Installing a Spa on Your Deck, Part 2 #realestate #investment

Source:  HouseLogic

Evaluate the cost of purchasing, installing, and maintaining an outdoor spa to decide if it's a worthwhile addition to your deck.

Hot tubs and spas come in an array of shapes and sizes, and can be equipped with scores of accessories.  Accordingly, they have a wide range of prices.  Choosing the right spa depends on its intended use, how big your deck is, and what structural alterations will be required for your deck.  In addition, you'll need to know the cost of installation, day-to-day expenses, and how much you can expect to recoup on your investment should you sell your home.

Accessing Power and Water

Spas require a nearby source of electricity.  Because water is involved, any electrical hookup for a spa must include ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection.  This nifty device shuts down the system within milliseconds if it detects the tiniest change in current flow caused by a short circuit.  Some spas come with an extension cord with a GFCI built in that can be plugged into a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit.

Larger units require at least one dedicated 220-vold, 50-amp circuit.  In addition, there must be an emergency shutoff within sight of the spa, but not closer than 5 feet or farther than 50 feet.  A new circuit and shutoff will cost about $800.

Water access is simple; spas fill with an outdoor hose.  The spa then heats and circulates the water.  Insulated tub covers limit evaporation, but the tub will need occasional topping of.  When it's time to empty the unit, all spas have built-in hose bibs so you can drain the water.

Safety

Getting in and out of a spa provides opportunities for mishaps.  A handrail is a good idea for older - and younger - users.  A cover with a lock is must if you have children.

If you plan to build your spa into the deck, it may seem best to drop it into the deck so that the rim of the tub sits on the decking.  Unfortunately, this makes it easy for people to fall in or step on the cover, and also complicates getting into the tub.  The ideal arrangement is to set the spa partially into the deck so the rim is 17 to 24 inches above the decking.  That way, bathers can sit on the rim, swing their feet over, and enter the water.

Hot water feels great, but needs to be indulged with caution.  The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals recommends keeping the water temperature between 100 degrees (F) and 102 degrees (F), with 104 degrees (F) as a maximum.  A safe soaking duration is 15 minutes.  To keep the spa free of bacteria, you must clean it regularly and add sanitizing chemicals.

Anticipating the Cost and Value of a Spa

It costs as little 50 cents a day to run a spa.  That amount can vary according to the amount of use, your local energy costs, the quality of insulation in your spa, and the quality of the cover.  Covers typically come with spas, but consider upgrading to a higher efficiency type.  The additional cost is modest and the better-insulated covers are often lighter, making them easier to remove.

If you live in a region with a climate moderate enough for year-round use, a deck equipped with a spa should give you a slight edge in selling a home.  John Tripp, an appraiser with Foundation Trust in San Jose, Calif., says that spas "normally are assets as long as they have been properly maintained and there is no evidence of leakage or deferred maintenance."

In other areas of the country, don't expect much of a return.  "They don't have the payback to meet the cost," says Richard Koestner, an appraiser with Koestner, McGiven & Associates in Davenport, Iowa.  "If they do add any value it would be in the upper price range.  It could be detriment if they aren't in the right market."

People react differently to the prospect of purchasing a house that has a spa.  Some buyers may ask that it be removed as a condition of sale.  Others will hardly be able to wait for that first soothing soak.

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