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How your walk-in tub ships and how to prepare for delivery day
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How your walk-in tub ships and how to prepare for delivery day
Updated September 2026
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.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 The Importance of Packaging The video explains why proper packaging is crucial for safe walk-in tub delivery.
- 0:36 Ella's Bubbles Shipping Care The video highlights the extra care and expense Ella's Bubbles puts into shipping its bathtubs.
- 1:40 Corrugated Box or Plywood Crate The video details the two robust shipping options for Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs: a five-piece corrugated box or a half-inch plywood crate.
- 2:01 Custom Shipping Skids The video demonstrates how Ella's Bubbles builds custom skids to support each bathtub model during shipping.
As shown in the video, your tub travels in serious protection: Watch: Superior Walk-In Tub Packaging for Damage Free Delivery with chapters and a full transcript.
- 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:
| Model | Shipping size (inches) | Shipping weight |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (30x52) | 32 x 54 x 49 | 310 lbs |
| Elite (30x52) | 32 x 54 x 50 | 230 lbs |
| Capri (30x52) | 33 x 55 x 50 | 365 lbs |
| Ultimate (30x60) | 33 x 63 x 47 | 350 lbs |
| Transfer30 (30x52) | 33 x 55 x 50 | 366 lbs |
| Tub4Two (32x60) | 34 x 62 x 50 | 325 lbs |
| Shak (36x72) | 39 x 74 x 49 | 429 lbs |
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:
- 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.
- Lift only by the frame. Never lift or pull by the plumbing, the panels or any fittings.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Related Guides
- How Do I Track My Walk-In Tub Freight Shipment, and What If It Stalls?
- Is There a Deadline to Install My Walk-In Tub After Delivery?
- Can Ella Hold My Tub at the Warehouse Until My Bathroom Is Ready?
- Can I Change the Shipping Address or Consignee Name After Placing My Order?
- Can Two Orders Ship Together on One Freight Shipment?
- White Glove and Inside Delivery Options for a Walk-In Tub Order
Common Questions
What should I expect on delivery day?
The freight carrier calls ahead to schedule a delivery window, and someone able to receive and inspect the crate needs to be present. The truck's liftgate lowers the crate to street level and the driver brings it to your curb or driveway, but drivers do not enter the home, unpack the tub or carry it inside. Inspect and photograph the crate before signing, and have your installer or two or more able helpers ready to move it inside by the frame.
Does the tub ship assembled, and how big is the crate?
Yes, every tub is fully assembled, jetted and leak-tested in Chicago, then wrapped and crated with the side panels packed for the move. The container is either a thick corrugated multi piece box or a half inch plywood crate built around your specific tub on a custom skid. Crate dimensions are printed on each model's specification sheet, and the table in this article lists several popular models; always use the shipping size rather than the tub size when checking hallways and doors.
How many people does it take to carry the tub?
Plan on at least two able people, and more for the larger models, since the shipping weights of popular models run from a little over 200 pounds to more than 400 pounds. Remove the front apron, access panels and end panels first, and lift only by the frame, never by the plumbing, panels or fittings. Be mindful of the underside as well, since air jets on the bottom of the tub can break off if it is dragged or rested on them.
Where are the drain handles, headrest and hardware?
Small items such as the drain handles, headrest and hardware are individually wrapped and boxed, then packed inside the tub or in the envelope on top of the wrapping. Open every box and check both places before reporting anything missing. If something is truly absent, report it within 48 hours of receipt so a replacement can be arranged.
Can the tub wait in the garage until my installer comes?
Yes. Leave the tub wrapped in its crate or on its pallet in a dry, covered space such as a garage until your installer is ready. Keep all of the packaging, including the crate, until the installation is complete and tested, since the crate is the best storage for the tub and returns are accepted only in original packaging.
The crate is scuffed. Is the tub damaged?
Light scuffs and scrapes on the outside of the crate are normal, and the packaging is built to absorb them so your tub does not have to. Photograph them and note them on the delivery document anyway, since damage that is not recorded at the door is much harder to claim later. Then inspect the tub itself, including a fill and pump test, and report any damage within 48 hours of receipt.
Should I leave the door locked after delivery?
The tub ships with the door locked to protect it in transit. After delivery, open the door and leave it open for a while so the silicone seal can recover its shape after being compressed during shipping. From then on, leave the door unlocked and slightly open whenever the tub is not in use, which extends the life of the seal.
What if my doorway is narrower than the shipping size?
