Path one: a coordinated installation
This is what most families choose. Where installers are available, one team handles the tub from your first call through the final walkthrough:
- Conversation. Who will bathe, what is difficult now, what might change, and what the bathroom looks like.
- Site check. The alcove, the drain end, doorways and halls, the water heater, the electrical panel, and the floor framing if the bath is upstairs.
- Selection. Door direction, seat height, step-in height, drain speed and any comfort options matched to the bather and the plumbing.
- Written quote. Tub, removal, plumbing, electrical, walls, permits and warranty terms, each spelled out.
- Install day. Floors protected, old fixture removed and hauled off, tub set level so the door seals and water drains completely, then connected and finished.
- Walkthrough. We fill it, drain it and show the bather how to use the door and controls.
Many walk-in tubs are installed in one day once they are on site. Moving a drain through a slab, adding circuits, or fixing hidden water damage can stretch that, and a good quote says so up front.
Path two: supply-only delivery
Aging Safely Baths ships tubs supply-only across Texas, which works well for experienced contractors and for homes outside the areas where installers are scheduled. With this path:
- You choose the tub with our help, using measurements you or your contractor take.
- The tub ships to your address. Plan for someone to receive it and for a dry place to store it.
- Your licensed plumber and electrician install it and handle any local permits.
- We provide tech support by phone during the install.
Before a supply-only order ships, confirm three things with your installer: the drain side, the door direction, and the electrical needs listed on the spec sheet. Most supply-only headaches trace back to one of those.
Licensed trades and permits
Texas has no general contractor license, but plumbing work must be done by plumbers licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, and electrical work by electricians licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Permit rules come from your city or county. Our licensing and permits guide explains what to ask.
Getting the house ready
- Clear a path from the driveway to the bathroom, including furniture in halls.
- Plan for the bathroom to be out of use for the day, or longer for tile or drain work. If it is the only full bath, arrange a place to shower.
- Secure pets, and tell us about gate codes, steep driveways or steps at the entry.
- Have the person who will bathe available for the walkthrough if possible.
After installation
Take a minute with the manufacturer's care guide. Wipe the door seal after use, leave the door slightly open to dry, and run the exhaust fan. If the tub has jets, follow the cleaning cycle the maker recommends. Keep your paperwork, including the model and serial number, in one place.
Which brands
Aging Safely Baths sells Ella's Bubbles (the company is an Ella's Bubbles dealer), Hydro Dimensions, Bestbath including RANE by Bestbath, and Meditub. Sizes, door styles and options differ by line, which is why measurements come first.
What a good install looks like
- The tub is level side to side and front to back, so water drains completely and the door seals evenly.
- The door closes smoothly, latches firmly and does not drip during a full fill test.
- Grab bars are solidly anchored and placed where the bather actually reaches.
- Controls are reachable from the seat.
- Electrical connections are GFCI-protected, and the installer shows you how to reset them.
- Caulk lines are clean and continuous, with no gaps at the deck or walls.
Common questions
How long does walk-in tub installation take?
Many are installed in one day once the tub is on site. Drain moves through a slab, new circuits or hidden water damage can add time.
Can I buy a walk-in tub and have my own plumber install it?
Yes. Supply-only tubs ship across Texas with phone tech support. Your licensed plumber and electrician handle installation and permits.
What should I measure before ordering?
The alcove width and depth, which end the drain is on, every door and hall the tub must pass through, and the water heater size.
Sources
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
- Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation: Electricians
- U.S. Department of Energy: Sizing a new water heater
Agencies update their rules and amounts. Confirm with the linked source before you rely on a figure.