Why build a Hot Tub when I can buy one?

With so many cheap plastic tubs on the market, why on earth would you want to build your own Hot Tub? In this article, I will address some of the reasons why you should build your own DIY hot tub! Why build a Hot Tub when I can buy one? Quite simply, this article explains why.

Space / Difficult Access

As you have read from the introduction, this was the primary reason that I embarked on my own Hot Tub Project – I just couldn’t get a shop bought one into the space that I wanted.

You hear a lot on the Facebook groups or on the message boards about Hot Tubs being craned over buildings. In my case, that was not an option either. I do not have any access to my property from the rear and where I wanted to place the tub was just too far away from the house to be craned over.

Bringing in the raw materials wasn’t a problem so it made sense for me.

Customization

Building your own hot tub allows you to customize it to your exact specifications. You can choose the size, shape, and features that best suit your needs and preferences. You can also customize the materials and finishes to match your home’s design aesthetic.

Build Quality

Hot Tubs are becoming more and more popular. Once seen as a sign that a person was “doing well” for many, they are becoming a lifestyle. From my own experience, there is nothing better than relaxing in the Hot Tub after a long stressful day at work with a nice cold beer! There are many that will tell you about the heath benefits of using a Hot Tub; I’m not going to go there in this book as we’ve established I’m already not a builder writing a building book so why should I be offering health tips? – I’m clearly not a health care professional!

Due to the rise in popularity, the number of makes and models on the market continues to grow. Put Hot Tubs into Google and see for yourself. As you would expect, the quality does vary. Some of the top names brands are associated with the USA and “American Hot Tubs” and “American Made”. On the other side of the coin, like most things on the planet, some are made in China. There has been an influx of cheaper Chinese-made Hot tubs launch onto the market. Yes, the prices are certainly lower, under £3K in some cases, but as you may or may not expect, you do get what you pay for and the build quality is not the best. Poor build quality is one of the most common complaints about Jacuzzi hot tubs. The components used are also not of the highest quality and will eventually fail. In building my Hot Tub, I only used branded components from those “American” brands like Balboa and Waterway. I’m not affiliated to these in anyway, they were just my “go to” as the market leaders in an industry I knew little about. What I achieved in essence was a much bigger and a higher specification build with better components for my £5K than if I bought an off-the-shelf plastic shell tub for the same price.

 

Cost

Building a hot tub can be more cost-effective than buying one, especially if you are handy and can do some of the work yourself. Buying a pre-built hot tub can be expensive, and there may be additional costs for installation, delivery, and maintenance.

Also, the quality of product or I should say components in a shop bought hot tub, especially at the lower end of the market can be dubious to say the least!

Learning experience

Building a hot tub can be a fun and educational experience. You can learn about the mechanics of a hot tub, as well as gain skills in woodworking, plumbing, and electrical work.

Add Value to your Property

You probably haven’t thought about this, but if it is made of bricks and mortar and is a permanent feature in the property, they it will add value to your home.

Having a hot tub at home can be a great addition to your property, especially if you’re looking for a way to increase its value. In fact, adding outdoor features will make it more attractive and appeal to potential buyers as they do their research before they buy.

I know this from personal experience when I was looking to have my office included in the valuation of my own home. As I built it from timber frames, the valuer was not interested – he was only interested in anything made of brick that would still be in existence after a fire.

Therefore, this means that you can potentially offset either just in your mind, or physically, the cost of building your home made brick hot tub – food for thought when you are trying to convince your other half that this is a good use of the spare cash you have!

Why build a Hot Tub when I can buy one? – Pride!

From personal experience, there is nothing better than having a few friends over to use the Hot Tub that you built! The best compliment you can get to this extent is “does it come as a kit” – I love it when I hear that – means I did something right with the build.

OK, so you’ve decided that this is the way forward and you still want to build your own Hot Tub, let’s get started.

 

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.

Today, I've helped over 1000 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