By Kerry Knight
Many are in the
market today for a Walk-in Tub. Seniors
especially , are becoming aware of the advantages of replacing the old, outdated
bathtub with something safer and more therapeutic. They look at the Walk-in Tub as the best
solution. After all, it eliminates the
danger of falling while stepping into a traditional bathtub. Regular tubs typically requires lifting
one's leg up 12 inches or more, and then placing a bare foot onto a slippery surface inside the old
tub. The Walk-in Tub, by contrast, has a
short, six-inch threshold and provides a sturdy rail to hold on to while going in
and sitting down. The floor of the Walk-in Tub is also slip-resistant. Once
a decision to purchase the Walk-in Tub has been made, the customer begins to look into its pricing.
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| Photo Credit: youtube.com |
In addition to the cost of the Walk-in Tub itself, there is another cost
that has to be considered, installation. Some people have the skills to do their own installation. Many of our customers were contractors
before retiring. If they have the energy and the ability to do the installation themselves, it can certainly
cost them less money. Oftentimes, there
is someone in their family, an uncle, cousin, brother-in-law or maybe just a good
friend who will help with the project. This can create considerable savings on
installation fees.
Customer Testimonial of Installed Walk-in Tub
Another choice would
be a general contractor. Many are
purchasing Walk-in Tubs for new construction.
They are having a house built, and find this the perfect occasion for
installing the Walk-in Tub. Usually the
contractor will give them a credit for the tub allowance, and will have his
subcontractors install it for new homeowners.
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| Photo Credit: The Atlantic.com |
Now we come to
pricing the job. How much does it cost
to have a Walk-in Tub installed? There isn't a one set price because every situtation is different. What is the actual work that
must be done? Let me mention some
variations that will alter the pricing of an installation.
Is there an old
bathtub that must be taken out? In most
cases there is. One complete day is
usually devoted to demolition. This
requires separating the plumbing, ripping out the tub, clean up and prep work, and
disposing of the old tub. If it is a
complete shower surround, it becomes a little more complex.
What Size Walk-in Tub Do I Need?
Will the installer
have to widen any doors? Most Walk-in Tubs
rest on a steel frame so they can’t be broken down into smaller pieces. If the tub is 30 inches wide, which most are,
then the doorway to the bathroom must accommodate that.
Usually, the technician can remove the door jamb to give them a little
extra room, but the width of the doorway is a consideration and could add to the cost to
the installation, especially if the entrance way must be widened even further.
Another consideration
when pricing an installation is how the Walk-in Tub will be trimmed out. Is there ceramic tile in the tub area
already? What exactly is left on the
wall around the old tub? The walls must
be protected against water. The
technician may choose acrylic panels, ceramic tile or some other waterproof
material to surround the new tub.
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| Photo Credit: customcupboards.com |
Have the installer
come to your home and review your situation.
He can take measurements and determine if there are any challenges out
of the norm. He should be able to give
you a price at that point. What could the installation
cost? The national average for installing
a Walk-in Tub without any surprises or extended labor or material costs, is
$2,500. The geographic region you live in can affect the price as well. Do your homework. Get a couple of estimates and you should be
fine.
In this article, I provided a number of things to consider when you're having a new Walk-in Tub installed. Many seniors are upgrading their bathrooms to take advantage of the safety features of the Walk-in Tub. Especially since it addresses the number one reason seniors end up needing 24-hour care, (i.e., falling in the bathroom). By upgrading to a Walk-in tub, seniors have a much safer bathroom, allowing them to remain more independent, and to retain their privacy and dignity.
In this article, I provided a number of things to consider when you're having a new Walk-in Tub installed. Many seniors are upgrading their bathrooms to take advantage of the safety features of the Walk-in Tub. Especially since it addresses the number one reason seniors end up needing 24-hour care, (i.e., falling in the bathroom). By upgrading to a Walk-in tub, seniors have a much safer bathroom, allowing them to remain more independent, and to retain their privacy and dignity.
Get our Free Walk-in Tub Buyers' Guide Today
If you found this article useful, please share it with your
friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it
in the Comment section of this blog. If you’d like to receive
a FREE
Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Have
a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of
this article and I’ll personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing
this information with you.
Thanks again for visiting with us.
Alan and
Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., andSeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida.
Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub
industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also
award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” three years
running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231;
or send an email to alan@tubking.com.
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