Kohler vs. Independent Home
Compare costs, features and reviews
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Both Kohler and Independent Home provide free in-home consultations and quotes with a price freeze to ensure that the estimate includes all necessary work and the price won’t change during installation. Kohler focuses on customized design elements, and Independent Home offers more options for accessibility. Kohler has just one walk-in tub; Independent Home offers eight. Both companies have hydrotherapy and air jets.
- Independent Home is best for customers looking for a wheelchair-accessible, bariatric or specialized walk-in tub. The company offers several accessibility options, along with luxury features such as hydrotherapy jets and chromotherapy.
- Kohler is best for customers who want a customizable and stylish new walk-in tub. Kohler’s single model comes standard with popular options like hydrotherapy jets and a heated backrest, but you can choose design elements and surrounding walls for a well-coordinated look.
Kohler vs. Independent Home cost and installation
Both Kohler and Independent Home offer an all-in-one service where the price of the tub and the installation are bundled together in a single quote. You will need to schedule an in-home visit with both companies to get a price.
Kohler uses a network of local authorized dealers to sell and install its tubs, while Independent Home uses its own in-house team of professionals.
 |  | |
| Basic tub starting price | $2,000 | $4,995 |
| Financing offered | Yes | Yes |
| Discounts offered | Yes | Yes |
| In-home quotes required | Yes | Yes |
| Labor warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Parts warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Tub warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| $2,000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| $4,995 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
Kohler vs. Independent Home types of walk-in tubs
Kohler offers a premium, highly customizable walk-in tub. You can personalize it with different colors, faucet finishes and stylish wall surrounds to match your bathroom.
Independent Home also focuses on a customizable platform rather than a large catalog of different models. It offers a standard tub and a hybrid tub that includes an overhead rain shower.
| | |
| Soaker tub | Yes | Yes |
| Wheelchair-accessible tub | No | Yes |
| Bariatric tub | No | Yes |
| Tub/shower combo | Yes | Yes |
| Two-seat tub | No | No |
| Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Kohler vs. Independent Home features
Kohler is known for its luxury features, like a heated backrest and a combination of powerful and gentle massage jets.
Independent Home offers a full suite of spa features, like hydrotherapy, microbubbles, colored lights and a heated seat.
| | |
| Step-in height | 3 inches | 4.5 inches |
| Fast drain | Yes | Yes |
| Quick filling | Yes | Yes |
| Grab bars included | Yes | Yes |
| Number of hydro jets | 10 | Customizable |
| Number of air jets | 17 | Customizable |
| Chromotherapy offered | Yes | Yes |
| Heated seats option | No | Yes |
| Heated backrest option | Yes | Yes |
| Remote control option | No | No |
| Showerhead options | Yes | Yes |
| 3 inches | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 | 17 | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| 4.5 inches | Yes | Yes | Yes | Customizable | Customizable | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Kohler vs. Independent Home installation services
Both companies provide a complete, professional installation service. Kohler's installations are handled by its network of local, certified dealers who are trained specifically on Kohler products.
Independent Home uses its own team of licensed professionals to manage the entire job, and it is known for often completing the full installation, including removal of the old tub, in just one day.
| | |
| Bathroom door resizing | Yes | Yes |
| Old tub removal | Yes | Yes |
| Wall repair and repaint | Yes | Yes |
| Electrical wiring | Yes | Yes |
| Flooring touch-up | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Kohler vs. Independent Home reviews
| | |
| Overall star rating | 4.7 | 4.4 |
| Verified customer reviews | Read reviews | Read reviews |
| 4.7 | Read reviews |
| 4.4 | Read reviews |
What Kohler customers say
Kohler walk-in tub customers give the company great reviews on ConsumerAffairs for professionalism, tub comfort and an easy installation process. Customers appreciate that staff is knowledgeable and not pushy; however, some customers say Kohler is more expensive and mention unprepared installers when it comes time to put the tub in.
“I like the ability to get in and out and sit in warm water. My legs feel great when I come out. I’m very happy and everything's fine, except I have some little gray dots on some of the white that don't seem to come off.”
– Marilyn D. of Chapel Hill, NC
What Independent Home customers say
Independent Home has many positive reviews on ConsumerAffairs for its walk-in tub service, selection and installation. Customers say it offers competitive pricing. There were a couple of instances in which customers felt like they were oversold for more than was needed, however.
“I was a pleasure doing business with Independent home. The guys they sent me (David ** and Donnie **) were amazing. They installed my tub in one day. Very professional. Thanks David and Donnie for my new walk-in tub. My husband and I can't wait to enjoy it.”
– Melanie of Nashville, TN
Bottom line: Kohler or Independent Home?
Both Kohler and Independent Home are good options for walk-in tub purchases. Kohler offers one model of walk-in tub with several design-centric customization options, and Independent Home offers a variety of walk-in tub models with options for accessibility and special needs. Walk-in tubs from both companies feature hydrotherapy jets for relaxation and pain relief. Kohler’s step-in is fairly low at 3 inches, while Independent Home’s tubs have a 5-inch step threshold.
