Average Cost of Safe Step Walk-In Tub
Buying a walk-in tub is not a cheap option, although it is one that is often born from a medical necessity. A walk-in tub can allow someone with mobility or balance issues the ability to live a relatively normal life. There’s no avoiding the fact, however, that a walk-in tub represents a major purchase, costing thousands of dollars.
This guide will walk you through those costs, showing you how you can attempt to make a Safe Step Walk-In tub fit your budget and your needs. See our Safe Step Walk-In Tub Review page for more information on their offerings.
ABOUT SAFE STEP
Safe Step is a somewhat new addition to the walk-in tub market. It has been around for about 10 years and operates out of Nashville, Tennessee. Safe Step makes a range of walk-in products: tubs, showers, and hybrid walk-in tub/shower options. One of the most reassuring aspects of buying a Safe Step tub is that the company is fully accredited by the American Arthritis Foundation.
Overall
Costs
Overall Average Cost
Overall, for a Safe Step Walk-In Tub, you can expect to pay between $7,500 and $13,000 for the cost of the tub and the installation. This places Safe Step nearer the higher end of the walk-in tub market.
The cost of the tub itself is likely to be somewhere between $2,500 and $8,000, with a rough price of between $3,000 and $15,000 for installation (the average is usually around $6,500). The cost of installation varies a great deal, as the section below will expand upon.
However, in general, Safe Step likes to create a truly custom overall quote for each client. In order to find out the exact price of your tub (including installation), you will need to speak to either a Safe Step representative or a third party who is able to take into account your unique circumstances.
Cost of Installation
As mentioned above, there is a great deal of variance in price when it comes to the installation of Safe Step walk-in tubs. In fact, this is the primary driver of your bottom-line price.
The average cost is $6,500, with $3,000 and $15,000 representing the extreme high and low ends of the range. The cost of installation is based on the following factors:
The size of the model
The complexity of the installation process
The space available in your bathroom
The remodeling requirements
The level of customization
The specific features in your tub
Below are some of the most common drivers of different installation prices.
PLUMBING
If you install a larger walk-in tub you may need to make changes to the plumbing system to facilitate speedier draining and filling times. If this is needed, you can expect to pay somewhere between $350 and $2,000 to do so.
WATER HEATER
Because walk-in tubs hold between 40 and 120 gallons of water, they often need an upgrade to the size of the water heater. A good rule of thumb is that a water heater should be ⅔ of the size of the tub. If you don’t have that already, you’ll struggle to have baths that are warm enough.
A brand new water heater will cost you between $600 and $1,800. An alternative option is to upgrade to a tankless water heater system; you’ll pay between $1,300 and $3,000 for this. While the up-front cost for a tankless system is higher, you’ll save money each year by having a lower water bill.
ELECTRICAL UPGRADES
Safe Step Walk-in Tubs come with air jets and water jets, driven by motors. You may need to connect these motors to the electrical system yourself. To hire an electrician, you’ll pay between $40 and $100 per hour. In cases of older homes, you may need to upgrade the entire electrical panel. This will cost you between $1,200 and $3,000.
REMODELING
Not all Safe Step tubs fit into every bathroom. If you need to remodel your bathroom, you can expect to pay between $120 and $275 per square foot. This will allow you to expand or change the layout of the space to fit the floorplan of the bathroom. It is far cheaper to buy a walk-in tub that fits the bathroom than to change the bathroom to fit the tub.
EXTENSION PANELS
Because walk-in tubs are shorter than a regular bathtub, you may need to install extension panels to hide any open space. These will cost you somewhere between $230 and $300.
For cost information of some competitor walk-in tub brands, see these pages:
Cost
of Different Models
The different Safe Step models all have slightly different price points and features. For an overview of the various options, see below:
1
Aromatherapy
The Aromatherapy model has built-in diffusers, which allow you to create a spa-like experience by adding essential oils. These systems usually cost somewhere between $200 and $300 to add to your model.
2
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy refers to the therapeutic element of the water jet massage, which is designed to alleviate pressure and tension within muscle tissues. Safe Step offers a ‘Dual Hydrotherapy System’, which also encompasses the use of air jets to massage softer tissue. The air jets also help to create bubbles, making the massage more relaxing. For this, you can expect to add between $2,800 and $8,400 to the cost of your walk-in tub.
3
Specialist Seat
A heated seat makes the entire bathing experience more pleasant, particularly during the time you are waiting for the tub to drain or fill up (since you have to wait in place before opening the door). The Safe Step heated seat heats up in 8 minutes to give you a comfortable place to rest. This will usually add between $300 and $500 to the cost of your bathtub.
Included for free
Safe Step also includes the following items as standard (i.e. at no additional cost) within all models. If you were looking to create a breakdown of prices, or buy these items separately, you’d likely pay the following:
- Built-in grab bars (these will usually cost you between $25 and $370 per rail).
- Rapid-drain system (a speed drain will cost you between $250 and $275, and will reduce the drain time from 5-10 minutes to less than 2 minutes – although this may incur additional costs when it comes to plumbing).
Cost of Upkeep
One of the nice elements of buying a walk-in tub is the relatively little additional money you’ll need to pay for upkeep. Although you may need to increase the size of your water heater, the actual running cost of a walk-in tub is something you’ll need to consider, but not something that will break the bank. For a 60-gallon bathtub, you’ll pay roughly $55 per year if you fill it once per day. This is a scalable cost, so a 90-gallon bathtub (i.e. one that is 50% bigger) will cost 50% more ($82.50).
Additional Pricing
Information
If you are taking the plunge – so to speak – and buying a Safe Step tub, you are likely to be making a fairly significant outlay. Spending thousands of dollars isn’t always a viable option, especially for those who are challenged by mobility or balance issues and therefore may not have long-term employment. However, there are some discounts available that you should avail yourself of.
Rebate
Under its ‘Helping Hand’ program, Safe Step offers a rebate of up to $1,500. This means you’ll be able to receive a discount of $1,500 off the overall cost of the tub if you demonstrate a financial need.
Discount
If you are a Military Veteran, there are discounts available. These vary, so you’ll need to speak to a representative to see what specific options are open to you.
Financing Plans
If you have good credit, then you will be able to set up the financing for your tub. Safe Step makes these available for all models of tubs and for all customers who pass a credit check.
Removal Costs
If you need to remove a walk-in tub, you can expect to pay somewhere between $100 and $550. This includes the cost of labor as well as the demolition and removal of debris. There may also be the need to retile or replace some of the walls.
If you want to convert a tub to a walk-in shower, you’ll pay somewhere between $2,500 and $15,000. To retile the area around a walk-in tub or a shower, you’ll pay roughly $7 to $25 per square foot.
Knowing what to expect with large purchases is half of the emotional battle. The numbers above will give you a ballpark figure to work from depending on your specific needs and wants. Although your final figure will be based on your own specific circumstances, knowing where you can make savings and where you are better to spend the money helps you to be an effective consumer.
A walk-in tub often isn’t an optional purchase; you are, however, in control of how much you spend and what you spend it on. Getting the right tub for you can be literally life-changing.