A hot tub is one of the all-time greatest way to relax, unwind and let stress melt away in those hot bubbles. Hydrotherapy has also been shown to ease aches and pains associated with fibromyalgia, arthritis, and back pain.

If you’re considering using a hot tub installer, you want to make sure you know what you’re getting into. Here are 8 tips to help you choose one.

1. Ask About Permits

When choosing professional hot tub installers, ask them about permits. Sometimes, permits may be required to install your hot tub. 

Some cities require authorization for exterior electrical circuits and construction. If you are building an additional structure like a gazebo over the hot tub, it may require a permit. 

Your HOA may also require their own special permits. Ask about any rules they may have about where you can place outdoor hot tubs. 

There may also be special rules that apply to indoor hot tubs as well. It’s best to know everything up front before you begin and wind up in trouble. Your hot tub installers can help you with this. 

2. Find the Right Spot

Finding space for hot tubs isn’t as easy as it may seem. When it comes to the placement of your hot tub, there are a few things you need to think about first. 

Placing a hot tub in the middle of your backyard may seem like the ideal location. But have you thought about mother nature? In the summer months, the middle of the yard may leave no room for shade.

In the wintertime, you will want to get inside quickly after a dip because it will be cold. Positioning your tub near a changing room or entryway to the house may be easier to get in and out and provide some shade during the summer.

Consider a walkway or path to your hot tub. No one wants to step on dirt before getting into their clean hot tub. This will also cut down on maintenance and make it easier for entertaining. 

Does your area see hurricanes or tornados? Think about the best placement in case a major storm heads your way. 

3. Supply Your Hot Tub With Power

Your hot tub will need a dedicated supply of electricity. No other lights or appliances should be connected to the line. How much power your hot tub will need depends on the model you decide to buy. 

Adding a dedicated electrical line can increase the hot tub installation cost. Your installation service will need a qualified electrician to install the power supply and adapt your breaker box. 

Ask your hot tub installation service if this is something you provide. Most have an electrician on staff or help coordinate this process with you. 

Coordinate the purchase of your tub after the electrical supply is already installed. This way, you’ll be ready to use your tub after it arrives and you’ll know where to place it.

4. Think About Privacy

Your hot tub should be your private escape from the world. Ideally, the space where you choose to place your hot tub in will be a private area, but that is not always the case. Sometimes, your yard only has room for a hot tub in one area or you have to place the hot tub near the electrical supply. 

If this is true for you, think about how you can make the area a private space. Plants or hedges can add instant privacy to space. Many types of quick-growing vines and shrubs can be planted to add extra privacy around your tub. 

5. Access for Delivery

It’s also smart to plan for delivery. When your hot tub is delivered to your home, it will need to be moved into its permanent location. The installation crew needs to have a clear path to the area where the tub will be placed. 

Measure the path to make sure your team can move the hot tub into position without knocking anything down or stepping in your flower beds. Your hot tub’s dimensions should be given to you at the time of purchase. 

If you can’t find the dimensions, look up your model online. Your hot tub brand should have a website where they show all the models and have their exact sizes listed. 

You may need to take down a section of fencing or remove a gate to get the hot tub into your backyard. In rare circumstances, a crane can be used to lift and lower your tub into place. Some dealerships own a crane and can assist with this type of delivery. 

6. Will It Be Easy to Use? 

The easier it is for you to quickly get in and out of your new hot tub, the easier it will be to make it a daily habit. Make sure you choose a convenient spot. The far back corner of your yard may not be the most convenient spot for you to use your hot tub. 

People who live in colder ⛄ climates may benefit from having an indoor hot tub or one that is very close to the house. This would make it easier to use in colder winter months. 

7. Think About Safety

Safety is an important component of owning a hot tub. Your hot tub installation service can help you set up a place where you and your family can safely enjoy your hot tub. 

The last thing you want to do is slip and fall while enjoying your tub. The easier it is for you to safely enter and exit your tub, the better. Some people install a deck around their tub to make it easier to get in and out. 

8. Do You Need to Install Drainage or Waterproofing? 

Speaking of decking, if you have a wood deck next to your hot tub or a wooden gazebo, make sure they are waterproof. You’ll need to drain your hot tub a few times a year to clean it properly and overflow is also common when getting in and out. 

Make sure that the area you choose to put your hot tub can handle the water. Install a drain underneath if necessary to channel the water away from the area where your hot tub is. 

Enjoy Your Hot Tub 

You’re going to love your new hot tub! Once you get it installed and in place, it will be a relaxing retreat for years to come. 

Ideal Pools can help with the installation of your new hot tub. We've been in business since 1974 working closely with clients to build their perfect outdoor lifestyle. 

Contact Ideal Pools today and let our team of experts install your new hot tub for you properly.