Cost analysis: Building costs to add a hot tub to my Smoky mountains STR

[Sarah Sass]

Question 1: Does $4698 for materials and labor to prepare my house for a hot tub seem in line?

Question 2: Any 4-5 person narrow hot tub recs to speed up the process? I've been stalking the forum posts to narrow down what to get. e.g. One that is durable and easy to clean with affordable source-able parts. Home Depot's offerings seem tempting since I can view the price online, which has been an issue with hot tub specific stores in the Smokies.

Context:  I'm looking to add a 4-5 person hot tub to my STR near Pigeon Forge. It would run off my property's well water. I received an estimate to make room for a hot tub that does NOT include the cost of a hot tub. I'd have to widen my ground level porch and extend the roof accordingly. It would be installed in the middle of the porch, as circled in the below photo.

Per my handyman, "All materials and labor to build deck section and install hot tub supplied by you including water, drain and electric hook up. Estimated cost $4698." 

I did consider the far left hand corner of the porch, however it's double the cost of materials. Thus the unique middle of the porch location.

[Tyler Winget]

Sounds like your handyman isn't trying to rip you off, and he's done this before. I come from the Poconos, PA market and have helped at least 30 clients coordinate hot tub installs in the last year.

Q1 Opinion*: Typically when underwriting property for buyer and mgmt clients, I'd give them a round number of $10k to assume for hot tub purchase / install / permits /foundation /electrical. Given you're at $5k for everything except the hot tub, with a reasonable solution I've seen before, sounds great.

Q2 Opinion*: Don't get a 110v hot tub. Whatever you do. A lot of them don't have proper heat pumps to keep the water hot in cold winter weather. Also, lookup the difference between Acrylic and Rotomolded tubs. I tend to suggest Rotomolded, they're more durable and less expensive, without all the fancy jets and colors. Easier to maintain. Perfect for rentals. Wayfair is a great spot to look - just make sure you read reviews and don't get 110v!

Sounds like you've got all your ducks lined up, and at a more than reasonable price, with a wise handyman. 

Hope this helps!