Welcome to the Hot tub and Spa Information Central Do it Yourself (D.I.Y.)
Page!
For the last several years I have watched a
segment of the buying population go mostly ignored by the pool and spa
industry. That segment is the growing Do It Yourself or D.I.Y. market.
There are reasons why the industry has not
paid a lot of attention, and not all of them revolve around profit. There
are serious questions about the safety of any DIY spa, and not until
recently has anyone wanted to give the type of support required to insure
a good quality and safe DIY spa / Hot Tub product.
The one exception to this rule has
been the traditional wooden hot tub market. Which has for many
yeas offered their product in a type of kit product. The end user
of a person contracted by the end user is supposed to put together
the vessel and attach the equipment, in most cases of the wooden
hot tub.
(Click
to enlarge)
I have always had a soft spot in my
heart for traditional hot tubs, but even with my skill set, have
thought that all but the best built and machined wooden staves
would make for a difficult if not impossible project.
Then a few years ago I met (online)
a fellow named Andy over at Robert's
Hot Tubs. Andy explained to me the pains-taking process that
they use to insure the best quality wooden components, and how
their computer C&C machines gave a tolerance that could not be
beaten, making for a relatively easy assembly of the wooden
vessel. But quality components are only as good as the service
that backs them up. (You may notice that this is a common thread
throughout this website) Having grown to know Andy and Robert's
Hot Tubs to the degree that I have, I feel confident in
promoting them as the best choice for a traditional wooden hot
tub.
They have tubs in rare woods, and
offer many shapes and sizes for all situations and occasions. So
if you want Traditional Wooden Hot tub in Redwood, or a more
exotic wood like Teak, Jarra or an Traditional Japanese soaking
tub (an Ofuro) in the mind of this writer there is only one
choice Robert's
Hot Tubs. Be sure to tell them that Doc from Hot
Tub Info Central sent you.
Then one of my personal favorites
is this website: Custom
Built Spas.
A man by the name of Gene Turnbull
started Custom
Built Spas a few years ago, with the goal in mind of making it
easy for anyone with basic skills and the determination to build
their very own spa and save a ton of dough in the process.
At his website you will see spas
like these.
And more..
If you continue digging you will
find testimonials like these:
Read
your book and I'm very impressed. I have very limited
experience but felt that I could accomplish this project very
easily myself. I thought everything was presented in more
than understandable terms and the project made perfect sense to
me. I believe you have been very complete in your
explanations!
-Will
Wise
Spa Parts Plus
Prescott Valley, AZ
I
reviewed Genes' manual on how to build a custom spa or hot tub and
found that the idea of building your own spa is actually a very
reasonable and an affordable project! His step by step directions
are easy and detailed enough to follow and explained in simple
language that everyone can understand. To ensure your success he
even lists his e-mail address and phone number if you have any
questions. Now that's standing behind your product!
-Chris
Tabone
www.handymanwire.com VT
Our
spa was one of your first projects. We couldn't be
happier with the results! It was a lot easier than
we anticipated and we saved a bundle of money. Thanks for
all your help during the building process. Please
feel free to use the pictures of our spa any way you want.
-Art
Malkin
Charleston, SC
I
don't have enough words to praise Gene and the outstanding
customer support he provides!
Ever
since I first got in touch with Gene to purchase his spa building
manuals, he has been helping me!
The
level of professionalism and his fast response to my every email
gave me enough confidence to go ahead and gamble on an
international purchase (I live in Panama). he quoted the best
prices and provided me with customized options. The delivery came
on time and he followed my progress all the way to its conclusion!
The
way the manual is explained gave me enough confidence to decide on
a shape other than round or rectangular... and I'm pleased with
the results! Thanks again Gene, I owe you for years of relaxation
to come!
-Augusto
Villarreal
Panama
I
had a contractor build the roof (we called it a gazebo roof) but
the spa was entirely built by my nephew and me. We had glued pvc
pipes together before, but neither one of us had ever done
anything with concrete Blocks. At first we were a bit
intimidated by this project but once we got started all we had
to do was follow the instructions and some common sense. We only
worked on Saturdays and Sundays so it took a few weeks to
complete it. It is 6' by 8' with 16 jets (rotators & pulse)
and two lights. We are proud of the
accomplishment and thrilled by the savings.
