Buying a House Without a Bathtub: Pros, Cons, and Conversion Options
Would you consider buying a house that only had showers and no bathtub? This decision is highly personal, and many potential buyers may find it a pragmatic choice. However, let's explore the pros, cons, and practical solutions to make this decision easier.
Personal Preferences and Practical Considerations
That would be a personal decision for the potential buyer. Many Americans, for instance, do not use the bath as frequently as the shower, and a few might not even miss the tub. In areas where master bathrooms typically feature showers and central bathrooms have bathtubs, the absence of a tub might feel prepared.
As an example, in the author's area, it's common to see a master bathroom with a shower and a central bathroom with a bathtub. While it might drive the author a little crazy to be without a tub in their own home, this could be a deal-breaker for others.
Furthermore, every person is different in what they want in a home. One person's dream feature might be another person's nightmare. Generally, a shower is preferable to just a bathtub, as it is more convenient for people of all ages.
Maintaining Flexibility and Future Considerations
Even if the shower is the only bathing option, it wouldn't necessarily deter a buyer if everything else about the house was perfect. Most homes have a bathroom with a tub and one with a shower, so a house lacking a tub in one bathroom would be a bit unusual but not completely out of the question.
However, if the house is meant to be a permanent residence, the owner should consider who their ideal buyer might be in the future. Young families often want tubs for children, and women frequently enjoy taking long, relaxing baths, even if they rarely use them themselves.
Personal Experience and Practical Solutions
As a real-life example, the author can only answer from personal experience. When renovating the master bathroom, they debated removing the bathtub, which they hadn't used in over ten years. However, they decided to keep it, anticipating that it might affect the house's rental value. Unexpectedly, their grandchildren now use the tub regularly and will likely continue to do so for many years.
Converting one bathroom to a tub/shower combination can be a viable solution. However, this requires significant renovations, such as tiling the walls, possibly installing a window higher up to vent the steam, and redoing the floor and other surfaces. For the author, this would involve a cost of at least $25–30,000.
If one were to love the house and had the discretionary funds to redo the bathroom, converting it to a tub/shower combo might be considered a worthwhile investment. Otherwise, the decision to buy a shower-only house should be made with careful consideration of both immediate and future needs.