'Almost' new concrete pool owner

[Krakatoa]

Hello !! Came across TFP while searching for info on pools. Like all the helpful info here, the 1st thread that caught my eye was something to the effect of "things I wish I would have known before getting a pool" so thought best to read that NOW since we are in the beginning stages of getting quotes for new concrete pool !! Gave me some good food for thought. We are also trying to start educating ourselves for pool maintenance, equipment usage, etc., along the way. I'm not sure if this is an applicable question to post here on this forum so please advise if not.

My initial question has to do with a raised spa that we plan on having built with the pool. We currently have an above ground hot tub (Sundance), husband is in that thing 6 nights a week for the past 20 years so in creating this new spa he would like to capture a similar hydrotherapy effect in it that he gets from the current hot tub jets such as directional flow, adjustable pressure & speed, as well as the capability of running some jets separately (e.g. just from the wall jets, just from the spa floor, or both etc).

One pool builder that provided an estimate said the spa would come with 6 each ‘standard’ jets (non-directional) and that it “could not” be done to have jets similar to our hot tub. Actually, first he said ‘anything can be done’ but then changed it to ‘no’. In doing some research, we came across a youtube video from a pool builder I believe in Northern California that described this very thing that we are looking for so looks like it CAN be done…obviously for an additional fee.

We have seen examples of taking a hot tub & lowering it into the ground but that has its own challenges including needing a cover for it which we were trying to avoid having. Anyone have any insight as to the possibility, cons etc., to designing / building a spa with the pool that could replicate to some degree an above ground hot tub ? Thanks so much for any help

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
Keep your stand alone spa and skip the spa in the pool. Save the 15-20K they will charge for it. Nothing will compare to the standalone spa you have.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP! ^ I agree. Less headaches later. Enjoy the best of both words separately.

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[stricttime]

I always found inground/pool spas to be super uncomfortable. Sitting on a concrete bench doesn't translate to relaxing for me!

 

[Newdude]

I always found inground/pool spas to be super uncomfortable. Sitting on a concrete bench doesn't translate to relaxing for me!

+ 1. They are 2 totally separate beasts. One is for the spa experience and one is for entertaining guests at a party.

with several friends over laughing and having a blast in the built in spa, nobody even realizes that they are rather uncomfortable and the jets don’t provide the same experience. But that’s not what it’s for. You have 6 good friends having a HOOT of a time while the kids swim.

At the same time, the stand alone spa is a lot more personal and kinda bath-like. I’d never want to share that experience with anyone other than immediate family. It’s an amazing experience but just for us.

You have you choose which way your plan to use it.

 

[Krakatoa]

Thank you all so much for your welcome and responses ! Deep down I think we knew that most likely this wasn't going to work for us. Newdude, I told my husband the same thing...think most people that are in the built in spas, whether at home or a hotel / resort, are in there for "the hang" and not for the relaxation aspect. We'll start looking into shifting our focus on a layout conducive to incorporating the stand alone spa into the pool landscape so they compliment each other some. So much GREAT info on this forum, I'm spending more & more time cruising through the site to see what I can learn. Thanks again everyone !!

 

[Desert Dog]

Like you Krakatoa, we had a stand alone hot tub before we built the pool. Depending on what your working with, you can make it work. No, it probably won't have the wow factor as a combined pool and hot tub. But for the money saved, comfort, not having to heat it when I want to use it, no brainer. For us, we have plenty of room to play with. The Hot tub is about 30' away from the pool in the corner on a raised platform for privacy and maximizing the view.

 

[Krakatoa]

Thanks Desert Dog. Currently the spa is on an apprx 12x12 concrete pad connected to the patio so we can either leave there or move to the far end of the yard so it would be at the deep end of the pool. I like the raised platform idea, we don't have privacy concerns as we live in neighborhood of all single family homes & we have about 10' high 'fencing' (6' block wall w/ add'l 4' high hedges). We also have an apprx 20x20 space behind our garage which would work but seems a shame to 'hide' it back there. We'll figure something out, maybe once it's done I can attach a before & after pic Thanks for your input, I appreciate it !

 

[Newdude]

@krakota, seeing how you already have the tub, and the build cost of the built in didn’t scare you outright…….


Everybody wants to force either of them to be the best of both worlds but it simply can’t be. You could have the beautiful lines and awsome entertaining spot of the spa, And the tub for after work or any other hard days.

 

[Krakatoa]

ha ha...there's a thought !! But, then there would be maintenance etc for 2.

I wouldn't go so far as to say I wasn't scared of the cost. I figured it would be "high" but I was told in the 1st phone call that a "standard" 15x30 pool WITH spa & "some" decking would be at a starting price of "about" $65k...sounded in line w/what I've heard. The quote came in though at $100k but it also included Pebble Sheen, spa raised 18", Pentair equipment (which I thought would be included in that $65k but maybe not), & 930 total sq ft pavers bc we also wanted some extra patio area etc paved.

Not sure if that's a "normal" price, either pre or current pandemic. The quote wasn't broken out with pricing...just a bottom line dollar value which I thought was odd, I would have thought and had hoped for some of the line items to have their own pricing such as for the extra pavers beyond the standard decking, the Pebble Sheen, etc. I have no idea how much the spa is separately to see if I left it out what price difference that would make as it was included in w/price of the pool. Still waiting for a couple more quotes though. Thanks for the idea !

 

[Desert Dog]

Price wise, the spa would add an easy 12K, thats before Covid (See Marty's Response above). Ask the builder. I did my own pool 2 years ago and the price for me to add an integrated spa was in the 10-12K range. The big ticket items are the heater and maybe an extra pump. You also have way more plumbing in a hot tub than the entire pool. When it comes to plaster, an extra person has to be added to the crew just to work on it. All this adds up. Anyhow, make it how you like it and what works for you.