How Much Does a Walk-in Tub Cost? Here's What to Know

A walk-in tub costs $10,300. With a total average cost range of $3,200 to $17,400 for a walk-in tub, this type of tub can be a pricy addition to a home. But for those in special need—or anyone seeking a luxurious bathing experience—a walk-in tub can be a valuable addition to a home.

Types of Walk-in Tubs

A walk-in tub costs $5,230, installation not included. On average, the price range for a walk-in tub without installation is between $2,625 and $7,835.e a valuable addition to a home.

Soaking Walk-in Tub

A soaking walk-in tub costs $2,700, on average.

A soaking walk-in tub has all of the space and basic features of a walk-in tub, without extras like jets or a showerhead. With an average cost range of $1,625 to $3,750, a soaking walk-in tub is an affordable option for anyone who needs ample room for bathing.

Hydrotherapy Walk-in Tub

The cost to install a hydrotherapy walk-in tub ranges from $2,600 to $6,700, for an average cost of $4,650.

Hydrotherapy tubs, or whirlpool tubs, deliver jets of water to help ease aching joints and muscles. Hydrotherapy is a safe, clean, and non-invasive treatment for a host of conditions, ranging from arthritis to septic ulcers and more.

Aerotherapy Walk-in Tub

Installing an aerotherapy walk-in tub costs $4,600. Much like hydrotherapy walk-in tubs, aerotherapy tubs have jets embedded throughout the surface—except with air, not water.

Aerotherapy walk-in tubs provide a more soothing and gentle sensation than water jets. The cost range of an aerotherapy walk-in tub starts at $2,600 and ranges up to $6,600.

Combined Therapy (Water and Air Jets) Walk-in Tub

A combined hydrotherapy and aerotherapy walk-in tub costs $5,500. With a combined therapy walk-in tub, jets send both water and air throughout the bath, underwater. The user can alternate between water or air jets or combine them.

The average price range for a combined therapy water/air walk-in tub is from $3,000 to $8,000.

Wheelchair Accessible Walk-in Tub

A wheelchair accessible walk-in tub costs $6,835. A wheelchair accessible walk-in tub has a door that opens outward to allow for easier slide-in access. Some wheelchair-friendly walk-in tubs are ADA-compliant.

The wheelchair does not enter the walk-in tub, so this tub is often called a wheelchair transfer walk-in tub. The cost range of a wheelchair accessible or transfer walk-in tub is from $4,335 to $9,335.

Bariatric Walk-in Tub

The cost range for a bariatric walk-in tub is $3,000 to $5,600, at an average cost of $4,300.

Walk-in tubs are typically large, but bariatric tubs are up to 12 inches wider to accommodate larger users. Both the walk-in tub's seat and door are wider, too.

Two-Seat Walk-in Tub

A two-seat walk-in tub costs $6,850, on average. A two-seat walk-in tub is big: up to 36 inches wide by 80 inches long, with 40 inch-high sides. Its distinguishing feature is its double seats that face each other.

The cost of a two-seat walk-in tub ranges from $3,700 to $10,000. A two-seat walk-in tub can be used with a patient and a caregiver inside at the same time.

Tip

When air and water jets are added to a two-seat walk-in tub, it can be used as a compact in-home hot tub.

Walk-in Tub Installation Cost

The cost to install a walk-in tub is $3,840, materials not included. The average installation cost range for a walk-in tub is from $1,080 to $6,600.

Often, the cost of installing a walk-in tub can reach $10,000 or more if supplementary work is required. New flooring, tiling, or additional plumbing or electrical work may be required. The installation cost is even greater if flooring needs to be strengthening to carry the added weight or if doors need to be widened or walls removed.

Extra Features That Influence Walk-in Tub Costs

Walk-in tubs have no shortage of optional features that add to their comfort and functionality, while also incrementally raising the cost.

Walk-in Tub/Shower

A walk-in tub/shower is a walk-in tub with an added shower column kit. The kit contains a removable shower column rod with a showerhead at top. On its own, the shower column kit costs $460 to $500.

Overflow Protection

Installing overflow protection in a walk-in tub costs $150.

Tub overflow diverts the water when it gets too high, preventing the tub from overflowing and averting potentially expensive damage to the home. The cost range for overflow protection starts at $100 and ranges up to $200.

Heated Backrest

An optional heated backrest for a walk-in tub costs about $500.

A heated backrest incorporated into the walk-in tub helps ease a sore back, plus it adds to the comfort for users who like to remain in the bath for longer periods.

Ozone Sterilization

Adding an ozone sterilization feature for a walk-in tub costs $225. Ozone sterilization sends safe, natural ozone gas through the hydrotherapy jets to aid with cleaning the tub.

