What do I need to know about a hot tub?

we have owned 4 hot tubs now.. we buy them used, and I keep upgrading as I spy a better one for sale lol. we love ours, I don't think we'll ever be without one again. it's like having a hot bath, but you are fully immersed and the water never gets cold. you can buy hot tub safe oils and scents and things too that really make it relaxing. here are some things we have learned:

regardless if you are buying new or used, check that the cover is in good condition and not super super heavy. Extreme heaviness is a sign of being waterlogged. New covers with upgraded foam run about $320 incl. shipping for the hot tubs we've owned- the one we bought a cover for was a big one, too! if you're every going to use the tub alone, think about getting a cover lift to help you. make sure the cover has strap latches so it doesn't blow off.

also open up the utility panel and check the insulation- you want it to be thick and generously coated. this and a good cover will keep your costs way down. while you're in there, check out the appearance of the pump and electrical. there shouldn't be dripping water or wet spots, look for corrosion.

always check out one that is running, unless you are buying certified from a store. walk around the base and look for damp spots or signs that the area is always moist. you don't want to deal with any leaks, no matter how small the seller tells you they are. it is damn near impossible to chase down a leak in an insulated tub. often where the leak appears is well away from the actual problem, due to the way the water can snake around as it makes its way out. we prefer the plastic or metal sided tubs over wood ones, which require more maintenance.

hot tubs are actually quite easy to move with 2-3 people and 2x4s as "skids". you place the 2x4s on the ground, one about 6-12" inside the edges of the tub. place your next 2x4s inside or outside these, next to the initial 2x4s and overlapping next to them by at least a foot. then you just push the tub across the boards, it should slide pretty easily considering the weight. when you're on to the 2nd set of skids, move the first around to the front and continue. we've found that 6 boards work best, to give you 3 lengths to work with and so you don't have to be stopping every 5'. we always have our boys run and move the boards for us while we're going, they think it's fun. you might have the step near the front of the next set of boards to make sure they pass under the tub, if you're on a soft or sinky surface. we use all 6 boards together if a ramp is needed to get the tub up/down from a deck or trailer.

maintenance is pretty simple, it's like a tiny pool. you check the chemicals and make small additions to balance PH. it's not rocket science, you can totally handle it.

when we bought our first one, I read a ton of things online about "how to buy a used hot tub" and that served me very well. we've had a 110 plug-in tub, the largest size in that hookup, and liked it. but we've also run our own 220 (DH knows electrical) and those have been fine as well. I didn't notice any significant difference in running costs between the 2. I can't stress enough tho- buy one that you can see running and at temperature, unless it is a certified used one or something. if the seller refuses to do this for you, there is probably a reason why. if you go look at it and it's 70 degrees because he just turned it on, come back when it's 102.

good luck on your hot tub adventure!

ETA: placement. if it's not in the budget for a concrete slab, you could build a deck platform (place joists on 10-12" centers to make sure they support the weight properly). we also had a pea gravel/small stone base for one tub where a deck wouldn't work. that was really cheap and actually worked excellent- it was kinda self leveling, the pit was about 6" deep I believe? edged with 2x6s to keep gravel contained. landscaped around it and it looked awesome. if you didn't want to see the gravel, you could integrate a step by building an elevated deck around the tub that would also act as a step.

oh, and if your tub is completely exposed to the wind, you might want to think about installing a single fence or lattice panel to provide some windbreak. we're in MI, and when it's really cold and windy the steam rising from the tub gets super cold and blown in your face. not so fun lol. that's why we have tucked our tubs next to a taller deck, or a pool, or in the lee of the house when possible.