Tell your Ella dealer or the team before you order, so the right model and plan can be chosen. The crate can be removed at the door so only the wrapped tub travels inside, and some models are narrower than others, but the passage must still be wider than the tub's actual width, including every turn along the way. The team can confirm the crate and tub dimensions for your exact order.
Will the carrier bring the tub inside the house?
No. Standard delivery is curbside with a lift gate by appointment; the driver brings the crate to the curb or driveway and is not obligated to cross a lawn or enter the home. Garage or inside placement is a separate service that must be requested in advance, and a commercial delivery to a shop with a forklift avoids the lift gate.
When will I know my delivery day?
Once the tub reaches the local terminal the carrier calls the number on your order, usually the day before, to set a window. A tracking link alone does not mean a day is set, so keep the delivery phone number current and have your contractor there to inspect and carry.
Can the tub ship to my plumber instead of my house?
Yes. Shipping to your contractor lets a professional inspect on arrival. Installers also often collect tubs at the carrier's local terminal instead of a residential lift gate delivery, and a hold note can keep a finished tub at the factory until you say ship.
How long do I have to install the tub after it arrives?
There is no deadline to install your walk-in tub after it arrives. You should keep the tub protected in its original crate or on its pallet in a dry, covered space, such as a garage, until your installer is ready. The packing envelope attached to the crate contains important documents like the paid invoice, the basic manual, and the specification sheet.
How long will it take for my tub to arrive once it ships?
Total time from your paid invoice to delivery varies by model, options, and current stock, so there is not one fixed number of days that applies to every order. Once your tub reaches the local terminal, the carrier calls the number on your order, usually the day before, to schedule your delivery window. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm current timing for your specific order.
Does Ella's Bubbles ship tubs directly, or are they handed off to another delivery company?
Your tub ships by LTL freight to the delivery address on your order. Larger freight carriers sometimes hand off the final leg of delivery to a smaller local delivery company, which can add time if a lift-gate truck is needed or the local carrier is waiting to consolidate more deliveries in your area. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm which carrier is handling your specific shipment.
Can my walk-in tub and shower screen ship separately?
Yes, your tub and shower screen can ship as separate freight shipments rather than arriving together. Each item travels in its own protective packaging and will need to be received and inspected on its own delivery date. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm how the items on your specific order will ship.
Can I change my delivery address after placing my walk-in tub order?
Once your walk-in tub order has been placed, the delivery address on file generally cannot be changed, and this is especially true for orders placed through a retailer such as Home Depot. If you have more than one location on your property or need a different delivery arrangement, contact your Ella dealer or call the team at (800) 480-6850 as early as possible. Getting the correct address confirmed early helps the freight carrier schedule your delivery window without added delays.
Where does my walk-in tub ship from?
Ella's Bubbles products ship from Chicago, where each tub is assembled and tested. Your tub travels by LTL freight to the delivery address on your order. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm which carrier is handling your specific shipment.
Do I still need a liftgate if I can unload the truck myself?
Yes. Delivery to a residential address requires a liftgate, even if you or your contractor have the means to unload the truck. Lift gate and residential delivery are both standard. If your property is hard to reach, talk with your Ella dealer or call the team at (800) 480-6850 before delivery so the carrier is prepared.
Can a warehouse clearance tub have cosmetic marks?
Yes. Warehouse clearance tubs may have minor imperfections such as scratches or dents. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can tell you about the condition of a specific tub before you decide.
Can I pick up my walk-in tub at the Chicago warehouse myself?
Yes, tubs can be picked up from the warehouse at 2700 West Roosevelt, Chicago, Illinois. An appointment is not strictly required, but a quick heads-up lets the warehouse have your tub ready when you arrive. You will sign for the tub at pickup, so bring along a helper and a way to move it safely. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can help you plan the visit.
Will I receive tracking information once my tub ships?
Yes, an email with tracking information is sent once your tub has shipped. Once the tub reaches the shipping port in your area, the freight company calls to schedule your delivery. Keep your delivery phone number current so that call reaches you.
Do I have to sign for my walk-in tub when it arrives?
Yes, you or someone you designate must sign for the tub upon delivery or pickup. Before signing, inspect and photograph the crate and note any concerns on the delivery document. That way everything is recorded at the door if you ever need to report damage.
Will the truck drive up a long or uphill driveway to deliver my tub?
Drivers may not pull up long or uphill driveways because of liability concerns, unless white glove delivery is scheduled. Standard delivery is curbside with a lift gate truck. If your driveway is long or steep, ask your Ella dealer or call the team at (800) 480-6850 before delivery day so the right arrangement can be made.
Still need help? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and the team will be glad to assist.
About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.
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