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Tub cut-out, walk-in tub, or full conversion: which is right for you?
If the tub has become hard to climb into, you have more options than a full renovation. Here is a plain comparison of the main ways to make a bathroom safer, what each costs in time and money, and how to choose.
The short version
- The fastest, lowest-cost fix is a tub cut-out: we lower the wall of the tub you already have so you step in instead of climbing over. One visit, from $999.
- A walk-in tub or a full renovation does more, but costs more and takes longer.
- The right choice comes down to three things: how you want to bathe, your budget, and how much disruption you can live with.
The main options
1. Tub cut-out, keeping your tub
A section of the tub wall is removed and finished smooth, leaving a low step-through. Your tub becomes an easy low-entry shower, with no demolition and no new plumbing. It installs in a single visit. This is our Bronze package, from $999.
2. Cut-out with support
The same idea with a deeper, lower step plus a stainless grab bar, a handheld shower and a seat, so the wash itself is easier and safer. This is our Silver package, from $1,399.
3. Convertible cut-out, the full conversion
A cut-out with a watertight insert that seals back up, so you can walk through for a shower or fill the tub for a soak whenever you like. It comes with the full safety kit and toilet support. This is our Gold package at $2,099.
4. Walk-in tub
A new tub with a watertight door you step through, usually with a built-in seat. It is good for soaking while seated, but it is a bigger job. A walk-in tub typically costs several times more than a cut-out, takes longer to install, and you sit in the tub while it fills and drains.
5. Full bathroom renovation
Rebuilding the space, for example into a curbless roll-in shower. It is the most thorough option and the most expensive and disruptive. It is worth it when you want to change the whole layout, not just make the tub safe.
Compare at a glance
| Option | Keeps your tub | Can still soak | Demolition | Install time | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tub cut-out (Bronze) | Yes | No, low-entry shower | No | One visit | $ |
| Cut-out + support (Silver) | Yes | No | No | One visit | $$ |
| Convertible (Gold) | Yes | Yes | No | One visit | $$ |
| Walk-in tub | No, replaces it | Yes, seated | Some | Often multi-day | $$$$ |
| Full renovation | No | Depends on design | Yes | Days to weeks | $$$$$ |
How to choose
Four questions usually settle it:
- Do you still want to take a full bath? If yes, look at the convertible cut-out (Gold) or a walk-in tub. If you mostly shower, a basic cut-out is enough.
- How soon do you need it? A cut-out is done in one visit. A walk-in tub or renovation takes longer to schedule and build.
- What is your budget? A cut-out starts at $999 installed. A walk-in tub or renovation usually runs to several thousand dollars or more.
- How much mess can you handle? Cut-outs need no demolition. Walk-in tubs and renovations do.
Our honest take
For most people whose main problem is climbing over the tub wall, a cut-out solves it for the least money and the least disruption. A walk-in tub or a full renovation makes sense when you want a bigger change and have the budget and time for it. If a cut-out is not the right fit for your bathroom, we will tell you straight.
If you are weighing this up because of a recent stumble or a close call, our guide on bathroom falls and how to prevent them covers the simple changes that remove the most risk.
What about paying for it?
Some equipment may qualify for support. Ontario's Assistive Devices Program can help with certain mobility and home health equipment, and other programs may help with home modifications. See our funding page for how it works in Ontario.
Common questions
Is a walk-in tub better than a tub cut-out? +
It depends on whether you want to keep taking full baths and on your budget. A walk-in tub lets you soak while seated but costs several times more than a cut-out and takes longer to install. For stepping in and out safely at the lowest cost, a cut-out usually wins.
Can I still take a bath after a cut-out? +
With a basic cut-out the tub becomes an easy low-entry shower. A convertible cut-out adds a watertight insert that seals back up, so you can still fill the tub for a full soak.
How long does a cut-out take? +
Most cut-outs are completed in a single visit of a few hours, with no demolition.
Do I need a renovation? +
Usually not. If the main problem is climbing over the tub wall, a cut-out with grab bars and a non-slip surface solves it without demolition.
Not sure which fits your bathroom?
Tell us about your tub and we will recommend the right option, with an exact price, after a free assessment. Packages start at $999, delivery and installation included.