How to Find a Good Hot Tub Repair Service
However, there comes a time when an experienced spa tech can be invaluable. Locating electrical faults precisely and quickly is one strength of a good spa tech. Regular maintenance services to clean and maintain spas and hot tubs can also fill part of most spa technicians' day.
Leaking spas can trigger a spa service call. Spa heater problems are about half of all spa repair calls for a typical spa technician. People want a hot spa, what can you do? In many cases, there are no failed components, just a dirty filter, closed valve, tripped breaker - something easy to fix.
Hiring a spa service repair technician isn't cheap - hourly rates range from $95-$150 per hour, depending on region. The rate is proportional to the number of spas and hot tubs in your areas. In regions where spas and hot tubs are plentiful, and there is local competition, repair rates will be cheaper.
To keep spa repair costs as low as possible, check these things below, before you call...
BEFORE YOU CALL FOR SERVICE:
- Is the GFCI test button on the electrical outlet tripped?
- Dirty filter, clogged lines, or closed valves?
- Water level is high enough?
- Spa is clean and sanitized?
- Spa cover is being used?
How to Find a Local Hot Tub Repair Company
1. GOOGLE
Use a search query like "Spa and Hot Tub Repair" or even more specific "Hot tub heater repair". You can also add your city or region to the search, i.e., "Hot tub repair in Syracuse".
2. YELLOW PAGES
Although you can also refer to your local printed Yellow directory book, under the heading "Pool & Spa" to find local spa repair companies. It has a clean layout and lots of good results in their Spas Hot Tubs Repair Services category, along with a map and reviews.
3. APSP MEMBERS
APSP, the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, is the main trade association for pool and spa technicians. It is not guaranteed that a member business will be any better or faster than a non-member - but it's a good place to find a certified professional. Enter your zipcode and select a radius to see APSP members near you.
4. BBB
The Better Business Bureau has information on just about every business in the country, if they've been around long enough. If a consumer places a complaint against a company with the BBB, they contact the company and try to help create a mutually agreeable solution. You can search the BBB database by keyword, to find local spa techs, and see if there have been any complaints made.
5. SPA MANUFACTURER
Your spa manufacturer (Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Sundance...) likely maintains a list of their spa dealers, with a locator utility on the main website. Just search online with a phrase like "Jacuzzi hot tubs dealer locator" - or find the manufacturer's website, and if they have a dealer search function, you should be able to find it easily in the top level navigation of the home page.
When You Have Many Choices:
Do some research on the best spa service companies in your area - if you have many choices of local spa repair companies, drill down to individual searches on them, to find out more information like:
- How long have they been in business?
- Are they spa and hot tub specific, or is it a sideline business?
- Are there any reviews posted online about the company?
- Any local or community news about the company?
- Do they have a local brick and mortar office, or store?
When you Have Few Choices:
1. Pool Service Company - many pool service companies are also spa service companies, but they may not employ a full time spa tech. If they advertise for spa and hot tub repair, then you can call or email to ask if they will do a service call to your spa or hot tub, for your particular problem.
2. Jetted Tub - Whirlpool - large local companies that refurbish bathrooms, often have a person knowledgeable in jetted tubs or whirlpools, which are quite similar to a portable spas or hot tubs. Even if they have not worked with your particular model spa before, a good bath water tech could figure out your issue.
3. Home Appliance Repair - a spa or hot tub is really just another home appliance, and those familiar with working on dishwashers or clothes washers or other small home appliances may be able to also work on spas and hot tubs. It can become complicated quick, however on many spas.