I lived in a home with a freestanding tub when I was a kid, and later moved to homes with drop-in tubs, and this is the first time I've ever heard of the costs associated with each. If you don't have plumbing problems, once they're installed all the cost should be is cleaning supplies, hot water, soap and other items used in bathing. I've never considered them to be a tub cost, but always included them in either cleaning supplies or toiletries.

It will be interesting to see if others know of tub related costs...

You do have to clean under a free standing tub though.

Thanks so much for your thoughts!!! I was more thinking of the installation costs--sorry for being unclear! Though now that you mention it, it would be interesting to know if there are any long-term cost differences!

I assume you're either renovating or building so here's a cost vs value analysis by area that might help you.

http://www.remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2015/

Have you looked at actual costs for the various things you assume you'll need for each one? I know there are a host of unknowns, but if you could put together a simple spreadsheet listing the known costs of each, plus add a percent for the unknowns and see which is cheaper. We're planning on redoing our bathroom in the near future [if we ever get what we're working on done!] so I keep my eye on the cost of various items like the tub we want [drop-in, small bathroom], tile for the shower surround, new fixtures, thinset and grout, new countertop, etc., etc. and have an idea of what I think it will cost. It will be higher as my husband wil find something that needs replacing, but at least it's a working budget.

Kate if you’re still on this site I’m curious what you ended up choosing! I am in the same boat with wondering which will be cheaper. Cost of building a surround for a drop in, vs extra cost of a freestanding tub itself. i like the look of freestanding more- but would consider drop in if overall cost would be cheaper— not just cost of the tub. Thanks!

Me too, I’m looking at the same decision, just having a hard time understanding associated costs with the drop in tub!

Our builder said the freestanding will be several thousand more due to tub and hardware costs! Not sure if that’s standard but it may answer some questions.

Freestanding runs about 5-8K more due to a lot of time from the plumber to get the really expensive exposed plumbing correct. There's a lot more labor. All of the materials are a lot more expensive too. Especially if you insist on good non import quality.

We bought a free standing tub from Costco last year (it appears they no longer sell this particular model, but Lowe's has it for the same price). It is amazing, very comfortable and roomy, and we get nothing but compliments on it. It does get expensive when you start looking at hardware if you have your plumbing coming from the floor, as this tub doesn't have any decking for a faucet. However, we had our plumbing come out of the wall in the center of the tub, and it works beautifully. I bought an extra long spout from AllModern that coordinated with the rest of the fixtures in the bath and we just bought the tap that matched. It was very reasonable, and we love the look.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/OVE-Decors-Betsy-67-in-Gloss-white-Acrylic-Freestanding-Bathtub-with-Reversible-Drain/50305097

jolynne28, would love to see a photo, and are you still happy with your decision? Or you others? I was set on a built-in mainly due to the thought of having to clean around/under a freestanding, but now that I'm putting the numbers together, it seems that a moderately-priced freestanding acrylic tub would be less investment up front than the built in. I'm not a candle type, I mainly want to soak my lower back.