I am in the process of remodeling a bathroom just slightly larger than yours. I removed an old cast iron 60x30 bath tub (harvest gold -- eww!) and wall tiles and floor. I replaced the tub with a 66x30 drop-in, so it is a slightly different installation process. Do all demolition before you install anything new. Remove the existing tile and substrate before you attempt to put anything new in. Remove the existing vanity and toilet before you try to remove the bath tub. A cast iron bath tub can be broken by whacking it with a sledge hammer. (This is what I did.) It is hard work and it is dangerous. The cast iron does not always shatter immediately and the sledge hammer can bounce back. Be careful. Wear eye protection and gloves. Then the pieces can be smashed into manageable sizes that can be carried out. Replacing the bath tub may be difficult in the space you have. A 60" 3-wall-alcove bath tub is typically put in early on in construction when it is easier to maneuver the tub (think over 300lbs). It will also typically span the entire space from frame to frame. So consider how you will get it in the door and onto the floor and into place. Assuming the bath tub goes the length of the 5' wall, will you be able to position the tub and slide it in place? (Remember that tipping the tub down or trying to turn it in such a small space may be an issue since the distance from farthest corners is larger than 60", as is the distance from the top of the drain-side to the bottom of the foot of the bath tub.) The important thing about installing bath tubs is making sure the support is appropriate. Your joists need to be sturdy and appropriately spaced and the underlayment (plywood) needs to be in good condition. If it is an acrylic tub (like mine) mortar may be used underneath the bath tub itself to give it structure. Also, the plumber will need access underneath or behind the bath tub to install the tub drain. (I had to punch a hole in the ceiling of my laundry room.) Make certain appropriate water proofing is done on the tub surround. It is very important that everything is done right so that you do not end up with leaks or structural problems. I am doing all of my work (except setting the tub) myself with plenty of research. But it is not an easy job. There is a reason why people hire general contractors. If you wish to cut costs, consider doing some of the demolition yourself. If done carefully, it isn't that difficult. And sometimes it's actually fun! It does take strength and you need somewhere for the waste to go, but it does not take much knowledge or skill. Let me know if you'd like to know anymore specifics about doing demolition yourself.

Wow, I am very late to this, but I feel the need to say something. I sell these tubs for a living and $2,000 is basically a steal anymore. V&A has some of the most reasonable prices, especially since it's a stone composite. Most tubs, especially ones with jets, that are sold in a showroom are far more than that. Never, ever, ever buy a tub off-line or from a bulk store. There are simple reasons for this. One is for warranty. You will want that warranty. Box stores and online will not offer you real warranties. If you buy online and it comes in scratched, the company will do nothing to help you. Neither will your local dealers. There are numerous other reasons that I won't go into. Never, ever buy a tub off of craigslist. Not only can it be a health risk to you, but it resurfacing to sell is normally done very cheap- meaning it's only going to last a few years before it's once again needing to be resurfaced. Resurfacing is not cheap. It's always best to research the style you want. Go with a respected brand and research the prices. Research why they cost that price- especially, when stone comes into play (V&A uses volcanic limestone). Research what comes with what- for instance, American Standard has a very pretty freestanding that comes with a chrome floor mounted filler for about $2,000. It's a basic acrylic, but it's fairly good quality. Buy it from a dealer, where they can get you the warranty and parts if and when needed. Always think about the worst case scenario. Research and find a dealer. Don't buy for the cheap- it will break. I have people in my store everyday wanting us to fix a cheap faucet they got online and we cannot. Do not buy a cheap tub- they are typically single layer and will not hold up. They are often rarely finished, which leads to the tub looking dull and scratched after only a few years. Always, always talk to your local showrooms about offers and the best deals. I just recently spent three days looking for a modern style slipper tub under $2,000 for a customer and found a beautiful one for $1,600 made of double layer acrylic. Also, most freestanding tub fillers run about $1,000 for simple and good reasons- their design is not anything like a deck mount and they are expensive to make and occasionally difficult to install. Also, places like Quality Bath sites charge you lists prices that are typically higher than the price a showroom will offer you... This post was edited by EmilyDesign11 on Tue, Feb 3, 15 at 14:15

I just had the same issue with my Kohler underscore. We just set the tub and filled it with water and shortly I saw a slow leak start in the rear or the tub somewhere around the rear support leg. We got ours from Wayfair and when I called they said that they are sending a replacement. I sure hope I don't have the same problem again like you had. Framing was just done to work with this tub and we don't have many options.

As Nancy in Mich said, tubs should be installed on a wet mortar bed to support the entire bottom of a tub. The OP says they had special access cut in the closet wall order "to do that mortar"...but that does not sound like a thick mortar bed, which is what is needed. The mortar bed would be put down under the tub before it's installed, which after removing the old tub or shower base should not be a challenge. Some of the comments mention that their tub cracked even though sitting "directly on the concrete basement floor", so that would be what cause the problem in that situation. Tubs are heavy, tubs filled with water are heavier, tubs filled with water and a person are the heaviest of all.