Swim Spa Delivery and Installation Checklist - Updated for 2024

Buying a swim spa is a serious investment and we want you to be fully aware of of the next steps once you're ready to make the purchase.

This article outlines the preparation steps to be completed before buying your swim spa, as well as a useful checklist towards the bottom. 

Preparation Steps

1. Positioning and measurements
• Agree the safe positioning of the swim spa at your property, indoors or outdoors, ensuring full access of the swim spa is available once installed 
• Ensure you have measured the desired swim spa position with adequate space for your chosen swim spa
• Send images and videos to sales@triathloncamp.co.uk for a free site survey
2. Arrange for a flat, level and solid base to be created for your swim spa
3. Ensure the required electrical supply is fitted prior to your installation
4. Review access requirements for the delivery 

1) Positioning and measurements

It is important you choose a suitable position and base for safety and to ensure your swim spa runs as efficiently as possible. Here's our top tips when reviewing the positioning:

• Do not position your swim spa near overhead cables or power lines
• Consider the access for its delivery and installation. If there are walls or fences that are in place throughout the delivery pathway, assess whether than can be temporarily taken down. If this isn’t an option, then alternative delivery methods may be required.
• If you choose to position your swim spa near a slope, dip, trough or below ground level, you should ensure there is adequate drainage in place for any excess ground water to run off
• Leave enough space for access to the unit controls (we suggest 2-3ft on either side of the swim spa) and for the cover lifter to fall behind your swim spa. The average cover lifter requires 500mm to drop the cover down the back

Deciding On Indoor or Outdoor

If you have the option to install the swim spa inside or outside your home, then here are some considerations to help with your decision:

Indoor - Pros:

• Convenient and more energy efficient during the cold winter months
• Allows you to use the swim spa with privacy 
• If installing at ground-level, a concrete floor should already be in place

Indoor - Considerations:

• May require further plumbing to ensure you have a water inlet to fill the spa
• A drainage system will need to be created for excess water from the swim spa
• A non-slip surface may need to be laid if not in place already 
• The swim spa room will need suitable ventilation and dehumidification, due to the increased level of condensation

 Image: Superior Wellness - Indoor Swim Spa Installation

Outdoor - Pros:

• Tends to be a simpler installation if placing the swim spa above-ground
• Allows you to train in the fresh air and in the sun during summer months
• Can become a feature of your garden and better for socialising if using it for leisure

Outdoor - Considerations:

• Less energy efficient and convenient during winter months
• May require more logistics to get the swim spa into its desired location 

Image: H2O Spa - Vesta Swim Spa Outdoor Installation

Above-ground or in-ground

When embarking on a project such as this, we highly recommend engaging with a qualified contractor with relevant experience to ensure this work is completed to a professional standard.

Above-ground Installations:

This is the simplest form of installation. The swim spa will sit on a stable and level surface (discussed further in the guide) above ground-level. This type of installation makes the swim spa more portable and easily accessible to the control panel and power outlet.  

Image: Superior Wellness Outdoor Swim Spa Installation

In-ground Installations: 

Installing a swim spa into the ground (or partially in the ground) is the more aesthetically pleasing option and also allows for easier access into the swim spa. 

However, in order to install the swim spa successfully, you will need to create a concrete vault in the ground with a level surface to hold the swim spa. This concrete vault also needs to allow for drainage of any excess water. 

Due to the ground excavation that is required, it is highly recommended to speak with the gas and electricity providers, as well as the National Grid, to ensure your clear of any underground pipes or cables.  

The final consideration is ensuring access to the swim spa’s control panel and serviced components, which usually requires a ‘side hatch’ to be created to access for servicing requirements, given all four sides will be underground.

  

Image: Superior Wellness - Partial Ground Installation

2) Constructing a suitable base

An ideal base material is solid concrete – soft surfaces such as grass, sand or pebbles are not suitable.

Existing patio slabs and block paving may be used, but they must be flat, level and on a satisfactory sub-base such as concrete.

All newly constructed bases must be prepared in plenty of time prior to delivery to allow time for the concrete to fully set.

It is the responsibility of the customer to provide a suitable base that is flat, level and solid to prevent distortion from occurring. Any structural damage caused by an improper base or base failure may invalidate the manufacturing warranty.

We advise all customers take into consideration a weight of at least 2,000kg.

3) Electrical supply

Swim spas are large units and require a stronger power source than the standard 3-pin plug socket in your home, which distributes power across multiple appliances.

In order to get the power supply setup before your swim spa arrives, you must engage with a registered electrician who can assess your requirements and make the necessary installations.

