Introduction
Hot tubs have become immensely popular in recent times, and there has been a significant rise in people having them installed at their properties. If you have been contracted to install a hot tub, then our how-to information below will get you ready for the task with no hassle at all.
Planning for the Hot Tub Installation
The first order of business is to find out if your client needs planning permission for their hot tub installation; this is not something that is typically required, but your clients won’t be impressed if you install their hot tub, only to find out later that it needs to be removed.
Other issues that will need to be considered when planning a hot tub installation is where the water will come from; you will need to agree an installation point that is close enough to access hot and cold water. You will also need to get an electrician to help with the wiring of the tub if you do not hold this certification; electrical safety is significant as the hot tub will be full of water, and the ramifications of not getting the wiring done properly is not a pleasant thought!
Practicalities
There are a few practicalities that you and the client will need to work on when getting a hot tub ready for installation. Not only do you need to consider the positioning of the hot tub in terms of water supply, wastewater and electrics, you also need to consider the privacy requirements of your client and having access to it all year round. The landscaping of the location is as important as the choice of hot tub itself.
It’s wise to choose a place where there isn’t a build-up of vegetation or trees so that the hot tub doesn’t get filled with unwanted debris. When the location is selected, levelling the ground is the next step. It is also worth having a chat with your client about installing an all-weather path and rail to make accessing the hot tub easy and safe. This allows you to go the groundworks at the same time, rather than as an afterthought once the hot tub is installed. Many hot tub retailers can also help you with advice on the practicalities – see a comprehensive list of approved retailers on whatspa.co.uk.
Different Types of Base
There are various types of bases to choose from:
- Concrete bases are the most secure option and will last the longest but remember to add a layer of sand to allow the hot tub some room the move into place.
- Slab bases will make an easy choice for speedy installation that lasts as long as the hot tub will.
- Padded bases can be made from spa pads, but this is only a viable option for portable hot tubs and you should warn you client off using these as a permeant fix.
Installation of the Hot Tub
Hot tubs are heavy and bulky, and it can be hard to get the space needed to move a hot tub into a back garden. Planning how the hot tub will be lifted into place should be started before anything is finalised. Depending on the location, the choice of hot tub may need to change or you may need to speak very nicely to your client’s neighbours! You can generally use a trolley to push it into position or hire a crane to lower it in.
Both methods work well, but if you opt to choose a trolley installation, then you may need to move fences to get enough room to move the hot tub into position and you will then need to consider the extra work you are giving yourself to do by putting everything right at the end.
Electrical Requirements
The final consideration is the requirement to wire up a hot tub. Smaller hot tubs typically come as a standard 13amp plug that can go straight into an outdoor socket. Bigger hot tubs will need to have their own electrical supply that follows specific guidelines that an electrician will be able to follow.
Unless you have required qualifications and certification to carry out your own wiring, you will need to bring in an electrician to ensure the job is completed to regulatory requirements. They will provide you with certification that the job has been wired correctly and you will need to copy this for your records and provide a copy for your client.