Before you buy a walk-in tub, read this.
A walk-in tub has a watertight door, so you step in instead of climbing over the side. For the right person it makes bathing safe again. For others, a walk-in shower is the better and cheaper answer.
Three minutes here: who a walk-in tub fits, what it costs installed, and the five things to check before you sign.
See the questions to ask installers
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Talk to a walk-in tub specialist
Ask for a free in-home assessment and a written quote that includes installation. Bring the questions on this page.
This number connects you to a walk-in tub provider. We may be paid when you call. Calls may be recorded by the provider for quality.
Who a walk-in tub fits
A walk-in tub fits someone who wants to soak and sit while bathing, can wait seated while the tub fills and drains, and finds climbing over a tub wall risky.
A walk-in shower fits better if the person prefers showers, needs a wheelchair or walker to roll in, or would find sitting in an emptying tub cold or tiring. It is usually quicker to install and costs less.
An occupational therapist can assess the bathroom and the person, and is worth one visit before a purchase this size.
What it really costs
| Type | Typical price, installed | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Soaker, basic | $5,000 to $10,000 | Whether plumbing, electrical, and wall repair are in the quote |
| With jets, heated seat, fast drain | $8,000 to $20,000 | Which features you will actually use; each adds cost and upkeep |
| Walk-in shower conversion (alternative) | Often less | Threshold height, grab bars, a built-in seat |
Installation can be a large part of the total, and it depends on your bathroom, plumbing, and water heater. Get at least two written, itemized quotes.
Five things to check before you sign
- Fill and drain time.You sit inside while the tub fills and while it drains. Ask how long each takes for the model quoted, and whether a fast-drain pump is included.
- Your water heater.Walk-in tubs hold a lot of water. Ask whether your current water heater can fill it with hot water, or whether an upgrade is in the price.
- The door and the step.Inward-opening doors seal with water pressure; outward-opening doors are easier to get in and out of. Check the step-in height and the door width for the person who will use it.
- Size and seat.Seat height, tub width, and grab bars should suit the person's height and strength. Sit in a display model if you can.
- Warranty on the door seal, the tub, and the labor.These are often covered for different periods. Get each one in writing, and ask who services it.
Questions to ask every installer
Is installation in the price, itemized?
Removal of the old tub, plumbing, electrical for jets or heaters, wall and floor repair, and permits.
How long do filling and draining take?
Ask for the minutes, for this model, with your water pressure.
Will my water heater keep up?
If it will not, ask for the upgrade cost in writing.
What does the warranty cover, and for how long?
Door seal, tub shell, pumps and heaters, and labor are often separate.
How long is installation?
Often one to three days. Ask what happens if they find a problem behind the wall.
Is there a cooling-off period?
Get the cancellation terms in writing before any deposit, and do not sign on the first visit.
You now know what most people find out after installation: the fill time, the water heater, and what the quote left out.
Talk to a walk-in tub specialist
Ask for a free in-home assessment and a written quote that includes installation. Bring the questions on this page.
This number connects you to a walk-in tub provider. We may be paid when you call. Calls may be recorded by the provider for quality.