Even for homeowners who don't have a need for one, it's often best practice to keep at least one tub in the home for the sake of resale value. However, there are a few cases where it might make sense to do away with your tub completely.
A Must for Children
For practical reasons, it's best to have at least one bathtub in the house if you have a baby or young kids, you're planning on having a family, or you want to sell to someone who does. Bathtubs can save on bedtime drama and are a no-fuss solution for cleaning up.
“There absolutely has to be at least one bathtub in any condo or home. When you sell, you're also selling a lifestyle and having no tub will hinder a sale to most buyers,” she says.
Bathtubs haven't gone away, but trends have shifted
However, most home design trends have a shelf-life, and jetted tubs were no exception. People soon came to realize that jets are a pain to clean, and large tubs require a ton of hot water to fill. Over time, many of these tubs became glorified storage bins.
To sum it all up: No, you do not need a tub in your master bathroom. You can certainly install one if that is your preference, but it's not a requirement. Just keep in mind that, if you are looking to renovate prior to selling your home, it's recommended that you have at least one bathtub in the home.
Does adding a bathtub to your home increase your resale value? The short answer is yes, with many US homeowners recouping around 60% of their investment from having a bathtub installed in their home. But why is that? Today, we will dive into the details about why bathtubs make better investments compared to showers.
Bathtubs and other large bathroom hardware, like toilets, sinks and vanities, cannot be placed at the curb for normal trash pickup. You will have to contact your local sanitation company to schedule special bulk pickup service for your used bathroom items.
1. Aging baby boomers. As the largest generation grays, many of them are finding that climbing in and out of the tub is difficult and having only a shower is much easier. This is also reducing the number of tub/shower combinations installed in secondary bathrooms, as people are opting more for showers.
Easier bathing for young children
Families with young children will benefit the most from having a bathtub as it is great for kids and the parents. Children cannot use showers or anything tall, so bathtubs are great for parents to assist their children while they bathe.
According to recent data, homes with at least one tub tend to sell for more money than those with showers – and the difference can be quite pronounced in some parts of the country. Keep in mind, though, that this is just one factor among many that you'll need to consider when making this decision.
If you live in a studio apartment or a one-bedroom house, replacing the bathtub with a shower improves the space in the bathroom and can increase the home value by up to 10%. However, if you have more than one full bath in your home and take out all the tubs from them, your home can lose value.
Once a fixture of most bathrooms and the picture of relaxation after a long day, tubs are becoming more endangered in a fast-paced world with no time for long soaks. A growing group of homeowners lean more toward standalone showers, especially if they are empty-nesters or don't have young children.
The short and simple answer to whether a walk-in shower is considered a full bath is “no”. It is not. As mentioned previously, a bathroom is considered a full bath only when it has all the 4 components of a sink, toilet, shower and bathtub. If it doesn't include all 4 features, then it doesn't count.
One way to update a bathroom is to remove the existing bathtub and add a new shower unit. This is not a small job, so call a professional contractor to help you assess the space and potential solutions.
Sink Steam: Fill a sink with steaming hot water and add a tablespoon of bath salts to enjoy the benefits of the steam and essential oils. Foot Soak: Add a tablespoon of bath salts to a basin of warm water and soak your feet to ease tired or aching feet. Hand Soak: Use bath salts for a relaxing hand soak.
There are many reasons why seniors may stop bathing including being ill, having depression, or being embarrassed to do so. If you have a senior loved one who is refusing to bathe, it is important to figure out the reason why so you can address the problem and help them start bathing again.
Bathtub Step Stool
A bath step stool is a device that helps seniors in getting in and out of the tub easily and safely. It provides a wide landing base with an anti-slip surface and extra height to make the transfer easy while reducing the risk of falls.
Tub cuts typically range from $800 to $1200 depending on the product type and include professional installation. Standard cut outs land on the lower end of the price range, whereas models with doors cost more due to their design, installation and water-seal testing requirements.
If you're concerned about resale, most Home Buyers DO want a tub, but it doesn't necessarily need to be in the Master Bathroom. So long as there is a tub somewhere in the home for kids (and, yes, pets!), it isn't a deal breaker.
Converting a tub to a shower typically costs $1,200 to $8,000, with an average price of $3,000.
Less Expensive: This may seem counterintuitive, but it costs less to install a tub versus a walk-in shower. On average, bathtubs cost approximately 3,000 dollars to install, while walk-in showers require at least 6,000!
For one, kids (and grown-ups) can splash all they want in the tub without having to worry about water damage or a mess. Two, the right tub model can double as a great shower bench or spot to perch your leg on while shaving.