Buying a hot tub means factoring in a number of important considerations. In addition to the initial cost of purchasing your spa, you should expect to face other costs during its lifetime. You probably don’t want any surprises down the road, which is why you’ve taken the step to read this post. Good work! You’re already ahead of most buyers.
Here are 5 of the most important costs to figure in when you’re buying a hot tub.
1) Quality
The most obvious factor in pricing is quality. Entry level hot tubs are very different from luxury or premium hot tubs. Keep in mind that value-priced hot tubs aren’t exactly low quality. Reduced cost could simply mean that the manufacturer put less emphasis on external features, choosing instead to focus on internal features or vice versa.
Quality hot tubs should have the following at bare minimum:
- Good water flow (the ideal amount of jets and massage features is subjective and up to the buyer)
- Full foam insulation for optimum energy efficiency
- Control panel that allows for ease of use
- A fair warranty that covers equipment and plumbing and a warranty on your spa shell
- Quality sanitation system
- Strong filtration system
Here is a general pricing guideline for different levels:
- Entry – $3k to $5k
- Value – $4k to $8k
- Premium – $6k to $10k
- Luxury – $9k to $16k+
2) Size
The size is a large factor in pricing. In most situations, a three-person spa is guaranteed to cost much less than a six or seven-person spa. The bigger the spa, the bigger the cost of the materials to the manufacturer. It goes without saying that this will largely determine a chunk of your hot tub cost, both in terms of the initial investment and operational costs throughout its lifetime.
3) Features
The number of features that come with your spa of choice are usually already factored into the overall cost of your hot tub. However, if you choose certain add-on features, you can expect your spa’s price to climb up.
Common add-ons include:
- Additional lighting
- Advanced controls
- Built-in sound system
- Waterfalls
4) Engineering
How your hot tub was engineered can have a major impact on your experience. Engineering is the deciding factor for the quality of the spa, how efficient it is and whether it is reliable. Your hot tub should withstand a multitude of elements, because if it doesn’t, you could end up replacing several pricey components.
Making sure that your spa was properly engineered means that you’ll enjoy a maximum return on your investment.
5) Fees & Operational Costs
If your dealer handles the delivery, installation and set up, expect to pay their fees on top of your hot tub’s price. In certain cases, some dealers might offer complimentary services- it doesn’t hurt to ask! As fees will vary from dealer to dealer, we recommend you ask about this before ordering your hot tub.
Operational costs are inevitable when you own a spa. An energy-efficient hot tub can save you a lot on energy costs. Additionally, fluctuating temperatures will force your spa to work harder to keep up. You can decrease your operational cost by keeping your spa’s temperature steady throughout the season.
We hope that this helped put the overall cost of your hot tub into perspective! If you’re ready to begin your search, check out our awesome selection of hot tubs and swim spas, or to place your order, contact us today at (575) 639-9963. Happy shopping!