Introduction

In the middle of a bathroom renovation, the temptation for instant gratification is strong. When contractors are waiting and pushing you because “their” timelines are tight, the idea of driving to a big-box retailer and pulling a bathtub off a shelf right now seems appealing.

At Malibu Home, we consciously choose not to operate that way.

We know that a bathtub isn't a throwaway item; it is a permanent fixture (sometimes even cemented) into your home for the next 20 years. Because of this, we believe the risks associated with mass-produced over-seas "off-the-shelf" tubs far outweigh the benefit of saving a few weeks. The lack of transparency in branding means that a product that looks high-end more than likely is an imported tub as many brands seen online are importers or distributors who rebrand products manufactured in foreign factories - we suggest asking any retailer you are considering - “Where is this bathtub made?”

Here is a look inside the Malibu Home Made To Order process and why we believe your new sanctuary is worth waiting a little bit for.

The "Dusty Shelf" Myth: Why Fresh Acrylic Matters

There is a misconception that "in stock" means "ready for you." In the world of large-scale bathtub retail, "in stock" usually means the product has been sitting in a warehouse—or worse, a non-climate-controlled shipping container that's come from overseas—for months or even years. Over time, poorly stored acrylic subjected to extreme heat or cold can affect its integrity and any seals on any pre-plumbed jetted tubs can degrade before they are ever installed.

The Malibu Home Difference:

When you place an order with us, your tub does not exist yet. A Malibu Home bathtub is "born" two weeks before it ships to you. It is manufactured in a United States factory (located in North Carolina) using fresh, pristine acrylic that hasn't been subjected to months of storage stress.

Customization vs. Compromise: Getting the Perfect Fit

When you buy a tub off a retail shelf (including other large online bathroom vendors), often with that really interesting looking “inexpensive” price - you are buying a product designed for the "average" bathroom which can limit your choices of sizes, design, and functionality. Basically, you get what you see, and you have to force your bathroom design to adapt to the tub.

Because Malibu Home builds to order, we don't force you to compromise. Our process allows for crucial customizations that offer you (and your contractor or designer) to make crucial construction decisions up front - which leads to a smoother bathroom remodel and the final aesthetic exactly how you envisioned.

Depending on the model, "Made To Order" allows us to offer:

• Pump and Blower Repositioning: We can often move mechanical components to accommodate your specific electrical access points and or service panels.

• Installation Specifics: We offer upgrades and customizations, like a molded tile flange on certain drop in tubs customized for your project, ensuring you have the correct tile flanges for a drop in tub alcove installation. Also - you can specify a perfectly flat deck at time of order for an undermount install where you will be laying material (quartz/marble) directly on top of the tub deck.

• Hardware Matching: We ensure drain trims and finishes match your other bathroom hardware exactly by offering a variety of choices, rather than offering generic chrome.

• Hardware Upgrades and Accessories: We offer upgraded pumps, recirculating heaters, grab bars, and chroma therapy lights for a truly upgraded and luxury bathing experience.

Quality Control: Testing "One" vs. Testing a "Batch"

How do high-volume manufacturers keep prices rock-bottom and inventory high? They cut corners on materials, labor costs, and crucially Quality Control (QC). Mass manufacturers often inspect only a "batch sample"—perhaps checking 1 out of every 50 tubs produced. If the one they check is okay, they assume the other 49 are too.

At Malibu Home, because every tub is made individually, every tub is inspected individually.

Before a tub leaves our USA factory, it undergoes a rigorous QC check. If you ordered a jetted tub, it is water-tested to ensure every jet, pump, and seal is operating perfectly. We don't ship it until we know it is flawless.

Comparison: Malibu Home vs. Big Box Retailers

For a quick glance at why our process yields a superior product, see the comparison below:

Reframing the Wait

We understand that in an Amazon Prime world, waiting 3 to 4 weeks for a product feels like an eternity.

But we urge you to reframe the timeline. A bathtub is one of the most difficult, expensive items to replace in a home. It gets buried under tile, plumbing, and cement board.

A 2-3 week lead time plus under a week for a free freight delivered USA-made, quality-checked, perfectly customized fixture is a negligible investment compared to the 20 years of regret that comes with installing a cheap, ill-fitting tub that you bought just because it was available today. We have heard too many horror stories and sympathize.

Good things take time. Your perfect bathroom is worth the wait.