Swim Spa Installation Cost – 7 Factors to Consider

When searching for the best swim spas, you might already be thinking about how it could benefit you and your family. After all, splashing around in a pool sounds like fun, right? A home swim spa is a great way to relax and unwind, especially after a long day at work, or if you want to have some family time. But what is the average swim spa installation cost you should expect?

In this article, we’ll explain the initial swim spa installation costs, factors you need to consider before installing a swim spa, as well as the ongoing costs you could expect to incur over the long term.

What to Consider When Looking for a Home Spa

The first thing to consider when you’re looking for a home spa is the space. An installation specialist will have a better idea about whether or not your desired installation location is suitable.

It’s also worth thinking about the types of features you want with your home spa. Do you want a water current? A sauna? Water jets? The more features that come with your spa, the higher the costs will be.

Swim Spa Delivery Costs

Before we get into the costs of installation and setup, it’s important to note that you’ll also need to factor in the cost of delivery.

The delivery of your swim spa will depend on the weight. An average outdoor pool weighs around 150 pounds, so the average delivery cost should not exceed $100.

Location considerations

When thinking about your new pool spa delivered and installed, its location has a significant influence.

Expect additional delivery charges if it’s going to be placed a considerable distance from the curb, or if it needs to go through challenging terrain, for example.

Don’t be dismayed if there isn’t easy access to your desired destination. That doesn’t imply that you can’t have a swim spa installed there. The majority of swim spas are fitted using a crane.

Crane Delivery 

An overhead crane is almost always required for a Swim Spa installation.

The cost of a crane lift ranges from $500 to $1500, depending on the distance they need to transport the Swim Spa.

The cost is lower if the workers only have to move the swim spa over a back fence than if they have to move it with the crane lift from the front yard over the whole house.

Delivery Cancellation

It’s important to understand the costs that come with the installation process. The swim spa delivery preparation costs, depend on the size and the manpower needed to install it. 

If you change your mind about having your swim spa delivered, the cancellation charge is anywhere from $150-$500. If the spa is already at your house, expect to pay $1,000-$2,000 for removal.

Swim Spa Installation Costs

The initial cost of a swim spa depends mostly on the size and make of it. 

To compare, here are some of the most popular swim spa upfront costs:

• Master Spas range from $20,000 to $50,000
• Endless Pools range from $20,000 to $60,000
• Hydropool from $25,000
• Catalina range from $15,000 to $30,000

You can expect to pay anywhere from $15,000 for the cheaper swim spa models or between $50,000 and $60,000 for the more high-end models. 

Any cheap swim spa under $10,000 is probably a Chinese import that may malfunction, and if it does, you will not be able to call local support. Going with a reputable dealer is a much better choice.

As for the installation costs, a simple above-ground swim spa installation on a concrete pad will cost between $4000 and 5000. This budget does not include electricity.

Complex swim spa setups are tougher to estimate because every case is unique. Regardless of how you choose to build the pool spa, you will need to include the concrete pad and electrical work.

Site Prep for a Swim Spa

To install a swim spa, you need to prep the ground, the electrical, and the plumbing.

If you want an inground pool, you should do the excavation ahead of time so that the actual installation process goes smoothly and according to the installation plan itself. Above-ground units do not require excavation, however, they do require a concrete slab. 

Hiring a professional to come out and pour the concrete slab will on average cost you $7 per square foot with materials and labor. 

For ground installation, you need to make sure that everything is leveled and flat, with no obstructions or rocks in the way. It needs to be big enough that it can accommodate the size of the swim spa.

Additionally, you’ll need to finish all electrical work. Electrical costs will run you between $1,000 and $2,000 depending on your location.

Hiring a professional electrician ensures proper wiring and connection. For convenience, the breaker should be closer to your swim spa.

Keep track of your electrical panel and keep it handy in case you need to maintain your swim spa.

Landscaping and Design

Once your pool spa is installed, it’s time for the finishing touches. Many people add a swim spa deck to make access simpler. It is easier to create the deck around the swim spa once it is in place.

As far as the landscaping is concerned, your preferences are what matters most. Here are 5 swim spa installation ideas for around your swim spa:

• Decking
• Lawn
• Patio
• Stone
• Water feature

Electrical & Plumbing Work

One of the main reasons installing a swim spa can cost so much is because it requires a lot of plumbing and mechanical components.

To install the necessary water pipes and wiring for your home, you’ll need to hire a professional contractor. In some cases, these professionals will charge you hourly rates. If this is the case, it’s important to get an estimate before they start the installation work.

You’ll need a power source near the place you’d like your swim spa to go. That will make the hot tub installation much easier. 

Additional Costs To Think About for Installing Your Swim Spa

So, apart from getting the spa delivered, installing it, and building a deck around it, what are some of the other costs of having a swim spa? Let’s see. 

Maintenance

As with any product or service, the costs of installing a swim spa don’t end with the initial installation. These expenses will continue to rise over time.But how much does it cost to run a swim spa?

For example, you could spend $200 on supplies for a year. This includes things like chlorine and chemicals for upkeep.

You also need to consider whether you want to install lighting for your pool as well. Lighting can range anywhere from $150-$500 and can be either solar-powered or electric-powered.

Once all is said and done, you could end up spending between $1,000 – $2,500 in total costs per year for upkeep and supplies alone.

Accessories

Finally, don’t forget about accessories: they may make or break your new swim spa experience, so think about which ones are worth it for you.

You’ll need a cover to keep out pests and debris and to retain heat. A pool spa cover can cost upwards of $1,000 if not included with the purchase.

There are also steps, railings, lighting, cleaning equipment, filters, and more. This is a must for your swim spa experience!

Items such as tables for beverages and storage for towels and chemicals as well as speakers (if your swim spa does not have them incorporated) are also popular additions.

Conclusion

A swim spa is a great addition to your backyard oasis, but if you’re not careful, it can also be an expensive addition. Before you start the process of shopping for Swim Spas vs Hot Tubs, be sure to consider all the costs that come with installation and ownership. The cost of your swim spa will depend on the size, features, and accessories that you want to be included, but one thing is for sure—you’ll want to know that you’re getting the best value for your dollars over time.

About The Author:

Manny Brambila

Pool & Spa Expert

Manny has been in the Pool & Spa industry for over 15 years and is considered a pool, swim spa, & hot tub expert. He has been a Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) since 2009 and worked 15 years in aquatic training and development for the largest pool chemical and customer care company. He also has been an outside consultant for the Pool and Spa industry in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles since 2018. In the past few years Manny has become Director of Operations for Epic Hot Tubs with a priority of providing customers with the most reliable information and best service possible.