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How Much Value Does a Hot Tub Add to Your Home?

By: Author Jeff Campbell

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Hot Tub Buyer's Guides

Hot tubs can cost thousands of dollars. And the average homeowner only stays in their home for about 7 years. So I got to wondering how much value does a hot tub add to your home?

In-ground hot tubs will add 50% of the original installation price to the selling price of a home provided it is in good working condition. Hard-sided portable hot tubs add little to no value to the sales price.

But it’s also dependent on the buyer and what their perceived value is of the hot tub.

Of the 3 houses with hot tubs I have sold, 1 buyer had me remove the hot tub before the sale, 1 removed it after the sale, and 1 liked the hot tub and was willing to pay a little bit more to ensure it stayed with the house.

In this article, I’ll cover how owning a hot tub affects your home value. I’ll also discuss whether buying a hot tub is a good investment. It is a luxury item, so of course, it is expensive.

I’ll discuss how much a hot tub depreciates and how which type offers more home value. I’ll also cover if you can take your hot tub with you when you decide to move.

I’ll get into the details so keep reading to find out more.

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Does a hot tub increase home value?

Portable hard-sided hot tubs are considered personal property. They do not add land or property value, but they are likely to attract buyers versus a home without a hot tub.

Owning a portable hot tub is like owning an expensive piece of furniture.

Hot tub lovers consider them a personal oasis, but they don’t increase home value. If you’re selling your home, chances are a buyer will not want it included. You would have better luck selling the hot tub separately.

However, if you have an in-ground hot tub, it can increase your home value up to 50% of your initial investment.

Unlike portable hot tubs, an in-ground hot tub is permanently a part of the property.

It can be customized to blend in with the surrounding landscape, and a buyer will be more inclined to appreciate it. Having an in-ground pool is even a bigger plus. Most homes that are sold with an in-ground hot tub also have an in-ground pool.

Want more in-depth details?

Here’s my recent article on how much value a hot tub adds to your property. I’ll cover all you need to know about portable versus in-ground hot tubs and how much value they offer to your property.

Click the link to learn more!

Is a hot tub a good investment?

A hot tub is not a good financial investment unless its an in-ground hot tub ideally accompanied by a swimming pool.

So don’t get a hot tub as a financial investment. Get one because you enjoy them and plan on using it a lot.

A hot tub relaxes both your mind and body to reduce stress. Few things are better than soaking in your hot tub after a long day. The added features such as hydrotherapy massage jets make the experience even more beneficial to your health.

Your hot tub promotes sweating and opens your pores to get all the impurities out. It also reduces muscle pains and aids in circulation. The best investment is in your health, and a hot tub is just that.

But if the hot tub is in-ground, it won’t just be a luxury feature or a home improvement project.

It will actually add to your home value. Even older in-ground hot tubs retain most of their value. A portable hot tub that is well maintained can last up to 20 years. The best models are durable and require low maintenance, so you should get the most out of your investment.

Ready to buy your first hot tub?

I’ve had four hot tubs so far, and there are many things you need to do before buying one. Here’s my recent article on things you need to know before buying your first hot tub. I get into 23 specific steps to take and/or questions to ask before you pull out your card!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

How much does a hot tub depreciate?

Hot tubs depreciate very quickly. A used hot tub’s resale value usually ranges from 25% to 33% of the initial purchase price.

There are new models every year, and the older a hot tub is, the less value it has. Other factors determine a hot tub’s value so let’s look at those.

Of course, a hot tub from a well-known brand, made from a high-quality material with lots of features will fetch a higher price.

The better the build, the less maintenance your hot tub will need in the long run. A well-maintained hot tub that is under ten years can go for $1,000-$3,000. The size, model, and features are just a few of the factors that affect the value of the hot tub for resale.

Are you interested in buying a used hot tub?

Here’s my recent article on things to look for when buying a used hot tub. I’ll give you a step-by-step guide to getting one. I’ve done it before, so you can trust that I’ll cover all you need to know.

Click that link to the article!

Does an in-ground hot tub add more value to your home than other types?

An in-ground hot tub adds much more value to a home than a portable hard-sided hot tub because it is a permanent part of the property. An in-ground hot tub adds 50% of the installation cost to the home sales price. By comparison, a portable hot tub adds little to no value to the price.

So, the short answer is yes, and I’ll tell you exactly why. First, let’s look at the types of hot tubs. There are two types of hot tubs, portable and in-ground.

A portable hot tub can be moved and traded in if you want an upgrade.

It is more popular than an in-ground hot tub because it is less expensive and extremely customizable to your personal tastes. This is why it is considered personal property and one of the reasons it won’t add much value to your home.

If you think about it, a freestanding or portable hot tub can be a bit unattractive. Most just look like a big box on top of a platform. They don’t add any aesthetics to the surrounding landscape and are not permanent.

A portable hot tub is expensive, but an in-ground one is even more expensive.

Want to experience this personal oasis without spending a lot of cash? Here’s my recent article on inflatable hot tubs. I’ll cover how they work, and other must-know details! I recently bought one to see exactly how it works and compares.

Click the link to view the article on my site.

Can you take a hot tub with you when you move?

A portable hot tub can be moved to a new location. Just make sure to note in a home sales contract that the hot tub does not convey. Professional movers will charge between $300-$500 for a local move within 40 miles.

So yes, you can move a portable hot tub to a new location but it will be difficult.

They are heavy, have an odd shape, and can weigh over 1,000 pounds when empty. Not to mention the risk of damaging such an expensive item.

As I mentioned, hiring a professional hot tub mover will cost you around $300.

I’ve done that before and it worked just fine. However, if you have a flat-bed trailer or truck, some able-bodied friends, and the right tools, you could do the job just as well.

While you can do this with untrained persons, the risk of personal injury and damage to your hot tub is higher.

You’ll need to lift your hot tub onto furniture dollies and turn it on its side to get through tight spaces. This can cause damage to the cabinet and shell of the hot tub if you’re not careful. Setting up the hot tub in a new location is fairly easy. You’ll just need to follow the instructions in your owner’s manual.

Also, be aware you’ll need a pad to set it on at your new place and need to make arrangements for a disconnect box and hookup.

If you no longer want your hot tub, you can sell it for a good price if it was made from quality materials. Some manufacturers even offer trade-ins in case you feel like upgrading.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed portable and in-ground ground hot tubs and how they affect home value.

You learned that in-ground hot tubs could increase home value, but they are expensive. You also learned that a hot tub is a great investment in both your health and property value. I left a link to get more in-depth information on that, so go check it out on my site!

I also covered how much a hot tub depreciates, and you learned that you could take your hot tub with you if you move. I hope this article was helpful.

Photo which requires attribution:

300 Ridge Watch in The Ridge Lake Level hot tub by John Coley is licensed under CC2.0 and was cropped, color-adjusted, with a text and graphic overlay placed on the image.

Jeff Campbell
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