Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - Whirlpool Tub Considerations

I'm sure that this has been covered, but i couldn't find it...

We are planning on replacing our existing tub with a whirlpool tub (American Standard, jacuzzi, etc.). I have estimates from three contractors who have done work in our area, and one of them is significantly different than the other two (by a factor of two!). Two of the contractors are proposing removing the existing tub (along with old tile, drywall, etc.) and installing the whirlpool tub and a fiberglass surround. The third is telling me that I will need to rip up the sub flooring in the enitre bath (about 80 sq. ft.) to reinforce the joists in the entire bath to prevent damage to the existing flooring from the vibration of the whirlpool when it is running. Is this really necessary, or is this guy just trying to inflate the scope of the project on me?

Unless your house is seriously unstable, removing the existing subflooring, beefing up the joisting, and reinstalling new subflooring sounds like a little much. The whirlpool bath won't hold alot more water than the one you are taking out, so the weight factor is nil. The motor doesn't vibrate. It runs quite smoothly and picks up air through an admittance valve to cause the bubbles.
Overall, I believe this to be an overkill. Run.

Thanks, Larry... That's what I thought. In my last conversation with him he said a coupl eof things that turned me off. He told me that my job was a small to medium job and that they usually do large jobs. He also recommended an American Standard whirlpool tub and then went on to say that he had to run a 220V circuit to the bathroom. I checked the American Standard site and all of the whirlpool tubs I saw are 110V.

...ron

Like I said, run! Good luck with the other guys, they seem more ready to do "small to medium" jobs. That's what I thrive on.