Spa Installation Planning Guide

Preparing for a spa installation (Foundations, planning, decks, concrete pads and more)

Your spa, swim spa or plunge pool needs a solid, flat, level foundation. lt must be positioned to allow for adequate service access on all sides of the spa. Learn more in this article.

If the foundation of your spa, plunge pool or swim spa is inadequate – it may shift or settle after the spa is in place. This can cause stress to the shell and cabinet, which will void the warranty.

Always consult a building professional for advice about your specific circumstances. All work needs to be carried out within the guidelines of your local building regulations. Refer to your spa model's technical sheet for weights and dimensions. You can download the tech pack from the specifications section of the product page for your spa model on the Spa World website.

Learn more about spa foundations. Click the relevant button below.

Australia:

What types of foundation can you use for a spa? 

The five most common foundations for spas and swim spas are:
  1. Concrete slabs
  2. Paved surfaces
  3. Inground spa pits
  4. Wooden decks
  5. An existing surface
Depending on the foundation you decide on, there are some rules of thumb to follow – as we explain below.

Australia:

Spa foundation info   

New Zealand: 

  Spa foundations info 

We recommend a 100 mm thick reinforced concrete pad for portable spa and 150 mm thick reinforced concrete pad for swim spa. Alternatively, a deck built to Australian or New Zealand building standards and certified by a qualified engineer that it can carry the full weight of your spa. Please consult with your product spec sheet for spa weight.

Important: If the foundation is inadequate, it may shift or settle after the spa is in place, causing stress to the shell and cabinet.

How much clearance should I leave to put decking around my spa?


When designing the access around your spa or swim spa, we recommend allowing at least 1m at the equipment bay and at least 500mm clearance on the other three sides for spas and for swim spas.

Click on the relevant button below to learn more about technical considerations for installing a spa in a deck.

Australia:

Technical considerations
    
New Zealand:




How much area is required around my spa / swim spa?

We recommend that 600mm is kept clear on all sides of your spa or swim spa. On the equipment bay side, which is generally on the same side of the spa as the touch pad, we recommend 1000 mm. There is a method of bringing a deck up to the edge of your spa, please discuss this with your sales agent.

How do I measure the space required for my concrete slab?

Please allow an extra 200 mm to the length and 200 mm to the width of your spa. 
Example: If the spa is 4 metres x 2.3 metres the concrete slab should be 4.2 metres x 2.5 metres reinforced concrete.

Please note: You may need to adjust the slab measurements to take into account spa steps and heat pump placement.

Can the foundation for the Spa be on an angle or slope?

Your spa needs to sit on a flat and level surface. This could be a deck, cobble stones or a concrete pad. 

Tips and advice:
  1. If your spa going on a deck, the deck must have been built to comply with Australian or New Zealand building standards.
  2. If your spa is going on a concrete pad, it should be at least 100mm thick for spas and 150mm for swim spas and ideally extend at least 100mm in each direction from the spa. 
  3. If your spa is to be placed on cobble stones, they must be flat and level and not allow the spa to rock. If a concrete pad.