Buying a hot tub… what are realistic prices?

[AboveTheBest]

I’m in the market for a hot tub. Nothing fancy, but want a 6-7 seat spa.
Currently looking at the HotSprings Rythm and want to know what a realistic price for one of these would be so I know what to negotiate towards.

Does anyone have recent experience with one of these??

 

[InmyElement]

After talking with a lot of Hot Tub owners at work we decided in 2009 to go with the Hot Springs Envoy. IMHO Hot Springs is the best for insulation and components. I still use it almost daily. Key like everything else is have a good relationship with service and sales dept.
I've replaced one main pump and one circulation pump cause of seal leak on my own..Hot Springs puts most components up front inside the removable panel for easy access. Don't go cheap ..I was in the other day and they say Hot Springs is still [HASH=108]#1,[/HASH] they also see other brands. I asked what my 2009 tub would go for now and he said about 12k to 13k.. I paid about 10k in 2009. Good Luck and well worth it, especially if you have young teens still at home other than the dinner table I was able to keep them captive and talk for a while..haha. Just a fyi..we have a lounger seat section and don't use it much. Cost per month not even noticeable..more insulation less cost. Hope this helps..

 

[InmyElement]

https://cloverhomeleisure.com/collections/spas-hot-tubs

 

[AboveTheBest]

After talking with a lot of Hot Tub owners at work we decided in 2009 to go with the Hot Springs Envoy. IMHO Hot Springs is the best for insulation and components. I still use it almost daily. Key like everything else is have a good relationship with service and sales dept.
I've replaced one main pump and one circulation pump cause of seal leak on my own..Hot Springs puts most components up front inside the removable panel for easy access. Don't go cheap ..I was in the other day and they say Hot Springs is still [HASH=108]#1,[/HASH] they also see other brands. I asked what my 2009 tub would go for now and he said about 12k to 13k.. I paid about 10k in 2009. Good Luck and well worth it, especially if you have young teens still at home other than the dinner table I was able to keep them captive and talk for a while..haha. Just a fyi..we have a lounger seat section and don't use it much. Cost per month not even noticeable..more insulation less cost. Hope this helps..

Thanks for the advice!

From what I’ve read Hot Springs seems to be a good brand, and if the insulation is good enough in upper NY it should serve me well in Southern Indiana.

 

[Bluewater272]

We're in the middle of getting one right now (pad being poured as we speak). We ended up with a nice 6/7 seater for $12K delivered (including cover, steps, and a whole bunch of supplies). We saw starting prices in the 9-20K range at the few dealers we looked at.

 

[gallobg]

Don't forget installation costs. Years ago I probably spent about $1k on that for an outdoor installation (concrete pad, long run of buried heavy gauge copper 220V wire, outdoor shutoff box, sub-panel with 50A GFI, city permit, etc.).

 

[AboveTheBest]

Don't forget installation costs. Years ago I probably spent about $1k on that for an outdoor installation (concrete pad, long run of buried heavy gauge copper 220V wire, outdoor shutoff box, sub-panel with 50A GFI, city permit, etc.).

I have a brick paver patio that I’m pulling up an area to fill with gravel for the tub.
Wires are getting run by me this weekend.

Just bought the tub. Paid $10k with cover & cover assist, steps, and delivery/install.

Just in time too, my back is killing me!!

 

[ZippyBoater]

We installed this spa for just under $10K in the Raleigh area

https://zorrahottubs.com/hot-tubs/serenity/serenity-6800/

 

[adrianp89]

Next is maintenance. That is what scares me about these. Bacteria breeding grounds. Read a story recently about a guy who caught a bacterial infection from a hot tub and died shortly after.

 

[Bluewater272]

Next is maintenance. That is what scares me about these. Bacteria breeding grounds. Read a story recently about a guy who caught a bacterial infection from a hot tub and died shortly after.

I never found maintenance to be too difficult, just need to be consistent with it.

 

[ZippyBoater]

I never found maintenance to be too difficult, just need to be consistent with it.

Agree. Set up a maintenance schedule and stick with it. Our hot tub is at our lake house. I am going there this weekend so I can drain the water in the hot tub and refill it. That should be done every 3 to 4 months depending on how much you use it. Find a chlorine system that works well for you and how you will use the spa. Your dealer can make recommendations or do some research on the internet. Will your spa have an ozone generator or use salt water? Those make a big difference in maintaining a hot tub.

 

[AboveTheBest]

My plan for the bacteria is to drink enough bourbon and smoke enough cigars that even the most robust bacteria will abandon hope, and look for easier prey…

ETA: Wire is unbelievably expensive these days. I just paid $425 for 125’ of 8/3g.

 

[ZippyBoater]

My plan for the bacteria is to drink enough bourbon and smoke enough cigars that even the most robust bacteria will abandon hope, and look for easier prey…

ETA: wore is unbelievably expensive these days. I just paid $425 for 125’ of my 8/3g.

Great Plan.

 

[AboveTheBest]

Great Plan.

Sorry, I was fighting bacteria last night when I posted that… Didn’t mean to blow you off.

My tub is NOT set up for salt water, does that mean ozone is the only alternative?
This one has a built in Frog system that is supposedly easy to use. I’m sure I’ll find out in a few months if that’s true or not.

I finished pulling the wire and installed the GFCI panel yesterday. I need to tie into the main panel today and finish pulling up the pavers.

I should need a couple yards of gravel to fill in the space, but need to wait for it to freeze again next week before I drive the truck across the lawn.

 

[ZippyBoater]

No worries. I use the floating frog system. I understand that the built in frog system is good. The ozone cleaning system adds about 2k to the price and you still need to use chlorine/bromine, but it keeps the bacteria away.

We are away from our lake house weeks at a time and the floating frog system works for us. I just make sure that I shock the water and turn down the water temp before we leave and it is good for 2-3 weeks.

I just drained the hot tub cleaned it and refilled it this weekend. I do that about 4-5 times a year. It isn't a tough job. Easier with the newer models that have dedicated drain systems.

I like the bourbon and cigar method. My hot tub is right next to my porch swing where I enjoy my bourbon and cigars.

 

[adrianp89]

My plan for the bacteria is to drink enough bourbon and smoke enough cigars that even the most robust bacteria will abandon hope, and look for easier prey…

ETA: Wire is unbelievably expensive these days. I just paid $425 for 125’ of 8/3g.

I have friends that use this plan. It seems to work. Replace Bourbon with BudLight. He is immune to COVID lol.

 

[@JC!]

My advice, use Silk Balance to balance it, it's expensive but it works to set the ph and forget it. I also use Leisure Time everything else, Metal Gon when you fill it, and just toss the Spa 56 granules in once a week or as necessary to maintain the chlorine level and the Renew shock after use, keep some Bright and Clear on hand just in case and put a Scumball in there to soak up oil suds. Pretty simple.

 

[Cleveland Steamer]

We love our hot tub.

 

[Bluewater272]

Finally took delivery today, electrician comes tomorrow. This should help tide me over until boat season.

 

[BigN8]

Just read this. The high bleach smell they talk about I always thought was a good thing. Perhaps maybe not! I know I have been in my share of sketchy hot tubs!!!

https://studyfinds.org/how-gross-are-hot-tubs-bacteria-feces/