Guide
Walk-in tub buying checklist
A walk-in tub is a big purchase that you’ll use almost every day. Print this list, take it to every appointment (including ours), and don’t sign anything until each box is checked.
Will it fit?
- Alcove size. Measure the length, width and height of your current tub space. Many walk-in tubs are designed for a standard 60-inch alcove.
- The path in. Measure every doorway and hallway corner between the front door and the bathroom. The tub has to make the trip in one piece.
- Floor strength. A filled walk-in tub is heavy. Ask the installer how they’ll check and, if needed, reinforce the floor.
Will it fit you?
- Seat height. Sit on a chair at home at the listed seat height. Your feet should rest flat.
- Step-in height. Lower is easier. Compare models side by side.
- Door swing. Inward doors are common; outward doors are easier for some people and for caregivers. Which side the door hinges on matters too.
- Width. Wider tubs are more comfortable but need more space and more water.
- Controls within reach from the seat, before and after the tub fills.
Living with it
- Fill and drain time. You sit inside while the tub fills and drains. Ask for real numbers with your water pressure, and consider a quick-fill faucet and rapid-release drain.
- Staying warm. A heated seat or backrest helps while you wait.
- Hot water capacity. Ask whether your water heater can fill the tub with hot water. If not, budget for an upgrade.
- Jets and cleaning. Water jets need line cleaning; air jets are generally easier to keep clean. Ask how each is maintained.
The quote itself
- Itemized pricing for the tub, installation, wall surround, electrical, plumbing and extras.
- No pressure deadline. A price that evaporates if you don’t sign tonight is a sales tactic, not a deal.
- Who does the work, including plumbing and electrical, and who pulls any permit.
- Warranty in writing from both the manufacturer and the installer, with what’s covered and for how long.
Before you buy: is a tub the right answer?
If you mostly want a safe way to bathe rather than a long soak, a curbless or low-threshold shower can be quicker to use and often costs less. Compare them in walk-in tub vs. walk-in shower, and check our walk-in tub cost page for current price ranges.