November 26, 2025
Category: Hot Tub
A hot tub works when the practical pieces line up: space, access, power, siting, budget and a routine you’ll keep. If those check out, you’re ready. Use this checklist to confirm what’s left to sort. See our hot tub range to compare sizes and styles.
Do you have the space, access route and a level base?
Start with a tape measure. You need the shell footprint plus room to walk around for service access. Check the access route from kerb to final position for tight gates, sharp turns, steps or soft lawn. Plan how the unit will travel (trolley or crane) and where corners are tight. Lay cardboard to the shell footprint and walk the route, if the mock‑up fits, delivery will be calmer. For the base, think strong, level, drained. A reinforced patio, slabs on a compacted sub‑base, or a composite base all work when installed properly. Avoid soft ground or flexing timber. Even 5 mm out‑of‑level can twist the shell over time. Tight on space or turns? Consider Serenity hot tubs with compact footprints.
Can I run a hot tub on a 13A plug, or do I need 32A?
Most premium tubs use a dedicated 32 A supply with RCD protection; some compact models run from 13 A but heat and jet performance will differ. If you plan winter evenings or frequent jet use, 32A usually makes sense; light, occasional soaks sometimes work on 13A.
Red flags (electrics): long exposed runs, a shared circuit, or no RCD. Plan the cable route early with a qualified electrician and place the isolation switch where you can reach it without stepping off the path. With power and a safe route planned, confirm if your site needs any planning checks.
Do hot tubs need planning permission in the UK?
The tub itself rarely needs permission. Issues arise from platform height, garden coverage and designated areas. If you’re raising decking or a plinth, keep height modest and check local guidance. In conservation areas or with Article 4 directions, confirm with planning before building raised platforms over 30 cm. Once planning is clear, site it where you’ll use it without bothering the neighbours.
Installer note (planning/siting): If you raise the spot, check height and overlook. A short screen return can solve privacy and splash noise.
How do I reduce hot tub noise for neighbours?
Treat noise like light: aim it away from boundaries and windows. Site to shield pump hum and splashing from shared fences. Keep night filtration gentle and close the cover after use. If the boundary is close, a cover lifter reduces clatter, and a short fence return blocks splash noise. Stand at the boundary at your usual soak time; if you hear conversation there, move or screen the site. Add cover latches, set quieter night cycles, and use a short windward screen.
How much does a hot tub cost to run in the UK?
Costs settle when insulation, a good cover seal and sensible schedules work together. Heat for the times you soak and hold between those windows. In cold snaps, start heat earlier and hold; in mild spells, ease back. Poor insulation (including inflatables) uses more. Match a model and insulation package to your routine, keep the cover discipline tight, and use off‑peak windows if you have them. Rule of thumb: every extra degree above your comfortable set‑point costs more than a perfect cover seal will save, fix the cover first. If the numbers work, your next check is whether weekly water care suits you. For energy‑efficient options, browse our hot tub collection.
How hard is hot tub water care to do each week?
Keep to basics: test sanitiser and pH, clean filters on a schedule, and understand your filtration cycle. Prefer low maintenance? Hydropool Self‑Cleaning models automate much of the filtration. If skin feel matters, try two water‑care systems on a wet visit before you buy. Be mindful of water that looks clear only when pumps run—that means filtration needs attention. Our dedicated Servicing, Parts & Maintenance team includes six Hydropool factory‑trained engineers across London and the South East and holds around 90% of spare parts in stock, so downtime stays low.
Is a hot tub safe for kids and during pregnancy?
Set safe limits from day one. Keep water temperature sensible (cautious homeowners cap at 40 °C / 104 °F), keep soaks short and comfortable, and ensure children are supervised with the cover locked after use. If you’re pregnant or managing a health condition, talk to a clinician about personal limits before you buy.
Installer note (safety): Teach the cover lock on day one. Make sure one person can close it in a single motion.
Will you use it often enough to justify it?
Habit drives value. Place the tub close to the back door, add a cover lifter and safe steps, and set simple presets so starting a 10–15‑minute evening soak is friction‑free. Keep a robe and sandals by the door. Small cues make nightly use likely.
Where should I put a hot tub in a small garden?
Close to the back door for habit, with service access on one side. Keep away from boundaries and windows and check the cover swing stays inside your plot. Add a cover lifter and a short 900–1,200 mm privacy return or planting to soften splash noise and sight lines. Maintain a slight fall to drain so water runs away from the steps.
Back‑garden hot tub ideas that work in the UK climate
- Sheltered corner nook: L‑shaped screen and evergreen planting to cut wind and splash noise; leave one side for service access.
- Compact pergola with clear roof panels: Light in, rain out; add a drip edge so water falls away from steps.
- Near‑door “evening soak” zone: Within 8–10 m of the back door with a cover lifter and non‑slip path for easy weeknight use.
How does a hot tub compare to your alternatives?
- Hot tub: compact footprint; warm‑water relaxation; short, frequent use.
- Swim spa: swim‑in‑place training plus hydrotherapy seats; larger shell; higher power demand.
- Cold plunge: very short sessions; different recovery goal.
Choose the format that fits your goals, space and budget.
A 3‑minute pre‑purchase checklist
- Space for shell and service access; clear route checked
- Strong, level, drained base specified
- Power plan agreed (13A vs 32A) with a qualified electrician
- Siting that respects neighbours; quiet night cycles planned
- Cover discipline and a simple schedule for running costs
- Water‑care routine you’ll keep (or a service plan)
Which HTSS models fit different spaces and routines?
Compact patios / tight access (some 13A options):
Family 5–6 seat layouts (32A recommended):
Entertaining / larger gatherings:
Design‑led or challenging sites:
- Bespoke Mosaic & Stainless Steel (tailored sizes and finishes)
Prefer low maintenance across sizes? Shortlist the Hydropool Self‑Cleaning range. Want the best comfort‑per‑footprint ratio? Explore Serenity. When you’re ready to compare, head to our hot tub page.
