Walk-In Tubs in Lake City, FL

Census estimates put the median build year in Lake City at 1980; about 13% of homes were built before 1950. Many homes of this age still have their first kitchen or bathroom. Decide early whether you want to move fixtures, since that changes the permit and the scope. Federal EPA rules require firms that disturb painted surfaces in homes built before 1978 to follow lead-safe work practices. Ask whether the company is EPA lead-safe certified.

Columbia County is in IECC climate zone 2A, a hot, humid climate, on the U.S. Department of Energy's county map. In a damp climate, a bathroom exhaust fan that vents outside (not into the attic) helps prevent mold.

Only about 40% of occupied homes in Lake City are lived in by their owners, so many residents rent. Renters should check with the property owner or manager before hiring anyone for a walk-in tub installation.

Moving plumbing, adding electrical circuits or changing walls usually needs a permit; swapping fixtures in place usually does not. In Lake City, permits come from the city's building department, or from Columbia County for addresses outside city limits. Ask the company who pulls the permit, and keep a copy of it.

The Construction Industry Licensing Board within Florida DBPR licenses contractors. Look the company up with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board before you sign.