What Matters Most
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You might want to list your home, only to recognize that your shower has seen better days, especially in the tub and shower area. You may have noticed cracked tile or a shower valve that isn’t working properly. You’re not sure whether you need to take care of it or if you can ignore it as you sell your home.
A neglected tub or shower can catch a buyer’s attention in a negative way and give them a reason to lower your asking price.
At Shugarman's Bath, we've completed more than 6,500 tub and shower remodels. That's shown us which conditions in the tub and shower area raise flags for buyers and inspectors.
This article covers what happens when you sell with a neglected tub or shower, what buyers and inspectors check, why realtors stay vague about it, whether to do a quick fix or a full remodel, and if you can finance a remodel when selling your home.
Table of Contents:
- What Happens If You Try Selling Your Home Without Fixing a Damaged Tub or Shower?
- What Do Inspectors and Buyers Check in the Tub and Shower Area?
- What Are Some Realtors Afraid to Tell You About Your Tub and Shower Before Listing?
- Should You Do a Quick Fix or a Full Remodel Before You List?
- How Far in Advance of Listing Should You Deal with Tub and Shower Issues?
- Can You Finance a Tub or Shower Remodel Before Selling Your Home?
What Happens If You Try Selling Your Home Without Fixing a Damaged Tub or Shower?
Skipping a repair or a remodel on a damaged tub or shower can change how buyers and inspectors view your home.
Real estate research shows how deferred maintenance influences a home’s perceived value. When they see a tub or shower that’s worn or poorly maintained, buyers wonder what other areas of your home have been neglected. A rundown bathroom prompts inspectors to dig deeper, which can create a longer list of issues and give buyers more reasons to negotiate a lower price or ask for a repair credit.
A well-maintained tub and shower area works to your benefit since it keeps buyers from finding a reason to lower your home’s price. Read our article on how a tub or shower remodel influences a home’s resale value.
What Do Inspectors and Buyers Check in the Tub and Shower Area?
Inspectors run basic function tests, often using tools to find problems you wouldn’t see on the surface. They’ll turn the water on and off, checking hot and cold temperatures to be sure everything works correctly. They’ll check that the tub and shower area drains properly and look for cracks or other visible damage. If they suspect a bigger issue behind your walls, they might use a moisture meter or infrared camera to check for hidden water damage.
How far an inspector goes usually depends on what they see the moment they walk in. A tub and shower area that looks well cared for often gets a lighter inspection, while another that shows signs of neglect tends to get a more thorough look.
A bad report might not stop the sale, but it does give the buyer more negotiating power.
What Are Some Realtors Afraid to Tell You About Your Tub and Shower Before Listing?
Many realtors won’t tell you to spend money on a tub and shower area before you list your home. They don’t want to be blamed if they suggest that you invest a certain amount of money into the area, only for the home to sell for less than what you wanted.
Many realtors might not want to push too hard on repairs since they want to keep the listing.
They may mention that it "could help" or that buyers "would probably like it cleaned up," but they likely won’t push you to overhaul the area.
With all of this said, you should still consult a realtor to see how you can get the most value from selling your home.
Should You Do a Quick Fix or a Full Remodel Before You List?
A quick fix can help the tub or shower look better as a small improvement. However, it could get a buyer or inspector’s attention for the wrong reason. For example, you could choose to refinish your old tub to make it look new. The issue with refinishing a tub is it doesn’t fix what might be happening behind the walls, such as mold, wood rot, or water damage. A buyer or inspector might see a new coating and think you’re hiding underlying issues.
If you remodel the tub and shower area before selling, focus on two areas: the visual condition of the tub and shower area, and a warranty that transfers over to the new owner. A transferable warranty lets the buyer know they won’t have to worry about surprise repair costs after purchase.
Materials are an important factor in a remodel. Don’t choose anything that looks cheap or thrown together just to get ready for a listing. Cutting corners on materials can look fine for listing photos, but they might not hold up if a buyer or inspector looks closely. A higher-quality remodel addresses everything inspectors would look for and helps buyers feel more reassured. Your tub and shower area helps the sale instead of working against you.
How Far in Advance of Listing Should You Deal with Tub and Shower Issues?
Even if you plan to sell months or years down the line, address tub and shower issues as soon as you notice them.
Many sellers hold off because they’re not planning to sell for a year or two and would rather not spend the money on a remodel now. Fixing the problem lets you enjoy the upgrade early while you live in the home. A properly installed, high-quality tub or shower should hold up the same whether you use it for 1 or 5 years before selling. This means you get to use your remodeled shower while still protecting your investment.
Can You Finance a Tub or Shower Remodel Before Selling Your Home?
Yes, you can finance a tub or shower remodel. With financing options, you can make monthly payments until the property sells. You can pay off the remaining balance at closing, or keep the loan and pocket the extra proceeds.
Protect Your Home's Value Before You List
The tub and shower area matters when selling your home because it influences what inspectors look for and how buyers negotiate the price. Waiting to remodel or making a quick cosmetic fix might give buyers leverage. A tub and shower remodel can keep buyers from negotiating a lower price.
Now that you understand what buyers and inspectors look for in your tub and shower area, read our article on why cheap shower remodels often cost more later to see how a lower-priced quote can be a problem for you in the future.
If you're planning to sell and have any questions or concerns about your tub or shower area, contact Shugarman's Bath to talk with one of our experts.
The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.
FAQs on Tub and Shower Remodeling:Q: How long does a typical shower remodel take?A typical shower remodel takes 1-2 days. More complex projects in larger areas can take longer. Q: What materials do you use for your tub and shower products?Our products are mainly composed of a material called BP-Cor2. It's a high-tech polymer made up of 15% acrylic and 85% ABS, the same material used to make football helmets. It's a step up from traditional tile and standard acrylic. We can laser-etch grout lines into the material to give it the look of tile without the cleaning and maintenance that comes with it. We call it Modern Tile. Q: How much does a tub or shower remodel cost with Shugarman's Bath?Every remodel comes with a lifetime warranty. Most projects are completed in 1-2 days, though larger or more complex projects can take longer. Here's how we break down our pricing:
Q: What is covered in your lifetime warranty?We cover the cost of materials AND labor in our lifetime warranty. We believe that nothing beats peace of mind when it comes to a remodel, and this is how we accomplish that with our valued customers. The warranty can transfer to a new owner within three years of your purchase. |
