I am going to cut hole in deck and drop tub in. It will be a fully enclosed type that is made to sit out on a deck or whatever. My question is how do I know what kind of support thing do I need to build to hold the tub under the deck. What kind of footings and columns decking and all that stuff. Would a dealer have all that info or do I look somewhere else. I am looking for the plans that will say use x by x wood for posts, use x by x for joists and so on. Any ideas? Havenet bought tub yet either or have any clue what to get so please say what you would buy if your were willing to go to about 8k on the tub. Thanks very much.

You need to get a person that builds decks. I think i'm going to do what you are going to do. I look at it this way, you will need to build a deck under the tub then a secound deck for the rim of the tub. johnnyspa " title="Very Happy" />

I'll try to paint the picture. First, draw a square, say 8 x 8. add four posts spaced five feet apart, essentially making a square, 5 x 5 inside the 8 x 8 square. Those posts will sit on concrete piers/ sonotubes. the post should be 6"x6" pressure treated lumber. Accross two posts lie a triple 2"x10" or 2"x12" beam. So you now have two beams, sitting on top of two posts respectfully. Now run floor joists, 2"x10" or 2"x12", perpendicular on top of the beams, spaces 12" on center. For decking on top of the joists, 5/4 decking is fine, but 2"x6"s on a 45 degree angle is best. Face the open end of the floor joist with the same size lumber. That's you platform. Good for any portable spa. Don't forget to engineer a hatch for your friendly spa service technician in the finished deck area, we appreciate that.

Our recommendation is to leave the spa sitting above your finished deck height 20". It's like sitting in the chair you're in right now. Easy to get in and out of, and not a hazard.

I agree 100% with hottub.pool_boy

you said triple 2x10 or 2x12 for top of post, Do I run them 8' out and then fram in an 8' square deck?

Yes

How would you attach the 3-2x10's together ( bolt them I would guess) but how far are bolts apart? Also what do you use to attach the 3-2x10's to the top of the 6x6 with ? Im gonna build a new addition to my deck and I have a little over 120" square area to put the deck, that makes deck tight for tub trying to figure some ways to make it work. I see where they say make tub extend 20" above finished deck, what about the hot tubs with excess doors on them?

The beams (3-2x10) can be nailed, screwed, or bolted. There's a number of metal brackets available as well as plain old gravity (it is sitting on top). Most spas have access door for the equipment compartments... a hatch is built as the deck goes together around the spa.

If you're building this deck, pull a permit. The permit process is there for homeowner's wanting to do a project themselves. The building official will tell you how to do it. Most importantly, it will carry the load and be SAFE for many, many years. At least bring your plan to the local building office and "discuss" your "future" plans.

I've had the fortune of growing up in a lumber business and later hot tub business seeing alot of overbuilt decks and alot of shakey ones. Is that being fortunate? Good luck!

Hi All, There is a guide to decking your tub in here: http://www.spaworldonline.co.uk/custome... ottub.aspx If its a self-contained or "portable" spa, you'll need to make sure that you can access all the service panels, drain valve, and cable entry. Where possible, I'd pour a concrete pad at the correct height, then deck up to it, rather than cut a hole in exiting decking.