Start with the loaded weight
Use the manufacturer's figures for the exact model, including the filled tub and occupants. Do not use a generic weight from a brochure for a different size. Send those figures and the support requirements to whoever is designing or assessing the base.
Hot Spring's pre-delivery resources, for example, address site selection, ground preparation, and delivery access. Obtain the equivalent documents for the tub you are actually buying.
Choose a base with the right professional
A concrete pad, an approved alternative base, and an engineered deck are different projects. Ask the installer which options meet the tub manufacturer's support requirements and suit your site. Soil conditions, drainage, and winter ground movement need to be considered for the actual location.
For a deck or elevated structure, have a qualified structural professional assess the proposed load and support. An existing deck that looks sturdy is not evidence that it can carry a filled spa. This guide does not specify slab thickness, reinforcement, footing depth, or deck framing.
Draw the whole layout
- Mark the tub footprint and the side where equipment is serviced.
- Allow for the cover to open and for any cover lifter.
- Show steps, a clear walking route, and access during snow or ice.
- Identify where water will go during normal use and planned draining.
- Check the electrician's access and proposed cable route.
- Confirm property placement and any applicable permit requirements.
The Town's permit information is the starting point for an Okotoks property. Confirm site-specific requirements before construction, including any related deck work.
Measure the delivery route
Ask the delivery company which dimensions it needs. Record gates, turns, slopes, steps, overhead obstructions, and the route to the final position. Photographs and a simple sketch help the crew decide whether standard delivery is practical. Get any crane, fence removal, or reinstatement work priced before delivery day.
Agree on responsibilities
Write down who prepares the site, checks it is ready, moves the tub, reconnects any removed fencing, and handles damage or access problems. Ask when a newly constructed base is ready to accept the tub; do not invent a curing schedule.
Keep the base quote beside the electrical quote and delivery quote. Our overall cost guide helps you budget beyond the sticker price.
Concrete pad, gravel base, or deck?
| Base option | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Concrete pad | Have the site professional specify support, drainage, ground preparation, and readiness for loading. Match the manufacturer's support requirements. |
| Gravel or proprietary base | First confirm the exact system is accepted for the tub. Ask how level support, drainage, and movement will be controlled at your site. |
| Deck | Obtain a structural assessment for the filled tub and occupants, including the supporting structure and foundations. |
Can I put a hot tub on my existing patio?
Only after its suitability has been checked against the model's support requirements and actual condition. An apparently level surface does not establish its load capacity or long-term stability.
How thick should a hot tub concrete pad be?
There is no site-independent specification in this guide. Give the installer the manufacturer's requirements, loaded weight, and proposed location so the pad can be specified for the project.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked November 11, 2026. Use the current instructions for your own model and confirm local requirements for your property.