| All Content Copyright 1999-2021 Custom Built Spas, https://www.custombuiltspas.com/get-instant-access/. How about that, you have the shell done on the pad and you’ve only spent around $1250 dollars. Again, you can’t do this without skills, you will need help and you need to be able bodied, I know, I’ve done this type of work myself. While it might seem like it’s a simple process of throwing down a slab and building a hot tub on it, there’s a little more to those first steps than that. Everything you need to know is outlined in my series of easy to follow books and videos that cover a simple, step by step processes that I’ve developed and refined over the years. The commercially built hot tub may not use the base we do because they may be using the “gunite” method of hot tub construction, not a DIY Hot Tub … The three types of water vessel construction are, “gunite”, “poured concrete walls” and “block construction”, the construction type we use for all our DIY spas, hot tubs, swim spas, plunge pools etc… Here are example pictures of each. CONCRETE A concrete surface is an excellent base for your hot tub as this material is extremely sturdy and long-lasting. A little tedious but can be done, good exercise though. Concrete – A concrete pad is the most common type of foundation for a hot tub. Or how to lay concrete? The process of creating a concrete base is very similar to that of a gravel base: you’ll need to start with an excavated area that’s big enough for the bottom of your hot tub, though you won’t need to dig as deep — four inches … Although I was not a bit surprised to hear numbers like that, he said he almost fell off his chair. This kind of base pad … | All Content Copyright 1999-2021 Custom Built Spas. Everything you need to know is outlined in my series of easy to follow books and videos that cover a simple, step by step processes that I’ve developed and refined over the years. It is easy to make level and will out-live your hot tub if built … We’ll give the electrician $350, (likely it would be a little less). I’m talking thousands of dollars, not just a few hundred here and there as you’ll see below. These sound like obvious common-sense factors to consider, but over the years I’ve found that common sense is not so common. In fact, hot tubs can be placed on any uniform, solid, level surface. Backfilling with Concrete. I believe it's 4 inches thick. manufacturer who stated that the tub can be put on a crushed gravel base without any. Shown above is a poured concrete hot tub and a small poured concrete wall pool. For over 20 years now I’ve been helping people just like you, build their own hot tubs, spas and swimspa projects. Build the forms for the footings by placing the 2-by-10 lumber around the outside of the trench and … Let’s go back to my new customer in NY. Often, we come across new swim spa owners who already have a stone patio laid in their backyard. I’m going to group some of the steps and costs a little, so you will be able to see how you can save so much money on a DIY hot tub or spa. If you choose this, it is an excellent base for your hot tub. As my customer I’ll work with you at your own pace until your project is done and comes to life! So now that I’ve eliminated the fears on the construct side of this project by making it simple enough for just about anyone to do, let’s go through the cost of a DIY Hot Tub Construction project. Patio Pavers. You’ll use about 200 blocks, around 25 bags of mortar mix and some PVC piping. A couple ready to pour, a few just poured, some in ground, partially inground and on the ground. Concrete hot tub base. The slab thickness should be 6", use 4000 psi concrete, you do not need … It butts up to the house on one side, lawn on the other, and on either end, it butts into cement retaining walls. You can do this! So, what are you waiting for? Mine was 3500 PSI. However, you may want to consider an even larger pad to accommodate steps or a walkway around your hot tub. Fix a 50 x 50mm timber to the back of them, horizontally, to geive the boards strength and stop them bowing. (no it won’t cause the slab to crack). Using the proper materials for your hot tub base as well as using a professional contractor to ensure the design is up to proper safety standards is a must. Hi I need to make a base for a fairly large hot tub. Next the shell with the pvc pipes that go in the blocks before wall construction. In each of the pictures shown above you see various pads for hot tub construction. A good gravel base of at least 18" and make sure the landscaping around the pad pitches away from the pad to keep water from collecting around and under the concrete. So were at $5000 for a custom built hot tub, lightly outfitted and up and running. First, site work and preparation. A large hot tub full of water can weigh upwards of 2 tonnes, so a suitable level base is vital. Line the bottom of the excavated area with landscape cloth, cutting it to size with scissors. I would get a truck to deliver the concrete, not mixed in bags. Next, look up! You definitely don’t want to be building under any power lines. The money I can save you can easily be hundreds of times more than the cost of my information package. Here are couple of pictures of what that will look like. For outdoor hot tubs, it’s common to place hot tubs on surfaces such as decks and patios made out of both concrete or brick. We do slabs for hot tubs all the time. And those units start losing value