What Questions to Ask Your Walk-in Tub Contractors

Mar 02, 2016

As the homeowner, you have a choice between retailer/manufacturer designated contractors and independent ones. The installer's only job is to correctly connect your bathroom unit to the water lines and may not always be hired by the retailers/manufacturers themselves.

Independent contractors may not always be up to the task and aren't always obligated by law to fulfill the service you pay them to carry out. Contractors that represent the walk-in bathtub's retailer or manufacturer, on the other hand, are bounded by a contractual agreement to install the unit and to install it right. This is why the questions compiled below will help you in your search of finding the right model and the right method of installation.

Question 1: Will It Fit into Regular Tub Space?

• Almost all walk-in bathtub companies understand that their models will not always have a perfect fit within a traditional tub's footprint. They solve this by including extension panels (up to 60") for a retrofit. More on walk-in bathtub sizes can be found here.
• Bathtubs converted into walk-in tubs make things very easy and affordable for seniors looking to enhance their bathing mobility. There's no need to renovate and make a mess. All the information you need on conversion kits can be found here.
• Oval-rectangular models can be very stylish and spacious. They fit in a corner and are the same size as that of a traditional bathtub but with the standard safety features that keep seniors safe and independent. 

Question 2: Are the Plumbing Lines Able to Provide Sufficient Water Pressure?

• This is very important since any model's filling speed completely depends on your home's water capacity. Your contractor will help you decide if your plumbing lines will be able to accommodate the water pressure needed to fill the tub as quickly as advertised. If you think there is any sediment trapped in the pipes, this will severely hinder your model's filling and draining performance. Bring your contractor up to speed with any plumbing issues.
• Not all outdated homes update their water lines and, as a result, the type of plumbing pipes differ between copper, CPVC, and ABS. Some very old homes have cast iron pipes in their walls.
• The drain location (left/right) will determine the walk-in bathtub's orientation in the bathroom.

Question 3: What Is the Cost of Installation?

The cost of installation is between $500 and $5,000 depending on the scope of the project. For more information on walk-in tub prices and installation costs, click here.

Question 4: How Long Will It Take to install?

An installation will take 4 - 6 hours or 1 - 2 days.

Question 5: Will My Wall and Floor Tiles Need to Be Removed?

• This is an important question because it is related to warranty waiving. You don't want to hire an unreliable contractor who isn't designated for the job because this will waiver any coverage on installation damages done to your tub and/or bathroom.
• If you're not giving your bathroom a major makeover, flooring might still be needed since some models have to sink lower into the ground to provide a 0" high step-in. A real life example of this is Boca, whose models sit lower to achieve a 0" low-threshold entrance for seniors.

Question 6: What Kind of Installation Is It Going to Be?

• Corner installed walk-in bathtubs are popular for replacing existing shower stalls or bathtubs.
• Back-to-wall installations are mostly done in favor of saving more bathroom space. Perfect for compact tubs that can yield high utility and features within such a small footprint. This is usually popular for homeowners that want to fit a walk-in tub near an existing shower stall or bathtub. 
• Side-to-wall installations are most favorable to homeowners that want to fit a walk-in tub between bathroom separating walls, decorative panels, or within a decorative bathtub skirt.
• Freestanding walk-in tubs are ideal for medical walk-in tubs housed in senior care institutions and hospitals because they allow an all-around access for the caregiver to reach the senior patient

For more on the four styles of installation, view this article.

Question 7: Is My Bathroom Too Small to House Both My Current Shower/Bathtub and a Walk-In Tub?

Contractors that know what they're doing will consult you and pay you a visit to take the measurements needed for the best possible fit. A common solution for small bathrooms is a compact walk-in tub with a small footprint.

Question 8: Are They Liable for Any Damages During Installation?

This completely depends on both the contractual agreement you have with your installer and the manufacturer's warranty. Hiring undesignated installers will waiver the manufacturer's liability to installation-related damages. 

Question 9: Are They Independent or Hired Contractors?

Contractors hired by the walk-in tub's retailer will be more careful, responsible, and expensive than independent contractors.

Contractors that know what they're doing provide excellent customer service and advice. A good example would be Home Depot’s contractors network. Made up of very professional installation teams who specialize in walk-in bathtubs and bathroom remodeling. Their process involves the following steps:

1. One of the teams will pay you an in-house visit to see about your budget and bathroom style.
2. They will then check your bathroom and take the measurements to give you a better picture of where your walk-in tub will go.
3. The team will then order the tub for you and test it in their facility for defects.
4. The actual installation.
5. They will clear up any mess when done.
6. You will be given a demonstration of how the tub works.
7. Finally, the terms of the warranty will be explained to you.

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