Buying a hot tub is a significant investment, so it’s important to put a bit of thought into your decision before you part with any money. Here are some common mistakes that you should try to avoid when you’re buying a hot tub:
1) Not doing your research.
The price tag of hot tubs ranges from less than £200 for cheap inflatable products to well over £30,000 for the highest luxury models. At any price in this range, it’s worth doing your research before buying. You certainly shouldn’t buy a hot tub on impulse, as this could seriously dent your finances both due to the cost of the tub and the ongoing maintenance costs.
Your research should include questions like:
- Are the vendor and manufacturer reputable? A lot of new hot tub suppliers have popped up in recent years, and may not have good quality control, which could lead to a regrettable purchase.
- Is there after-sales support? A hot tub represents a significant feat of engineering, so getting it serviced regularly is necessary. You don’t want to find yourself without that support on hand!
- Are there finance options? The price of a hot tub can be shocking to some potential buyers, but you don’t have to pay the whole sum up front. Finance options mean you can make the cost more bearable by paying in small instalments. It may be worth setting out a budget before starting your research.
- What does the warranty cover? You should not only make sure there is a warranty available with your hot tub, but that it covers as much as possible. If something fails and isn’t covered by a warranty, you could be facing expensive repairs.
The price of a good quality hot tub can be daunting but, if you’ve done your research, the satisfaction you’ll get from your spa is totally worth it. If you can get a finance deal, or if you’re lucky enough to be able to buy one up front, you’ll be investing in something that can bring you joy and relaxation for up to 20 years!
2) Installing your hot tub in the wrong place.
Before you even think about buying a hot tub, you need to think about where you’re going to put it.
Whether you keep it indoors or outside will impact what accessories you need to get for it, like covers or gazebos, and whether you’ll need to invest in good ventilation.
The available space might also force your hand as to what size of hot tub you can purchase. If you are putting it outside in your garden, you may need a concrete slab or two to ensure the tub has a stable base and isn’t affected by moisture in the soil.
READ MORE: Where Should I Put My Hot Tub?
3) Forgetting the chemicals.
Getting your hot tub ready for use is not as simple as filling it with clean water and turning it on. In order to use your hot tub safely, you need to add certain chemicals to keep the water clean. We recommend either chlorine or bromine to sanitise your hot tub water.
You’ll need to check the levels of sanitiser in your hot tub every time you use it. If the levels drop too low, you’ll need to add more. That’s why it’s a good idea to stock up on the cleaning chemicals you wish to use, so you don’t run out and miss out on using your hot tub.
Keeping an eye on the pH of the water is important, too. To do this you can use test strips that will change colour depending on the levels of acid or alkali in the water. Incorrect levels of either can cause skin and eye irritation. Fortunately, we offer pH balancers to ensure your hot tub water stays in that neutral range.
4) Not checking the running costs beforehand.
The running costs of a hot tub often surprise new owners. You should find out what the likely costs of running a tub are before you purchase one. Perhaps the biggest contributing factors to the running cost of your hot tub are your water and electricity consumption. Depending on how often you use your tub, you could find yourself with much larger water and electricity bills than the average household, so that’s something to think about.
That being said, there are hot tub models out there that can be switched to ‘economy mode’ or are designed to be energy saving. These features help to keep running costs to a minimum so you can get maximum enjoyment out of your tub.
READ MORE: How Much Does It Cost to Run a Hot Tub?
5) Underestimating the ongoing maintenance.
Not only do hot tubs require water and electricity, which will affect your utility bills, but they also need regular maintenance. If you don’t make the time to properly service your hot tub, you will likely find yourself with big repair costs down the line.
Maintenance is an incredibly important aspect of owning a hot tub, especially if you want to keep it in top condition for as long as possible. Depending on the type of hot tub you purchase, the amount of day-to-day maintenance required will vary.
If you don’t want to spend multiple days a week cleaning your hot tub, we recommend choosing one with a good filtration system. This should help to keep your hot tub cleaner for longer, although even the filters will need maintaining from time to time.
Hot tub maintenance can include:
A hot tub really is an investment of your money and your time, but if you’re willing to put the effort in, the long-term enjoyment you’ll get out of your hot tub is definitely worth it.
If you have any questions about our hot tubs, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll help you find the right one for your needs.
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