5 replies to this topic

[mrdavex]

Hello Folsomites,

 

I am planning some improvements to my bathrooms, but just cosmetic at this time.  My home has two bathrooms, and both have tub and shower combos.  The Master has a decent oval size soaking tub, but the guest bath has a much smaller tub that could not fit any respectable sized adult.  Meeting with the design consultant from one potential contractor, she suggested that I consider replacing the guest tub with a shower + seat in the future.  This recommendation is starting to interest me.  My wife and I have no children and are still undecided at this point.  So the guest shower is mostly used when our parents come to visit.  My dad is having a hard time climbing steps and getting over large thresholds, and I fear that soon climbing over a bathtub wall will be difficult.  The guest bathroom is also pretty small and I think that as our parents continue to age, getting into a shower would be much easier.  

At the same time, I also want to maintain my home's value.  Could replacing this teeny, tiny, and IMHO useless bathtub with an accessible shower significantly affect my resale value?  I plan to keep my large Master tub, so the house would still have 1 tub.  I don't think that anyone else in the neighborhood has done something like this, so my house would be the odd one here.  But I think that as our population ages, accessible bathrooms would become more lucrative.  Your opinions are most welcome

 

 

[4thgenFolsomite]

I agree with you.  Not many people use tubs any more and older people tend to like a seat in a shower, especially if they get to the point they need a transfer bench.  I think the space taken from the useless tub is wisely used to create more opulent shower with seat.  but that is more than a cosmetic change.  I think you're going to love it!

[Steve Heard]

Most adults don't use tubs, it's true, but their kids do, so they are still a selling point for homes.

 

I've had buyers with small kids eliminate nice homes from contention because the only tub was in the master, and they didn't want the kids bathing in there. 

 

If you want to maintain the home's competitive value, keep a tub spare bathroom.

 

If you plan on being there for many years and don't care about the resale, go for the shower. 

 

If you want something that can accommodate elderly parents, a walk-in tub might be the right choice. They're expensive, usually $2000 or more, but easier to get into and sit down in than a regular tub. 

 

 

 

I've never been in our tub, and I think my wife's only been in it once. We have a large walk-in shower.

[cw68]

I'm a tub person and my kids (middle schoolers) still take baths as well as showers. I wouldn't buy a house without a tub for my kids, and turned away from others that didnt have a tub in the master.

I agree with Steve and the points on resale.

[caligirlz]

I think we have the same or very close to the same model (Bedford), but I have a different configuration. I do have the tub/shower combo in the hall bath, but a full shower in the master. I agree, the hall bath is very small, perfect for children. I have frequently thought of redoing the master shower to include a bench seat, near doors & getting rid of the tile! I'm living with it for now.

I frequently look online at the homes for sale to see what upgrades have been done in similar homes. Most don't feature the hall bath, but I've seen some other really nice &/or weird things. Something kind a cool, someone moved the fireplace to the arch side near the kitchen (vs near the outside wall) & changed it to face the front door (vs back door), It looked really good. Another opened up the arched room divider completely...I wasn't as thrilled with that.

I don't really know how to advise you, but I think you've already got some good advice.

[New Girl]

We have a remodeling company (www.uniquebrushstrokes.com) and taking out the bath is a regular request.  Personally I never take a bath and the one in our master is uncomfortable and takes a full tank of hot water to fill. I understand with kids it is different and would always keep one bath in a house.  Aging in place is a very popular movement and we have more and more clients adapting their homes either for their old age or for elderly relatives.  There are many problems related to walkin baths (having to sit in the bath until the water has drained low enough to open the door is one) and I think it would be awkward to bathe small kids in one due to the depth.  Walk in showers with a seat is definitely the preferred way to go for the elderly.  Grab bars are available that look like towel rails and we always install them too. 

Regarding resale - I would say it depends on the type of house and location as to whether it would attract young families or older people.

We would love to give you a quote - just pm me if interested.