You can buy an antique clawfoot tub for a few dollars or a few thousand dollars. The factors that usually determine the price are condition, size, and originality. The most commonly manufactured, and therefore, most readily available clawfoot tubs are the standard 5’ roll rim tubs. The cost increases for any tubs smaller or larger than 5’ or for any tub that is unusual in any way – a wide, flat rim, a slipper-style tub, ornate feet, etc. A 5’ roll rim tub may sell for $50 while a 5’ French double-ended clawfoot tub may sell for $2000.

You can search for “clawfoot tub” or “claw foot tub” in the completed eBay auctions to see what tubs sold for nationwide. This may assist you in pricing your tub.

The condition of the tub will also factor into its selling price. You will pay more for a tub in original condition than if there are cracks in the porcelain, stains, and nicks. An antique tub will normally have superficial scratches in the porcelain, making the most used areas of the porcelain dull. Refinishing the tub will revitalize the interior, eliminating the stains, knicks, and cracks in the porcelain. However, if the cast iron is cracked, the tub will not hold water.

Tub refinishing can cost an additional $500-$1000. Refinishing is a painting process that will repair defects in the porcelain. The interior of the tub is body-filled, sanded, acid-etched, primed, and painted. The exterior is sandblasted down to the original cast iron, and then primed and painted. The tub will look smooth and brand new again, but will not last nearly as long as a new cast iron clawfoot tub. In fact, a refinished clawfoot tub has to be treated much more gently than a new tub, so if you plan on using it on a regular basis, you would have to follow strict guidelines for the finish to last 10 plus years.

There are many salvage yards throughout the country that sell antique clawfoot tubs. Take a look at our Resources section for some links to Architectural Salvage Yards. If you need to find a tub refinisher near Chicago, try Coutino Refinishing Tubs & More

We offer the following guide for estimated wholesale pricing of antique clawfoot bathtubs. Be aware that prices vary widely by area and condition. Prices assume that all tubs are 30″ wide and have all four decorated feet. Tubs narrower than 30” tend not to be worth as much as the same 30” wide tub.

  • 4 ft (needs refinishing) $175
  • 4 ft (original) $350
  • 4.5 ft (needs refinishing) $100
  • 4.5 ft (original) $200
  • 5 ft (needs refinishing) $50
  • 5 ft (original) $100
  • 5.5 ft (needs refinishing) $50
  • 5.5 ft (original) $100
  • 6 ft (needs refinishing) $250
  • 6 ft (original) $300

If you wish to sell your tub, try calling local antique dealers and scrap yards. You might try listing it for sale in a classified advertisement magazine or even on an online auction site like eBay or Craigslist. If you want to get the most for it, clean the tub as best you can before offering it for sale. Check out our FAQ page for more information about cleaning or selling your tub.

Here are a few resources that may help identify or appraise your item:



Please note: these listings do not imply an endorsement by Coutino Refinishing Tubs & More.