Walk In Tub Installation: What Happens, What It Costs, How to Prepare
Factory-certified crews install walk in tubs and roll in showers in one day in all 50 states, with a written leak guarantee and no in-home sales visit. Here is the whole day, the real cost, and how to get ready.
Walk in tub installation, hour by hour
A walk in tub installation by a factory-certified crew takes one day in most homes: about 8 hours from the first tarp on the floor to the walkthrough, with the water back on the same evening.
- 7:30 am, protect and pull. Floor runners, doorway pads, water off. The old tub or shower and its surround come out; debris goes to the trailer.
- 9:00 am, check the bones. Subfloor level and solid, drain and supply lines located, electrical route planned if the tub has jets or a heated seat. Any surprise (rotten subfloor, non-code plumbing) is priced with you before we touch it.
- 10:00 am, rough-in. 2 inch drain and trap, half-inch hot and cold (three-quarter for fast-fill faucets), dedicated 15 or 20 amp GFCI circuit per motor.
- 11:30 am, set and level. The tub goes on its leveling feet, gets shimmed dead level, and is anchored to the studs through the tile flange.
- 1:00 pm, connect. Drain, overflow, faucet, handheld wand, jets and heater plug into the GFCI.
- 2:30 pm, fill test. Door closed, tub filled for 20 minutes, every joint checked dry. This is the step the cheap installers skip.
- 3:30 pm, finish. Extension panels, wall surround or panels, trim, caulk, cleanup.
- 4:30 pm, walkthrough. The bather gets in, learns the door latch, drain lever and controls, and we leave the manual and warranty card.
Installation at a glance
- One day, most homes
- Factory-certified crews, licensed and insured
- Written leak-protection guarantee
- No in-home sales visit, ever
- Photos and measurements replace the visit
- Fully installed, most projects under $20,000
- Veteran and senior discounts on every job
- Supply-only with free tech support if you have your own plumber
Walk in tub installation cost
What you are paying for, and what you are not. National TV brands quote $25,000 to $30,000 installed; the same name-brand tub, installed by factory-certified crews, is $15,000 to under $20,000 with us.
Tub and hardware
Tub, faucet with handheld wand, drain kit, overflow and extension panels. Jets, heated seat, chromatherapy and inline heater are options chosen at order.
Demolition and disposal
Old tub or shower out, surround down, hauled away. Usually $2,000 of the installed price.
Plumbing and carpentry labor
Rough-in, set and level, connect, fill test, trim. The biggest single line, and the one worth paying a certified crew for.
Electrical
Only if the tub has a motor: a dedicated GFCI disconnect with up to 25 feet of run is included with jet packages; longer runs are billed per foot.
Walls and waterproofing
Wet-area wall material, panels or surround, and caulk. Tile is extra and quoted separately.
What is not in there
No sales commission, no in-home visit, no financing markup. That is the $10,000 gap.
How to get ready
- Clear a path from the front door to the bathroom; tubs come in on edge and need about 27 inches.
- Move toiletries, rugs and the shower curtain out of the room.
- Know where the water shutoff and electrical panel are.
- If a pet or a grandchild is home, plan a spot away from the work.
- Have your phone handy: we call the morning of with the arrival window.
Do it yourself or with your own plumber?
Every tub we sell ships supply-only with the factory schematic and free tech support for your installer. Hydro Dimensions even backs self-installs with a 1-year labor warranty when the manual is followed. Our walk in tub guide covers the rough-in.
Installation in all 50 states
Factory-certified crews cover most metro areas in every state; rural addresses are quoted case by case. Canada is supply-only with freight quoted. Find your state page for local notes on permits, slab vs. crawlspace floors and water heaters.
Roll in shower installation
Same crews, same one-day promise. A tub to shower conversion swaps the tub for a low-threshold pan and wall system, usually the better answer for wheelchair users. Roll in shower guide →
Walk In Tub Installation FAQ
How long does walk in tub installation take?
One day in most homes: about 8 hours from tear-out to walkthrough. Complex layouts, tile work or moving plumbing can add a day, and we tell you before work starts.
How much does it cost to install a walk in tub?
Fully installed by factory-certified crews, most walk in tub projects run $15,000 to under $20,000, including the tub, demolition, plumbing, labor and wet-area walls. National TV brands quote $25,000 to $30,000 for the same job.
Do I need a permit to install a walk in tub?
Often no, because the tub replaces an existing fixture in the same location. Adding a circuit for jets or moving plumbing may require a permit; we confirm with your municipality before scheduling.
Will a walk in tub fit through my door?
Most tubs pass through a 27 to 30 inch doorway when turned on edge. We measure every door and hallway on the path before the tub ships.
Do walk in tubs need special plumbing or electrical?
A standard 2 inch drain and half-inch supplies work for soakers; a fast-fill faucet wants three-quarter inch lines. Jets, an inline heater or a heated seat each need a dedicated GFCI circuit.
Can I install a walk in tub myself?
Yes. We ship supply-only with the schematic and free tech support, and the factory warranty holds when the tub is installed to spec. Hydro Dimensions adds a 1-year labor warranty on self-installs.
Let's make your bathroom the safest room in the house.
Talk to a real person about walk in tubs, roll in showers, installation in your area and pricing. Veteran & senior discounts included.