Independent Home Walk-In Tubs Review
Best for Variety of Sizes, Spaces, and Abilities
Since all of Independent Home’s tubs are made to order, the company offers a wide selection of customization options. Older homeowners who are trying to find a walk-in tub for an oddly shaped bathroom layout or who seek a walk-in tub with specific comfort features may find that Independent Home’s selection fits the bill. Independent Home’s combination of safety features, along with its array of potential luxury upgrades, means the company makes some of the best walk-in tubs available for seniors and others with limited mobility.
Pros:
- Offers a variety of tubs to fit in different home space requirements, including a cube-like tub that works well in small bathrooms
- Full lifetime warranty with no exceptions
- Durable, “marine-grade” finish
- Standard safety features included, like anti-slip floors and two grab bars
Cons:
- Warranty comes at an added cost
Overview of Independent Home Walk-In Tubs
Independent Home offers an all-inclusive sales process that includes consultation, custom assembly, installation and customer support — a holistic approach that cuts down on logistical problems and provides clear expectations regarding installation deadlines and other deliverables. The company has installed over 10,000 walk-in tubs throughout the contiguous U.S. since its founding in 2008.
How Much Does an Independent Home Walk-In Tub Cost?
Generally, the base price for a walk-in tub is approximately $2,000 to $5,000. However, Independent Home does not offer a generic price list for its walk-in tubs, as costs vary depending on custom features, installation costs for the new walk-in tub and removal costs for the old bathtub. You may need to have a ceiling raised, electrical connections added or new plumbing installed, which can significantly increase the final price to $10,000 or more. Independent Home’s website also does not list prices by upgrade; to get a price estimate from the company’s professionals, you’ll need to set up an in-home consultation.
Full Review of Independent Home’s Features
Independent Home’s walk-in tubs are designed for safety and convenience, and they also have a wide variety of upgrade options that can make your experience more relaxing and rejuvenating.
Handrails and Non-Slip Floors
These safety basics come standard on all Independent Home tubs. Grab bars give you a supportive anchor point when getting in and out of the tub, while textured flooring helps you keep solid footing on a wet surface.
Minimal Step Height
Step height refers to the distance between your bathroom’s floor and the lip of the tub’s entryway. The point of a walk-in tub is to be convenient for those who have trouble with mobility, so the lower the step height, the better. Independent Home’s tub design ensures easy entry and exit via its low step height.
Spacious, Safe, Comfortable Seating
Independent Home’s walk-in tub models come with a full 17 inches of seating, making them easy to settle into. You can also choose a heated-seat upgrade that keeps you warm when the tub isn’t fully filled. Three different heat levels are available; you can easily access them through the tub’s keypad, and a built-in heat limiter ensures safe usage.
Self-Cleaning Air Jet System
Ordering an air jet system for your walk-in tub allows you to enjoy the added benefits of hydrotherapy and water massage. The stream massages deep tissue while micro bubbles created by the air jets exfoliate the skin, helping you feel and look your best. Independent Home’s automatic cleaning system makes maintenance simple, regularly purging water from the air jets to help prevent mildew or mold problems before they set in.
Overflow Valve
The clever valve design ensures the water level always stays at a safe height and won’t overflow the walls or door of the tub.
Oversized Drain for Rapid Release
Since you can’t exit a walk-in bathtub until the water is almost gone, the draining system is critically important. Independent Home’s models come with drains that are 25% larger than standard, cutting down on the time it takes to complete the process.
Extendable Shower Head
An extendable showerhead next to the faucet gives you an extra option for washing your hair, neck and any other parts of your body above the waterline.
Built-in Aromatherapy
Independent Home’s walk-in bathtubs come with an aromatherapy option built right into their decks. Simply add your favorite essential oil to the built-in dispenser and enjoy the light, relaxing scent as it’s converted to vapor.
Built-in Chromotherapy
You can upgrade your walk-in tub to include multicolored lights that make bathing an even more relaxing activity. Also known as light therapy, chromotherapy can be particularly effective when used in conjunction with aromatherapy.
Who Should Consider Independent Home Products?
Seniors With Low Mobility
Traditional bathtubs can be difficult to enter for seniors with arthritis or otherwise limited mobility, and remaining standing long enough to take a shower can also be tough. The design of Independent Home’s walk-in tubs allows you to more easily enter the tub and remain seated while you bathe.
Adults Seeking Pain Relief
Some upgrades can actually have a beneficial effect on your mobility. The water jet upgrade soothes your muscles, while the heated seat upgrade eases back tension. Both benefits reduce tissue inflammation, which in turn can make it easier to get around your home.
Adults Seeking Lower Stress Levels
Independent Home’s light therapy and aromatherapy features aren’t directly tied to mobility concerns, but they can have significantly beneficial stress-relief benefits. High stress can lead to higher cholesterol levels and increased blood pressure, which are often particular areas of concern for older adults.
What Are People Saying About Independent Home’s Products?
Customer reviews of Independent Home’s walk-in tubs are fairly positive. Many customers note the clarity of the in-home consultation and the professionalism of the company’s installation team. A significant percentage of reviews mention being impressed by the speed of the single-day installation process, and a few also mention that Independent Home offered a surprisingly low final price.
Customers who did experience problems with their tub installation report that the company’s support staff was quick to respond to and fix outstanding issues. A few clients remarked that they didn’t realize that their existing hot water heater wouldn’t be able to produce enough warm water to fully fill the tub. If you have an old heating system in your home, it may be worth looking into whether you need an upgrade before purchasing a new walk-in tub.
FAQs
Are Walk-In Tubs Comfortable?
With extensive luxury features that include heated seats that can alleviate muscle pain and water jets that provide light massage benefits, walk-in tubs are designed to be exceptionally comfortable. Independent Home’s tubs include ADA-compliant 17-inch seats, so you won’t feel cramped either. Click here for our full answer to this question.
Does a Walk-In Tub Add Value to a House?
Yes — with some caveats. In most cases, you’ll be able to command a higher price when selling a home with a walk-in tub already installed, though the needs of the buyer are the most important consideration. If you’re selling to an individual on the younger side who has no mobility problems, they’re likely to perceive less of a need for the tub. Click here for our full answer to this question.
Can You Add a Shower to a Walk-In Tub?
Yes. Independent Home’s tubs include an extendable shower head attachment that makes it easy to wash and rinse your hair. You can also enhance your tub with a traditional rain shower head. Click here for our full answer to this question.
Can I Have a Walk-In Shower in a Small Bathroom?
Installing a walk-in shower is one option for cramped bathrooms. Depending on your bathroom’s layout, you may be able to squeeze in a walk-in tub with an inward swinging door. This kind of door orientation saves space, but can also make the tub difficult to enter. Click here for our full answer to this question.