Walk-In Tubs · Buying guides · Updated November 2026
Accessible Bathroom Accessories: What Requires Professional Installation?
Some bathroom safety products can be set up in minutes. Others need to be anchored into framing or involve plumbing, and are best left to a professional.
Usually DIY-friendly
- Shower chair or tub transfer bench.
- Raised toilet seat or toilet safety frame.
- Handheld shower head that replaces the existing head.
- Non-slip mats or adhesive strips.
- Motion-sensing night lights.
Suction-cup "grab bars" should not be relied on to hold body weight. Use them only as balance aids, if at all.
Usually needs a professional
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Grab bars | Must be anchored into studs or blocking; drilling tile without cracking it takes the right tools |
| Comfort-height toilet | Plumbing connection and wax seal |
| Anti-scald or pressure-balancing valve | Work inside the wall |
| Curbless or low-curb shower | Floor and waterproofing changes (tub-to-shower conversion) |
| Wider doorway | Framing and trim work |
| Walk-in tub | Plumbing, electrical and floor checks (installation requirements) |
Plan the whole room
Use the aging-in-place bathroom checklist to decide what to do now and what to plan for later. Adding wood blocking in the walls during any remodel makes future grab bars easy.
Cost figures are national ranges from the sources listed in our walk-in tubs cost guide, not a quote from FixFinch or any contractor.