Photo credit: Skargards
How much does wood-fired hot tub delivery cost for a wood-fired hot tub in the UK and what is included? Can you add on a full installation service? What kind of delivery arrangements do you need to make in advance and how long does it take?
There are a range of important details you need to know when buying a wood-fired hot tub to ensure that you are well-prepared for delivery. As the delivery terms vary among the different hot tub brands, below is a summary comparing and contrasting what you can expect from each of the top brands selling wood-burning spas in the UK. Do you want a delivery with full installation as offered by Gardenvity and The Log Company, or would you be okay with standard kerbside delivery as offered by any wood-fired hot tub brand?
Skargards
Skargards offers free delivery throughout mainland UK for their wood-fired hot tubs. Transport fees apply for hot tub shipments to the Scottish Highlands and Northern Ireland, which as of October 2022 cost approximately £100. For those living in offshore regions, a quote is required to determine the delivery fee.
It takes 1–2 weeks for delivery to the UK after leaving the Skargards production facilities. Currently, the brand’s website shows that hot tubs can be dispatched one week after placing an order.
Upon delivery, the hot tubs are unloaded with a tail lift. However, Skargards does not offer final placement or installation in your garden, so you must plan ahead as to how you will move the hot tub to its final position. Due to its weight, the hot tub will need to be carried by approximately 4–5 people.
Gardenvity
Standard (kerbside) delivery is available in most areas throughout the UK. The exact cost of shipping varies depending on location and is shown at checkout. According to our own research playing with postcodes, it may be between £134 to £434.
Note that Gardenvity does not ship to the Scottish Highlands or offshore islands, but they do invite you to contact them to help you with organising delivery to any of these remote areas.
Gardenvity also offers the option of placing your wood-fired hot tob in its final spot in your garden, if you live in England or Wales, with their Placement & Assembly service. This costs an extra £379, but customers in Scotland will need to ask for a personalised quote.
As for delivery time, the Gardenvity website guarantees delivery within 2–7 weeks.
Hot tubs are delivered in a Luton type van with a tail-lift, and unloading the hot tub on your driveway is included as part of the kerbside delivery.
Photo credit: Gardenvity
TimberIN
TimberIN has three different zones when it comes to shipping costs: Green zone, stretching south from Leeds (€180, which equals £155); yellow zone covering the northern areas of Leeds, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Exter and Plymouth (€390, or £336); and the grey zone where a delivery quote is required for shipment to any other regions not otherwise specified. There are some products with shipping costs already included in the select offers.
Please note that VAT is not included in the prices stated above, just as it is additional to their hot tub prices.
TimberIN typically delivers your hot tub using a large 40T truck or a flat-bed trailer, while a smaller 3.5T is available within the London area. It is the customer’s responsibility to unload the hot tub and any related accessories from the truck, as this is generally not included within the brand’s delivery service. However, drivers may be able to assist in some cases.
The lead time depends on models and varies from 6–8 weeks (for hot tubs with a fibreglass liner) to 8–12 weeks (for wooden hot tubs) and up to 12 weeks (for models with polypropylene liners). Models that are in stock are shipped more quickly in about 1–2 weeks on average.
Note also that TimberIN does not offer a full installation service.
Royal Tubs
Royal Tubs delivers their hot tub products nationwide throughout the UK, including Scotland, however the delivery price may vary depending on your location.
Delivery is kerbside only, and requires the customer’s own manpower to offload the tub and place it in its final spot. For delivery to more challenging locations, Royal Tubs will deliver the hot tub with their 4×4 vehicle or a van and trailer, but as the customer you will be required to organise a minimum of three other people to help you lift and place it. Alternatively, you can hire a delivery person, a crane or a vehicle with a tail lift at additional cost.
Limited-time offer – Royal Tubs is currently offering free delivery on all Deluxe Special package orders only, for delivery to select mainland UK postcode regions, as of October 2022. See their website for details and to get an accurate delivery quote.
Royal Tubs’ delivery period is approximate 3–6 weeks from the date the order is placed, but this varies depending on the product. Models that are stock are shipped in just 1-3 days.
As of writing, Royal Tubs does not offer an installation service.
