The first is finding an ideal location with adequate space. Our hot tub range comes in 3 different sizes. Aside from size, other concerns when picking the location in your yard might be ease of access for bathers, privacy from neighbours, views, delivery access and accessibility for maintenance.

One way to help you visualize the hot tub as you look around for the ideal spot is to take chalk, rope, or cardboard and create the desired size and shape you are looking for and place it in those locations to make sure they are adequate.

Site preparation means choosing a strong, level foundation—most reliably a reinforced concrete slab, though paving blocks, compacted gravel, or a properly engineered wooden deck can also work. Whatever the base, it must support the weight, allow drainage, and permit access for servicing.

For configuration, the spa can sit freestanding, be partly surrounded, or fully built into a deck. Freestanding is simplest, while deck surrounds look sleek and ease entry but need access panels for maintenance.

Another important consideration when doing a deck application is service/maintenance access. Most hot tubs are self contained units and have at least one service panel that needs to be accessible to get to equipment (controls, pumps, heater, etc…). This can be difficult if one decides to sink the spa or lower it into a deck part way or flush with the surface of the deck to achieve a more custom or built-in look.

This can be done properly by creating access hatches or trap doors in the decking surface all the way around the tub so that a service technician can easily remove that particular section of decking and climb down to access the equipment.

The third consideration is power and electrical requirements. Consult an electrician to ensure you have a large enough electrical panel to support adding a hot tub. Our hot tubs require a 10amp (3kw heater) power cable. In either case there must be a dedicated line and circuit which means the location for the hot tub can be dependent on how far it is from your home’s main electrical panel. In essence, the further the hot tub is away from the house the more wire, materials and obstacles would be involved to do the job which can make the installation more expensive.

The final consideration for a hot tub is permits and approvals. In most areas, hot tubs are considered portable structures that are not permanently attached to the home, therefore, they don’t usually require a permit or approval from your city’s building and planning departments but our advice is best to check with your local council just to make sure what is required.