Many Best Hot Tubs clients choose to have our teams handle their hot tub set ups from soup to nuts. But others wish to go it alone. The good news is: even that comes with a good deal of hand-holding.
Bullfrog Spas’ parent company, for example, offers technical support. In addition, with each purchase you’ll find straightforward and thorough set up instructions in their Owner Manuals. Plus, you get lots of practical help/advice from local Bullfrog dealerships like Best Hot Tubs.
To begin some of that hand-holding, we’re devoting this blog to the key steps involved in setting up a hot tub for yourself.
Ahead of Installation
You will have to (a) arrange for the hiring a licensed electrician to connect the hot tub (which is required by law), and (b) in some cases visit your local town board for approvals. For detailed information on this, see our earlier blog on this topic.
Hot Tub Delivery
The good news is that free standard delivery is included with Best Hot Tubs’ purchase packages, so you won’t have to go anywhere to pick up your heavy new spa.
Photo: Courtesy of Bullfrog Spas
Highlights from Bullfrog Spas Manual for Installation/Delivery
— Plan out a delivery path for the new hot tub, looking for potential obstacles like low-hanging tree limbs, extended gas or water meters, dangerous power lines, etc.
— Will a gate have to be temporarily removed to get the hot tub where you want it?
— Are there many stairs involved in locating your spa?
Best Hot Tubs Delivery Dolly
That said, Best Hot Tubs is expert at maneuvering hot tubs in and around tight spaces.
Using our delivery dolly, even if a client wants, say, Bullfrog’s large A8 model, and their property is a tight, small space, as long as we have a minimum of 40” of width and 9’ of height — we can tip the spa on its side and get it through.
Site Preparation
Preparing Site for Hot Tub Installation
Should you be handling the installation yourself, before delivery, choose a location for your hot tub that is convenient and prepare it to allow for drainage.
You’ll find in your Bullfrog Spas’ manual the exact size of your hot tub. If you are installing it on the ground, cut out turf grass in the shape and dimensions of your new hot tub. Then, using a wheelbarrow, bring in gravel and smooth and level it out.
Unwrapping Spa
Add Accessories
Unwrapping the Spa
After rolling the spa on to the gravel, unpack the hot tub. Then add on spa accessories (cover lifter, hot tub cover, steps and cover clip locks).
Next, you will need a hose to fill the hot tub. It’s been suggested that you use a designated hose when filling your hot tub. This will ensure that contaminants accumulated by extended use won’t pass these to your spa water.
Start Up Chemicals
Best Hot Tubs includes all the necessary start-up chemicals in our our hot tub sales packages and are happy to give demonstrations on how to use them. But in the event you would like an advance look at how simple it is, here’s a video of Best Hot Tubs’ owner, Bill Renter, showing just how easy it all is:
In sum:
Electrical Set Up Requirements
A licensed electrician is usually required. This is because a hot tub uses heaters, filters, pumps, lights etc. From the electrician, hot tub purchasers will get an underwriter’s certificate indicating that it’s been inspected and approved to meet the NED (National Electric Code)
Best Hot Tubs Spa Deliveries
Best Hot Tubs has a delivery dolly just for hot tubs. It lowers gently to the ground, and can be turned on it’s side onto attached wheels and easily moved into place. All we need is a minimum of 40” of width and 9’ of height, and easy, peasy — it’s in your backyard.
Hot Tub Installations
Some towns might require information on your hot tub to properly assess if you can install it where you want on your property. Best Hot Tubs can provide you with the relevant information to bring with you.
So! With clearly written manuals, tech support to call, a local distributor (Best Hot Tubs, ahem) ready to help — even if you want your spa installation to be a total DIY set up, you’ll have lots of hand-holding.
