I want to rehab a couple bathrooms and replace the claw foot tubs with fiberglass showers. Do you think I’ll hurt rentability by not having bathtubs in these units?
Yes, it hurts rentability when you don’t have a shower and tub. If you’re removing a claw foot tub, you probably have room to install a combination tub/shower. That is what I would do.
Mike
or just add a shower kit to the claw foot and save yourself some money.
Randy,
It really depends on different variables. In general, I agree with property manager’s post; for most areas a unit with a tub and shower are easier to rent. If you have a claw foot tub, some people would find it as an attractive feature in an older house. You can have the tub re-enameled for a few hundred dollars and add a shower attachment to the tub and be done with it. I do have an example of where it may made more sense to spend more money doing something a bit different though. I rehabbed one of my bathrooms that had a traditional tub/shower and replaced it with a very nice, oversized shower stall. The bathroom was small and narrow as the tub/shower ran along the right wall of the bathroom. I gutted the entire bathroom and repositioned the shower to run along the back wall of the bathroom and now the bathroom feels like it is two times the size it was before. I tiled the shower and installed a nice frosted shower door, high end shower head, and built a bench in the shower. I decided to only put a shower in since I am targeting young professionals in the area and this shower sets my unit apart from a lot of the other rentals in the area. So, in closing, you have many options, it just depends on the situation.
We often get women tenants who say, “I just have to have a tub.” They will wait in a hotel until a tub unit comes available.
We have added showers to every tub that didn’t have one. The plumber figured out a way to build a full-size shower curtain holder out of copper piping. It looks very sturdy and rustic. We didn’t like the claustrophobic shower conversion kits that created a small circular shower area.
Furnishedowner
The plumber figured out a way to build a full-size shower curtain holder out of copper piping. It looks very sturdy and rustic. We didn't like the claustrophobic shower conversion kits that created a small circular shower area.
In my low income rentals, I make the shower curtain rod conversion our of 1 1/4 inch PVC. It’s much more durable than the kits you buy and less expensive.
Mike
I like the PVC piping tub surrounds as well. They make for a nice roomy shower area and look fine when dressed up with nice curtains and rings.
Furnishedowner
That’s a damn good idea. Those shower kits can be hard to find, but you can still get them. Be sure to give the person a free shower rod & curtain (installed) before you rent out the place though - as you could be asking for a mess otherwise.
I have to go with tub. Many prospects won’t want a place without a tub. Not that they will really take a bath, but there is this feeling that the rental doesn’t have a full bath if there is no tub.