Photo credit: freepik.com
The Log Company (Kirami)
The Log Company (Kirami) offers free delivery throughout many regions in the UK. Additional charges apply for delivery to the Scottish Highlands and Islands, UK islands, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. If you live in any of these areas, a quote is required as the cost is not shown at checkout or on their website.
The Log Company (Kirami) uses a company vehicle to complete the delivery. If you would like an express delivery because you need to have your hot tub delivered within a matter of days, you can pay an additional fee for speedier shipping.
You are also able to collect the hot tub yourself from their storage facility and head office based near Richmond in North Yorkshire, England.
When the hot tub is delivered, it is unloaded using the delivery vehicle equipment. If you will require further assistance with moving the tub to its final location and to carry out the installation, remember to add on the installation service at the time of purchase for an additional £200.
As of October 2022, The Log Company’s website estimates a delivery time of 1–4 weeks, depending on your chosen model and whether it is in stock.
Summarised comparison
| Brand & delivery details | Kerbside delivery | Delivery charges | Shipping time | Free offloading (tail lift) | Placement in final spot and installation service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kirami (The Log Company)
|
 |
Free for many UK regions.
Quotes for Scottish Highlands, islands and Ireland. Free collection from warehouse available. |
1–4 weeks
|
|
£200 |
Gardenvity
|
|
From £134, depending on your location.
|
2–7 weeks guaranteed delivery time from date of order
|
|
£379 |
Skargards
|
|
Free in mainland UK.
Fees apply for Scottish Highlands and Northern Ireland (£100). |
1–2 weeks after being dispatched from the production facility
|
|
|
TimberIN
|
|
€180 or €390 (£155 or £336)– check the zones for your location.
Request a quote for delivery outside the specified zones |
1–2 weeks for models in stock;
6–8 weeks for hot tubs with fibreglass liners; 8–12 weeks for wooden models; 12 weeks for models with polypropylene liners |
|
|
Royal Tubs*
|
|
Individual delivery quote is required.
Limited offer – free shipping to select UK postcodes for selected models. |
3–6 weeks after ordering
Models in stock are shipped within 1–3 days |
|
|
Installation videos
All manufacturers provide user manuals with detailed instructions for how to assemble and install a wood-fired hot tub yourself, but we believe a video is worth a thousand words.
While we could not find any video tutorials from Skargards or TimberIN, Gardenvity, Kirami (sold by The Log Company in the UK) and Royal Tubs each have a YouTube channel that offers do-it-yourself installation videos.
Preparing for delivery
Whichever brand and model you choose after reading our guide to the different delivery costs, lead times and services provided, there are a number of other matters to keep in mind. These are general rules that each hot tub manufacturer asks their customers to follow to prepare for the delivery:
1. Preparation of the base and power supply for your wood-fired spa is solely the customer’s responsibility. Even The Log Company and Gardenvity, which offer full installation services, will not undertake the groundwork or electricity installation in your garden prior to delivery. They will only complete the assembly work after delivery so that your hot tub is ready to be filled with water and enjoyed.
2. It is your responsibility as the customer to inform the seller about access to your garden. If you have a narrow gate and a high fence, for example, let the delivery company know if they can leave the hot tub unloaded on the kerbside. In such cases, you should take care of dismantling the fence/gates before delivery day, or you could hire a crane to place your hot tub in its final destination.
3. Hot tub brands may hire logistic companies to fulfill the delivery, and these delivery teams may have zero knowledge or understanding of wood-fired hot tubs. Do not expect them to help with placing the hot tub in your garden or advising on the assembly process or how to use your hot tub because it simply may not be part of their job.
4. If you do not order an installation service if provided by your chosen hot tub brand, then you will be required to complete the assembly and installation process yourself after delivery. You would need to arrange for 3–5 people to carry the hot tub to its final location in your garden. Some sellers advise that you will need manpower to unload the hot tub from the delivery truck, so make sure to check with the seller and talk to your neighbours in advance to lend a helping hand.
6. Upon delivery, before signing the delivery documents, ensure that you check to make sure all ordered parts have been delivered. You should also check for any damage that may have been caused during transportation. It is much easier to prove and address any issues while the driver is there than once they have left.
Photo credit: Gardenvity
After you have done your share of the work in the delivery, placement and installation of your wood-fired hot tub, it’s time to hop in for a dip and just sit back and relax.
Photo credit: Royal Tubs
