How Much Does A Swim Spa Cost?
Adding a relaxing element to your home is as easy as putting in a swim spa or pool. Swim spas are similar to a pool, but also hold many characteristics of a hot tub. Because of that, many builder-owners set their eyes on a swim spa to boost their home’s value.
The average cost to install a swim spa is $8,000. Homeowners spend an average of $1,000 on labor and installation, and $7,000 or more on the swim spa itself. Luxury jetted swim spas cost $13,250 to install, and above-ground swim spas only cost $1,500 to install.
You can easily add a flare of leisure, exercise, and fun by installing a swim spa in your home. There are countless options for swim spas that vary in price. Because of that, it can be tricky to understand what to expect for swim spa costs.
Let’s dive into the overall costs of owning and operating a swim spa.
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What Is a Swim Spa?
A swim spa is smaller than a pool and larger than a hot tub, fixed with a machine to create resistance. The machinery in a swim spa creates a current of its own. Swim spas are perfect for homeowners that want the exercise element of a pool without sacrificing so much yard space.
One of the appeals of swim spas is that you can install them in-ground or above ground. Higher-end, more expensive swim spas even have features similar to a hot tub.
Most people keep their swim spas covered when not in use to retain temperature and save energy.
What Does a Swim Spa Cost?
Swim spas can cost as little as $7,000-$9,000, and as much as $30,000. Besides the cost of the swim spa itself, you must pay at least $1,000 in installation, in most cases. One of the less obvious costs of swim spas at first is the cost of actually running them.
No two swim spas are alike in energy consumption. However, highly energy-efficient swim spas, such as The AquaFit or Hydropool, are known for costing as little as $3-$5 a day to run.
You should also consider that you must keep up with conditioning the water in your swim spa. There are some necessary chemicals, such as conditioner, chlorine, or even shock, that can cost $30-$40 a month.
What To Look For In a Swim Spa
Shopping for a swim spa can be tricky. That is because there are countless manufacturers, from Bestway and Soluhut, to Intex and Integrity Spas.
However, if you know what to look out for, you can easily find a swim spa that will add value to your home. The first thing that you should consider is what type of swim spa you want.
Swim Spa Types
There are several types of swim spas to choose from. Just like swimming pools, swimming spas vary in design, materials, shape, and quality. As you’ll see, some swim spas are more complex than others, and it is reflected in the price.
Jetted Swim Spas
As you can probably guess, jetted swim spas work via jets. Jetted swim spas are probably what you picture when you think of swim spas. The jets are located at the front of the swim spa, and they create resistance for you to swim against.
Jetted swim spas cost between $6,500 and $20,000. However, you can find jetted swim spas with extra space, custom lighting, and more jets for $25,000 or more.
Paddlewheel Swim Spas
Paddlewheel swim spas work similarly to ones with jets. However, instead of jets that create a current, there is a paddlewheel at the head of the swim spa. Many paddlewheel swim spas have adjustable speeds that determine the current.
You can find paddlewheel swim spas for $8,000-$15,000. One of the things that homeowners appreciate most about paddlewheel spas is the current strength.
Paddlewheels can stir up a current a few feet beneath the surface of the water for extra resistance.
Propeller Swim Spas
Propeller swim spas are more like paddlewheels than jetted spas. The current strength that a propeller swim spa creates is comparable to a paddlewheel as it goes several feet deep.
Not only does a propeller swim spa look great at your home, but it can get you in great shape. Swimming against a propeller swim spa is as relaxing a workout as you can get.
Propeller swim spas go for as little as $7,000-$9,000, but high-end options can reach $20,000.
| Swim Spa Type | Cost |
| Jetted | $6,500-$20,000+ |
| Paddlewheel | $8,000-$15,000+ |
| Propeller | $7,000-$20,000+ |
In-Ground Vs. Above Ground Swim Spas
Choosing between in-ground and above ground swim spas is tough. Both types of swim spas have their own benefits and they vary in cost.
In-Ground Swim Spas
In-ground swim spas are a wise choice that any homeowner can make. Sure, in-ground swim spas cost more to install, but it pays off. You can expect to pay up to between $2,000 and $5,000 to install an in-ground swim spa.
To many builder-owners with resale on their mind, in-ground swim spas are a no brainer. That is because they add more value than above-ground spas.
Above Ground Swim Spas
Above ground swim spas cost much less than in-ground spas. Installing an above ground swim spa only costs roughly $1,000-$2,000. However, the downside is that they add little to no value to a home.
They carry the benefit of portability, and some above ground swim spas can go with you to your next home. In fact, you can find modular above ground swim spas for $5,000-$7,000 from Wayfair and Royal Swimming Pools.
Do Swim Spas Increase Home Value?
Yes, swim spas can add value to a home, and it is especially true if it is in-ground. If you sell your house with a swim spa that is not installed into the ground, it has little effect. Above-ground swim spas are more like a piece of furniture left behind, as far as value is concerned.
If you install an in-ground swim spa, it could add 50% of the spa’s value to your home’s value. Anything that you can do as a builder-owner to boost resale value is necessary.
Selling a house with an in-ground swim spa could add thousands of dollars in value to your home.
| Type | Installation Cost | Return On Investment |
| In-Ground | $4,000-$5,000 | 50% value of spa |
| Above Ground | $1,000 | 0 |
Related Questions
How often do you change the water in a swim spa?
Check the instructions on your specific swim spa. Most manufacturers recommend that you let no more than 6 months go without a water change. You can drain the swim spa using a pump, and some swim spa manufacturers sell pumps for their specific models.
How do you test the water in a swim spa?
You can make sure that your water is healthy by investing in a pH tester. If your swim spa’s pH level is not within the 7.2-7.8 range, something is wrong. Simply fill your swim spa with some fresh water from a garden hose.
How do you clean a swim spa filter?
If your filter can’t stay clean, neither can your swim spa. All that you need to do is remove your swim spa’s filter, place it in a bucket, and hose it off. Remove any debris that you can by hand and wash it every 3-5 weeks.
Are all swim spas portable?
No, not all swim spas are portable. There are many modular swim spas that are available that are portable. Most swim spas that are portable include the word “portable” in its title, like Swim Spa Manufacturers Portable Swim Spa.
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What Did We Learn?
Swim spas vary in cost based on the type and how the current is created. You can find jetted, propelled, and paddlewheel swim spas for $7,000-$25,000 or more.
There are budget swim spas available for $5,000, and some even lower, but they aren’t as effective. If you want to increase your home’s value with a swim spa, choose an in-ground option.
Installation costs up to $4,000 or $5,000 for in-ground swim spas. However, they add 50% of the value of the spa to the house. Swim spas are relaxing, great ways to exercise, value boosters, and a fun fixture for any home.
Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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