Don't know how to estimate the bumpout without a lot more info. You might want to consider an ofuro tub - they tend to be shorter and taller...they're intended to be used sitting up.

Good luck,
Deb

> Anyone have any suggestions?????

Yes. You're spending *your* money. You've wanted a jetted tub for 20 years. Get what YOU want, not what the contractor finds more convenient or easier to install. And don't fall for the "it will help resale value" ploy. Neither you nor your contractor or anyone else knows what a future buyer will want. They may well want a big whirlpool tub. I certainly would.

If possible, post a floorplan here, or at least a more detailed description. The feasibility of moving walls around depends whether the wall is structural or load-bearing (i.e., holding the house up, as opposed to just being there just as a partition to divide two rooms) and whether there is plumbing or ductwork in that wall.

There is plenty that can be done with 24 inches. A pantry cabinet is one possibility. An all-in-one laundry machine is another (usually when I suggest this, I'm greeted with "why would I want that? I already have a washer and dryer in the basement". Once they have one, the same people tell me, "how did I ever get by without one?" It's so convenient not to have to run down to the basement to do the laundry, once to load the washer, a second time to do move the clothes to the dryer, a third time to empty the dryer and bring up a basket of clothes. Instead, this one machine, conveniently located right where you disrobe, turns dirty clothes into clean, dry clothes without any further action on your part. Did I mention how convenient it is to have your cleaned and dried clothes a few feet away from the closet you're going to hang those clothes in? It doesn't even require any outside ducting since the dryer can send removed water down the washer drain, so it's easy to install without major modifications. It fits under a countertop. Get one!) A third possibility since you're near a closet is to add a wet-bar type sink and/or fridge, which can include a freezer and/or icemaker. If like me you enjoy a cool drink or snack near bedtime, or breakfast in bed, it's great not to have to run down to the kitchen. Towel warmers, pants pressers, or a nice plant can also fill the space.

Anyway, stick to your guns on this one. There are some 5-foot tubs that are wide enough for two - some are wide only on one end, or only in the middle, which can help them fit in tight spaces. But there's no getting around that 6 foot tubs are much more comfortable - you can stretch out in a way you can't in a 5' tub. IMO, it's worth whatever it takes to make it fit. Sometimes, if expanding into the closet makes the closet too small, you can expand the closet on the other side and make the bedroom (or another adjoining room) a few feet smaller - the space is usually much more valuable in the bathroom. Also, a small closet can seem bigger if the space is optimised through careful placement of shelves, pull-outs, drawers, and the like. Be creative.

Don't spend alot on a renovation and not get what you really want. It's your house, not your contractor's. It's just one more job for him, and he's not the one who will spend years living with the results of his work. If he refuses to do what you asked for, find another contractor.

I've generally found 6' (or longer) rectangular or oval tubs to be more comfortable for two than 5' corner tubs, but try to find a showroom with the one you want to buy and try it out. Try to get opinions from people (IRL or online) who have installed or own them as to such things as noise level which are not apparent from brochures. I've been in some tubs that are so noisy when the jets are on that they drown out any conversation, especially if they are configured so you lie down facing each other rather than side by side. I personally prefer tubs that are shaped so they're comfortable either when bathing side by side/in the same direction, or in opposite directions facing each other. This means a sloped back at both ends, which detracts from length somewhat and is another reason I like the longer 6' (or at least 5 1/2') tubs better. A good rheostat on both water jets and air jets is crucial, especially for the latter. Lots of tiny air bubbles floating upward are quieter and feel better than large air bubbles that quickly reach the surface and pop, rather than clinging to your body and slowly working their way upward. For water jets, a large amount of water moving slowly feels better than a small amount of water pushed forcefully through multitudes of small jets, which poke and prod parts of your body uncomfortably rather than creating a real whirlpool or river-rapids effect. Waterfalls are a nice touch; handshowers are a must-have.

I don't quite get the math as you state it - 13 ft. seems like plenty to install a big tub *and* a big shower. What gives?

This one is really wide so it should fit two quite comfortably. Without actually seeing your layout, I'm not sure what shape would fit best.

Here is a link that might be useful: wide 5 foot tub for two

Lee,
Thanks, I would rather have the tub and a smaller shower than a large vanity. You asked about the room size. Picture a rectangle 13 by 8 feet. Take away 3 feet on the 8 foot side to halfway across the room. Another way to look at it is to position a rectangle 5ft X 6.5 ft next to another rectangle 8 ft x 6.5 feet, and erase the line between them, which currently is a doorway which will disappear. Postioning a corner airtub was my first thought on the full 8 by 13 foot side, but it leaves only 24 inches between the tub and the wall. The shower is currently on the 5 ft side against the wall on the left. ( where a 5 ft tub would go) Toilet is next to the shower. It may be possible to place a longer narrow free standing tub along the 13 ft side or an alcove tub. I have been rereading posts throughout the day, and looking up models.

If I were to bump out a wall, it would be on the 13 foot side, and include 4 more feet along the back of the closet.

There would be no problem at all if the room was 13 by 13ft. BUt you know how you said there were choices... I have a washer and dryer hook up on the other side. After carrying Laundry up 2 flights of stairs for 13 years, and with a bad knee, upstairs laundryroom was a priority.

Ncamy, thanks for your input, it would definitely be wide enough. I have 2 pages now that I have cut and pasted of info from this forum to discuss with remodelling guy.

Sandy

Hi again Lee,

Just wanted to thank you again..... I looked at my available space and saw that If I relocated the proposed door, I could place a 66 inch by 36 inch tub on the 8 ft wall, ( now I have to be sure I want an air iet over a whirlpool tub, or get a jason which has both) and still enlarge the shower for DH. Proposed contractor had wanted to create large vanity. I told him that wasn't as important as the tub and shower improvements, and after 25 years of always doing things in our houses so that they would be neutral and to keep the future buyer iu mind b/c we wre always moving, as my husband was in the military, we were doing this this house for us. So the vanity will be 48 inches wide and double sinked, and there is room for it all. It will mean one door will be at right angles to another, but I can deal with that.

Sandy