1. Spend a little time planning the best location for your hot tub or spa before purchasing it. Keep in mind that the average hot tub weighs about 5000 pounds when full of water, so be sure that it has the proper support. Concrete pads, gravel, paver stones, and decks all can be used as a base for your hot tub.

2. Depending on your hot tub, you may need to have an electrician install GFCI-protected 220-240V 50 amp circuits. Many hot tubs, though, operate on standard household voltage of 100-120V, so all you’ll need for them is an outdoor electrical outlet near where you plan to locate the hot tub.

3. Before the hot tub is delivered, make sure you have access to get it into your backyard or wherever it will be located. Most companies deliver the hot tub to your curb but that’s it, so you’ll need to have helpers ready to move it into its final location.

Two people can typically move a hot tub if it’s positioned on a piano or furniture dolly, so most of the muscle is needed to lift it on and off and position it correctly.

4. Once your hot tub is in place, turn off all electrical power to the equipment at the circuit breaker. If the hot tub has gate valves, open them, then make sure the drain valve is closed.

5.Check to see that the filters are properly seated, then use a garden hose to fill the hot tub to the level recommended in your owner’s manual.

6.Open the equipment door panel and look for leaks, tightening any connections that are leaking. Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker.

7. Follow the directions in your manual to balance your water chemistry and use a sanitizer system.

Congratulations, you just installed your hot tub!

Hot Tub Installation: Installing most hot tubs is usually a relatively simple task that a home owner can easily accomplish, assuming it’s not an in-ground hot tub. Hook it up to a garden hose, turn on the power, and you’re usually good to go.

Hot Tub Construction: The most common material is an acrylic tub with a fiberglass back, as these hot tubs are sturdy, easy to clean, and come in a variety of colors and styles. Acrylic tubs with ABS plasticfoam or fiber backs are also a popular choice.

Hot Tub Sizes: Hot tubs come in a variety of sizes, with the most common tubs holding 500 gallons of water and seating six adults. Smaller two person hot tubs and larger tubs are also available.
Hot Tub Costs: A common 6 person hot tub will usually cost $10-$15/month in heating costs. You should also factor in the fact that you should change out thewater every six months, which will add to your water bill based on the size of your hot tub.

Hot Tub Location: The vast majority of hot tubs are installed outdoors, as indoor installation typically leads to humidity and ventilation problems, not to mention issues with water apilling from the tub. As far as location outdoors, it’s really up to you and the layout of your home. Try to avoid placing hot tubs under trees in order to minimize debris that might fall into your hot tub.

Be Kind to Your Filter: Most hot tub problems arise from not taking proper care of the filter. Be sure to run the hot tub at least an hour a day to properly circulate the water through the filter. Most filters need to be replaced every year or two, so don’t be tempted to keep your filter for a longer period of time. You should give your filter a thorough cleaning at least once a month.

Properly Winterize Your Hot Tub: Most serious hot tub problems arise from improperly preparing your hot tub for freezing winter temperatures, especially with hot tubs that are closed down for the winter. Any water left inside the hot tub shell, pipes, or equipment can freeze and expand, cracking and damaging your hot tub. If you do close your hot tub for the winter, be sure to completely drain all water and consider adding a winter cover over your regular hot tub cover.

Keep Your Water Balanced: Clean, balanced water puts less stress on your hot tub equipment which means fewer maintenance issues and problems in general. Regularly check that your pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness are all in the recommended levels. You should also completely empty and refill your hot tub with new water at least every six months.

Be Realistic: Probably the single most common reason that projects go over budget is because the homeowners weren’t realistic as to how much it would cost. Pretending that you can afford a new pool during the planning project doesn’t make it any cheaper. Before you start planning a new project or renovation, do some basic research into what you should expect to pay. If it’s more than you can afford, consider scaling down your plans to something that’s realistic and affordable. If that doesn’t work, continue to save money until your realistic budget is feasible.

Talk, Talk, Talk: Make sure your spouse or family are all on board with the project before you ever start. Is it worth it to everone to have that new deck, even if it means no vacation trip that year? Will you really use that hot tub enough to justify the expense?

When you’re getting bids from contractors, get as many as possible. Yes, it’s not fun and can be quite painful but the more people you talk to, the better, as you’ll be reassured that you hired the best contractor and the finished product will probably be better. Don’t stop talking to the contractor once work starts. If you hav any concerns let them know immediately, when you have them. Don’t wait, assuming they’ll read your mind and adjust or change things the way you really want them, because if you do you may blow your budget later having the changes made.

Big Projects Shouldn’t Happen Overnight: You probably don’t want to hear this, but if you’re considering a major project such as adding a pool, you should spend at least six months during the planning stage. We all want things done, immediately, or at the very least by tomorrow, but you should give yourself a period of at least six months to not only properly plan the project but to get comfortable with the idea and be sure it’s what you want to do. The longer the planning period, the more likely you’ll stay on budget.

You Hired a Good Contractor for a Reason: Don’t bristle if your contractor suggests changes or alterations to your plan. They’re the professional and if they’re suggesting a change that might disturb you, believe me, they’re aware of the danger so give extra weight to what they suggest.

You don’t necessarily have to cave in but don’t assume they’re changing your plan simply to make life easier on themselves. If an element of your plan is very important to you, be firm, but try to be flexible on other areas, especially if it will save you headaches later on. Adjusting your project plans as it develops can often be crucial in staying on budget.

Stay on Task: It’s easy to let yourself go wild, especially in the middle of a major project, adding this, throwing in that, thinking what the heck, you’ve already spent a ton of money, why not go for the gusto? That’s a perfect recipe for a blown budget, and usually ends up with lots of expensive additions that aren’t really that useful or enjoyable. Stay focused on your plan. When it’s done and you’ve spent time enjoying your new pool, patio, or deck, then that’s the time to consider what additions might truly be nice and enhance the effect you’ve created, not when you’re in the process of creating the effect.