What you need to know about walk-in tub alternative kits in Canada
When seeking ways to enhance your bathroom’s safety and accessibility, two options often present themselves: traditional walk-in tubs and DIY conversion kits. If you’re seeking walk-in tub alternatives and installation, the choice may seem obvious. But it’s not rare for some people to doubt choosing DIY kits due to a lack of knowledge.
It’s natural. Walk-in tub conversion kits have been available for approximately 25 years, and some may question whether they are as effective as installing a new walk-in tub. However, these are unfounded fears because, when correctly installed, walk-in tub alternative kits perform and look just as well as a brand-new traditional walk-in tub.
Walk-in tub alternative kits in Canada: A beginner’s guide
These kits offer nearly all the same benefits as walk-in tubs, and they often cost between 2% and 10% less than a walk-in tub installation. As they eliminate the need to remove the old tub and connect the new one. For example, while a lower-end walk-in tub remodeling costs $3,000 on average, the Step Through Store kit costs $250 (plus applicable shipping fees) in any size. Which is only 8.3% of the average walk-in bathtub installation cost.
Hence, if you’re looking for cost-effective walk-in tub alternatives and installation options that you can start using in the shortest amount of time (the kits require 24 hours to cure before usage. While walk-in tub remodelings can take as long as 4 weeks), DIY walk-in tub conversion kits are an option to consider.
Economic Advantages of Conversion Kits
- Significant Savings: Kits represent only 2-10% of the cost of a complete bathroom renovation. Hence, they’re one of the best walk-in tub options available for those with tight budgets.
- No Demolition: Avoids demolition and reconstruction costs, as it only requires cutting out a portion of the tub’s front wall.
- Quick Installation: Reduces labor costs (hours vs. days/weeks).
- Plumbing Maintenance: No reconfiguration of existing pipes required.
Functional Benefits
Besides the economic advantages, DIY conversion kits feature over their counterparts. Other essential aspects you must consider when looking for walk-in tub alternatives and installation are the opportunity costs, such as:
- Immediate improvement in accessibility
- Retains original bathtub functionality.
- Less bathroom downtime.
This way, walk-in tub alternative kits not only help you save on labor costs but also minimize bathroom downtime. Allowing your senior parents to use the new bathtub very soon after the installation, thereby maintaining their routines.
Factors Affecting Their Cost
Although DIY conversion kits are among the most affordable walk-in tub options. There are still some factors that could affect your final price, especially when ordering online, such as:
Provincial variations in labor costs: The kits are designed to be installed without professional assistance. However, if you lack experience with powered and sharp tools, such as jigsaws, you may consider hiring a handyperson.
Product availability: Some kits require importation, which can add shipping costs, taxes, and discrepancies in currency conversion
Return on Investment: On average, bathroom accessibility modifications range from $3,000 to $25,000, and the average resale value in the country sits around $701,800. Meaning that investing in a complete walk-in tub renovation would be around 0.4% to 3.5% of the home’s value.
On the other hand, investing in walk-in tub alternatives and installation options. Such as the DIY kits available at The Step Through Store, would result in a 0.03% investment in the total resale value, yielding an ROI of approximately 86% to 87% when reselling.
Wall-in tub alternative kits offer an affordable solution at a fraction of the cost of bathroom remodeling, and also feature a potential increase in resale value due to accessibility features. Helping you recover the upfront investment.
Other common questions about walk-in tub conversion kits
Can the installation damage your current tub?
If the installation is done carefully and following the instructions provided, your bathtub’s structural integrity should remain intact. Likewise, the insert is sealed to ensure durability and water protection, preventing leaks through the cut-out.
Do these walk-in tub alternatives and installation options offer further customization options?
While the insert on most walk-in tub alternative kits offers a standard color (white) and design, such as in the case of The Step Through Store, you can get other bathroom safety products. Specifically designed for seniors aging in place, to customize your bathroom further and turn it into a genuinely accessible and safe space.
In our online store, you’ll find grab bars in four different finishes to match your style and in lengths from 12 inches to 42 inches, QuickTub® conversion covers to seal the cut-out, slip-resistance coatings to increase resistance in the tub and bathroom floor, and curved shower rods if you plan to go for a walk-in shower.
Increase your bathroom’s accessibility without hassle with The Step Through Store kits.
The Step Through Store kits are designed to provide a fast, affordable, and easy way to enhance accessibility and safety in your bathroom. Allowing seniors to enjoy the bathtub again without joint pain and the potential risk of falling, all while staying within your household budget.
If you’re looking for walk-in tub alternatives and installation options in Canada, visit our website to learn more about The Step Through insert and how it can address all your needs.