HockeyKat

We got an old spa from a friend, where the tub itself was in perfect condition but the skirting and electronic parts were not. We decided to go DIY on most of it... have replaced both pumps and the control pack/topside controls from ebay, as well as the cover (twice), and painted the skirting. It's been a bit of an adventure in learning how to do all of this, with some bumps here and there, but we probably have less than $800-1K invested, 5 years later, and lots of good tubbing time in the process.

The brackets are not that big and have holes to fasten to surfaces. If you don't mind you can leave the brackets out from the spa. Otherwise I would wait until the spa is empty and alot of times you use a rubber mallet to get them under the spa. i do not recommend any type of prying device. It could break the frame Thanks!! We can't fasten it to the surface as the tub is sitting on a stamped concrete patio. But, we definitely could use a mallet to get the brackets under.

With undermounts, do you have to lift the spa? Any recommendations for doing so? My spa is old and the skirting is iffy.

I couldn't agree more with what people are saying here. My GFCI has tripped once in 5 years, and it was because my tub was emptying itself (plumbing issue). I was in it at the time, and couldn't be happier that it tripped, and therefore I am alive to be typing this right now. The breaker box was about $75-100 at Lowe's and included everything. It looks almost exactly like the A/C one but is made for spas/hot tubs. Have them wire that in between your current breaker and your spa.

Had it for 5 years. 2-3 times a week in the winter, less in the summer (too hot here). Same as the above, won't go in if it's raining. Every day for the first year we had it, though.

Go brush that puppy off and get in!! We got 8 inches here in NC last weekend, and that is the first thing we did. With a beer, of course!! We have a kegerator about 10 steps from the tub, just inside the door. I can 100% speak from experience that drinking in the hot tub may not be recommended, but we sure as heck do a lot of it. Btw, don't EVER spill beer in the tub. Yeasties and hot water = BAD.

I will third the used market. I actually got mine for free, but had to put about $600 into it for parts up front -- paint, new control pack/topside, 1 new pump, and a new cover, all from ebay and DIY assembly. We have probably put another $150 in parts (plus DIY labor), and then just got a new cover ($250), so total into it is $1K for a free tub and 4.5 years of use. It's sure not the highest end one out there, and is probably 15-20 years old, but it works for us! Electricity hit hasn't been too bad, but we live in a warmer climate and run it as a cool spa in the summer.

I agree with pkillur. What we did was find an electrician that was willing to work with us. Even with a new construction, we still had to run a dedicated line to the tub, about 30 feet from the electrical panel. The electrician gave us a list of parts and we bought them at Lowes and did all of the manual labor ourselves... digging a 30 ft trench, burying conduit, installing the GFI panel, etc. All he had to do was wire the breaker box, and wire the hot tub control pack. Shaved TONS off the estimate.

^I agree. I am just the kind of person that always tries for the better price first. I figure no harm done, unless I really do want it gone today. It also gives wiggle room when the responder asks you if you will take a lower price.

I do the same thing with mine, as to the syphoning. Can usually have it drained, cleaned, and filled within 3 hours. I fill with 2 hoses as well.

I would start with $2500 and go from there, unless you want it gone today. Good luck!!

Craigslist is usually your best bet for large items, as it is mostly local traffic and you don't have to worry about shipping costs. Plus it is free to list. I can't really help you on the actual listing price. However, with craigslist, if you are in no hurry you can always start high and then post again with a lower price every week or so. How much did you pay new? What are you hoping to get?

I did a bit of reading out of curiousity, and it looks like you can put it inside, as long as you have a dehumidifier, a good cover, and keep it closed when not in use. You can combine the dehumidifier and exhaust fan, if you can find one.

Great writeup!! I had the same kind of buying experience... well, not even, because I tried to buy one from CL and got a free fixer-upper from a coworker when I talked about it at work. We fought it for a month or two, replaced parts/plumbling, and have had some issues here and there, but overall we are really happy that we have it.

Congrats! You will know when you need a new cover, as it's pretty obvious. Cracked vinyl, saggy, heavy, when you flip it over water drains out...

Thanks for the info and review!! We are total DIYers and have an extremely used spa (got it for free, though, so can't complain!), so good to have for the arsenal...

How big is a Grandee? My spa is a used castoff freebie, and I have never been successful in figuring out a make or model on it. It's about 92"x92", seats 7 people (including one lounge chair), and has 2 pumps (one 4hp one-speed, one 4.5hp 2-speed pump).

I am in the market for one too, so am curious as to what people say on the matter. Same kind of thing... looking for convenience rather than inability to lift the cover. You can get most kinds on ebay for $70-150, from what I can see.

Thanks for the advice! I decided to buy a traditional cover, and go with the 5" to 3" taper this time. Maybe it will last a little longer than the last one. Our wood cabinet/skirting has seen better days, anyhow, so anything that relies on a tie-down approach is likely to not work very well. As to cover lifts... we could go with anything but the cover caddy (it would cover up the bay). I think almost anything will require us to reinforce, though.

We had a pump go after some power issues (thunderstorm-related) as well. Same kind of symptoms. Sorry, but the only way to fix is replacement. Having it repaired would likely cost as much as a new one. Looks like you can get a replacement on ebay for about $125 or so, shipped.

I looked through the forum and could only find information on a Spa Cap cover, so sorry if I am a n00b asking a question that has been asked dozens of times.... Anyhow, my cover has given up the ghost. I was looking on ebay and came across this: http://cgi.ebay.com/FACTORY-DIRECT-BEST-SO...=item359fd4e619 I have never seen such a thing! Is this any good? I live in central NC, and it rarely gets below freezing here. However, it is very humid and our cover rotted away within 4 years. Also, assuming we are to go with a traditional cover, any tips on cover lifts? We built one ourselves and it was rather a fail. Our cabinet is made of wood and it isn't in the best shape, so we would prefer one that didn't require cabinet mounting. Thanks!

61F in Raleigh-Durham, NC, at 2:52PM. Tub is at winter temps now (~102F).

As it turns out, they revised the forecast for a low of 34. So, I think I should be okay regardless. Thanks again for the advice!!

I have an ultra cheap solution....I siphon it out with the hose on my wet/dry shop vac. I start up the vac and start sucking....once the siphon is started, I unplug the vac, and then disconnect the hose from the vac. Then I direct it into all the downspouts that I took off the house and connected together. I just let it run into my back yard. Takes about 5 minutes to drain the tub. Wow, that is a great solution. We have been creating the same effect by inserting a running hose, attaching another hose while in the water, then detaching. The shop vac likely creates a much better version. Ours is on a patio with a retaining wall about 2 feet away, and a creek behind, so I wouldn't have to mess with the downspouts, although I do have some extra lying around if needed.

I am new to this forum as well... We have spent 4 years replacing various parts of our used spa. It can be a pain, but still a lot less $$ than buying new. For foam reduction, just buy spa-grade anti-foam from Lowes (can be found in the spa/pool area). $6 or so a bottle, and half a capful works like a charm.