the day they are installed. A spa needs a solid level foundation. But let’s take a few moments and look at what is going to be involved in a hot tub construction project. Expect to spend around $250 for PVC pipe and fittings and around another $450 for waterproof coatings finish and the epoxy wall finish paint. The labor will be all you, materials cost should be around $750. I will teach and help you with everything you need to know about building your own spa, hot tub or swimspa yourself, regardless of what your DIY skill levels are and at a cost YOU determine YOU can afford. Pouring a hot tub pad is a straightforward process, but it requires at least two workers with strong backs and a working knowledge of concrete and basic carpenter tools. At some point you will likely still need a cover and let’s say we ran over on a few of the costs. Just this week I started working with a new customer in upstate NY. Hope you got a lot out of the information in this blog and I hope you can see that this part of the hot tub construction process, the most important part, is not that difficult to do. The size is 2.4M x 2.4M and I'm aiming for a 100mm base thickness. I am currently building a base for my new hot tub and using the gravel idea. He searched the internet for more information on this and that’s when he found me. Paver Patio Installation. You need 4 pieces of timber 150mm deep and 25mm thick to create a form, or mold, for the concrete. The area where the spa sits must support the weight of the spa, the water, and those who use it. I prefer to avoid a concrete slab for the hot tub as that will require jumping. If you are going to pour a concrete slab, does a cement delivery truck have access to get close enough to do the pour or will you have to use wheel barrows to get the concrete to the slab frame. Remember, my Mission is to help you, as my customer, build a beautiful hot tub of your own! As my customer I’ll work with you at your own pace until your project is done and comes to life! The redi-mix concrete from a concrete company is strong enough to support a filled hot tub … It's a good idea to reinforce the concrete with some rebar and layer the foundation … Here I show block wall construction, and also a poured concrete pad the hot tub will be constructed on. Bet nobody told you that. Concrete Pad One of the more popular hot tub bases is of course a concrete base. In cold climate areas lay down a 1” or 2” layer of closed cell foam board under the hot tub area of the slab. It can be … In our first conversation he stated that a short time ago he got a quote of $58,000 to complete a 10’ by 12’ rectangular gunite hot tub with 30 jets, gas heat, blower, LED lights and retractable cover. So, its intended use will be one factor that determines size. Build a Solid Deck Base to Support The Hot Tub Weight When it comes to structural support, the safest bet is a solid base independent of the deck. You can make them any size or depth you want so that you’re not sitting half out the water like what happens in most all portable spas unless you are a child. He quickly realized by following my plan he could easily save himself at least $40,000, maybe even more. What’s over or overhanging the area where you will be doing your hot tub construction? Regardless of the size of a hot tub, the bottom of the tub must be completely supported. Now some of these things are very basic but sometimes it’s easy to over look the obvious and make assumptions that could get you in trouble later. Trust me you can’t do this yourself, you can’t do it without skills and you can’t do unless you’re able bodied, it’s ball busting work. It will be worth your back and time to get it delivered. The preciseness at which concrete pads can be laid makes them very attractive bases for swim spas. One of the more popular hot tub bases is of course a concrete base. A 6" thick concrete slab (use 4000 psi) reinforced with wire mesh or rebar on top of at least 2" of styrofoam. If you … Absolutely outrageous isn’t! Sitting a Hot Tub on Pavers. I want to put a hot tub … At least a 6” thick concrete slab using 3000lb or 3500lb concrete. A spa cannot be set on the grass! My customer is a contractor himself and just couldn’t believe a custom hot tub would cost that much. All you’re doing is making a bigger water vessel without jets or an air blower. It happens, so put some thought in your plan before choosing a location falling trees could be an issue. You’re going to need a certain amount of room for your hot tub and that will be dictated by how big you want it and how many people will be using it. While it is the most expensive of the four options shown here it is by no means unaffordable. The base of reinforced concrete should be about 4 inches thick and be able to withstand a weight of at least 115 pounds per square foot, especially for larger spas. So, are you’re ready to let me help you build your project? However, your advantage will be that you’ll have me helping you all through your project until it’s done, and my personal coaching help is FREE! Make the slab 6" larger, all the way around, than the hot tub. Then what are you waiting for, let’s do this! Install stand offs, the orange thingies, (center picture-right), then ½” steel rebar, crisscrossed and spaced 12” apart. You will also need to connect a bond wire to the rebar grid that will connect to electrical grounding. Pavers can be an attractive option for a hot tub, but there are a few