Walk-in tub information

[2QUIK6]

My mother is considering moving in with my brother and is considering having a walk-in tub installed as she can't get around without a walker. We can't seem to find much information on the web about total price installed we should be expecting, at least to get a ball park idea.
I find prices for tubs alone, but then not much for add-ons such as quick drain system, heated seating, temp control etc...
My brother will need tear out of existing tub, electrical ran from existing breaker box that has plenty of room, and acrylic wall covering around top of tub and not much else besides plumbing.
He had a contractor come out tonight and gave him a $15,900 estimate for an American Standard which seems down right ridiculous given most tubs with all options are in the $7500-8500 range, thats a $7500 install fee, and the salesman claimed he was giving him a 25% discount, that would be $20k regular price!!

 

[TurboDave]

If you can find a walk in of ANY kind for the kind of money you're talking about, jump on it!!!!!

All the research I did a couple years ago, the least expensive I could find was $10,000 just for the tub, and that was the base model.

 

[psycho6cyl]

7500 for install.doesnt seem bad. Are they doing demonand taking trash away as well? How fas is fuse box?.prob have to.channel wal a little bit and repair. Avg price for doing a bath near me is 15-25. Granted youre not doing a whole bathroom but it still could be a laborsome job. Also plumbim can be a little pain. I think figure is ok but im in nyc so everything is high lol

 

[psycho6cyl]

Also call a couple other contractors and see whats the other proces are going for

 

[2QUIK6]

Wow i just didnt expect it to be that much as i dont see the install being that much.
The acrylic wall sides glue in place and trim/caulk.
Electrical box is on interior wall in garage, feed wire down from attic to back of box, feed other end down bath wall about 20' away.
No flooring work or paint needed.
Bath tub sits on a steel frame 3 to 4 inches off ground so drain does not get relocated just plumbing undertub. Existing water faucetsremoved and a connection fitting screwed in place and steel braided lines connect to tub faucets, so it doesnt require a skilled plumber.

Am i missing something?? Yes they are doing the existing tub removal and haul off. A friend researched the contractor on Angies list and turned up a poor approval rating with 41% rating them a D or F, but they do all kinds of remodeling also not just tub installs.
So we are for sure going to talk to some moremanufacturers and installers.

 

[psycho6cyl]

Is it a cast iron tub there now?

 

[bison]

Is it a cast iron tub there now?

If it is get out the sledge hammer

 

[buddy]

If it is get out the sledge hammer

And safety glasses and long pants too!!

 

[psycho6cyl]

Theres actually a sweet spot in.the cast iron.rubs where you hit it on.each side and it breaks into 2 pieces and its more managable and cleaner. Took.a while before I.found it lol

 

[S10xGN]

Personally, before spending that kinda dough I'd put a winch on a trolley in the ceiling and use the regular tub. One thing those ads never mention, you have to get in the tub, then wait for it to fill, then bathe, then wait for it to drain before you get out. We have normal water pressure here, but jeez 2 hours for a bath ? ? ?

 

[Pronto]

Better solution is a one of those small shower stalls that has a built in seat that faces the shower. The facility my Mother and my inlaws were in has them. They have a very low stepover. Very easy for them to shower in. The nozzle is on a hose so they can use it by hand or let it hang on the wall.

 

[2QUIK6]

It is a plastic tub and walls there now so tear out is easy, heck you could take a sawzaw and cut it into little chunks and bag it up and sit it on the curb... Lol

As far as the other suggestions for shower and using the same tub, my mom has multiple leg conditions due to circulation that the doc has said hydrotheraphy would be beneficial. Her legs get a bad burning sensation in highly clorinated water also so going to a therapy place wont work nor does she have way to get there on a regular basis. She would like more than anything in the world to be able to take a bath as she has been unable to for over 10 years. So it does mean a whole lot to her to have this, not to mention she is already uncomfortable about moving in with my brother but he is ok with it.

 

[2QUIK6]

On the waiting for it to filland drain, they have options for that also. A pump that forces the water down the drain, drains in 90-100 seconds. For fillup, depending on your supply pipe size i believe its a roman fill faucet, also heated seats so you are not sitting on cold tub seat waiting for water to fill.

 

[2QUIK6]

Update, had another sales guy come out that we were very impressed with, Safe-Step. Has every option, adj water jets, air jets, heater to keep water at same temp, anti-scald, chromotherapy (colored lights), aromatherapy, heated seats, shower option, and probably a few other things I don't remember and life-time transferable warranty on everything....full tear out and install with acrylic walls for $13,800 if anyone is interested. Will be installed sometime early May, I'll post back how my mom likes it then. They could have given us another $1500 off if we bought 2....my wife said she didn't want one so didn't get that, but thought that was a very fair price given the lifetime warranty.