How to prepare for a hot tub sale
Prepare for your upcoming hot tub sale by reviewing this buying guide.
Is a hot tub your idea of a home away from home? Even if you don’t have the extra cash to buy a beach-front property, investing several thousand dollars in a hot tub can provide the same sense of relaxation at a fraction of the cost.
Buying a hot tub 101: Where to begin
If you want to get the best deal on a hot tub, you have to go into the sale with both eyes open. As you search for the right tub to meet your needs, it can quickly become overwhelming to sort through styles, sizes, and features. In most cases, you’ll need to submit your personal information relating to your spa needs so that a hot tub sale representative can contact you for more information.
Before you blindly request a quote from a rep, it helps to narrow down your hot tub selection criteria by:
- Type. Would you prefer a portable or a permanent spa?
- Size. May also be referred to as capacity, or the amount of people that your hot tub will hold.
- Style. Spa customizations include interior and exterior upgrades; models may be available in a wide array of colors to match your home or deck.
- Location. Placement of the hot tub is a critical factor on stable, level ground close to a compatible electrical outlet.
- Upgrades. A standard hot tub may come with add-ons like lift covers, radios, specialty jets, ozonators, and custom seating.
Once you’ve nailed down what you’re looking for, you can start to shop for spa quotes from a number of dealers. For safety purposes, many dealers consider hot tub location to be the most important question of all. Having the proper support for hot tub setup is critical before installation; even a standard three-person spa can weigh up to 2500 pounds after it is filled. A hot tub must also be installed in close proximity to an electrical outlet with the correct specifications for heating.
Seal the deal: How to buy a hot tub
It’s best to start by shopping online and gathering quotes from hot tub dealers. Three quotes at a minimum are recommended to provide a clearer picture of how much you can expect to pay for the spa itself, plus setup and installation.
Before you make that final purchase, ask yourself these simple questions to ensure you’re working with a reliable dealer:
- How long has the dealer been in business?
- Does the dealer sell hot tubs from ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturers?
- Does the dealer have mostly positive customer reviews?
- Can the dealer provide an estimate of monthly operating costs?
- What parts are covered under warranty and for what period of time?
Hot tub pricing will vary greatly based on brand, style, capacity, and features. Portable spas may start as low as $3600 with two-person capacity, including installation, up to $10,500 for an eight-person tub. Monthly electrical costs are often overlooked and may average out to $80 a month, even with infrequent use.
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