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Concrete Slab cost

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rpabech:
Thanks. I completely agree. We could have picked a location further away from the house, but because of the reasons you listed we end up picking as close as possible (had to be at least 5' from the house since the metal gutter runs close and cannot be closer than 5' from the tub). So no more than 6 or 8 steps away from the back door. The way my house is setup if I add a pergola over the tub it will block the view from inside the house to outside, which is a good view and I really do not want to block it.

I am not sure the pressure treated deck would be an option but I would look into it (but as far as I know Grandee requires a cement slab and some people here in the forum even mention Warranty issues if not follow the requirements of the manual). Thanks again

bud16415:
I don’t see anyplace where Hot Springs says a deck is not allowed just that they suggest you have the structure built and approved for the weight. We have an 8x8 Caldera same parent company same weight as the Grandee on a wooden deck I designed for the 6000 pounds plus people. A low deck would be pretty easy to design for the weight as there is no column strength involved. It would add a little height though if that was a problem.

Here is what I found.
https://www.hotspring.com/blog/choosing-the-best-placement-for-your-hot-tub 

rpabech:
Yes, they do. In the link you sent if you click in the pre-delivery instructions (or just the users manual of the Grandee) this is what it says in there:

*NOTE: A reinforced concrete pad at least four inches thick or a
deck that is able to withstand more than 125 lbs. per square foot is
required for the GRANDEE spa, and recommended for the ENVOY,
VANGUARD, ARIA, SOVEREIGN, PRODIGY and JETSETTER
spas.

I checked the pre-delivery instructions of the Caldera and it states something similar. Note that a deck will require the same amount of escavation, and probably more crushed stone and sand (+wood) in my case due the type of soil. So I am not sure I would be saving money. Also the wood will probably be more maintenance over the years.

bud16415:
That sounds about right 8x8=64x125=8000 lbs.

I’m not sure of your soil type but a wood deck could rest on 9 pre-cast footings like this. At $8 each $72.
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/11538974919902514986?lsf=seller:8740,store:593359228780076379&prds=oid:756377398285457546&q=deck+footings&hl=en&ei=EHfQXJqmKNC45gLpoqjoBA&lsft=gclid:Cj0KCQjwtr_mBRDeARIsALfBZA5nTmtJnHeFXTafPTANBFpW3PTwRVXoHaI5YjrCD3n2uSQpev-d5CgaAhb9EALw_wcB,gclsrc:aw.ds

Decking 5/4 x 6 PT x 10’ at $9 each x 20 $180
Framing 2x8 PT x 10’ at $12 each x 8 $96
Misc hangers and screws $100
Labor 12 hours at $50 per hour $600

$1048

A wood deck built from all ground contact pressure treated lumber not in contact with the ground will be around a very long time and should outlast the 20 year lifespan of the tub. Concrete is not without problems and often cracks also. I have no facts on if a tub with an ABS base pan has any advantages sitting on ventilated wood or ground level concrete. I feel safe in saying a tub without a base pan would do better being off the ground with a ventilated deck surface.

For me the selection of wood was made much easier as I’m a DIY and in your case I put the extra 600 in labor not spent into making the deck area much larger and making a spa area instead of just a base.

These are just my opinions and if flush to the ground is the look you are going for then concrete is the way to go. Just keep leaves and lawn trimmings away from the base and I would go as far as having the base poured with a slight pitch away from the house. Most people wont notice an inch in 10 foot. 

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