When it comes to electricity, DIY is a major don’t
Need a second to de-stress? One of the major benefits of a hot tub is that it can ease your mind and sore muscles—but who do you call to install it? The short answer is you should hire a hot tub electrician, but there are a few things to consider. Since hot tubs cost anywhere from $2,000 to $11,000, you want to ensure you protect your investment by hiring the right pro.
If you hire a pro, hot tub electrical installation costs $1,900 to $4,200. This may seem like a sizable investment, but there's a good reason for the price. Hot tub installation can be quite complicated, and electricians are licensed experts. They’ve spent years learning the ropes (or, should we say, wires) and know how to install electrical components safely.
Here are some of the many reasons you should hire a hot tub electrician for your project:
Safety: The main reason to hire a hot tub electrician is for safety. A hot tub has numerous electrical components, some of which come into direct contact with water. Mixing these components is extremely dangerous if done incorrectly.
Electrical code: Hot tubs require proper grounding, GFCI-protected outlets, and designated spa panels that can manually disconnect the appliance. Licensed electricians have the training to follow the electrical code, ensuring your hot tub installation is safe and passes electrical inspection.
Insurance: Hiring a hot tub electrician adds a layer of liability protection. Licensed electricians carry liability insurance, which may cover repairs or compensation if an installation mistake causes property damage or injury.
Function: Hot tubs have electrical requirements, and when your house can’t meet the demand, your hot tub can trip the breaker, or it won’t turn on in the first place. Depending on your home’s existing wiring, you may need to invest in upgrading your electrical panel or installing a new subpanel just for your spa. An electrician can troubleshoot issues and ensure your hot tub will work properly.
Warranty: Most hot tubs come with manufacturer warranties covering your hot tub and the electrical components. If you DIY your hot tub, you can void the warranty. Hiring a professional to take care of the installation could save you money in the long run.
If you’ve been hunting for the perfect hot tub model, you’ve probably noticed a few online tutorials on how to DIY a hot tub installation. The truth is, it’s best to leave this job to a pro. DIY electrical installation—especially around a body of water—can be extremely hazardous.
There is one exception. You can purchase a 120-volt, plug-and-play hot tub. This type of hot tub plugs into a regular outlet, though the outlet should be GFCI-protected. In that case, you shouldn’t have to do any electrical work, but you should still have a pro inspect your electricity to ensure it can handle the load without tripping the breaker.
Regardless of the model, it’s a good idea to call an electrician near you to review your options.
You’ll need to hire a licensed electrician to work on your home’s electricity. Some hot tub installation companies—or even pros who fall under the wider umbrella of pool contractors—may subcontract a pool electrician. This is especially common if your project is a larger job, like building a custom in-ground hot tub.
You can hire a pool contractor to level the ground or install the concrete slab that supports your hot tub, but they’ll still need to bring in a licensed electrician to work on the wiring.
Installing wiring for a hot tub is similar to installing wiring for other types of pools. Your electrician will begin by inspecting the electricity to determine if your home can handle the demand for a hot tub. If not, you may need to upgrade your electrical panel or install a subpanel.
Once everything is good to go, they’ll start the installation by turning off the power at the main breaker box. With the power off, they’ll mount the spa panel. This panel should be a minimum of 5 feet from your hot tub but within sight.
After that, they’ll dig a trench per local building code and install the conduits. These are metal or PVC tubes that hold the wiring. The conduits should extend from your hot tub to the spa panel and from the spa panel to the breaker panel. Next, they’ll install the wiring, including:
Pulling the wires through the conduits
Connecting the indoor and outdoor conduits
Wiring the spa panel
Wiring the hot tub control panel
Connecting the wiring to the main breaker
At the end of your installation, an electrician will inspect the hot tub to make sure it’s safe and follows local code. They’ll turn on the breaker and test the electricity. If everything’s good, they’ll fill the trench with dirt to bury the conduit. Then, you can replace any sod or patio pavers.
