This isn't going to be a detailed rundown on what to look for in a good hot tub or who to buy it from. I'll leave that to the other articles and reviews on the Internet. Honestly, most hot tubs are basically the same. We recommend that price, service and the nearness of the dealership should be your main consideration. However, there are some important options you need to seriously think about before making that final purchase.
Are You a Soaker?
Some hot tubs come with a multitude of jets. If you are more of a soaker and actually prefer that the jets aren't all blasting at the same time, you may want to look for something at a better price and give up some of the fancy jets in favor of fewer or less powerful ones. In some cases you can cut 1/2 of the cost for a more basic unit.
Is Entertainment Important?
You can always splurge and get a DVD player, stereo and speakers built into the tub. However, this will add quite a bit to the price. Most hot tubs use a marine radio/CD player with water proof speakers and a remote controller on the top side of the tub. You can easily hear the music and even run a TV in through the Auxiliary so you can hear the TV through the tub speakers.
Another feature you might consider is fiber optic lighting. This is a bunch of small lights around the top of the tub that change color. At first glance it looks like this would just be to make it fancy. But at night, you'll find they provide a great deal of light which makes the tub much easier to use. It also helps when messing around outside the tub with CD's, Drinks, Towels, Chemicals etc.
To Gazebo or Not To Gazebo
Most people put off the purchase of a gazebo because I don’t want to spend another $6000.00. However, if you live in a cold and snowy climate, you may seriously want to consider this. A gazebo is just like another room to your house and it will keep you from freezing while climbing in and out and maintaining your spa. The right enclosure will remain fairly warm in the winter due to the heat from the tub.
If you decide to buy a gazebo, be sure your get one big enough for you to move around. Some people will by an 8x8 gazebo that basically encloses the tub with no extra space. On a showroom this looks like a fine arrangement. But in all practicality, you should get something more like a 12x12 that has racks and storage for chemicals and towels. Plus you’ll probably have room for a bar and stools in there.
Additional Costs
Here are a few things to consider. These will run an additional cost or add some hard labor to your hot tub project.
Electrical: You'll most likely need a dedicated 50 amp circuit with a breaker box in plain view of the tub. In most cases this means digging a 36 inch deep trench from the garage to the gazebo so the electrician can run the conduit. The cost of the electrical work is usually close to $1000.
Cement: You may also need a new 14x14 foot cement slab to accommodate the tub and gazebo. It can cost almost $2000 for the labor and materials to have this poured. You might also have to consider removing the grass from the area where you pour the slab. This can take a couple of days and is exhausting work. You may need to cut strips of sod and haul them to the disposal site.
Gazebo: Immediately upon erecting the gazebo, you will need to stain it to seal the wood from the weather. This is usually a day of hard work which will need to be done at least every other year.
Cover Helper: The covers of these hot tubs are not easy to move around by yourself. This is especially true in a Gazebo. They sell cover helpers which are lever type devices that lift the cover mechanically and put it behind the tub. If you have the room, consider making the room, this will make your spa much more enjoyable.
Portable Utility Pump: Hot tubs have a gravity drain at the bottom which can take all day to drain. You can purchase a utility pump or sump pump at the local home improvement or hardware store. This drains the tub in about an hour and let you get to work cleaning and refilling fairly quick. You can usually pick one up for about $70. Those of you who've drained a waterbed without a pump know why this is a good investment.
Hose for adding water: You should also purchase a special hose for adding water to the tub. Keep it inside so it stays clean and not frozen. Tubs evaporate water at a surprisingly fast rate so plan on adding water at least once a month.
