How much do walk-in tubs cost?

The U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention says that one in four Americans over the age of 65 falls getting in and out of the tub. Walk-in bathtubs help the elderly and people with dementia, disabilities, or mobility issues get in and out of a tub safely, lessening the risk of a fall.

A walk-in tub, also called a universal tub, is a high-walled bathtub with an outward or inward-opening door on the side to let you get into the bathtub without stepping over the foot-tall wall of a standard, step-in tub. A walk-in bathtub usually has additional safety features like a built-in seat and a grab bar or handrail to help you get in and out easily. Some have therapeutic features like hydrotherapy jets, while others are just for bathing.

How much your tub costs will depend on the type, size, and any add-on features of your walk-in bathtub.

There are seven basic types of tubs, each of which has a different price range. Below is a break down of average tub prices for walk-in bathtubs:

Standard safety features

Regardless of if you opt for a top-of-the-line bariatric tub or a basic walk-in tub, almost all come with the following safety features:

Low step-up

Walk-in tubs have a lower threshold that leads to the tub, just 4 to 7 inches high, compared to a 12-inch tall wall on a standard bathtub. You can get walk-in tubs with a step-up as low as 2.5 inches for even easier access.

Handheld shower head

Most walk-in tubs have handheld shower heads to make bathing and showering easier while sitting. It can be mounted on the side of the tub, with the faucet, or raised above the tub on an adjustable rod.

Extra depth

Walk-in tubs are about 2.5 feet deep, while a standard tub is just more than one foot deep.

Built-in seat

Walk-in tubs have shower seats that are around 17 inches high and covered with an anti-slip, textured surface to prevent bathers from falling.

Textured floor

Most tubs have a non-slip floor that's textured to prevent slips and falls.

Grab bars

Most tubs have at least two grab bars for the bather to hold onto while they get in and out of the tub, and while bathing.

Anti-scald valve

Anti-scald valves keep water at a consistent temperature and prevent warm water from suddenly getting too hot when pressure changes in the pipes.

The average nationwide cost for installing a walk-in tub is $700 to $1,500. For example,  a Thumbtack pro in Denver, CO charges $1,450 to install a standard walk-in tub on top of the bathtub price. The same company charges $1,900 if you're replacing a standard tub with a walk-in tub of similar size and need help removing the old tub.

Installing a walk-in tub that's larger than the existing tub or has specialty features starts at $1,500 and can go up to $2,500 or more, depending on the complexity of the job.

Your installation and labor costs will depend on whether your bathroom needs additional electrical or plumbing work, or construction to fit a larger-than-standard bathtub in your space. Below are a few factors that can bring your total cost for installation up or down:

Size of the bathtub and your bathroom

Walk-ins are meant to fit into the space of a traditional bathtub, and usually measure around 60 inches in length and up to 30 inches in height. If you opt for a larger tub, like a bariatric, you'll pay more in labor costs to make it fit into your bathroom. Since it won't be a simple replacement of the old tub, you may need to move walls, fixtures, or cabinets to install it.

Whether the tub has a motor

Walk-in bathtubs with a hydrotherapy or air therapy features have an electric motor to power the jets. You'll need an electrician to hook up or place the motor because it will need a dedicated circuit. Electricians charge about $65 to $85 an hour. The cost of the electrical work may be included in the quote you got from your professional tub installer.

Plumbing upgrades required

Walk-in bathtubs are deeper and hold more water, so it can take longer to draw and drain bathwater. Upgrading your pipes to ¾-inch diameter will help a walk-in bathtub fill more quickly, but it can cost as much between $350 and $1,800, depending on the complexity of the job.

You also may need to install a bigger water heater, because walk-in tubs hold 50 to 80 gallons of water. A tankless heater that can supply endless amounts of hot water costs a national average of $3,200, while a standard hot water heater that can supply 50 gallons of water costs $600 to $800.

Removing the old bathtub

If you're replacing an existing bathtub, you may have to pay an additional fee to have your contractor remove the old tub. Berkeley Remodeling charges $435 to remove the old tub before installing a walk-in tub.

Most tubs with hydrotherapy, air jets, or other mechanical features will require maintenance. You'll need to clean the jets every couple of months with specialty cleaners that cost around $12.

You also may need to hire a plumber or electrician every few years for routine maintenance and repairs because tubs can leak, and jets and motors can fail.

To save money down the line, look for a tub with a warranty on its parts.