Installed a 6-person hot tub at our Markham home last summer. The process took longer and cost more than expected. Posting the full breakdown so others are not surprised.
Timeline
March: decided to buy, visited 3 dealers
April: ordered tub (8-week lead time quoted, took 11)
May: electrician installed 50A dedicated circuit, ESA inspection done
June: concrete pad poured, 28-day cure time required
July 4: hot tub delivered. Total = 4 months from decision to first soak.
Costs
Hot tub (Sundance 880 Series, 6 person): $14,800
Concrete pad (12x12 ft, reinforced): $2,900
Electrical (50A GFCI circuit, 30 ft run): $1,100
ESA permit and inspection: $130
Building permit (required by Markham for permanent installation): $350
Delivery + crane for over-fence placement: $850
Chemical starter kit: $280
Total: $20,410
What Caught Me Off Guard
- Electrical work needs to be fully done and ESA-approved before delivery - dealers will not energize on arrival without this
- Concrete needs 28 days to cure fully before full hot tub load - plan the concrete pour well in advance
- Markham requires a building permit for permanent hot tubs - check your municipality
- Fencing review - inspectors checked our fence gate had a proper self-latching mechanism
Is It Worth It
Absolutely for us. Used it probably 200 nights in the first year. December through February use is highest which is exactly when you want it in Ontario.
What dealerships are people using in the GTA? We went through a dealer in Vaughan.