Where on patio to place hot tub?

[Viper_Dude]

Greetings, I'm completely new to spa / hot tub ownership. Friday my first hot tub, a Emerald Spa Estate 750 Series is being delivered. Earlier this week I had a concrete pad poured. Before I go any further I'll post pics of the pad:


The rectangular portion of the patio measures 30 feet wide by 14 feet deep. The 3/4 semi-circle has a diameter of 14 feet. Now I have two options for placement of the hot tub; both having obvious advantages and disadvantages. My first plan was to place the hot tub on the far right corner (furthest from the 3/4 circle). Advantages are it's further from the outside compressor, so less noise. Also, as you can see in the second picture, the neighbor's house has a diamond outcropping. With the hot tub on the far right corner it's not in plain sight of the neighbors. The biggest downside to this option though is the fact I have to run the electric line underground about 90' to reach that side of the pad.

Option Two is to place the hot tub on the circular portion of the patio. The big advantages are it's closer to the back door and it would require only about 40' of electric line ran to it. The disadvantages would be the hot tub being in direct line of sight of the neighbors and its proximity to the outside compressor.

Hopefully I've painted a pretty clear picture of my current situation. Thank you in advance for any input anyone has to offer.  

[dpgtech]

Well I think you would have to weigh the added cost of running the extra 50 ft of wire and conduit against having the tub in plain sight of the neighbors and closer to the compressor, or possibly with the money saved from running less wire to the half circle,  could you put up some type of privacy barrier a gazebo, or even a couple 4x4 posts with some lattice panel?  maybe find out how much to hook up in each location and then see if the difference is worth putting it opposite the circle.

[Viper_Dude]

dpgtech, thank you for the response. I have given some serious thought to planting bushes in front of the compressor to reduce sound. As for the cost of wiring it up, I have an electrician friend who is going to do it for me for $200. That's just to do the hookups though, I have to dig the trench and bury the wire. The biggest advantage of placing the tub on the 3/4 circle is my own time / labor by only having to dig 40' of trench as opposed to 95'. I'd also save maybe $150 on wiring with the shorter run. I dunno, placing it on the semi circle is starting to sound better and better.

[Tatooed_Lady]

I don't think your neighbors will have their noses plastered against the sliding doors there 24/7 waiting for you to hop in your tub.....unless you and your friends are VERY good looking and like to do the nude tub thing.....in which case, your address and pictures of any tub activity are required to be on this site.....ANYHOW.....
If you put it on the circular portion, you'll have a lot of options for adding some privacy fencing, plants, lighting, etc....and you won't have the side of the house to eye up each time you're in the tub.
I like the open area better.....dress it up, deck it out....have fun with the area!

[cappykat]

Looks like a great layout.  I'd put the tub in the circular area and then do some kind of privacy thing, pergola, fencing, etc.  Then you have the other area for chairs, lounges, etc.  You can really do a lot with plants and landscaping for little money.

Post pics again when you get the tub and as the progress happens.  Good luck!

[Ronnie526]

Viper ....
    Seems to me like the 3/4 round portion is a natural spot for the tub.  Consider that neighbors (if they're he** bent on peeping) are going to find a way no matter WHAT you do.  
   Keep in mind that you're going to dig the trench ONCE, but enjoy the tub for years to come.  You don't want to be constantly telling your significant other that "Well, yeah, it WOULD have been nicer there, but would have meant another 2 hours of digging, and another $100".  
    I'd go with the 1/2 fence w/lattice suggestion I read previousley.  Also leaves you with a much more useable rectangular area, as opposed to 2 smaller rectangles w/a tub in the middle to navigate around.
    Whichever you choose.... Good luck & ENJOY!!!!

[drewstar]

I wouldn't let the cost of the wire be a factor at all.  To have a $140 price differnce dictate where you will enjoy your tub for the next 10 years is foolish.  


Take a moment and sit back and think about your 5 year yard plan (Landscaping, additions etc) and place the tub to fit with that overall plan.


At first I thought  the  furthest spot from the circle initially seems to be a good spot. its a bit more private and a square tub seems to fit better in that area. (I am concerend about what rooms are down at that end of the house?) The only issue is distance to the house door on winter nights.  

Initally the circle area seems more suited for a firepit or a round picnic table, and I wonder what a square tub would look like on a round pad?

However,  on second thought the circle area  surround by ornimental trees and such, I could see it becomeing a nice nook.  Once again, What is your overall desing plan here?

The noise from the AC compressor may not be too much of an issue. (Once in the tub with the jets on full, you may not even hear the compressor. ) Hedges may also dampen the sound.

And although the neighbors have an eagle eye to your tub, if you were  as I mentioned,  to plant some aborvites trees  or such on that side and make the round area surrounded by plants, it would be a non issue.

So I guess is it could go either way, I recommend placing it where you see it to fit in your overall plan (if you have one). If you don't plan on doing any landscaping, put it on the far end of the house on the square portion of the patio

If you are doing landscaping,  I vote for the circle part.

Hows that for a wishy washy flip flopper John Kerry-esq  answer?

[tonyp]

Hows that for a wishy washy flip flopper John Kerry-esq  answer?

So to summarize  - You voted against the round area before you voted for it!

[cappykat]

We have a round area and that's where our tub sits.  I designed our patio and we used pavers.  I liked the idea of a square tub in a round area.  It's that "juxtaposition" thing in design.

So, in my humble opinion...I think it will look great!  

[drewstar]

So to summarize  - You voted against the round area before you voted for it!

Exactly.
\
"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."  

[Bonibelle]

I'm with Cappy, if you are counting votes. You can get creative with your privacy barrier but putting the tub closest to the door is your best bet! I'm sure it will be beautiful!  

[spiman]

What do the neighbors look like?

[drewstar]

And speaking of flip flopping:  flipping your cover up (depending on your  specific lifter and it's installation) can autoamticlay create an instant privacy fence.  

[Viper_Dude]

WoW! I can't believe all the responses I got from everybody so soon. Thank you all for you inputs. It certainly seems the 3/4 circle is winning out. It seems like a lot of people though the circular part is further from where the electric line will be ran. Actually, it's on the same side of the house where the electric pannel is, and will save me about 50' of electric line and trench digging.

I initially designed the 3/4 circle on the patio to hold a round patio furniture set (you were right drewstar). However, now that I read everyone's responses I'm beginning to see how the 3/4 circle is the focus point of the entire patio. Do I want people to focus on my hot tub or on lawn furniture. When I think about it that way, how can I not put the hot tub on the semi circle?  

As for the questions about the neighbors, as of yet we don't have any. However the house is in the final stages of closing. I guess that is the reason for my apprehension, not yet knowing anything about them. If they are jerks, Ronnie 526 is right, they'll find some way to screw with me and ruin my day no matter where the tub is locatted at.

As for landscaping, you better believe I plan on investing in quite a bit. This is my first house so I'm quite eager to try my hand at gardening (even bought a Landscape Guidebook from Home Depot).

Once again, thank you for everyone's input... looks like the 3/4 circle wins. Oh, and cappyKat, I'll post pics this weekend of the hot tub once it's delivered.

[cappykat]

Great...we'll all be looking forward to them.