Hot tubs are beloved by families, and just as much by working professionals who need a place to unwind when the day is done. They're a real physical therapy tool — and definitely a mental therapy tool. Of everything we build in a yard, the hot tub is often the thing that gets used the most, on the most ordinary nights.
Location is mostly driven by the client, but it's largely a question of privacy. That's the number one factor.
After that, it comes down to how you'll actually use it:
There's always room for a hot tub if it's a big priority for folks. Whether we have to crane it in or wheel it in, whether it's set on a deck or built into one, there's always a place for it.
Almost everyone wants a hot tub surround. People don't want the tub sticking up in the yard, so we build custom wood structures around them.
We designers consider the hot tub surround the black hole of design, because it's always way more involved with engineering than you'd think. You have to account for equipment access panels, service clearance, and room for the cover to fold all the way open. Get any of that wrong and the tub becomes a maintenance problem instead of a retreat.
Integrating hot tubs into deck designs — including the surrounds — is something we do particularly well.
We don't get to try out the hot tubs ourselves, but we get a lot of feedback from clients, and the best feedback by far is for Bullfrog Spas. They have customizable jets based on how you want to use the tub, and you can switch out the JetPaks. They're the Cadillacs. We also have a good arrangement with our distributor, so we can get them at a much lower price than retail.
One build we like set the tub into a multi-level deck so the rim sits flush with the decking. From the seating area it barely reads as a hot tub at all — just a change in surface — and the surround conceals the equipment while leaving full service access behind a hinged panel.
Another placed the tub in a private corner of the garden, tucked out of sightlines from neighboring windows, with a short path from the back door and a fire pit nearby. It gets used year-round, which is the whole point.
Where's the best place to put a hot tub?
Privacy is usually the driving factor. After that, we look at how close it is to a door for winter use, whether there's a view of the sky or plants, and whether it can connect to other parts of the yard like a fire pit or deck.
Can a hot tub be built into a deck?
Yes, and it's one of our specialties. We integrate hot tubs into deck designs including the custom surround, so the tub sits flush and reads as part of the structure instead of an object in the yard.
What kind of base does a hot tub need?
A solid, level base. Whether that's a slab, a reinforced deck structure, or a prepared pad depends on the installation, but it's not something to improvise.
What hot tub brand do you recommend?
Bullfrog Spas get the best feedback from our clients by a wide margin — customizable jets and swappable JetPaks based on how you want to use the tub. We can also source them well below retail through our distributor.
Why do hot tub surrounds cost more than expected?
Because they're more complex than they look. Surrounds have to accommodate equipment access panels, service clearance, and room for the cover to fold out, all while looking like a finished piece of carpentry.
Should I get a hot tub or a sauna?
Most people know which one they want. Saunas and cold plunges are lower maintenance and lower cost to operate and install, while hot tubs are the classic soak. We build both.
