With so many different makes, models and options now available, picking the swim spa that is right for you and your family can be a real challenge. Today, we will discuss the 6 most common swim spa buying mistakes that we see people make.
- FOCUSING TOO MUCH ON INITIAL COSTS
The biggest mistake that we see swim spa buyers make (especially first time buyers) is focusing on the purchase price of the swim spa without also considering what each model’s ongoing costs will be. While purchase price is definitely an important factor, focusing solely on that can actually end up costing you a ton of money over the lifetime of your new swim spa.
The long term costs of owning a swim spa include:
- Electrical costs. The cost of heating the water and running the pumps.
- Chemical costs. The cost to maintain it and balance the water.
- Repairs & maintenance. The cost of potential repairs and regular maintenance (replacing filters, covers, etc)
While you definitely need to be mindful of how much your new swim spa will cost to purchase, you also need to make sure that it is well built, uses quality parts and is as energy efficient as possible. While one swim spa might be $5000 less to purchase, it could very easily cost you $10,000 or more over its lifetime in extra energy costs and / or repair bills.
- NOT CONSIDERING INSTALLATION COSTS
Speaking of costs, another very common swim spa buying mistake is forgetting to include installation and set-up costs in your initial budget. When buying your new swim spa, keep in mind that you will need to spend another few thousand dollars to have it delivered and installed.
Common swim spa installation costs include:
- Delivery & craning fees.
- Electrical hook-up.
- A concrete pad to put the swim spa on.
- Landscaping & decking around the swim spa.
When budgeting for your new swim spa, make sure that you aside some money for installing it in your backyard. To get a better idea of what your new swim spa will cost to deliver and install, talk to one of our swim spa experts.
- FORGETTING WHY YOU’RE BUYING A SWIM SPA IN THE FIRST PLACE
Buying a swim spa can be a long and sometimes confusing process. With so many different makes, models, and options available it can be tough to choose the best one for your needs. For this reason, we recommend that before you start looking at swim spas you first define the exact reasons why you want a swim spa. Generally speaking, most people buy swim spas for one of three reasons:
- They’re looking for a small pool but don’t want the hassle and expense of a traditional in ground or above ground pool.
- They’re looking for a fitness pool.
- They want a flexible pool to that can be used to relax and reconnect with friends and family while also providing fun for kids.
By defining which of these best describes your needs, you are then able to pinpoint which swim spas have the features that will best suit those needs, and filter out the swim spas that don’t.
For example, if you’re just looking to relax there is no real point buying a swim spa with a powerful swim current system. While having a powerful swimming current would be nice, it will likely cost you a few thousand dollars more than a similar swim spa with a more standard swim current system. The money you save can then be put into other options and upgrades that will further increase your enjoyment of the swim spa, or simply be saved and put towards things like installation costs.
- UNDERESTIMATING THE AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
When it comes to maintenance, not all swim spas are created equal. If you don’t have either the time or the desire for a lot of maintenance you’re going to want to pay special attention to the filtration system of the swim spas that you look at.
Well designed filtration systems clean water very efficiently, reducing the amount of maintenance and chemicals needed to keep the swim spa water clean and clear. Poorly designed filtration systems, on the other hand, require near constant attention to keep the water clean and safe to use.
Unfortunately, standard suction side hot tub filtration systems are the industry standard for swim spas. While these systems do work in hot tubs, swim spas are simply too big and have too much water for them to do a proper job. Fortunately, Hydropool swim spas are equipped with their patented Self-Cleaning filtration system. This system is able to clean all of the water in the swim spa in 45 minutes or less (compared to a standard swim spa which needs to run 12-24 hours to clean all of its water), saving you money in running costs while also keeping the water clean and clear with only minutes of weekly maintenance.
- NOT CHOOSING A REPUTABLE DEALER
The last common swim spa buying mistake is not buying a swim spa from an honest, reputable dealer. Poor after sales service can ruin any swim spa buying experience. When buying a swim spa it’s important to consider not only what you’re buying but also who you’re buying it from.
Things to consider include:
- How long have they been in business?
- What is their reputation locally?
- How much experience do they have selling swim spas?
- Do they service what they sell?
Answering these sorts of questions can go a long way towards ensuring that you aren’t left disappointed by your after sales service.
WRAPPING UP
Buying a swim spa can be a really exciting process and owning a swim spa can be even better! If you buy the wrong swim spa though, that excitement can quickly turn to anger and disappointment. Avoiding these 5 common swim spa buying mistakes can help ensure that you buy a swim spa that fits your needs and provides great value in both the short term and the long term.
