Get a hot tub - where to start is there a sticky for where to begin?

[Jasonick]

Be sure to check with your county or township about permit requirements. My township required separate building and zoning permits for spas (more $$). Plus third-party electrical sign-off. Structural engineer approval required if placed on a deck. Be sure to understand the electrical bonding requirements. Who knew just getting a spa would be so complicated? That's before even dealing with water chemistry/quality. We got a Bullfrog A7 and glad we did. Only just started using it, but enjoying it so far. Still learning about water chemistry/quality. Also consider how you will access pump area and touch control panel. I've always wondered how people access pumps if they are sunk into a deck on all 4 sides. We have ours at the corner of our deck, sunk down so only about 8-10 inches sticks up. So we have full access to the service side and an adjacent side. Control panel is on the same side as access panel - opposite the deck unfortunately. I do wish Bullfrog would let buyers determine what side the touch control panel is on. (We're considering adding the Wi-Fi control module down the road.) The location of these may limit how you attach a cover, what type of lift/holder you use, and what side it goes on. Also, I've read that flush-mount tubs may not be ideal - though they look great, they may create a tripping hazard and may make it harder to get in. Ideal height is where one can comfortably sit on the edge, or so I've been told. All a matter of opinion and just some things to consider.

 

[phonedave]

Be sure to check with your county or township about permit requirements. My township required separate building and zoning permits for spas (more $$). Plus third-party electrical sign-off. Structural engineer approval required if placed on a deck. Be sure to understand the electrical bonding requirements. Who knew just getting a spa would be so complicated? That's before even dealing with water chemistry/quality. We got a Bullfrog A7 and glad we did. Only just started using it, but enjoying it so far. Still learning about water chemistry/quality. Also consider how you will access pump area and touch control panel. I've always wondered how people access pumps if they are sunk into a deck on all 4 sides. We have ours at the corner of our deck, sunk down so only about 8-10 inches sticks up. So we have full access to the service side and an adjacent side. Control panel is on the same side as access panel - opposite the deck unfortunately. I do wish Bullfrog would let buyers determine what side the touch control panel is on. (We're considering adding the Wi-Fi control module down the road.) The location of these may limit how you attach a cover, what type of lift/holder you use, and what side it goes on. Also, I've read that flush-mount tubs may not be ideal - though they look great, they may create a tripping hazard and may make it harder to get in. Ideal height is where one can comfortably sit on the edge, or so I've been told. All a matter of opinion and just some things to consider.

IF you tub is sunk into a deck, you need to leave access to the access panel for servicing. You can actually cut down the access panel on a Bullfrog - they make a kit for it. It makes the panel shorter side to side (but then it is harder to work inside the tub).

Bullfrog also makes a vault for burying their tubs in the ground. If you go that route you need to install a sump pump. There is space in the front of the vault that has a removable deck for accessing the spa access panel. Having done work on things other than spas where they were installed to look good with no consideration for future maintenance, I feel sorry for anybody that has to work on them.