For me it would be a deal breaker if the house Had a spa tub. The industry itself has data that shows the average homeowner rarely uses the oversized spa tub over its lifetime, decreasing after the first year or so. If you feel you would gain a more spacious bathroom by having a conventional tub and larger shower, IMO thats what you should do.

I don't think for most people it would be a deal killer either way, but not having ANY tub might. For me, as long as there was a tub somewhere in the house I'd be okay with it, but I live alone.

I just wrestled with this for my house design. I ended up with a full bath -- but I won't be going with a spa tub. I can use the money elsewhere.

I agree with palimpsest in that if you would gain a more spacious room -and- have a kick-butt shower, go ahead and lose the spa tub.

I would hardly think that including one would be a deal breaker, though!

It should depend on YOUR use. If you won't miss it, don't get another one. The tub we have now is VERY old and fits all 4 members of my family at once! I would NEVER put a tub that big in my house again. We were going to put in a 72x42 bain ultra but it's being reconsidered for a few reasons.

1-is it worth it if its used 52 times a year? Is it -really- going to be used in the summer? Bring the earlier number down to 40 times a year. A 4 thousand dollar tub to be used 40 times a year!!!
2-in today's 'green' movement... is buying a 70 gallon tub a good decision?

I would still have some sort of tub I agree.

I wish I could lay my hands on the data, it was something like a multiple person spa tub after the first year got used less than 50 more times Ever in its lifespan. The larger ones now recommend a dedicated water heater or tankless system just for them. The bathroom I did a large spa SHOWER in required its own water heater and a pressure system to allow all the heads to function. The water would have been hot for under five minutes without it, so I was told.

We are doing our master bath and getting rid of the oversize spa tub and replacing it with a smaller slipper tub. The current tub rarely gets used because it uses more water than our hot water can provide and the original owners never installed a secondary heater for the tub.

The younger you are the less important is a bath. But when many people pass 45 yrs old they often have back pains and other aches. Nothing beats a good hot bath to make your back pains and other pains feel a lot better.

Also, a lot of women enjoy the spa experience (air jet is usually good enough). I can't tell you how many women I have dated that love taking a jetted bath with scented salts and the so-called romantic set-up of candles.

Greg

Love our new jetted tub! Husband and I have used it only about 10 - 12 (the teenagers a couple) times since May, but we wouldn't trade those baths for anything. Recently, my husband took a hard fall and badly bruised his tail bone (no jokes, okay?) playing basketball, and he's been using it every day since then. It's literally SAVING him.

But, then, we had tons of space for it. Everyone's situation is different.

BTW, got a fantastic deal on qualitybaths.com Saved around 20% from total price and taxes from what we would've paid at our local store. And faster delivery than they offered.

We're with palimpsest. In fact, we recently did pass on a house recently because the builder put in some huge 2-person jet tub (complete with marble surround, chandelier, and a wall mount 32" LCD) but cheaped out with a basic model closet-sized fiberglass shower and home depot toilet. I haven't taken a bath in about 35 years, and can't imagine even having time to sit in one. And my kids switched from baths to showers around age 4. (Plus the idea of tubs is just gross. Think about it, you're marinating in a stew of your own filth.)

We'd rather have a spa shower: multiple heads, rain/mist mode, hi-pressure heads, steam unit. A tub/shower is good for kids and guest baths, but for a master, spend the money on what you'd use most. If I did need a therapeutic soak, I'd get a hot tub or swim spa, something the family/guests could enjoy too.

I take a tub every night-- my first house had a jacuzzi, 2nd house we built with a air tub, new house will have a soaking tub-- my biggest thing would be to make sure you have a tub that is deep, wide and oval back for comfort...
I looked at MANY tubs- our new one will be maax living soaker 72x42... Very deep, big bathing well. Make sure you dont just look at external dimentions but also look at INTERNAL dimentions- people forget to look at that b/c a tub can appear big but be cut in and loose a lot of internal space! Good luck

I would definitely rather have a large luxurious shower that I would use every day than a huge tub that I would probably spend more time dusting than bathing in.

I have both a large shower with multiple heads, etc. and a 72 x 43 extra deep oval spa tub (the first spa tub I've had that I can actually let those jets rip without spilling), and man, do I love both.

If you have a lot of room, go for it. If it's a question of either or, of course most people use the shower more.

I'm putting in both a large shower (72x48) and a combo tub (72x42). We only had a small shower stall in this bathroom before we started the remodel, and I am so looking forward to having a tub again.

I think (hope) that I will use this tub more often than the standard soaking tubs that we've had before. The whole family is excited for it to be installed.

On the other hand, I would not give up a nice-sized shower in order to install a tub.

I am ripping out the oversize jet tub in my master and replacing it with a two person steam shower. I don't see the point of baths in all honesty.
There will still be a tub in my guest bath, but who knows when that will get used. If there were not a resale issue I would replace that with just a shower too, and have no tub in the house.
As a buyer I would absolutely pass on a house with a ridiculous over sized tub. If there has to be a tub at all I find a stand alone 'clawfoot' tub much more upscale and appealing.

We passed on a home that had a 2 person jet tub while we were house shopping. I had really wanted a spa tub but the thought of all that water just wasn't appealing to me. The house we bought has a tub in the guest bath and a large walk in shower in the master bath. We're about to remodel the guest bath and I was looking at jet tubs first, but just don't think I'll use it enough. So we're getting a nice deep soaking tub instead. Just so we'll have at least 1 tub in the house. Many people have outdoor spas now that they can leave filled and soothe away aches and pains.

I second Greg re: women and spa tubs.... I like them too even though I'm an under-45 male. I've had back pain for years and they're great for that... as well as for other things....

The tub not being there wouldn't stop me from buying, but not having the space to install a 2-person whirlpool tub when remodeling, along with a decent-sized shower, would be a dealbreaker.

I have dealt with this issue in recent months as well, since we're building. I've had whirlpools in past homes I never ever used, and just couldn't bring myself to spend $ on a whirlpool or air bath. Instead, we opted for a modest sized, 36 x 72 soaking tub (center faucet for two persons)from MTI and had a heater installed. That way, is has a little something "extra" and its there for my increasingly achey joints when I feel like a soak!

I wouldn't buy a house without a tub. Having said that I think a gigantic tub is overkill. We recently remodeled a guest bath that has a tub (the only one in our house) and I was going to do a regular, semi-deep soaker but the spa tub was only an extra $200 so we went with it. Best $200 we spent in that room. I'm in my early 30's and take a bath once a week. There's nothing comparable to combat stress. My husband uses it about once every other week. Our two other bathrooms each have large showers.