Curbside delivery with liftgate is the standard LTL freight delivery for an Ella walk-in tub. Your tub travels on a pallet inside a crate, the truck's liftgate lowers the crate to street level, and the driver brings it to your curb or driveway. That is where the carrier's job ends: moving the crate inside, up the steps and into the bathroom is the customer's or installer's job. People also call this curbside freight delivery, liftgate service or LTL delivery, and they all describe the same handoff at the curb.

How It Works

Every Ella tub ships fully assembled by LTL (less-than-truckload) freight from the Chicago facility. A crated tub is far too large for a parcel service, so it rides on a pallet with other freight and is handled by a truck fitted with a liftgate, the hydraulic platform on the back that lowers the pallet safely to the ground. Before the truck comes, the carrier calls ahead to schedule a delivery window, so someone who can receive and inspect the shipment needs to be present. The driver lowers the crate and brings it to the curb or driveway. Drivers do not enter the home, unpack the tub or carry it inside. Our guide to how freight delivery works walks through the whole journey from the Chicago floor to your driveway.

Replacement parts and accessories are different. They travel by parcel service, and parcel carriers cannot deliver to a PO box, so give the team a street address for any part. A full replacement door is the exception among parts: it ships freight on a pallet, and the team will ask whether you need liftgate delivery or have a forklift available.

Which Ella Models Have It

Curbside delivery with liftgate is not a model feature; it is how every Ella walk-in tub reaches your home, whatever the door style or therapy package. Because the crate arrives at the curb on every order, the planning below is worthwhile for every model.

What to Know as an Owner

The single most helpful step is to have your installer or two able helpers lined up before delivery day. A crated tub is heavy and awkward for one person, and the crate needs to come off the curb the day it arrives. Clear a path from the curb to the door, and read how to prepare for delivery day the week before so nothing is a surprise.

While the driver is still there, inspect the crate and photograph anything that looks off before you sign. Our delivery inspection checklist shows exactly what to look for, and keep every piece of packaging until the installation is complete. If you ever need to open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support about the delivery, have your order number, the delivery date, your photos and the signed delivery document ready. For parts that ship later, replacement part shipping and tracking explains what the tracking page shows.

Common Questions