Home spas become family entertainment centers

Who can resist sitting in a pool full of swirling warm water with gentle pressure soaking away pain, tension and stress? Now that the weather has warmed, what better way to do so than to sit outside, sipping a cool drink while chatting with your spouse or a couple of friends?

The first experience most people have with spas, or hot tubs as they are commonly called, is usually at a hotel or resort. For years that remained the case, but spas have steadily invaded the market, first as a luxury item, and now almost as a necessity for an aging population. No longer are spas just a place to soak away your aches; they have become virtual entertainment centers for some people.

"There are three reasons why people want to buy a spa," said Tony Nessie, owner of Hot Tubs Etc. in St. Charles. "One, they're trying to escape everyday stress. Two, it's a way to connect with your spouse and your family - it's kind of like the family dinner table used to be. Three, they need it for medical reasons."

Whatever the reason, spas are within reach for almost any homeowner. Nessie, who jokingly calls himself "Hot Tub Tony," carries used portable models starting at $1,500. These, he indicated, are trade-ins from customers whose needs have changed. New models start at about $3,000 and can range all the way up to $20,000, depending on extras installed. Average purchase price is about $6,000 to $9,000.

However, even in-ground installations aren't as pricey as one may think. Scott Poulos, owner of Naperville Pool and Spa LLC, who primarily constructs spas in conjunction with in-ground swimming pools, noted that a typical installation by his company costs about $10,000 to $15,000, with price rising as high as $28,000 for one with all sorts of bells and whistles.

So what does one get for one's money in the average price range?

"You'll get a fair number of jets, generally 40 to 60; three pumps, which include a jet pump, a blower and a circulating pump," said David Yang, co-owner along with Brian McNulty of Hart Pool and Spa in Mount Prospect and Bensenville.

Portable spas are about three feet high and capacity depends on what type of seating is used. For those who prefer loungers or Adirondack-type seating, capacity will be less. Bench seating accommodates more and is generally sought by those who use their spas for entertaining. Portable spas will seat approximately two to eight people comfortably.

One of the most popular extras included with spa packages are music systems. Nessie estimated that around 10 percent to 15 percent of his customers want an audio feature. These can either be radios, CD players or iPod docking stations. Flat screen televisions are another popular option and if you can't relax without surfing the Internet, you can even get an computer connection installed.

As many buyers use their spas for therapeutical purposes, these features are also important considerations during the purchase process. Nessie noted that many spas made by Marquis have a footwell feature that caters to tired and sore feet. Lower back complaints are another common reason to seek spa relief.

"I like to show customers all of their options. I want to make sure they know everything that we have available," Nessie said. "I have them put their arms in front of the jets to give them an indication of the different types of pressures."

Of course some of the extras, particularly those installed on an in-ground application, can get quite involved. Imagine waterfalls, fountains, fiber-optic lighting that changes colors, and the like. In other words, it's all about creating a backyard oasis.

That's not the only reason for an in-ground spa. When a spa is built in conjunction with a pool, all of the controls, such as pumps, heating and filtration, may be used for both water features. Poulos prefers to construct spas with fiberglass shells as opposed to those made of concrete or gunite, because of the heating and thawing cycle of our climate, which causes shifts in the ground and makes permanent installations prone to cracking.

Another option is to construction a "spool," which is a combination spa and small pool with a mini-deep end. Spools are good for small yards because they combine the best of both worlds into one aquatic feature. The size of a yard is an important consideration when selecting a spa, particularly an in-ground type. Virtually all municipalities have rules governing outdoor pools and spas for home use, and these vary by location.

"The first thing to do, however, is to go to your homeowner's association to see if they allow this," Poulos said. "They dictate before your city does."

Once the spa has homeowner's association approval, it must pass muster with your municipality's green space requirements. When Poulos designs an installation, he makes sure that it fits within a municipality's percentage for lot coverage. Other features such as patios or decks must be taken into account, too.

While Poulos offers complete installation packages that show costs upfront, a number of other factors can trip up homeowners who are considering backyard spas. This is even true for those who choose portable units.

"You're not just putting in a pool or a spa, you have to have a fence that has self-closing and self-locking gates," Poulos said.

Requirements vary by municipality, but it's a safe bet to say that you most likely will need a fence to take delivery of your spa. Other associated costs generally include a permit, and sometimes municipal engineering fees, which can add another $300 to $600 on the upfront costs in addition to the permit. For in-ground installations there's also the potential for irrigation repair and restoration of property following construction.

Then there's maintenance. Spa owners can't just turn it on and forget about it.

"You want to do water testing at least once a week to check on your chemicals," Yang said.

One option to virtually eliminate the cost of chemicals is to consider a salt water spa, which negates the need for most additives, and is kinder to the skin as well.

Other recommendations include cleaning the filter once a month and draining your spa on a quarterly basis. There's also a cost of about $150 if you decide to shut down your spa for the winter, although some people prefer to keep them running throughout the winter. Maintenance is important because it extends the life of the spa. With proper attention, spa life is about 8 to 10 years.

"It's kind of like making sure that your vehicle is not low on oil," Nessie said.

Most companies that sell or install spas will also offer some kind of maintenance package for customers who don't want to perform the duties themselves. In fact, those follow-up services are just as important as the spa itself.

"You can buy spas on the Internet and there's a lot of big box stores that can sell you one, but they're not focused on the after-sale," Yang said. "We do on-site user training and we're always available if customers have a question or problems with their spas."

Make sure you know what type of warranty comes with the spa and how warranty work will be completed if problems occur. Naperville Pool and Spa's installations come with a three-year warranty on the spa itself and its equipment.

Satisfaction with the spa, however, is of utmost importance, so that's why it's imperative to check on a company's reputation.

"Contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any complaints against a company or do a Google search to find reviews and customer satisfaction," Poulos said.

After all, you want your spa to build memories in your backyard, not create problems.