disclaimers you should consider. But if you want to go the post and … But, do not place your hot tub … So, are you’re ready to let me help you build your project? After all you wouldn’t take off on a trip unless you have a destination where you wanted to go, would you? See some of the many projects my customers have done using my information and FREE help. The main factor to consider is raised pavers which can cause problems at the base and put stress on the hot tub … The last resort on this is to buy a bunch of ready to mix concrete bags, mix and place the concrete in the frame work yourself. If pouring a new pad or slab then the recommended thickness … You at $4650 now, so what’s left? An existing patio would also be a sufficient base to place your hot tub. Visit my website, www.custombuiltspas.com, look over what I offer in my books and a video. 2 things concrete will do.. cure and crack Remember your tub … For over 20 years now I’ve been helping people just like you, build their own hot tubs, spas and swimspa projects. If the conditions are right, these can make an effective base … Can you imagine saving up to as much as $45,000 on a project like this? Another obvious factor is available space and the last factor I look at but find is the most over looked factor is what is in the ground, if anything, under where you want to put your hot tub. Then what are you waiting for, let’s do this! With any type of project whether it’s done through a professional contractor or if you are planning to do the building yourself, the first stage is always about the planning, Hot Tub Construction is no different. Concrete Base Pad. Something you should know is that a custom built hot tub is way more comfortable then those portable spas. Never build over any of these lines period! I am putting a hot tub … As we do a lot of paver patio installation we have recently been doing a few … On top of the foam board or ground if you don’t put down foam board, put down a wire mesh layer. Electrical hook up. If you have ever done any shopping for one of those portable hot tubs, you would have seen that a decent quality unit starts around $7500 on up to as much as  $15000 for a top of line hot tub. The concrete slab for the hot tub would need to be a minimum of 4 inches or 10cm's thick, ideally 6” or 15cm. Ideally, the concrete should be 6 inches thick and reinforced with rebar. Concrete Foundation If your hot tub is going to be situated outside in a specially built enclosure, it could sit on a concrete foundation. You can do this yourself or hire and electrician. Once the concrete slab is cured, give it a couple of days, you’ll be ready to go on to the next step of your hot tub construction project, building the walls. The best way to form this base is to use a 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 wood frame that is about 6″ – 12″ larger than the … The concrete pads we install for hot tubs are 6" thick, minimum, with a mat of rebar tied in them for reinforcing. One final consideration as to location is accessibility. Prepping for and pouring the concrete pad, (basic size hot tub), we’ll call it $500 dollars for concrete and frame boards. The DIY spa or hot tub is always going to have concrete base pad installed prior to the water vessel construction. If you’re near trees that if they were to fall would they damage your hot tub? (no it won’t cause the … Visit, www.custombuiltspas.com. Can you see why he got pretty excited when I broke the costs down for him like I did here for you. Custom Built Spas has been helping the DIY (do it yourself) enthusiast and small contractors for over 18 years perfecting their skills on how to build spas, hot tubs, swimspas, plunge pools and more. I can, and I have built complete hot tubs start to finish by myself with no help at all and you can do it too. Now the equipment package I supply can run between $3000 to $5000 depending on the extras and upgrades. Often, a concrete slab approximately 6” thick is … Common sense right, yes but I’ve seen people do it, potentially very dangerous situation. and topped by 24"x24" concrete pavers with the tub on top. Let’s make 2018 the year of your hot tub project! Here is what works for us. The concrete should be fully cured prior to … At least a 6” thick concrete slab using 3000lb or 3500lb concrete. Not only can you do it, you can build the entire hot tub yourself without anybody else’s help. A concrete slab is the most durable, stable and most recommended foundation for a spa. The DIY spa or hot tub is always going to have concrete base pad installed prior to the water vessel construction. Concrete has been used to build hot tub bases for years, and as a building material, it is very versatile. The commercially built hot tub may not use the base we do because they may be using the “gunite” method of hot tub construction, not a DIY Hot Tub Construction process. The last thing you want to run into is sewer lines, a septic system, water lines or underground electrical service or maybe gas service lines going to the house. On one of them, there are actually stacked 8x8s that further retain a bit of the earth out towards the lawn. It will need to be on a hardcore or rubble base to give a good foundation. A customized poured concrete … Then fix them together, on the ground where you are placing the base and put the concrete … Hot tub construction is no different than any other project, and stating the obvious, you begin at the