Is a tub in a master bath necessary?


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Old 02-07-07, 09:11 PM
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Is a tub in a master bath necessary?

We're planning a master bedroom bedroom/bath/closet addition. We personally rarely take a bath and prefer using the space to create a very nice shower.

But we're wondering if a big tub is a requirement when it comes time to sell.


There is a regular bathtub/shower in the family bathroom.
 
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Old 02-07-07, 09:21 PM
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From the standpoint of resale, buyers want a tub. Watch some bathroom makeovers on HGTV to see what buyers are looking for in bathrooms today. Beautiful tubs take center stage.
 
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Old 02-08-07, 12:47 AM
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<rant>Yeah, it's an expectation and real crowd pleaser. Even people won't use it, they tend to fantasy when buying a house. If you're designing this room for others, then a big inefficient tub is best.</rant>

On the other hand, peoples' bathroom habits are yet more unique and uncompromising than their kitchen quirks. I feel you should build exactly the room that'll give you the most pleasure, no more and no less. It's your life.
 
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Old 02-08-07, 06:08 AM
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Are you remodeling for you or are you remodeling for selling the house?

In our bath remodel I get one thing I want, hubby gets one thing he wants. I get my antqiue clawfoot tub (yes I take baths). He gets his two person slate tile shower. The only reason we are putting in a tub in the other bath is because we happen to have a perfectly good steel one we are recycling for that very use. Also our plumber said tubs increase the value of bathrooms so long as they are dual-use. We have no intenion of selling, but since the tub is already there, and it won't be in our primary bathroom.

I think twelvepole and Kobuchi both have good points. I've seen kitchens I would DIE for and then found out the homeowner eats out all the time. I've seen bathrooms that I would love to laze around in and then found out the homeowner uses the house two weekends a year. I say evaluate your lifestyle, and if you aren't planning on selling, do what YOU want.
 
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Old 02-08-07, 06:43 AM
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I think people spend to much time worrying about resale value and granted it is something to consider since a person's home is likely his/hers biggest investment. Unless you are expecting to sell your home in the near future, make things the way you want them. ENJOY YOUR HOME.

With a little thought you should be able to install a large shower that could [if need ever arose] accomdate a tub in the spot [replacing shower with tub/shower combo]
 
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Old 02-08-07, 07:41 AM
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Unless you are planning to sell the house in the next couple of years design the bath to meet your needs. If you don't use a tub don't install one. Put the money saved into a really awesome shower.

Fancy tubs may still be a selling point but I suspect they are the most underused fixture in the home. I suspect that if you did a survey, 90% would say they never take a bath.
 
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Old 02-08-07, 09:54 AM
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Bath

My wife and I bought a house last year the diod not have a bathtub in the master bath. We bought knowing that we would install one, bottom line if you have the house someone wants they will buy.

Al
 
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Old 02-08-07, 04:02 PM
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Just my opinion, but how clean can you feel in a tub you have been sitting in? Low berm shower, big enough for an elephant, that's the way to go! I have a customer who has a "U" shaped shower stall with no berm at all, just a big room, which could be accessed by a wheelchair if need be, but no doors! Like Marksr, enjoy what you have and don't worry too much about resale value. Most of what I do is bathroom remodels, anyway, and the bathrooms look fine to me BEFORE I get in there and demo it all.
 
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Old 02-08-07, 06:11 PM
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Walk-in shower in our master and tub in 2nd bath. When were house-hunting I rather liked the setup, but it wouldn't have killed a deal either way.
 
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Old 02-09-07, 06:29 AM
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We always take showers and we have a hot tub on the deck so we don't need a whirlpool tub. So, if it was just us, we'd use the sq footage for a closet instead of a tub

However, we're expecting our first child in the summer so we almost assuredly will be moving within 5 years because of our school district and it might be as little as two years if we decide to move closer to family.

Almost no one I talk to ever uses their garden tub because it takes so long to fill up. But we're wondering if it would be a deal breaker for a significant percentage of buyers.


The idea of having a space someone could convert to a bath if they wanted to might be a good compromise.
 
 

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