Relaxing in your bathtub after a long day can be just what you need. Manufacturers have over the years made numerous improvements to the initial design of cast iron Clawfoot tubs; all in an effort to improve quality and user experience.
With every change in make comes a change in value; it may move up or down. To establish the true worth of a piece, we need to understand several elements that affect value and pricing.
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Cast Iron Clawfoot Tubs: Overview
These bathroom accessories date back to around 3000 years back. The initial design is believed to have been 5 feet long. The J.L. Mott Company made the first Clawfoot tub in America. This was around 1873. The market responded well, and its popularity exploded. The masses liked the design for its smooth surface.
Cast Iron Clawfoot Tubs: Valuation
The primary factors to consider before parting with your cash for cast iron Clawfoot tubs are authenticity and quality.
While new acrylic Clawfoot costs around $650, a cast iron Clawfoot costs as low as $300. But there’re many hidden costs associated with the tub itself. The standard all-in costs of a vintage Clawfoot tub are $2,850. This includes the tub, hardware, refinishing, and installation. Similarly, the all-in standard cost for an acrylic Clawfoot is $2,250.
A deep insight into these aspects of a tub will put you in a better position to do a valuation. Do your homework if you want to get the best deal.
Authenticity
One way to establish whether a tub is antique is to identify the material it is made out of. Any craw foot tub out there should be made of cast iron and may be coated with porcelain enamel. You should also look out for signs of aging in the item.
Any original Clawfoot tub should at least have scratches on the surface. The absence of any signs of wear and tear in a tub should be a red flag. The claws are an area worth looking at as well; some claw feet are not worth their price.
Quality
Any antique dealer will tell you, the quality of any item determines its price. It would be wise the check the tub for any damages and repairs. These are signs that the tub experienced considerable wear and tear and, in turn, eroded its quality.
The Actual Worth of A Cast Iron Claw Foot Tub
These items were made for the upper-class in society, so you can expect them to rake up some thousand dollars in a sale. This is, however, for pieces in perfect condition.
Some tubs still bear their manufacturers’ logos on them, like Crane, Mott, and Standard Sanitary Manufacturing. These two costs more compared to those with no noticeable marks.
Aside from quality and authenticity, some other factors come into play during valuation. These are the areas the appraiser pays the most detail when making purchases.
Material
We know the primary material for making the tubs was cast iron, but the pedestals were made of various materials.
These pieces, which the tubs rest on, were made of precious materials that altered the price of the entire tub. A tub with feet-shaped pedestals made of gold or silver will definitely cost more.
Restoration And Refurbishing Costs
A tub might be well designed with beautiful pedestals but have too deep cracks. Any deformity in the tub that necessitates repair will lower the price. A buyer will factor in the price of repairing the damaged areas to bring the tub back to life when making an offer. When deducted from the buying price, then you can expect it to be lower.
Whenever you want to buy one yourself, you will check for any signs of severe wear and tear. These areas will need repairs before you can use the tub. Discuss this with the seller to lower the price.
How Much Do They Cost In The Market
A fun fact is that a more significant percentage of the cast iron craw foot tubs you will find in the market are already refurbished.
This is good in the sense that the hustle of repair is not on you, but the price is usually higher.
You will need less effort to make the tub functional, so the price can is to some extent worth it. A restored claw foot can cost upwards of $1000 while a refinished one goes for around $2,500.
Antique Clawfoot Vs a Modern Clawfoot
After the popularity of craw feet among modern people, companies have come up to fill this gap.
They manufacture the tubs out of acrylic or fiberglass. These materials are pretty easy to style and in different colors. The flexibility in color choice for these modern tubs is their main selling point.
However, if you like your items more austere, then you might want to stick to the vintage tubs, although the prices are a bit on the high. If you go the vintage way, get an already restored one. It will cost more but at the same time save you the trouble of reviving it.
What Is The Cost Of Refinishing A Claw Foot Tub?
It would normally set you back around $350 to $ 550 to refinish an antique clawfoot tub. This price depends on factors like the size of the tub and its condition.
The more repairs you do on a tub, the more it will cost. The nature of the works needed on the tub to revive it will also alter the price. Generally, it would take between five to seven hours to work on a clawfoot tub.
How Do You Clean Paint On A Claw Foot Tub?
You can use a tub repair kit that comes with acrylic urethane enamel. Spray the acrylic solution on the area in three coats allowing each to dry independently. The drying should take no more than 15 minutes.
Bottom Line
The aspects discussed above should offer deeper insight regarding how much a cast iron Clawfoot tub is worth. The most suitable answer is subject to these factors. The seller might quote a price based on the appearance of the tub, but there are other things worth looking out for.
Things like authenticity and quality will give you better grounding during negotiations. The tubs are sold as either resale or scrap, and the prices of the two differ greatly.