Typically, they will need to install a separate power socket which allows the swim spa its own power supply. For obvious reasons, this should be installed at least 2 metres away from the swim spa.

To find a registered electrician near you, please visit Electrical Safety First. 

4) Access requirements

A. Check space around parked cars – you need access for a 3.5 tonne delivery van

B. Advise of steep slopes and number of steps

C. Check corner clearances for tight bends

D. Confirm if there are any height restrictions - height of low trees, roof eaves, guttering and phone lines

E. Move dog kennels, BBQ, boxes, play equipment, garden furniture, sheds

F. Check gas, electric and water meter boxes, air conditioning units, hot water services

G. Confirm if there are any width restrictions – width of doorways, gates, pathways and window ledges including obstructions such as drainpipes, fence posts

Delivering your swim spa 

Due to it's weight, a swim spa will be delivered using a ‘HIAB’ crane which is a mounted on the delivery truck. In certain cases where the swim spa needs to be lifter high over obstacles (i.e. your house), a larger separate crane.

Trucks with HIAB cranes are usually quite large and so consideration needs to be made as to whether they will fit up a normal driveway.

If you're unsure of access requirements and what crane will be best, Triathlon Camp can put you in contact with a local crane company to carry out a site survey.

Please note: it is the sole responsibility of the crane company to ensure that the swim spa is moved without damage, and it is the customer's responsibility to ensure that they are suitably insured for any damage occurring to either the product or your property. 

Getting it into place

Once the swim spa is in close proximity to the desired location, then it will need to be offloaded from the HIAB, crane or delivery vehicle by a team of professionals and transported to it's location.

The delivery team will offload your swim spa from the vehicle and stand it onto a ‘spa sledge’.

Once safely stood on the spa sledge, the team will glide the swim spa into the placement area. Once safely positioned, the swim spa will then need to be filled with water. At this stage we will explain the chemicals required to use it.

Finally, an explanation will be given as to when it is safe to start using the swim spa. There will also be the opportunity to ask our team any questions you may have.

 Image: Swim spa on a HIAB ready for delivery

Pre-delivery and installation checklist

Access and setup:

• All vehicles on your drive have been removed on delivery day to allow room for the delivery van
• Is your drive flat? If not, please ensure you have notified Triathlon Camp and your crane provider (if required)
• If access is through/across a neighbouring property/land, do you have permission? (Our installation team will not proceed without assurance that permission has been obtained prior to delivery)
• There is a flat and solid base to place the swim spa upon
• There are fewer than three steps on the access route
• No walls/rockeries are on the access route with a higher step than 30cm
• Any obstacles on the access route such as plants and furniture have been removed
• No fences, hedge rows or bushes are blocking delivery access

Send the following access photos to sales@triathloncamp.co.uk prior to delivery: 

• The drive, showing how to access the garden 
• Any side passages
• The garden
• The final, desired position of the swim spa
• Video from road to end position

Location:

• I have confirmed the required measurements for the width and height of the swim spa, plus extra room to allow for operational access 
• I have allowed for a 500mm drop behind the back of my swim spa in case of using a cover lifter
• I have none of the below obstructions that reduce the minimum measurements: 
• Window ledges, door handles, gas pipes, drainpipes, utility boxes, porches, gate posts, outdoor taps, garden pagoda or pergola, gazebos or archways
• If you have decking around the swim spa, the step up to the decking is lower than 30cm (to ensure the swim spa can be put into place without obstruction)
• Will the swim spa base support the swim spa weight when filled and when occupied?
• A hose pipe can reach the swim spa and is ready for the swim spa to be filled

Electrical requirements:

• I have completed the required electrical installation and have a power supply that supports my swim spa's requirements 
• Part P certificate has been supplied by electrician

This must be completed before we deliver your swim spa. Failure to do so will mean that we cannot install your swim spa.

What if I change my mind after I've made the purchase?

We get it, it happens. Whilst we would hope that you've given your swim spa project a lot of thought and consideration pre-purchase, we do understand that things can change. 

If you decide to cancel the order after it has been shipped, but not installed, then we will handle its return back, including any delivery costs and restocking fees, providing it is still within its original packaging.

Once your item has been delivered and we have begun the installation process, then we are unfortunately unable to accept a return of the swim spa.

If your swim spa is deemed faulty, then we will follow the steps outlined in your product warranty.

Next Steps:

We hope this is useful for you as you go through your purchasing journey. 

If you would like to speak with a member of the team about buying your own swim spa, please give us a call on 0800 031 4364

Click here to see our full swim spa range.