The ozone treatment breaks down dirt and bacteria for deeper cleaning than manual cleaning can accomplish. The cost range of ozone sterilization for a walk-in tub is from $150 to $300.

Walk-in Tub Cleaning

Walk-in tubs are larger than conventionally-sized tubs, so more surface area must be cleaned.

But walk-in tubs can be more simple to clean because access is easier. On top of that, optional features like ozone sterilization break down grime to aid with cleaning.

Walk-in Tub Maintenance

Walk-in tubs that have added features like hydrotherapy and aerotherapy can be more difficult to maintain than conventional tubs or showers.

Walk-in Tub Cost by Brand

The brand of the walk-in tub will affect its cost.

American Standard

American Standard walk-in tubs' cost range is from $2,835 to $9,665.

With an average cost of $6,250, American Standard is one of the more affordable brands of walk-in tubs.

Ella's Bubbles

The cost of an Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub ranges from $2,835 to $9,000, for an average cost of $5,915.

Founded by Laimonis Magone with his daughter Ella as the namesake, Ella's Bubbles is one of the few companies that sells only walk-in tubs.

Jacuzzi

The cost of a Jacuzzi brand walk-in tub is $7,500. Jacuzzi helped to found the concept of home-based whirlpools and hot tubs. It's a lineage that continues with Jacuzzi's series of walk-in tubs.

The cost range for a Jacuzzi walk-in tub starts at $5,000 and ranges up to $10,000.

Kohler

A Kohler walk-in tub costs $8,335. Kohler is a 150 year-old company with deep experience in producing bathtubs and fixtures. Kohler walk-in tubs are installed by Kohler-accredited technicians.

The price range of a Kohler walk-in tub is from $2,665 to $14,000.

Materials That Influence Walk-in Tub Cost

Acrylic is considered a premium material for walk-in tubs due to its durability, but gelcoat is an affordable alternative.

Acrylic

The cost range for an acrylic walk-in tub is $2,500 to $10,165, at an average cost of $6,335.

Acrylic walk-in tubs are made from vacuum formed acrylic. The material is first heated and then forced over a mold by vacuum pressure.

Acrylic walk-in tubs are hard, durable, and glossy. Their color lasts long and they are resistant to chipping.

Gelcoat

A walk-in tub made of gelcoat material costs $3,750. Gelcoat is a resin with fiberglass particles that's sprayed onto a mold, along with additional fiberglass.

With a cost range of $1,835 to $5,665, gelcoat is the most affordable material for a walk-in tub. However, gelcoat is a bit more porous than acrylic, requiring more cleaning efforts. Gelcoat's color tends to fade sooner than acrylic tubs' color treatment, too.

Fiberglass

A fiberglass material walk-in tub costs $6,500, on average. Layers of fiberglass fabric are impregnated with resin to create a hard shell.

Fiberglass scratches more easily than acrylic, but its color lasts longer than fiberglass. The cost of a walk-in tub made of fiberglass starts at $1,000 and goes up to $12,000.

Insurance, Tax Credits, and Discounts

Insurance usually does not cover the cost of a walk-in tub, but tax credits and special discounts may help reduce the cost.

Medicare

Walk-in tubs are generally not covered by Medicare health insurance since they do not fit Medicare's short list of durable medical equipment (DME) that includes items like walkers, beds, and patient lifts.

However, Medicare's DME list is not absolute. Any DME item must fit the criteria of being durable, used for medical reasons, used in the home, useful only to the sick and injured, and expected to last at least three years.

Private Insurance

Private insurance generally will not cover walk-in tub costs. However, depending on the type of insurance and the needs, a doctor may be able to advocate for the patient if the walk-in tub is medically necessary for treatment.

Tax Credits

In the United States, certain medical care expenses "primarily to alleviate or prevent a physical or mental disability" qualify for a tax deduction. These expenses are deducted on Schedule A of Form 1040. You can deduct only the expenses that are more than 7-1/2-percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

In Canada, a Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC) for up to $10,000 in qualifying expenses may be available for renovations that include a walk-in tub. The qualifying individual must be 65 years or older or fit other criteria for claiming the disability tax credit.

Discounts

Walk-in tub manufacturers and retailers often provide discounts for military veterans and senior citizens. Always ask about discounts when shopping for walk-in tubs.

Who Can Use a Walk-in Tub

Walk-in tubs work best for:

• Anyone who finds it difficult to step in and out of a tub

• Anyone with difficulty standing in a shower

• Elderly people

• People recovering from injuries

• Those who require the assistance of a caregiver

• Overweight individuals

• Anyone interested in aging-in-place remodels for their home

• Homeowners who want a compact in-home hot tub

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Read the original article on The Spruce.