Building my own spa

[thebbxx]

I am interested in building my own in ground spa, but the only part I figure I won't be able to do myself is the gunite.
I want my hot tub to be circular and fit 5-6 people.

How much should I expect that to cost?

Also, where do I go to get more information on spa construction. I've searched the web and I can't find a whole lot.

 

[cobra46]

the bbxx,

I would draw up a simple drawing and get real quotes for gunite and whatever type of plaster/pebble your doing. The rest of the cost would just be equipment and PVC.

My neighbor and I just signed contracts with Aqua yesterday. My neighbor is paying $6200 for the addition of the spa. I would assume that if you hired a pool company to build a spa without a pool it would be more. To add a spa to a pool build is not that much more because all the trades are already there to begin with, with the exception of plumbing, they just have a small bit more work.

 

[thebbxx]

Thanks cobra. Small world - I work in Rocklin.

 

[vincent]

thebbxx,

I don't know much about your temperature but if it's mild, you could use concrete base and hollow blocks instead of gunite. Gunite for a small project will be costly due to mobilisation. With hollow blocks, you cn DIY. Here in Malaysia, we can even use red bricks. My 4ft ddep pool uses red bricks.

Vincent

 

[thebbxx]

I've thought about doing concrete blocks but I don't know how I'd make it round. I guess I could angle the blocks and smooth in the curves with cement??

 

[vincent]

You can smooth it out during plastering. It may cost a little more plastering but you'll save a fortune fron the pb. Post some pics when done.

 

[sevver]

The actually have round blocks for building manholes. You should be able to get them from a supply yard for tanks, septic systems or something.

 

[thebbxx]

Digging right now!

I decided to go with a rectangular shape after all... I realized I could have it slightly raised out of the ground, next to my deck, and I'll be able to hop right in. Also it's a lot easier to do this shape with the blocks. I noticed some curved blocks, but they are more expensive and they are solid; so you can't put rebar through them.

I've been digging by hand and I'm about 1/3 of the way done with the hole. I will take pictures along the way and post them here.

Where do contractors go to get pool plumbing supplies? (main drain, schedule 80 PVC, jets, etc) Is there a chain or is it more of a local thing?

 

[cobra46]

I 've been thinking about your situation over the weekend.

Have you considered the cost of operating a built in spa? We are waiting for our permit to start our build and elected to go with a standalone spa because they are far more efficient to operate, more comfortable to sit in and have way more jets.

There is a spa store in Rocklin on Five Star that has some cool pictures of standalone spas that have been built in so they are at ground level.

 

[thebbxx]

Hey Cobra,

I haven't thought much about the cost of operation between standalone and built in. I figure it would be about the same?

One of the reasons I want to build this myself is so I can customize it to match my house and landscaping. (tile, flagstone around the rim, etc)

 

[cobra46]

Standalone units are significantly less expensive to run compared to a standard uninsulated gunite spa.

New standalone spas are extremely well insulated and more so when the cover is on. They are kept warm 24/7 and are always ready when you are.

I don't know about your habits but I enjoy sitting in a spa when it's cold outside. A gunite/brick spa in the winter will require a heater to heat the water from ~50 degrees to 102 degrees every time you want to use it. That requires a lot of heat and $$$$.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

 

[thebbxx]

I see what you are saying. I wonder how much it would help if I put Styrofoam insulation around the outside walls.

 

[revstriker]

Standalone units are significantly less expensive to run compared to a standard uninsulated gunite spa.

New standalone spas are extremely well insulated and more so when the cover is on. They are kept warm 24/7 and are always ready when you are.

I don't know about your habits but I enjoy sitting in a spa when it's cold outside. A gunite/brick spa in the winter will require a heater to heat the water from ~50 degrees to 102 degrees every time you want to use it. That requires a lot of heat and $$$$.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

When we were having our pool built, we opted not to get a spa installed for this exact reason. We decided instead to add on a stand alone unit at a later date. Considering we would use it mostly in the winter months, it would be more efficient with less wait time; ready to use when we are.

That said, I am very interested in following this build. Looking forward to the pics!

 

[thebbxx]

Digging...

 

[thebbxx]

30 minutes later...

The ground is so hard I have to use a pick ax to break it up first.

I'm getting really good exercise out of this and I am using it as a way to prepare for my trip to the royal peacock opal mine. I saw it on the discovery channel

 

[revstriker]

THAT does not look very fun!

Thanks for the pics.