Preparing for walk-in tub delivery day comes down to three things: measure the path from your main entrance to the bathroom against the shipping size, plan for your installer or two able helpers to carry the tub, and keep all packaging materials until your installation is complete. Your walk-in tub is delivered as one fully assembled unit, protected by heavy duty packaging and shipped by LTL freight truck to your curb or driveway, and the carrier calls ahead to schedule a delivery window.

How Your Tub Is Packaged

This video shows the packaging that protects your tub in transit, filmed by one of the dealers who receives Ella tubs regularly.

As shown in the video, your tub travels in serious protection:

• A multi piece box made of thick corrugated material, roughly three quarters of an inch to one inch thick, or a half inch plywood crate that is cut and assembled around your specific tub.
• A custom built shipping skid with reinforced layers positioned under each of the tub's feet, so the tub rides supported and does not bounce in transit.
• A plywood layer around the skid that protects the shipment from forklifts and other handling at freight terminals.

The container is designed to absorb damage so your tub does not have to. Light scuffs and scrapes on the outside of the crate are normal, and the delivery inspection checklist explains exactly how to document them when you sign.

What Happens at the Curb

The truck arrives with a liftgate that lowers the crate to street level, and the driver brings it to the curb or driveway. Drivers do not enter the home, unpack the tub or carry it inside, so moving the crate is the job of your installer or your helpers. Someone able to receive and inspect the crate needs to be present, and a garage or covered area is the ideal place for the crate to wait if installation is not the same day. The article on how freight delivery works explains the shipping quote and liftgate service in more detail.

Will It Fit Through Your Home?

Ella walk-in bathtubs are delivered as one unit, so please measure the width of your doorways from the main entrance all the way to the bathroom, including every turning angle along the way. Use the shipping size, not the tub size, when checking clearances. Here are exact shipping sizes and weights for some popular models:

Shipping sizes for every model are printed on its specification sheet, available in the Downloads tab of each product page, and the articles on walk-in tub weights and measuring your doorways go deeper. If you are unsure, the team can confirm the crate dimensions for your exact order.

Shipping Charges and Destinations

• Shipping is quoted for your delivery address as part of your order, based on the crate size and weight of your tub and the distance from Chicago.
• Fees vary and will be higher for hard to reach destinations such as rural mountainous regions, Hawaii, Alaska and United States territories.
• For international orders, customs duties, tariffs, taxes, storage and other fees imposed during or after shipping are the customer's responsibility.
• Questions about the shipping on your order: ask your Ella dealer or call the team at (800) 480-6850.

Moving the Tub into Your Home Safely

Once the tub is out of its packaging, a few rules protect both the tub and your warranty:

1. Remove the front apron, access panels and end panels before carrying the tub. On some models this means all four access panels, and two seat models also have toe kick plates. The article on front aprons and access panels shows how they come off.
2. Lift only by the frame. Never lift or pull by the plumbing, the panels or any fittings.
3. Be mindful of the underside. Air jets on the bottom of the tub can break off if the tub is dragged or rested on them.
4. Keep every piece of packaging, including the crate, until your installation is complete and tested. Returns are accepted only in original packaging, and the crate is your best storage if the tub needs to wait for the installer.
5. Before the walls are finished, fill the tub and run the pumps to catch any transit leak; the pre-installation water test explains how.

If anything is damaged or missing, report it within 48 hours of receipt. The article on filing a freight damage claim lists exactly what to photograph and send.

Common Questions

Still need help? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and the team will be glad to assist.