Who installs my walk-in tub? A licensed, experienced local contractor of your choice. Ella's Bubbles manufactures walk-in tubs and never performs or charges for installation, and you are never required to purchase installation from anyone. Any licensed plumber and electrician can install an Ella tub by following our installation manuals, and our technical support team backs up you and your installer for the life of the tub at no charge, including live video help. This article explains who should install your tub, how to find someone, and how your installer choice relates to your warranty.

Who Should Install Your Ella Walk-In Tub

It is best to hire licensed and experienced contractors who know your local building requirements and codes. Experienced plumbers and electricians can install the bathtub by following our installation manuals and the directions of Ella's technical support team. Any licensed installer is fine; certification by Ella is not required. If you are handy and want to do most of the work yourself, our DIY installation guide explains what a self-install involves and the one step, the electrical connection, that always goes to a licensed electrician.

How Ella Supports Your Installer

• Complete installation manuals and specification sheets for every model, available on each product page's Downloads tab. Our installation requirements checklist summarizes them on one page.
• Free lifetime technical support by phone and email for you and your contractor.
• Live video chat with our technical support team, available on request. Our agent can show you your bathtub live and lead your installer in the right direction.
• A full installation videos library in the order an installation actually happens.

Finding an Installer

If you do not already have a contractor in mind, the team at (800) 480-6850 can help you locate a local company through our credible nationwide network of installers, including Angi Pro. Share your installation address and the tub you are considering, and the team will reach out to an installer in your area and have them contact you. You are also free to hire any local licensed plumber and electrician you trust. Because installation is arranged directly between you and your contractor, labor pricing is set by the contractor, not by Ella, so please ask the installers you are considering for written estimates.

Watch: Buying the Tub and Installation Are Separate Decisions

Key points from the video:

• The tub and the installation are separate decisions. You are not required to purchase installation with your tub.
• You can act as your own general contractor: bring in a carpenter to demo the space, then a plumber and electrician, have the tub set, and have each trade trim out their portion.
• Assembling your own team of independent contractors can save money, but keep in mind that separate trades from separate companies can mean divided accountability if a question comes up later.
• Many customers prefer a single full service installation company or dealer crew that handles removal, haul away, installation, and testing with one point of contact. Either path is fully supported by Ella.
• Whichever route you choose, Ella remains your manufacturer contact for the tub itself, with one number to call for product support: (800) 480-6850.

This is the video to share with whoever you hire. It covers confirming fit with actual dimensions, inspecting for shipping damage, filling the tub outside to check for transit leaks, removing all panels before the tub comes indoors, connecting the four-port dual drain and capping unused ports, leveling every foot, leaving the door open so the gasket recovers, using 3/4 inch supply lines with shut-offs without over-torquing them, and testing everything on dedicated GFCI circuits before the walls close.

What to Ask a Prospective Installer

• Have they read the installation manual for your door family, and will they run the pre-installation water test before finishing the walls?
• Will a licensed electrician provide the dedicated GFCI circuit or circuits your therapy package needs?
• Will they level the tub with every leveling leg firmly on the floor and check level on all sides?
• Will they keep the front apron and access panels reachable for future service?
• Will they sign the installer section of the warranty activation form and include their electrician's license and insurance information?

Your Installer and Your Warranty

You are free to choose any installer, and that freedom comes with one responsibility: the quality of the installation matters to your coverage. Improper or negligent installation and modifications to the tub are excluded from warranty coverage, and installation labor is never covered by the warranty. Your installer also signs the warranty activation form along with you. For the details, see our article on how installation choices affect your warranty. If you have a specific question along the lines of will this void my warranty, please ask us before the work is done.

What About Installation Cost?

Ella never charges for installation, so there is no installation line item from Ella. Labor pricing belongs entirely to your contractor and varies by region and by the scope of the project, so we do not estimate it. Our article on what an installation involves lists the tasks a contractor typically includes so you can compare estimates fairly.

Common Questions

Still need help? Our team is always happy to assist. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call us at (800) 480-6850.