What's involved in getting a hot tub?  Like I mean does it need a concrete pad?  Electrical work?  What's a typical cost for a tub that seats 4-6 people?

Quoted from pinsRfun

What's involved in getting a hot tub?  Like I mean does it need a concrete pad?  Electrical work?  What's a typical cost for a tub that seats 4-6 people?

as long as its flat for your size its fine...bottom has to be flat to support the weight with the water evenly distributed (level) to prevent the tub from cracking / splitting.(excluding soft tubs, obviously)  for the critics.....AKA Wayne

electrical needs a GFI .


cost depends on size and quality of tub with number of jets and size of 1 or more pumps



hope this helps for what i know or can contribute

And I know hardkor is the hot tub guy on maaca.  I wanted buyer's input before I get a seller's input.

The big mistake people make is spending way too much. Use it a few months and then never touch it. Buy used put it on a gravel pad. Upgrade later if you find out that its something that is being used. If thats not your cup of tea go to costco and buy . The only company that will take their tub back if its a lemon. But stay away from fully foam tubs. Its a nightmare to have the leaks fixed. I hope this helps any questions just ask.



btw i trade used tubs for pins

One thing people sometimes fail to consider when planning to use one on a deck is the weight.  A decent sized tub (5-6 person) can hold 3000 pounds of water.  This is more weight than most structures are designed to hold per square foot.

If installing on ground, a concrete pad is certainly the best way to go.

Most tubs with pumps and heaters operate on 220, some "Portable" style tubs - most notably SofTubs run on 110.  These have a pump/heater combo.  They're naturally easier to install and have an integral GFI, but do not have the ability to keep up with the heat demands if you are having a party, or using the tub for extended periods, and will lose heat faster than can be recovered.

It seems the SofTubs hold their value somewhat more than a standard permanent style tub, but are relatively expensive to purchase new, and lack the extreme number of jets and other features available on the permanent versions - something to consider if you ever decide to sell.

Hope this helps...

i use to rent hot tubs. STAY AWAY from soft tubs, good for camping. but they are junk. save your money, go to your bathroom and  have a bath.  sorry marktoo no offence.

soft tubs have no heater just a coil that goes around the pump. this is how the tub heats

I just got an Arctic Spa last September. They are a Canadian company, so they're built with Canadian winters in mind. They have a composite floor called "Forever Floor", which the tub is built around, so all you need is a level area to place the tub on. I used tailings which we compacted and leveled. So far no shifting or movement. These tubs are very efficient with power consumption because the insulation is blown on the cabinet, not the tub. This means that all the heat generated by the pumps is used to heat the tub, and not lost through the cabinet. Also keeps the plumbing very accessable because there is no insulation blown over any of the pipes or fittings. They have one of the best covers in the industry too. Very thick and strong, keeping the heat in the tub when not in use. I actually stand right on top of it to shovel the snow off, with no flex or sagging at all.

Oh yeah, the useage. We use it about 3 to 4 times a week, and still enjoy it very much.

They are on the pricey side, but I always believed that you get what you pay for.

Arctic are pricey i use to do service for the company here in Calgary. A few things here in Calgary are wait time for service are long, check valves blow apart(only if you have more then one pump)which will blow your seal out of pump 2 ,the jets always break and pop out. The covers are heavy and will hurt you if they flip on you in the wind. The Arctic tubs do hold heat well....but once again go to costco get one for half the price. Costco will take it back if its a lemon.

Well so far so good. No problems with valves, o-rings or jets, but it is still pretty new. I think Arctic may have suffered some growing pains a while back, but the quality seems to be pretty good to me. Of course I'm not a technician for tubs, so I'm looking at it from a layman's point of view. It had one loose hose clamp initially, but I tightened it myself.

I have a cover lifter on this thing, just so we can actually open the tub with one person. It is a heavy bugger. Trust me, if it's windy enough to blow this baby over, I'm not going to be sitting in it  

you are right the quality is good, the shell seems to never crack and good resell

hardkor,

are you familiar with the Eco 1 products, for sanitization?

I've owned two tubs.

Infinity - ( Maxx - built in Ontario, Canada ) it was good, but they had inital issues, all which were rectified under warranty. Everything on this tub failed within the first 2 years ( spa pack, multiple heater elements, circulation pumps, and main pumps ). This was a newer design when I bought it, I guess they worked the issues out as they went, it was a nice looking spa. I wouldn't purchase another one.

Artic Spa - ( Canadian built, not sure where ) they are super reliable, mine is now 7 years old and all I've ever done is change out one heater element which I understand is very common.

Of the two, I'd recommend the Artic Spa, it seems way better built. I also have two close friends, who I've know for years, who work in the spa/pool industry. They think that the Costo ( Savanna is the brand name ) tubs are not very good, although the build quality has gotten better over the years, they are known for issues and also the inefficiency/power consumption issues. They are not insulated that well. My one friend, who does service calls, loves Costco for originally putting these spas out and keeping him employed. Note to self. A spa is not really like taking a toaster back to the store, it's pretty involved, even if Costco will take it back with no questions.

Ultimately, a spa can be like a car, there are lemons and there are ones that run with no problems for years. A BMW is not built the same as a Kia. Also note to self, I think you get what you pay for, up to certain point. I would not buy a Hotsprings Spa as your first tub ( these are known as the industry leader ). They are overpriced for the first time spa owner. You should make sure that a spa will be apart of your lifestyle, then buy accordingly, my opinion only. It's also good to try a friends out before you buy, make sure to ask questions, and make sure it's something you WANT for sure.

Hope this helps!