5 Things to Check Before You Order a Hot Tub

Ordering a hot tub isn't like ordering most things online. Because it's built to order and shipped from the manufacturer, the process usually takes two to three months from the day you place your deposit to the day it arrives at your home. That's a good thing in one sense, since your tub is customised for you, but it also means it's worth doing a bit of homework before you commit. A little preparation now can save weeks of back and forth later.

Here are the five things we always recommend checking before you order.

1. Your power supply

A hot tub needs a dedicated electrical circuit, separate from anything else in the house. In Kenya, that means a 220 to 240V supply with its own circuit breaker, not one shared with your kitchen or laundry appliances. This isn't something to guess at. Have a licensed electrician look at where you want the tub placed and confirm the power point can be installed within a few metres of that spot.

If your home doesn't currently have a suitable connection nearby, that's not a dealbreaker. It just means the electrical work needs to happen before delivery, so it's worth starting that conversation early rather than discovering it's needed the week your tub arrives.

2. Your water access

This one is usually simple, but it's still worth confirming. Filling a hot tub just takes a standard garden hose connected to your regular water supply. Depending on the model, you're looking at somewhere between 800 and 1,500 litres, which typically takes one to two hours to fill. Ordinary tap water works fine. Once it's in, a chemical starter kit and the tub's own ozone purification system take care of keeping it clean.

The only real question here is whether you have a hose long enough to reach the spot you're planning to place the tub. If not, it's an easy fix, but worth knowing ahead of time.

3. The surface where it will sit

This is probably the most important item on the list, and the one people underestimate most often. A full hot tub with people in it can weigh somewhere between 1,500 and 2,500 kilograms, depending on the model. That weight needs a flat, level, hard surface underneath it that can actually support it.

A reinforced concrete slab is the safest option. Decking can work too, but it needs to be checked structurally first rather than assumed to be strong enough. If you're not sure whether your patio, balcony, or garden area is suitable, send us a photo on WhatsApp before you order. We're happy to take a look and tell you honestly whether it will work or whether some preparation is needed first.

4. A nearby drainage point

Every three to four months, the water in your hot tub needs to be fully drained and refreshed. That means you'll want a drainage point, a garden drain, a lawn area, or a soakaway, within reasonable reach of where the tub will sit. A garden hose is usually all you need to direct the water there.

This is easy to overlook when you're picturing the finished setup, but it's worth walking your outdoor space and confirming there's a sensible place for that water to go before delivery day arrives.

5. Shade or shelter for the tub

Kenya's sun is strong, and a hot tub left in direct sunlight all day will heat up faster than you'd want, use more chemicals to stay balanced, and fade over time. A pergola, shade sail, or roof overhang solves this, and it has a nice side benefit too: it makes evening soaks feel more like a proper retreat rather than just a tub sitting in the open.

You don't need anything elaborate. Even partial shade during the hottest part of the day makes a real difference to how long your tub stays in good condition.

Why checking these now actually matters

None of these five things are complicated on their own. But because the build and delivery process takes two to three months, any surprises tend to show up right when your tub is about to arrive, which is the worst possible time to discover your power point isn't ready or your deck needs reinforcing first.

Going through this list before you order means that by the time your tub lands, your space is genuinely ready for it. Delivery day becomes about training and enjoying your new hot tub, not scrambling to sort out the basics.

Not sure about your space?

You don't have to work this out alone. Send us a photo of the area you're considering on WhatsApp, and we'll tell you honestly whether it's ready to go or what might need adjusting first. It's a quick way to remove any guesswork before you commit to an order.

Ready to talk through your space?

Chat with us on WhatsApp or browse our Savannah Signature - Simba flagship hot tub to see what would suit your home.