What Is the Cheapest Hot Tub to Build? Stock Tank and Other Budget Options

Last updated: September 2026

What’s the cheapest hot tub you can build? It’s one of the questions I’m asked most, so here’s the full picture: what’s cheap, what isn’t, and what a budget build really costs today.

First, let me be clear about what I mean by a hot tub. I’m not talking about a hole in the ground heated with a fire. That’s not what I’m about. My definition of a hot tub is one with a pump, filtration, heating and jets: everything a “proper” hot tub should have. The good news is that you can still build one of those for a fraction of the price of most hot tubs.

What isn’t cheap to build

Before the cheapest option, here’s what’s far from cheap:

• In-ground block, ICF or concrete hot tubs. They’re my favourite, and the kind I built, but there’s a lot of digging, concrete, waterproofing, tiling and custom plumbing, and a lot of your time. See How to build a DIY in-ground hot tub.
• Cedar and other timber tubs. Timber has become an expensive option over the last few years, and a good wooden tub needs good wood. See How to build the ultimate DIY wooden hot tub.
• Plastic shell tubs. Buying a shell and plumbing it yourself still means a full custom plumbing job.

The cheapest: a stock tank hot tub

The cheapest hot tub to build is also my second favourite, right behind the in-ground block or concrete tub. It’s the stock tank hot tub, also known as a hillbilly or cowboy hot tub. It uses a livestock water tank as the tub itself, which makes for a very cool, simple setup that works just like a high-end hot tub.

A great example is Ben’s stock tank hot tub, built for his Airbnb in California. It sits nicely in its surroundings, looks great and didn’t cost a lot. You can see Ben’s build and video here, and there’s more on adding a stock tank hot tub to an Airbnb.

To work out what yours will cost, there are three things to look at: the tank, the plumbing and the electrics.

1. The stock tank

Farm stores such as Tractor Supply sell stock tanks in galvanised steel and in polyethylene. At the time of writing, a Behlen Country 8ft round poly tank (625 gallons) is $599.99 and a 10ft round galvanised tank (1,117 gallons, 2ft high) is $879.99. Big tanks often can’t be shipped to your home, so you may need to order them into a store and collect.

Bigger isn’t always better. That 10ft tank holds a lot of water to heat. Whichever tank you choose, check the maker’s temperature rating, especially for plastic tanks, and set it on a firm, level base. See How to build the ultimate DIY stock tank hot tub for the full build.

2. The plumbing

The plumbing is the most important part of turning a stock tank into a hot tub. It can be complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing, which is why I put together complete stock tank plumbing kits. You just add the tank and the pipe.

Stock tank kit	Best for	Price
Heating and filtration only (no jets)	A simple hot soak on the lowest budget	$1,399
4 jets	Tanks with a side on show	$1,599
8 jets	Most builds	$1,699
16 jets	Tanks set in the ground or fully boxed in	$1,799

The 8-jet kit, for example, comes with a Balboa 4kW spa pack and topside control, a dual-speed 2HP pump, a 25 sq ft cartridge filter, an air blower, two lower drains and the jets, plus a complete DIY plumbing guide. Prices include delivery and are correct at the time of writing.

How many jets depends on your setup. If part of the tank is on show, go for fewer jets, say half the number, so the plumbing stays on the hidden side. If the tank is set in the ground or boxed in, you can fit more, up to 16. The same kits also suit cedar and wooden tubs.

3. The electrics

With a 4kW heater, a 2HP pump and a blower, you need a proper supply. In the USA, that means a dedicated 240V GFCI-protected circuit installed by an electrician, not a 120V plug. In the UK, it’s a dedicated 230V circuit with RCD protection, and 3kW heaters are the norm. Budget for the electrician when you add up your costs. See A guide to hot tub electrics.

What does a stock tank hot tub cost in total?

