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Step 1
Decide where to place the hot tub. Take privacy, accessibility and aesthetics into consideration. Don't put the tub under overhanging trees or bushes that drop a lot of leaves.
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Step 2
Make sure the site can withstand 100 to 150 pounds per square foot (500 to 750 kg per square m). You'll want the strength and security of a sturdy deck or concrete slab.
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Step 3
Choose the size of a hot tub according to how many people will use it. The rule of thumb is to multiply 75 gallons (284 l) of water by the number of people for the total water capacity.
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Step 4
Determine your budget. Two-person hot tubs start at about $4,000 and six-person hot tubs start at $8,000 to $10,000. Ask for an estimate of monthly operating costs. Full insulation will save energy.
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Step 5
Consider what material you want. Today most hot tubs are made of acrylic, which is easier to take care of and longer lasting than fiberglass. Hot tubs made out of wood, most commonly redwood, are handsome but are likely to require more cleaning and upkeep, and they don't offer contoured seating as acrylic does. For a smaller investment, consider portable hot tubs made of vinyl (about $2,500).
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Step 6
Try before you buy. A good company will let you test hot tubs in the showroom. (You'll want to dress for the occasion.) Pay attention to the jets' noise level, how easy it is to use the control, and the seating arrangement (especially with premolded seats). Can you move around comfortably? Do you want a flexible seating arrangement?
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Step 7
Look for features and amenities to add to your pleasure and reduce any worries. Covers that lock with a key keep children safe and also help keep the tub clean. Thermostats keep the temperature under control. Safety switches, such as automatic shutoffs, are available.
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Step 8
Get the specifics about the dealer's delivery and installation service. Do you want the tub left in the driveway or brought right to its new location? Installation may add 5 to 10 percent to the cost, but you may find it worthwhile, especially given electrical and plumbing factors.
Comments
beyondnice said
on 8/7/2009 Love the info provided here. For great info on hot tub covers, visit www.BeyondNice.com for the largest selection online. Hot tub covers are their specialty!
pochojoe said
on 11/16/2008 Hey, if anyone's looking to buy a hot tub, I won one on "The Price is Right." I've gotta sell it ASAP. Please contact me at joe@pochojoe.com
cj99999 said
on 5/22/2008 great way to save money with hot tubs is to arrange to have it delivered yourself..contact these guys www.spasolve.co.uk and they will do it for you,ideal if your tub is coming from a distance away
Anonymous said
on 2/13/2007 This is a very personal issue, but you can't really tell by the horsepower ratings, number of jets, etc.
The only way to tell is try the tub or hope that when you get your $4000 -6000 investment home the jets will feel strong enough.
Anonymous said
on 2/13/2007 Most tubs today come factory set to have a maximum temperature of 104. The sellers will tell you this is required by law. For some tastes that's just marginally warm enough, and once you're in the tub it may not be able to maintain that and rapidly drop to 102 which may just feel lukewarm instead of hot.
Some brands will allow the owner to easily override the 104 limit and set it to 105 or 106. Some will let you do so with some difficulty, and some can't be set higher.
What's more, thermostats are not perfect, so if you have bad luck it may turn out that the your tub with a nominal 104 limit actually can't be set higher than 103 or even 102. That sounds small, but 102 feels very different than 104.
This is more of an issue with tubs running on 110 volt than on 220 volt, but is an issue with either. Personally I would not buy a tub that would not allow me to set it to at least 105.