beginning. And years back pools were built the way we do hot tubs. He was putting this custom hot tub in fairly expensive home, he was going to have pay workers for their labor etc… and being a bigger unit with a few more bells and whistles let’s say his cost for what he wanted to build was $13,000. Putting Concrete Blocks Under a Hot Tub. The details are these. Or call me if you have a question, I’m here to help. Above you see the Gunite construction process. My customers come from all different skill levels, so I know you can do this type of project. The concrete foundation should be about six inches … Once you become familiar with our construction methods and see how they differ from what the commercial pool and spa construction industry does you’ll realize that this is something you can do you will see how we can save you a ton of money! Once your concrete base is complete, you won’t have to think about it again for a long, long time. The finish would be a tile nothing fancy. In cold climate areas lay down a 1” or 2” layer of closed cell foam board under the hot tub area of the slab. This step is essentially creating a structure around the tub itself. Maybe it takes you a day, so what. The best way to form this base is to use a 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 wood frame that is about 6″ – 12″ larger than the size of your hot tub. Let’s talk about the basic slab a hot tub would be built on, it’s the most important part of your spa or hot tub construction project. There is no information source or package that is as comprehensive as what is offered by Custom Built Spas. Need to find out how to pour a concrete slab? Just saying… I see this all the time my friends. A foundation that is not level can void a manufacturer’s warranty and cause damage to the hot tub. If the foundation is inadequate, it may … It acts as … Of course you want the forms for the slab level and squared, I cover how to do all that in detail in both my spa building books and my video, which is also part of my information package. You may even want to prepare the surface with a compacted gravel base. Sure, it’s always better to have a helper, but it is not mandatory. The most common base is a concrete foundation. DIY Hot Tub Construction may sound a little intimidating at first, and that’s understood. I’m going to add another $1000. Unless your putting your hot tub inground with only about 6” showing, you should be able to do the digging yourself. I hear numbers like this all the time. You may be digging down some to put your hot tub in. Go to https://www.custombuiltspas.com/get-instant-access/. My friends, DIY Hot Tub Construction is not all that difficult! The biggest difference in DIY Hot Tub Construction methods and commercial built units is COST! A permanently installed masonry type custom built hot tub can add equity value to your home in most all areas of our country. I will teach and help you with everything you need to know about building your own spa, hot tub or swimspa yourself, regardless of what your DIY skill levels are and at a cost YOU determine YOU can afford. So what is the beginning you ask, well fortunately Custom Built Spas has put together a comprehensive and highly detailed spa and hot tub building manual that will coach you through the very first step right up to the last step of this type of project, no details left out. Look at any of my customer testimonials and you see that. If you have an existing patio made of concrete bricks, make sure it’s in good condition and is level (not angled for drainage). It might need a shallow bed of sand to fill the spaces and shapes on the bottom of the tub. I can show you how to build Spas, Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Plunge Pools, Cocktail Pools or Exercise Pools at incredibly affordable prices! It can be made to the size of the hot tub, but it may be you want a larger area to walk around the hot tub … I’m only going cover spas and hot tubs in this blog even though pools can use our DIY Hot Tub Construction methods as well. Another day for that blog or you can get all the rest of the information right here, right now delivered digitally, “instant access”. It’s a comprehensive info package showing you just how to build anyone of these projects yourself. Low side you’re at about $4200. I’m going to guess that you’ve thought about building a hot tub or spa from time to time but weren’t sure you had the skills to do this type of project. It’s not my intention to give you the entire outline of the hot tub construction process in this blog, however, I do want to give you enough information so that you can evaluate whether building a hot tub on your property is feasible. Site selection is the first step I look at before any type of hot tub construction can be considered and here’s why. All acceptable ways to do the base construction, but check building codes for your area. Remember, my Mission is to help you, as my customer, build a beautiful hot tub of your own! I can show you how to build Spas, Hot Tubs, Swim Spas, Plunge Pools, Cocktail Pools or Exercise Pools at incredibly affordable prices! Think about the size of the pad also. To accommodate steps or a walkway around your hot tub bases is of course a concrete the! Here to help you build your project is done and comes to life the pad and see. And I 'm aiming for a hot tub of your hot tub construction pavers with pvc... 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