-Gil
Rentas,
Puerto Rico
When
I began this project, I had no idea what I was getting
into. I was advised to go with a fiberglass pre-built
unit and was leaning that way when I found Gene's book
on the internet. My goal was to have a custom built spa
with a waterfall and adjoining shower.
I wanted it to be powerful, aesthetic and fit the custom
built home it is a part of. Even though this project was
a struggle at times, I can state without reservation
that no matter what problem I encountered, Gene was with
me every step of the way.
His
unconditional support was a big part of what makes my
"renewal room" the most beautiful and
revitalizing spa I have ever been in and I've been in
spas all over the world.
-Kim
Wasserburger
Minoqua WI
And best of all you will find Gene
to be friendly and always glad to help anywhere along the way.
From my own experience with him, I
can tell you that on two occasions I have had the need to email
him about business, and in both occasions he was prompt and
professional in his responses. Here is what make the
difference between a good experience and a bad one, CUSTOMER
SERVICE. CLICK
HERE to take a LOOK at
A few books also exist to assist
you in making a D.I.Y. spa . Hot Tub. Some are better than others.
Here are a few selections available from Amazon.com.
I strongly recommend that you read
the reviews of each before considering a purchase. And
remember in these cases there will not be anyone there to help you
should you have questions.
Two reviews for the book above:
Mud
around an old bathtub?, July 10, 2002
Reviewer: A reader
I was VERY disappointed with this book. I should have
heeded the other 'one star' review I'd read, but thought
that perhaps it was an exaggeration: but it was not! I had
hoped to receive a book about building a quality hot tub,
perhaps from wood or some other quality material, but this
book really is about taking an old bathtub, sticking it on
top of some rocks, and then routing heat from a fire
underneath it. I was shocked and VERY disappointed. If you
want to make use of an old bathtub, perhaps this is the
book for you. If you want something of quality, keep
looking...
You
can Make the Best Hot Tub Ever, June 25, 2002
Reviewer: A reader
What a GREAT little book !!! My friends and I were able to
build and use a hot tub in one week-end. The book was full
of helpful hints and tips that made the process painless.
The materials suggested were inexpensive and easily found.
We had as much fun making it as we did having a luxurious
soak in the evening moonlight. The book inspired us and
enabled us to create an inexpensive way to have our own
hot tub. We built our tub small so we could change the
water frequently and use no chemicals. Since it took
surprisingly little fuel to heat the water it proved to be
very inexpensive. I highly recommend this book. We also
found the Cob Builders Handbook full of invaluable tips
about building anything with Cob. I can't wait to build
something else using Cob.
Another title worth investigating:
Reviews of the book above:
Good
book for do it yourself'ers, June 2, 2004
Reviewer: A reader
This book describes how to build a hot tub. It gives all
necessary details and is THE book for hot tub builders. I
only missed a chapter on how to maintain a wooden hot tub
once you've built it. The book is hard to find though.
It
was worth the wait..., December 22, 2002
Reviewer: A reader
It took about 3 years to get this book... But it was worth
it. It makes building your own hot tub well within the
reach of anyone with a few power tools and the ability to
buy some good redwood. I recommend this book to anyone
with patience, a table saw and some $$ for wood.
It is this authors opinion that if you
choose to go with Andy at Robert's
Hot Tubs for a Traditional Wooden Hot Tub, or with Gene at Custom
Built Spas, for the ultimate in Do It Yourself Spa / Hot Tubs
you will be pleasantly surprised at each turn with the true
professionalism and helpful nature of them both.
And no matter what I wish you good luck and
much success in your quest to find the perfect
hot tub!
The link should look
like this and will open in another window, so you don't loose your surfer.
feel free to modify it as you see fit to conform with the layout or design
of your page.
Why not make
this year fantastic!
Finally a Do it Your Self (DIY) Spa / Hot Tub That can
truly add beauty and function to your home.
