What Should I Do Before My Hot Tub Arrives?

Once you’ve decided to buy a hot tub, there are quite a few jobs to complete to prepare for its arrival.

Preparing for the arrival of your hot tub may seem like a lot of work at first, but your Caldera Spas dealer will help you through every stage and provide you with the resources to make the process flow smoothly.

• What’s your ideal location for a hot tub?
• Are you comfortable designing your deck with help from online tools?
• What preparation tips do you have?

Our goal here is not to answer every detail down to the size of the pea gravel you might use as a base, but to outline the things that you may need to consider.

1. Where will I put my new hot tub?

Many people like the idea of locating their hot tub in a remote area of their property. Generally, though, easy, close access translates to more use. Running electrical wiring away from the house can also be more costly.

Once you’ve decided where to place your hot tub, measure and mark off the area so that you can visualize it there. Is there room to move around the hot tub? Is there easy access and adequate space for steps? It’s very important that there’s room to open and work around the hot tub’s access panel. If that side of the hot tub is placed against a structure, the hot tub’s components won’t be accessible for servicing. Also, consider the view; will you want a privacy fence?

Most of all, is there a wide enough delivery path from the road to the space you’ve chosen? Is there enough vertical clearance between the path and tree limbs or the eaves of the house? You’ll need adequate space for the hot tub to be wheeled in on its side. Remember to include the height of the dolly, too. It’s not unusual for installers to use a crane to put a hot tub into place. Your Caldera Spas dealer can help you connect to the right resources.

2. What’s needed to prepare the site? 

A hot tub can weigh from 2,000 to 8,000 pounds when filled (and even more when you add people), so it needs a suitable base. The area where it will be placed should be leveled and a foundation prepared. A hot tub should not be placed on soil. Instead, it will need a concrete base, a crushed stone or pea gravel base, pavers or a deck with adequate structural support. Again, your dealer can put you in contact with professionals who can do all the necessary site preparation.

3. What about electrical?

Most hot tubs run off 220 volts and will require electrical work by a licensed professional. Some hot tubs can run off of a standard 110 outlet, but in those cases, the heater and pumps cannot be used at the same time. It’s highly recommended that you have the electrical work done so that you can enjoy your hot tub to its full potential.

4. Can I put my hot tub on my existing deck? 

Before your hot tub is placed on a deck, you must make sure the deck is structurally able to support the weight of the filled hot tub and the maximum number of people that it holds. Consult a qualified, licensed professional who can assess your deck and add structural support if necessary. Caldera Spas dealers can refer you to contractors they’ve worked with before.

5. What if I’m adding a new deck? 

Make sure that the new deck plans include a load capacity that will support your spa. Your Caldera Spas dealer can provide you with weight specifications and scale renderings of our hot tubs in PDF and CAD formats to help you and your contractor or deck builder with planning and design.

Need help designing a deck? Caldera Spas also offers a 3D Deck Design Tool, an interactive deck planner that can help you design a deck in a step-by-step approach.