Inspirational DIY Hot Tubs: Customer Build Updates (Video)

Last updated: September 2026

One of the best parts of what I do is the messages from customers showing me how their builds are going. A hole in the ground one month, blockwork and plumbing the next, and before long a photo of a finished, steaming tub. I’ve now helped more than 1,500 people build their own hot tubs and pools, and it still never gets old.

In this video I round up some of those customer build updates. If you’re wondering whether you could build your own, there’s no better inspiration than seeing real people do it.

Watch: customer build updates

The stages every DIY hot tub goes through

Whatever the size, shape or country, the builds you’ll see follow the same journey. Here’s the order, with the guide for each stage:

1. Plan and design. Settle the size, seating, jets and where the control room goes before you pick up a spade. See What makes a good DIY hot tub design? and, in the USA, Do I need a permit for my hot tub?
2. Dig, base and walls. Dig deeper than the water depth, pour a proper reinforced slab and build the walls in block, ICF or formed concrete. See How to build a DIY in-ground hot tub and Hot tub wall construction.
3. Plumbing. Jets, main drain, skimmer, returns and the pipe runs to the control room, all pressure tested before anything is buried. See DIY hot tub plumbing.
4. Waterproofing and tiles. A pool-rated membrane, a flood test, then tiles. See Waterproofing, grout and tile adhesive and Hot tub tiles.
5. Control room and electrics. The spa pack, pumps, filter and heater, plus a properly protected supply from a qualified electrician. See Hot tub control room design considerations and Hot tub wiring explained.
6. Surroundings. Decking, screening and a cover. See Hot tub deck ideas, Hot tub privacy ideas and The ultimate guide to hot tub covers.

Most of the problems I see come from skipping stage one. For the common ones, read Avoid these 7 DIY hot tub mistakes. For a realistic timeline, see How long does a DIY hot tub build take?

More customer builds to inspire you

If the video has you hooked, these case studies follow individual builds in much more detail:

• Marc’s build in an awkward space (UK)
• Mel’s in-ground hot tub and oak pavilion
• Rob’s custom DIY hot tub (USA)
• Francisco’s “fire pit” hot tub (Chile)
• Rob in France
• Danny’s pool and spa combo (USA)
• Niels’ build in the Netherlands
• John’s 8 x 8 DIY hot tub (Kentucky)
• An ICF hot tub build in Tennessee
• Can a self-confessed rubbish DIYer build a hot tub? Meet Matt

Ready to start your own?

Every one of these builds started with a plan. If a standard size suits your garden or backyard, my DIY hot tub plans give you CAD drawings with every dimension, the plumbing layout, a full parts list and the video course.

If your space is an odd shape or you want something truly custom, try the free Tub & Pool Designer Pro software. I can then turn your design into architectural CAD and a 3D plumbing design you can build from.

Building your own? Share your progress in the comments below. I read them all.

Cheers,
Andi

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Can I Help You?

If I can help you in any way I would love to hear from you. You can get in touch using the form below.

Thanks - Andi

 

Hi, Andi here. I own Buildahottub.com and also write all of the articles and info pages on the site. Some years back now, I built my own hot tub but struggled to find the information I needed. So, once my tub was complete, I started this website to help others in their own pursuit of hot tub and plunge pools DIY building information.

Fast forward to 2025, I've helped over 1400+ DIY customers just like you all over the world build hot tubs and pools. Have a good look around the site, there are lots of resources here. Please do get in touch if I can help you. - Cheers, Andi