Creating a suitable base for your hot tub

With energy costs coming back down to more manageable levels - the Ofgem price cap is set to be reduced further from £2,074 to £1,923 next month (October 2023) – now couldn’t be a better time to invest in a hot tub. Even as the weather cools, your garden can remain a place for relaxation and entertainment with the addition of a hot tub.

Whether it’s the health benefits of regular use or the entertainment factor that sold the hot tub to you, preparing your outdoor space for the new addition is vital. Here we delve deeper into how you can prepare your site and create a suitable base for your hot tub.

Do I need planning permission for a hot tub?

In the majority of circumstances, you won’t need planning permission to install a hot tub in your garden. If your property is listed or based in a conservation area however, you may require planning permission.

Consent may also be needed if you want to house your hot tub in a permanent enclosure or fit it in your front garden.

Where should I install my hot tub?

The location of your hot tub is more important than you think. As well as making hot tub installation easier and more cost effective, the right placement could even reduce hot tub running costs.

Housing your hot tub in an enclosure (such as a shed or summer house) or positioning it in an area of your garden that’s surrounded by shrubs is eco-friendlier. The warmer the air temperature after all, the less energy you’ll need to use to heat your hot tub up.

Access to drainage and a power supply is another important consideration when selecting a site.

Which hot tub base do you recommend?

The location you choose should also be on solid ground. If it isn’t, you’ll need to create a suitable base before the hot tub can be installed.

There are a number of options that can be explored when designing and fitting a hot tub base. Hot tubs can be installed on simple concrete slabs, wooden decks, paving stones, plastic tiles and even gravel providing it’s sturdy and level. Hot tub pads can also be used in conjunction with your chosen base to ensure a flat foundation.

What else do I need to do to prepare?

As well as preparing your base, landscaping around the hot tub will complete your new area and enhance the overall experience. Find a local gardener to bring your vision to life right here.