Place the tub in position with assistance (these are heavy and awkward, you will want to have help moving your bathtub). Shim the tub and check with a level, continue to use shims until you have it leveled off at the angle you are looking for (the sides of the tub should be level, the inside floor of the tub won't be). Fit the ledgers so you will be able to sit the tub on them and they will hold up the weight of the tub along the sides.
In addition, an old cast iron/porcelain tub weighs about 200 lbs and even the pieces are heavy -- yes, those broken ends are sharp. It's a lot of heavy work and requires some knowledge. After the demolition, the old tub pieces have to be taken to a landfill. At the end, the new bath tub upgrade may cost less than $300.00, but with all the tear-out and payments to a plumber, tile setter and disposal fees, tub replacement can cost up to $1500.00. The project may last a week or more.
Bath tub liners are not always the most economical options, but they are definitely cheaper than purchasing a brand new reglazing tub. You really don't have to wait for ages for this to be installed. If you are worried about after mess cleanup, well, there is virtually none.
Be sure there is plenty of storage. One of the biggest complaints that homeowners have about their bathrooms is lack of storage space. When there is not adequate space for all of your things, your bathroom can look cluttered and messy. Custom cabinetry is a good way to add needed storage that is both functional and beautiful.
If you can afford something a little better then maybe you can get the solid surface countertop. They are more expensive than the laminates but these counters can be restored if you do get nicks and cuts. The most expensive and most durable countertops are quartz bath tub restoration and granite surfaces.
Hiring a professional to refinish your bathtub means guaranteed results. If you were to try to do the job yourself your bathtub may end up looking about as good as a Porshe that has been painted with several cans of spray paint. Hiring a professional means they come back and redo the work until you are satisfied.
As the economy continues to tighten, many hotels will be looking for ways to save money on bathroom renovation. Bathtub refinishing saves up to 80% of the cost of tub replacement.