Item	Typical cost (USA)
Stock tank (8–10ft round)	About $600–$900
Complete plumbing kit	$1,399–$1,799
PVC pipe, cement and primer	Depends on the distance to your equipment
Base (gravel, pavers or a slab)	Depends on your site
Cover	Buy one or make your own
Tank and kit together	Roughly $2,000–$2,700, plus the items above and the electrician

That’s a fully working hot tub with filtration, heating and jets for a fraction of the price of most hot tubs. It’s easy, straightforward, and you end up with something quirky that works properly.

Two more budget ideas

Horse trough hot tub

Are horse trough hot tubs a real thing? Yes, and they work surprisingly well. They’re small, typically only big enough for one or two people, which makes them a cosy budget option. They’re easy to make too: cut holes in the sides for the jets and suction, add the pipework, a pump, a filter and an electric heater, and you’re ready to go. They also add a lovely rustic feel to a garden or backyard. The downside is the size. If you want room for friends, go for a stock tank.

Pallet hot tub (really a water tank)

The name is misleading, because this hot tub isn’t really made of pallets. It’s a water tank, often a cut-down 1,000-litre (264-gallon) IBC, with pallet boards fixed around it for structure and looks. I worked on one of these with a customer in Israel, and we turned a water tank into a fully functioning hot tub. The result was really impressive.

Be careful with where the tank came from, its temperature rating and which pallets you use. I’ve covered all of that in Pallet hot tub: is it worth building? Read this first.

Budget option	Seats	Pros	Cons
Stock tank	Several, depending on the tank	Cheapest proper hot tub, quick to build, complete kits available	No moulded seats, and needs insulating and a cover
Horse trough	1–2	Very simple and very cheap tub	Small
Pallet / water tank	About 2	Uses reclaimed materials	Tank history and heat limits, and timber rots if it stays wet

Common mistakes on a budget build

• Skipping filtration or sanitiser to save money. Warm, still water breeds germs. The CDC recommends at least 3ppm free chlorine in a hot tub. See Hot tub chemical levels.
• Running it off an extension lead. Get a proper dedicated, RCD- or GFCI-protected supply.
• No cover or insulation. A metal tank loses heat fast. A cover and some insulation around the outside will save you money every month. See DIY hot tub insulation.
• Buying mismatched parts. A basket of bargain parts that don’t work together is the most expensive way to build a cheap hot tub.

If a rental guest will be using it, the rules are different. See Domestic vs commercial hot tubs. And if you’re still weighing up whether to build at all, read 5 alternatives to buying a hot tub and Pros and cons of building a hot tub.

Ready to build yours?

For a stock tank, horse trough or wooden tub, start with one of my complete stock tank plumbing kits. Everything is matched to work together, with a full DIY guide. If you’d rather build something permanent in the ground, my DIY hot tub plans will get you there, and for spare parts, try parts4tubs.com in the USA or parts4tubs.co.uk in the UK.

FAQs

What is the cheapest hot tub to build?

A stock tank hot tub. With a farm-store tank and a complete plumbing kit, the tank and kit come to roughly $2,000–$2,700, plus pipe, a base, a cover and the electrics.

How much does a stock tank hot tub cost?

A tank is roughly $600–$900 and a complete kit is $1,399–$1,799 at the time of writing. Add pipe, a base, a cover and an electrician for the 240V supply.

Can a stock tank hot tub run on 120V?

Not with a proper 4kW heater, pump and blower. You need a dedicated 240V GFCI-protected circuit in the USA.

How many people fit in a stock tank hot tub?

An 8ft round tank comfortably fits a few adults. A horse trough is really only for one or two.

Is a stock tank hot tub as good as a normal hot tub?

With a proper kit, it has the same essentials (filtration, heating and jets) and works just like one. What you don’t get is moulded seats and the built-in insulation of a shell tub, so add a good cover.

Built a budget hot tub? Tell me about it in the comments below. I read them all.

Cheers,
Andi

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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