms let slow leaks turn into rot fast.
In multi-bathroom homes across Carolina Forest, Market Common, Grande Dunes, and Socastee, pricing a tub-to-shower conversion in parallel is worth it. Suburban alcoves convert cleanly and the walk-in shower is usually the more-used fixture in a primary suite. Second-home and rental-turnover owners along the Strand often prioritize a shower for renter appeal.
Tub types and installed cost in Myrtle Beach, SC
Most Grand Strand replacements are alcove tubs. Acrylic and fiberglass install fastest and dominate Carolina Forest, Market Common, Grande Dunes, and North Myrtle Beach subdivision stock. Cast-iron tubs are common in pre-1970 Conway and older Downtown Myrtle Beach homes.
- Acrylic alcove tub (most common): $1,900 – $4,600 installed
- Fiberglass alcove tub: $1,700 – $3,700 installed
- Steel enameled alcove tub: $2,300 – $4,900 installed
- Cast-iron alcove tub: $3,700 – $7,400 installed (weight + labor)
- Drop-in tub with new deck: $4,600 – $9,600 installed
- Freestanding soaking tub: $5,900 – $13,000+ installed (plumbing usually moves; slab-cut adds cost in subdivisions)
- Walk-in tub (accessibility): $8,400 – $16,400 installed
Source: Reference ranges for professionally installed, permitted bathroom projects across Myrtle Beach / Grand Strand, aggregated from full-service remodeler quote data ((HomeGuide, 2024), (Angi, 2024)) and adjusted for the local market using regional construction-cost indices ((RSMeans CCI, 2024)). ROI benchmarks cross-checked against (Cost vs. Value, 2024). Not a quote; actual bids depend on your specific bathroom.
What a clean replacement scope includes
A like-for-like alcove swap in a Grand Strand home should include tub removal and haul-away, valve and trim reuse or swap, new tub, new surround, plumbing reconnection, waterproofing, caulk and finish work, and disposal. Oceanfront and Intracoastal condo replacements add building-water-shutoff coordination and elevator/staging logistics.
- Tub removal and haul-away (cast iron often cut in place)
- Valve and trim reuse or swap
- New tub set, leveled, and plumbed
- New three-wall surround (acrylic panels or tile)
- Waterproofing behind the surround (extra-critical in Grand Strand humidity)
- New caulk seams and finish trim
- Optional: subfloor / joist repair, drain relocation (slab-cut in subdivisions), vent-fan replacement (nearly mandatory), condo-association approval and building-water-shutoff coordination
Grand Strand cost drivers that push the range
Coastal humidity and salt air are the defining Myrtle Beach factors. Undersized attic-vented bath fans in older single-family stock and in-tower condo bathrooms are the #1 cause of premature surround failure and mold. A vent-fan upgrade to a properly sized, exterior-ducted unit is almost always part of a Grand Strand bathtub replacement. Salt-air-rated fixture finishes hold up better than polished chrome on oceanfront and Intracoastal stock.
Foundation and building type is the other big swing. Older Conway and Downtown Myrtle Beach homes are largely crawlspace, easier drain access. Newer Carolina Forest, Socastee, Market Common, and Grande Dunes subdivisions are typically slab-on-grade, and any drain relocation requires cutting concrete. Oceanfront high-rise condos add HOA approval, building-water-shutoff windows, elevator reservations, and stacked-plumbing constraints.
- Slab-cut drain relocation (standard subdivision scope): +$1,600 – $4,000
- Subfloor / joist repair (common near oceanfront and in older stock): +$1,000 – $3,000
- Cast-iron drain replacement: +$800 – $2,200
- Cast-iron tub removal / cut-in-place: +$400 – $900
- Tile surround instead of acrylic: +$2,400 – $5,600
- Vent-fan upgrade to properly sized, exterior-ducted (Grand Strand humidity essential): +$400 – $1,000
- Salt-air-rated fixture upgrade on oceanfront / Intracoastal homes
- Condo-association approval + building-water-shutoff coordination (oceanfront towers): schedule slip of days to weeks
- City of Myrtle Beach / North Myrtle Beach / Conway / Surfside / Horry County permit + inspection: +$200 – $500
Source: Reference ranges for professionally installed, permitted bathroom projects across Myrtle Beach / Grand Strand, aggregated from full-service remodeler quote data ((HomeGuide, 2024), (Angi, 2024)) and adjusted for the local market using regional construction-cost indices ((RSMeans CCI, 2024)). ROI benchmarks cross-checked against (Cost vs. Value, 2024). Not a quote; actual bids depend on your specific bathroom.
Timeline and disruption
A like-for-like acrylic alcove replacement is a 1–2 day project across the Grand Strand. Cast-iron swaps or tile surrounds push to 3–5 days. Freestanding tubs with plumbing moves run 5–8 days when a slab-cut is involved. Oceanfront and Intracoastal condo projects often batch with rental-turnover windows, confirm scheduling constraints before signing.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my existing surround and just replace the tub?+
Physically sometimes, practically almost never. Removing the tub breaks the waterproof seal at the surround base and the old surround rarely aligns with the new tub's flange. In older Conway or oceanfront-condo bathrooms, Grand Strand humidity has usually compromised the waterproofing anyway.
How long does bathtub replacement take in Myrtle Beach?+
1–2 days for a like-for-like acrylic swap. 3–5 days for cast iron or tile surround. 5–8 days when plumbing has to move and drains require a slab-cut. Oceanfront condo work adds days for association approval and building-water-shutoff coordination.
Do I need a permit to replace a bathtub in Myrtle Beach?+
Like-for-like swaps that don't move plumbing sometimes don't require a permit, but the City of Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, and Horry County jurisdictions want documentation once the valve or drain is touched. South Carolina requires state-licensed plumbers for plumbing changes. Condo boards typically also require written approval. Ask the company to pull the permit and confirm the license.
Is a walk-in tub a good fit for aging-in-place on the Grand Strand?+
Sometimes. They keep bathing available but take 5–15 minutes to fill and drain while you sit inside. Most aging-in-place Grand Strand homeowners prefer a low-threshold walk-in shower with a fold-down seat instead.
Will a new bathtub help or hurt resale in the Myrtle Beach market?+
In multi-bathroom family-buyer subdivisions (Carolina Forest, Market Common, Grande Dunes), a fresh tub is neutral to positive and buyers usually expect at least one. In stay-put aging-in-place segments and short-term-rental oceanfront condos, walk-in showers typically add more value than a replacement tub.
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