Best walk-in bathtubs in Maine

To make the right choice for a walk-in tub in Maine, focus on your personal safety needs, bathroom size and available budget. Assess whether you need features like a low entry, extra grab bars or wheelchair-friendly access. Review the company’s service track record and whether installation in older homes is supported. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Compare comfort and safety features

Prioritize safety features like grab bars, textured flooring and anti-scald valves. Also consider threshold height and door width for ease of entry, as well as comfort options like hydrotherapy jets and upgrades like aromatherapy and chromotherapy.

Because Maine winters can be harsh, features like heated seating and rapid-fill technology can make bath time far more comfortable — and safer — especially when dealing with cold bathroom temperatures.

Think about your specific health needs, and what a walk-in tub can provide for you. Mary Lou from New Sharon appreciated how hers helped relieve her lower hip and back issues. “When I do a lot of work, I get in the tub and it feels so much better. If I didn't have the tub, the next day, it'd be very hard to walk.”

2. Consider tub design and materials

Choose a door style that fits your space and mobility needs. For instance, inward-swinging doors more easily fit in smaller spaces, but outward-swinging doors are crucial for wheelchair accessibility.

As for materials, gelcoat tubs are durable and resist fading, but they cost more. Acrylic tubs are lighter and less expensive but more prone to scratching.

3. Think about tub size and capacity

Standard tubs measure around 30 inches wide, 50 inches long and 40 inches high, but compact, bariatric and two-seat options are available. Compact tubs may use 40 gallons of water, while large-capacity tubs can hold 100 to 120 gallons.

In Maine’s older homes, especially those with outdated plumbing or small water heaters, you may need to upgrade to a larger tank or ensure your tub includes an inline heater to meet demand.

4. Read reviews

Seek out reviews from fellow Maine homeowners to understand how different tub models perform over time, especially in older or unconventional homes.

Installer quality matters, too — local feedback can reveal which pros are best at handling Maine unique building challenges.

5. Compare total costs

Walk-in tubs range from a few thousand dollars for a basic model to $30,000 or more for a tub with luxury upgrades. Installation costs and necessary home modifications can add significantly to the final price. However, financing may be available and many costs associated with walk-in tubs are tax deductible.

6. Prepare for installation

Expect one to two days for installation, depending on your bathroom’s current layout. Given that many Maine homes are older with tighter bathroom spaces and limited plumbing access, it's especially important to consider tub size, door configuration and whether structural modifications are feasible.

» LEARN THE BASICS: What is a walk-in tub?

How to hire a walk-in tub installer in Maine

To get your walk-in tub installed safely and efficiently in Maine, start by asking if the company offers in-house installation with certified professionals. If not, select a local contractor with strong credentials, specific experience in aging-in-place remodels and proof of insurance. Always check references, verify licenses and get a written estimate before any work begins.

Since Maine is so isolated, you may not have a lot of local contractors to choose from, and will need to look to other New England states. Pat from Damariscotta remembers their installation experience: “The poor guys came from Connecticut to Maine in a 40-mile an hour wind in a van with stuff on the top, and were done and gone in one day. Incredible.”

Maine has a very old housing stock, with many historic Cape Cod and Colonial homes featuring small bathrooms and outdated infrastructure that often require a full remodel to accommodate a walk-in tub. However, the presence of basements or crawl spaces is an advantage for accessing plumbing.

Given the age of Maine's housing and the high probability of needing extensive remodeling, a realistic average labor cost for a full project would be in the $3,500 to $8,000 range.

Walk-in tub prices in Maine typically range from $2,000 to $30,000, depending on tub type, features and brand. Installation costs typically add $3,500 to $8,000.

Medicare does not typically pay for walk-in tubs, but select Medicare Advantage plans may provide limited coverage for accessibility modifications. Always check your plan’s details to see what financing help may be available.

The MaineHousing Home Accessibility and Repair Program is a key state-level resource that provides grants to low-income homeowners to fund necessary home repairs and accessibility modifications.

If you’re a veteran, you may be able to access VA grants for walk-in tubs. Medicaid could also cover walk-in tub costs in some cases — visit the MaineCare website for more details.

» LEARN: Why are walk-in tubs so expensive?

Before signing a contract, ask whether installation, haul-away of your old tub and warranty coverage are included in the price.