Walk-In Tub Installation in Fort Wayne, IN

How much does a walk-in tub cost in Fort Wayne?

Expect $9,000 to $20,000 installed for most walk-in tubs in the Fort Wayne area. The tub itself is a big part of that, and the rest is the work to fit it into your bathroom:

• Tub type. A basic soaker with a door and seat sits at the lower end. Air jets, hydrotherapy jets, heated backrests and fast-drain systems add cost.
• Removal and wall work. Taking out the old tub and building a new waterproof surround around the walk-in tub.
• Plumbing. Connecting the drain and supply, usually with a new valve and a handheld shower.
• Electrical. Jetted and heated models typically need a dedicated GFCI-protected circuit, which means an electrical permit.
• Water heater. Walk-in tubs hold a lot of water. If your tank can't fill one with hot water, a larger tank or a tankless heater may be part of the job.

Our bathroom remodel cost guide shows how these line items compare with other bathroom projects.

What are the drawbacks of a walk-in tub?

Walk-in tubs solve a real problem, but they aren't right for everyone. Before you buy, know these trade-offs:

• You wait while it fills and drains. You have to sit inside with the door closed while the tub fills, and stay in while it drains. Fast-drain models shorten the wait but don't remove it.
• It needs a lot of hot water. Many walk-in tubs hold more water than a standard tub, so a standard 40-gallon tank may run out partway through.
• Price. It costs more than a standard tub or a walk-in shower.
• Resale. For some buyers a walk-in tub is a plus; for others it's something they'll remove.
• The door seal needs care. Seals need to be kept clean and checked so they keep sealing.

For many people, a low-threshold shower with a seat and grab bars is safer and cheaper. We lay out the trade-offs in walk-in tub vs. walk-in shower.

Will Medicare pay for a walk-in tub?

Generally, Original Medicare does not cover walk-in tubs, because they aren't classed as durable medical equipment. Other options are worth checking:

• Medicare Advantage plans sometimes include limited home-safety benefits. Coverage varies widely, so ask your plan directly.
• Medicaid waiver programs in some states help with home modifications for people who qualify.
• VA grants such as the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant and the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant can help eligible veterans with accessibility changes.
• Tax deductions may apply to medically necessary home improvements when a doctor recommends them. Talk to a tax professional.

We don't decide eligibility, but we can give you an itemized written quote and photos of the space if a plan or program asks for them.

What's involved in installing a walk-in tub?

Most walk-in tubs are made to fit a standard 60-inch tub alcove, which is why they often go right where your old tub was. A typical install looks like this:

1. Measure and check. We measure the alcove and doorway, look at the water heater, and check whether a dedicated circuit is needed.
2. Remove the old tub. We protect floors, then take out the old tub and surround.
3. Rough-in. We adjust the drain and supply, add wood blocking for grab bars, and run a new circuit if the model needs one.
4. Set and connect. The tub is leveled and connected, the door seal is tested, and jets or heaters are tested.
5. Walls and finish. We waterproof and finish the surround, install grab bars and the handheld shower, then caulk and clean up.

Plumbing and electrical work in Fort Wayne is permitted through the Allen County Building Department, and we pull those permits for you.

Will a walk-in tub fit through the door of an older Fort Wayne home?

Usually, but check before you order. Older homes in the '07 District, South Wayne and West Central often have narrower bathroom doors and tight hallways, and a walk-in tub is bulkier than a standard tub. We measure the full path from the front door to the bathroom before you commit to a model. In older homes we also check the floor under the old tub, because a filled walk-in tub is heavy and the floor needs to be solid.