The 5 most important considerations for buying a Hot Tub
What am I using it for?
There are many reasons for wanting a hot tub in your backyard. family time, relaxation, entertaining, Hydrotherapy, or even status. You don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount for relaxation and family time, but entertaining and status may require a pricier tub with more bells and whistles. A hot tub specifically geared for Hydrotherapy will likely need to be bigger, have more seating positions, a greater number of jets, and more pumps. When shopping for a new hot tub, if you have narrowed down your specific needs, the process can be much less confusing.
How many people should it seat?
This seems like a simple question, but it requires a little thought. Many “8-person” hot tubs aren’t even close to that. It’s not a lie, it’s just that it should be worded differently. It is not unusual for a large spa 8’ x 8’ with seating for 7 or 8 will only comfortably fit 4 bathers. It would be more accurate to say an 8’ x 8’ spa with 8 different seating positions. I generally make a point of asking a potential customer if 16 legs would fit in the foot well. Immediately, they understand my position.
What are the details of the warranty?
Many spa dealers tout a 5-year Warranty. That may be true for some aspects of the warranty, but you should ask about the details. For instance, the motors, pumps, and controls generally are covered for 2-5 years, depending on the manufacturer. The shell has a different warranty, the cabinet or “skirt” another, and options such as lights and stereos are mostly limited to just 12 months. Many warranties do not cover portions or any travel, and some are parts only. It is very important to understand this before you make such a big decision.
Should I buy one of the Top Tier Brands?
Plainly stated, it’s like the difference in buying a Chevrolet and a Cadillac. Both will do exactly the same thing, the Cadillac has a bit more prestige with a bigger price tag. The lion’s share of ALL spas have very similar equipment made by the same 2 manufacturers. Balboa and Gecko supply most of the industry, so the quality of the equipment is much the same. In most cases, there is no need to buy the most expensive unit as there are likely units with similar features for far less of a price. You should be doing a full cost comparison weighing all the factors, as cost is not everything. I am not saying to buy a cheap unit online and set it up yourself. Far be it. There are many considerations, especially related to the warranty, insulation, and the relationship with the Dealer.
How important is the relationship with the Dealer?
Critical! A Hot tub is not like an automobile, where you can get service from any local dealer. To obtain service for a hot tub under warranty, you have to go back to the selling retailer. All hot tub warranties are tracked in this manner. You cannot even go to a dealer that sells the same brand that is out of your area. For this reason, you want to choose a dealer who has impeccable credentials, an excellent reputation, and superior reviews. A good dealer will not sell you the first hot tub that looks good; a professional dealer will ask questions and try to steer you to the most fitting unit. A professional dealer should also have resources for creating a pad for the spa to sit on and have an electrician they work with who has experience in wiring hot tubs who can give you an estimate. You can have all this work done yourself, but you should have the opportunity to have a professional estimate.
When you have your hot tub at home, a good spa retailer will provide an at-home spa school to show you all the operations, explain about maintenance, and teach you about water chemistry. A great spa retailer will provide you with a seamless experience from research through completion.
