If you’ve been considering getting a hot tub for your yard, you probably have some questions in mind. What types of hot tubs are available? How long will the installation take? What is the general maintenance like? These are all valid and common queries for people thinking of making this kind of purchase. However, one of the questions that people are most curious about is—How much does it cost to install a hot tub?
How Much Does it Cost to Install a Hot Tub?
The question may be a simple one, but the answer is somewhat more involved. There are a lot of details that factor into the overall cost of installing a hot tub. While we can’t give you an exact number until we know exactly what you’re looking for, we can let you know generally what’s involved.
Where Should I Put It?
You’ve likely done some envisioning about what your hot tub will look like in your backyard. In those thoughts, you’ve probably imagined where the hot tub would be located. However, what you may not have thought about is the weight of that hot tub.
The truth is that hot tubs are heavy, especially once they’re filled with water. They need a supportive surface to sit on. If you don’t already have a cement slab in your yard, then you’ll need to factor in the cost of having that put in (or an equally strong surface). The price of the slab varies, too. Factors such as the size and thickness of the slab affect the cost. On average, homeowners tend to spend about $6 per square foot on a foundation for their hot tub.
Electrical Costs
There’s a lot of components in your hot tub that need electricity to run. The pump, heating system, filtration system, and any extras your hot tub has, all need power. An electrician will have to come by to set all of this up. It’s important to note that you’ll need to make sure that the electrical is done by a licensed professional, as it must meet safety codes.
Supplies for this part of the installation often cost about $250. On top of that, you’ll pay an hourly rate to the electrician, probably for about 3 hours of work. The rates that electricians make vary by region and by the electrician’s level of experience. If you request that the wiring be buried, there will usually be an extra fee for that too.
Adding in the Extras
While that pretty much sums up the necessary costs involved with a hot tub installation, there are extra upgrades to your backyard that you may decide to include. Building a deck, pergola, gazebo, or some other enclosure built over/around it adds privacy and protection from the elements. These extra elements all add to the cost of installation.
Learn More
We know that calculating hot tub installation costs on your own can get confusing. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. You can always contact one of our pool and spa professionals at Fronheiser to help answer your installation questions and to guide you in the art of spa maintenance.