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Safe Step is the premier walk-in bathtub and shower provider in the United States. What we like about Safe Step is how they include bathroom modifications, plumbing and electrical work and installation in the cost of their walk-in tub quotes.
Editorial Breakdown
Customer Service
Tub Features
Price
Ease of Purchase
Overall Rating
Bottom Line
If customization, safety and the perfect fit are your top concerns when purchasing a walk-in tub, Safe Step leads the industry with personalized shopping and installation experience.
Safe Step Walk-In Tubs come equipped with standard features other companies consider optional upgrades, such as cleaning systems and therapeutic devices. We’ve rated Safe Step the “Great for Arthritis and Joint Pain” winner in our walk-in tub buyers guide because Safe Step has the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use certification. Plus, every Safe Step tub is customized to meet the size and design needed for the project. The company’s tubs are manufactured in the United States, come with a lifetime warranty, and according to company representatives, are the no. 1 choice by sales volume for the product category.
After purchasing a Safe Step tub, the company will arrange for delivery, installation, and hauling away your old tub or shower. You will not need to hire additional plumbing or electrical laborers to complete the project. Upfront fees may be required to start construction.
Pros
Cons
While the size and shape of Safe Step walk-in tubs often vary, many have the same standard features. Because Safe Step can customize its product to fit customers’ needs, homeowners rarely need to change the size or layout of their bathroom. Therapeutic devices are standard on all tubs, including the Dual Hydrotherapy Massage System and Chromotherapy System.
Safe Step walk-in tub models have several key safety and comfort features to minimize risk during bathing for anyone with mobility issues. Users get into the tub using a side door, shut the sealed door, then fill their bath without worrying about falls, slips or trips. The heated seat keeps users warm while they wait for the tub to fill.
These benefits are the reason why people buy Safe Step walk-in tubs:
Walk-In Tubs | Walk-In Showers |
---|---|
Wide, safer doors | Streamlined look |
Quick-release drain | Controls are easy to reach, quick on/off shower button |
Easy-to-reach controls | Extra-long safety bar |
Anti-slip floor and seat | Low-entry step |
Built-in grab bar | Low-entry step |
Anti-slip floor and seat | Commercial-grade anti-slip flooring |
Safe Water cleaning system | Built-in folding chair |
Mold resistant gel-coat | Anit-scald faucet |
Anti-scald faucet | Pads support up to 350 lbs |
10 massaging jets | |
17-inch high heated anti-slip seat | |
Handheld shower wand | |
Right or left door | |
Low-entry step |
Safe Step also offers a Hybrid™ Walk-In Tub product, which is an upgraded bathing experience with a shower-bath combination. Here, you can choose an adjustable shower head or a large, overhanging rainfall shower head that is adjustable for your height and pivots to offer a seated shower option.
Safe Step walk-in tubs are an investment in the comfort and safety of the homeowner. The company was reluctant to share prices with us because, like any construction project, costs will vary depending on the size and scope of the project. However, we were told that Safe Step models start at $10,000 for the walk-in tub, including shipping and installation.
Safe Step avoids quoting general prices since nearly every project is unique. To help make the cost more manageable, the company offers a financing plan with approved credit. Before choosing a payment plan, check interest charges and compare them with other credit-based options.
The company also offers a “Helping Hands Rebate” of up to $1,500 to help offset the lack of Medicare coverage, and discounts for military veterans. Getting an exact quote for a Safe Step tub in your home is free, but you’ll need to request an estimate by completing a form on their website. For guidance on what to look for in the price of a walk-in tub, visit our walk-in tub guide.
Safe Step covers its products with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor for the original purchaser as long as a company representative installed the product. This warranty covers the tub (including manufacturing defects), door seal, faucets, water pumps, heaters, and blowers. Specific exclusions may apply, and coverage may not pay for all service or labor costs for every repair. There is a two-year warranty on caulking.
Safe Step provides customer service via a toll-free number at (800) 346-6616 or chat on their website 24 hours a day. For those interested in buying a tub, a rep will return your call within an hour or two, or you can schedule a time to see one of the many showrooms in the U.S. Those who have already purchased a tub have access to the customer service line from the moment they pay their initial deposit. This same number will connect them to a representative for any ongoing troubleshooting or warranty claims that may come up.
Customers report being pleased with the responsiveness of the service team in resolving issues with leaks or answering questions that arise over time. Buyers describe Safe Step walk-in tubs as a luxury home bathing experience without sacrificing safety. The perks of owning a bathtub come up frequently from customers with mobility issues, with some reporting a significant relief of pain symptoms from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates this company with an A+, its highest rating. Safe Step has earned this mark by responding to customer questions and complaints quickly. Many of the reviews left by customers are specific to the experience they received at a particular Safe Step dealer and may not be a reflection of service at another location or the brand.
The most common complaint received by customers is that the tubs and showers can leak soon after installation. It’s not uncommon for a newly installed walk-in tub to need adjusting after some use. Almost all verified Safe Step reviews mention promptness and professionalism in getting service providers back to the home to make these adjustments under the original lifetime warranty.
Some complaints were related to unclear pricing guidelines. Some customers felt pressured to buy when a representative visited their home to measure the bathroom for appropriate fitting, and some said that figuring the total cost of various models and options was confusing. However, most verified reviewers that mention price seem satisfied by their overall purchase and refer to the higher-end tubs as a worthwhile investment for their health and well-being. Customers compared the step-in tubs to having a private hot tub in their bathroom.
Finally, a few reviewers warn that these walk-in tubs can use more water than a standard bathtub and often require an upgrade in the hot water system to accommodate the volume.
Some remodeling may be necessary. Safe Step will determine which tub is best suited for your bathroom, including size, plumbing and electrical needs, fixture placements, and aesthetics. Their trained team members will recommend the appropriate tub or shower for your needs after inspecting your tub area.
Yes. The Safe Step team will handle this for you. Their professionals are trained in proper removal and clean up, which is included in the cost.
All additional installation tasks that may include additions to your plumbing or electrical systems come bundled in the price and are included in your custom quote. The Safe Step team has membership in the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), and professionals have received extensive training on how to ensure your systems are treated appropriately upon install.
No, these programs will only cover the cost of durable medical equipment, which does not include walk-in tubs.
Safe Step guarantees its products and the quality of installation for a lifetime against manufacturer’s defects and performance of the tub, door seal, faucets, water pumps, blowers, and heaters.
Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co. is based in Nashville and has been providing walk-in tubs and showers since 2009. They have several showrooms across the United States and Canada, and their professional sales reps are trained to work with customers to find the right walk-in tub or shower with their existing bathroom floor plan. The company only sells to homeowners and has received the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation after having its products independently tested.
While you’ll need to schedule a home visit to get the exact details on which model is right for you, this ensures you minimize bathroom renovations. Safe Step has developed a product line to fit almost all budgets. Customers who value American-made products will also love that each tub is made in Tennessee and representatives are available nationwide to assist in your purchase. Call or use the online chat feature on their website to schedule a visit or be directed to one of their many showrooms. If you’re interested in a walk-in tub from Safe Step, call 888-653-9934 or check out their website.