When Is the Best Time to Buy a Bathtub?

Whether renovating an old home or building a new one, efficiently utilising your budget is always a priority for consumers. While not as eye-catching as kitchen or living room furniture, bathtubs are a crucial investment in bathroom renovations. Choosing the right time to purchase not only allows for greater discounts but also helps avoid stock shortages and delivery delays.

 

This article will systematically analyse the optimal purchase timing based on retail cycles, seasonal characteristics, promotional events, and home renovation plans to help you maximise the value of your bathtub for sale purchase.

 

1. Why does "when to buy" affect costs?

 

 Retailer Promotion Cycles: Home improvement stores and online platforms often offer aggressive promotions around holidays. For example, Presidents' Day, Independence Day, and holiday sales usually mark the lowest prices for bathtubs.

 

 Inventory Turnover: Many brands clear out-of-season inventory at the end of the quarter or year, offering clearance discounts or price reductions through direct wholesale channels.

 

 Transportation and Delivery Pressure: Peak renovation seasons (such as spring and summer) experience a concentration of orders, resulting in heavy logistics and extended delivery times. Meanwhile, off-seasons (such as fall and winter) often allow for faster delivery and timely installation.

 

Missing these key milestones often means paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars more for the same product.

 

2. The Impact of Seasons on Price and Supply

 Spring (March–May)

Renovation Peak Season: Many families choose this period to begin bathroom renovations. Due to high demand, prices and delivery times are both high.

 

Frequent New Product Releases: Many brands release new bathtubs during this period, while older models gradually go on sale, but the discounts are often limited.

 

Avoid: Blindly purchasing late in the renovation season is not recommended unless installation is urgently needed.

 

 Summer (June–August)

Promotional Fluctuation: Certain holidays, such as Independence Day and Labour Day, offer discounts, but overall popularity is moderate.

 

New Products Drive Sales: New products appear more frequently, brand pricing remains stable, and discounts depend on the strength of the promotion.

 

Increased Logistics Pressure: The renovation peak season continues, and installation teams and supply chains are relatively strained.

 

 Autumn (September–November)

Inventory Clearance Peak: Holiday sales in September and November (such as post-Labour Day clearances and Thanksgiving/Black Friday) often offer low prices.

 

Price Bottom Window: Many brands offer limited-time flash sales and inventory clearances to boost year-end sales.

 

Suitable Time to Take Action: If time permits, autumn is generally the best time to purchase a bathtub.

 

 Winter (December–February)

Off-Season Inventory Clearance: Aside from Christmas and New Year's Day sales, the rest of the year is the off-season for renovations, and retailers often slash prices to reduce inventory.

 

Clear Delivery Advantages: A relatively abundant installation workforce and short delivery times make this ideal for those seeking a quick completion.

 

Opportunity Window: Mid-December to mid-January is a prime buying period, offering high value and low return risk.

 

3. Key Shopping Events at a Glance

The following are often overlooked but highly valuable opportunities when choosing a bathtub:

 

 President's Day Sale (Mid-February)

Most home improvement brands participate in simultaneous sales, offering discounts on single and double items, bundle deals, and free installation.

 Labour Day/Summer Sale (Late May–Early June)

While promotions often utilise gifts, they usually include limited-time discounts on selected products, which can be considered a "discount entry point." Thanksgiving/Black Friday (late November)

This is one of the most significant discount periods of the year, with many brands releasing their lowest prices of the year for the first time.

 

 Year-End Clearance (mid-/late December)

Group dealers offer deep discounts to clear out the previous year's inventory, shortening delivery times and making it suitable for cold-weather renovations.

 

 New Year's Sale (first week of January)

Many brands continue to offer discounts during the New Year period, and some older bathtubs are still discounted, which can be combined with coupons.

 

4. How to Design Your Purchasing Plan?

 

①　Create a Renovation Schedule

 

Suppose your bathroom remodel or renovation is planned for the spring. In that case, it's recommended to place your order during the previous year's Thanksgiving/year-end clearance period to ensure a stable product and installation schedule.

 

If your renovation is scheduled for the summer or fall, it's recommended to purchase during the fall inventory clearance sales.

 

②　Track the price trends of your target bathtubs

You can add your target bathtub to favourites on multiple platforms to monitor price fluctuations.

 

Use price comparison tools to set price alerts to receive notifications of discounts.

 

Look out for combination promotions, such as installation package discounts, cashback, and coupon stacking.

 

③　Pay attention to logistics and installation arrangements.

 

If you want a quick delivery, choosing the off-season (winter, early spring) is often advantageous.

 

If you plan to postpone installation until peak season, you can buy in late fall and schedule installation later.

 

④　Identify discount channels.

 

In addition to large building material supermarkets (such as Home Depot and Lowe's) and brand websites, you can also look for officially authorised discount stores like Clearance Centre, Factory Outlet, and flash sales on third-party platforms.

 

Some dealer channels also hold trade-ins or replacement sales at the end of each quarter, offering even more affordable prices.

 

5. Recommended Timing for Buying Bathtubs of Different Materials

 

Ø Acrylic bathtubs

Advantages include lightweight, excellent thermal insulation, a mid-range price point, and a wide variety of styles.

 

Most sales occur in the fall when inventory is exhausted; it's worth looking for clearance sales of older models before new arrivals arrive in winter.

Ø Cast Iron Bathtubs

Heavy and durable, they're often used in traditional or classic designs. Due to their high cost, they don't offer as many promotions as lightweight tubs.

 

Clearance sales may occur in late fall and at the end of the year, but discounts rarely exceed 15–20%.

 

Ø Enamel-Coated Steel

It offers good value, is easy to install, and is scratch-resistant, but it provides poor insulation. Promotions are also concentrated in the fall and year-end.

 

You can get even bigger discounts by purchasing a set (tub, countertop, and accessories).

 

Ø Stone/Bespoke Bathtubs

These are high-end, custom-made products and generally don't participate in mass promotions.

 

It's recommended to coordinate your renovation project with the designer or brand for project quotes. Signing contracts at the end of the year often offers discounts.

 

6. Precautions and Mistakes to Avoid

 Don't unthinkingly follow discounts: Not all discounts are good deals. Some older models require longer repairs, have slower shipping, and don't include installation. Verify availability and delivery times before making a decision.

 

 Compare the total price including installation: Even if the bathtub itself is heavily discounted, installation fees may still be high. Accurate budget control comes from the complete package.

 

 Pay attention to return and exchange policies: Custom or large models may not offer free returns or exchanges, so confirm the refund terms first.

 

 Focus on warranties and guarantees: Good brands offer at least a one-year warranty, and some even extend it to 5–10 years. Activating a warranty usually requires a complete order history.

 

7. Summary: The Smartest Time to Buy a Bathtub

Time Window	Main Advantages	Best For	Key Considerations
Black Friday / Thanksgiving (Nov)	Deepest discounts of the year, wide brand participation	All consumers looking for big savings	Confirm stock availability and installation schedules early
Year-End Clearance (Mid-Dec – Jan)	Inventory clear-out, fast delivery, off-season install deals	Early planners or winter renovations	Take advantage of bundled services (e.g., delivery + installation)
Presidents’ Day (Mid-Feb)	Major sales, waived installation fees, seasonal refresh	Winter renovation starters	Ensure warranty and return policies are favorable
Labor Day Sales (Late May – Early Jun)	Holiday promotions, bundled sets, moderate discounts	Summer renovation timelines	Delivery and contractor availability may be tight
Fall Overstock Events (Sep – Oct)	Clearance sales, showroom model deals, restocking push	Those preparing for winter projects	Limited model options and sizes, but strong value available