Hot tub installation?

[yellowsnow]

Is it very costly to install a hot tub? I plan to put it in my backyard, where it'll be on stone/concrete. Can I just put it there, and plug it in?

I was gonna buy a used hot tub on kijiji or something.

[Mibz]

Originally posted by yellowsnow
Can I just put it there Yes.

Originally posted by yellowsnow
, and plug it in?If you understand what's involved in "plugging in" a hot tub, then yes.

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by yellowsnow
Can I just put it there, and plug it in?

Originally posted by Mibz
If you understand what's involved in "plugging in" a hot tub, then yes.
Sounds like he doesn't.

[Mibz]

Hire an electrician.

[im2fst4u]

First you need to find the tub, find out if it is 220 or 110V. You can buy the soft tubs that run from 110V but it sounds like you are looking for a permanent tub.
I installed my own last year and helped out a few friends and neighbors and it was relatively easy.
I purchased everything I needed from Home Depot (all together the parts were around $600....but price depends on the length of wire you need). I ran the wire from the breaker box to the spa-pack (45 feet). Then I ran the black shielded cable (18 feet) (very expensive....if my memory serves me it was around $12 a meter) from the spa-pack (load center) to the tub. The spa-pack was a 30A GFCI made by Square D (around $150).

I would also check the codes as it needs to be a certain distance from the house etc etc.
Out here in Airdrie we have some very picky inspectors and every one we hooked up passed with no problems.

Before you get in a big rush to buy a tub, do your research as there are some very cheaply made tubs yet alone inefficient. I would go with one that has 2 circulating pumps, nothing older than say 10 years as after this then you will be buying parts and some companies are out of business thus finding parts can be hard.

Find out from the owners the history (cleaning schedule, parts replaced). Check all the connections if you can for water leaks and make sure the cover is lightweight and not waterlogged. Replacing the cover can be a large added expense. Hopefully you can see the tub running before you buy it.

Some people might even throw in the wire, spa-pack etc in with the tub thus saving you more money.

If you need some advice, PM me and I will try my best to help.

[yellowsnow]

^^ thanks for that, sounds pretty straightforward

[Khyron]

It's 600-900 to get it hooked up. There's rules about the wire being underground as well so watch out for that if you're putting it in the middle of a patio. And the GFI breaker is bloody expensive no matter what.

If you don't pull the permit and it causes a fire you could be screwed out of insurance.