Installing a Whirlpool Bathtub - How much does it Cost?
There’s nothing quite to beat coming home from a hard day at work and sinking into a luxurious whirlpool bath. Bubbles turn a normal bathing experience into something much more special and whirlpool baths can make your home more attractive to a prospective buyer too. If you are thinking about installing a whirlpool bath in your home, then it might not be quite as disruptive and expensive as you may think.
What’s the Difference Between a Whirlpool Bathtub and a Jacuzzi?
You often hear the word Jacuzzi applied to any kind of whirlpool bath, but in fact Jacuzzi is a brand name and is used for that company’s products only. The word has been gradually adopted as a generic term though, just as Hoover’s brand name now means all vacuum cleaners. When thinking about buying a whirlpool bath, look at all the different brands on the market and don’t restrict yourself to looking at Jacuzzi products only.
Retro-fitting a Whirlpool Bath
If you don’t want the disruption of removing your existing bathtub and replacing it with a whirlpool model, then it is possible to convert any standard bath into a whirlpool bathtub by adding machinery which forces jets of water into the bath. There is not much price advantage to converting your bath in this way though, as the basic pump and jets kits will cost between £250 and £300, around the same price as a basic whirlpool bath. The other issue may be finding a plumber or electrician who has experience in installing this sort of system in your home as they are not as commonly used as installing a new bath.
Buying and Installing a Whirlpool Bath
It is possible to pick up a basic whirlpool bathtub in one of the online bathroom stores for under £200, and if money is no object, some of the top end designer models with an added shower can cost over £1000. Once you have selected the sort of bath you want, the next step is finding a tradesperson to fit it for you. As whirlpool baths use electricity to move the water through the jets, installing this sort of bath falls under the Part P rules, which means that installation has to be done by a qualified professional. Expect to pay around £500 for your bath to be professionally installed however price can rise to £1000 depending on individual circumstances.
Finding a Professional to Install Your Whirlpool Bath
As installation of a whirlpool bath falls under the “notifiable work” category, it’s more important than ever that you make sure you get the right person to do the job. Ask friends and family to recommend someone, or look through the listings on Top Tradespeople to get in touch with trusted, local companies. Contact at least three local companies, explain to them what you are thinking about having done, and ask them to provide a quote in writing. Once all of the quotes are in, look at them not only in terms of who is the cheapest but also consider the reputation of the company, how quickly they can start the work and how long they estimate it will take.
