Let’s say, you need to compare Skargards, Royal Tubs, Gardenvity and other top wood-fired hot tub brands’ warranty and payment terms and conditions. Reading long and complex documentation can be an especially laborious, not to mention confusing, task. Even so, to ensure you understand your rights as a consumer, it’s essential to read them as best as you can. Since many hot tub producers have production facilities outside the UK, it is important for them to consider how to handle defects covered by the warranty. Shipping has become more difficult in the wake of the pandemic, so when you are purchasing a new hot tub, make sure to pay special attention to who is obligated to cover transportation costs if you have purchased a defective hot tub or if you simply want to return it to the manufacturer if you don’t like it.
Let’s take a look at how each hot tub brand makes it easy, or not so easy, for you to buy your selected hot tub model. Is it straightforward and secure enough, or do you have to go through a million clicks to finally place your order?
Summary of warranty conditions from different manufacturers
Check out the list below for a condensed summary of general warranty conditions and requirements that seem like common sense but they still need clarification.
1. Hot tub manufacturers will typically guarantee that the items they are supplying are free from manufacturing defects upon delivery.
2. The warranty will typically have different set periods for different parts of the hot tub. Most wood-fired hot tub manufacturers provide a general 24-month warranty for households and 12 months for business entities. This leaves you with some fine print to read about which parts are covered for a shorter period than others under the warranty.
3. As a hot tub owner, you must guarantee that the hot tub is assembled correctly by following the accompanying instruction manuals provided by the manufacturer.
4. At times, a manufacturer may not be able to offer any guarantees if they do not have complete control over certain situations where the warranty cannot be applied or will be rendered void:
- If you are using coal or any other wood alternatives as a fuel. This is because the higher burning temperatures may damage the heater components, cause deformation, leaks or other defects.
- If you cause damage, such as structural or mechanical damage, to the hot tub and any of its components due to incorrect handling, storage, installation, operation or negligence.
- If you modify or repair the hot tub without consulting the manufacturer and without their written consent.
- If you use unauthorised spare parts.
- If you connect any items to your hot tub without prior (written) approval from the manufacturer.
- If you experience accidental damage, which is not the fault of manufacturing.
- If you experience damage due to freezing. Every hot tub manufacturer will provide you with instructions for avoiding this, but if you do not follow those instructions, you cannot necessarily expect to claim under the warranty.
- If corrosion occurs due to the use of unsuitable chemicals and/or incorrect dosing.
- If you fail to complete maintenance as instructed by the manufacturer.
- If defects occur as a result of a natural disaster or the forces of nature, such as a flood, fire or storm.
- If the hot tub operation is not perfect due to the individual characteristics of its settings. For instance, mould appears due to lack of ventilation or weak chimney draught when the hot tub is on a low level.
- If signs of general wear and tear begin to show due to normal hot tub use.
5. Some natural characteristics and behaviour of the wood materials used in producing the hot tub may also not be covered by warranty, including:
- If there are leaks in a newly-built all-wood hot tub. The timber parts must come into contact with water to swell and seal up, which can take 3-5 days in most cases, but under certain conditions or for some types of wood, this may take even longer.
- Varying grains and knots or discolouration, depending on atmospheric conditions.
- If cracking or splitting of the timber occurs due to expanding and contracting cycles as a result of changes in humidity and temperature. Don’t worry though, as these changes do not affect the overall integrity of the timber.
5. Wear and tear, burning and changes in the shape of the heater grate and door, along with other inner parts of the chamber, are also normal due to metal reacting with high temperatures. These are also not subject to warranty.
6. Make sure you hire a competent electrician to make the necessary connections and testing for your hot tub. If not, you risk losing the warranty, but even more importantly, your health and life.
7. Finally, ensure you inspect the hot tub closely upon arrival and take note of any missing parts or damage caused by transportation to avoid any delays in resolving any issues that have arisen during the time in delivering the hot tub from the factory to your backyard.
Are there warranty differences between manufacturers?
The warranty policy might look like a copied and pasted block of generic text, but you should ensure you read it carefully. In doing so, you should notice some differences between the warranties provided by different manufacturers. Because we know how daunting a task it can be to read through dense warranty booklets, we’ve done the hard yards for you. Below are some important points about warranties to keep in mind when purchasing a hot tub, as there are differences between the warranties offered by different manufacturers.
Warranty period
A 24-month general material and manufacturing guarantee is provided by The Log Company (Kirami), Gardenvity, Skargards and TimberIN.
For commercial clients, some companies give a shorter warranty period, for instance, 12 months from Skargards and 6 months from The Log Company (Kirami).
In our research, we found no warranty periods shown openly on Royal Tubs’ website. If you are considering buying a hot tub from this brand, you should make sure to request the details by contacting them or entering into a purchase contract.
What parts are covered by warranty?
Gardenvity provides customers with a clear outline of which parts have a shorter 12-month warranty. These include steps, wooden side shelves, glass holders, insulated faux leather cover, thermometer, heater door and ash drawer. Other parts of the unit come with a two-year warranty period.
Royal Tubs does not provide a warranty for any wooden parts. This manufacturer makes it clear that you should fill the fully wooden models with water within seven days after delivery to avoid excessive shrinkage, and they recommend keeping the tub filled at all times.
Other manufacturers make no distinction, at least on their websites, between warranties for different parts, providing the same overall warranty period.
Who fits the replaced parts?
Royal Tubs require you as an owner to fit the replaced defective part under warranty.
TimberIN offers to cover the repairs invoice if you find a local repairman to fix the issues under their product warranty.
Other brands, however, don’t explicitly comment on the matter, so our general understanding would be that the manufacturer takes full responsibility for any such repairs.
Will the manufacturer replace a defective hot tub with a new one?
When it is not possible or economical to repair or replace some hot tub elements, some manufacturers, such as Gardenvity and Skargards, note in their terms and conditions that they will reimburse the full price or provide an equivalent replacement unit to the buyer.
Payment process for the top 5 UK wood-fired hot tub brands
Skargards
We are big fans of the simple payment method offered by Skargards. After building your hot tub package and adding it to your shopping cart, you’ll be taken to the checkout. The VAT amount is shown with the final price of the product so it is clear and easy to understand just how much you are paying.
You can opt for a secure checkout with encrypted SSL technology using your Visa, Mastercard or American Express card, make a transfer to their bank account, or choose to pay the invoice within 15 days after delivery.
However, Skargards do not offer the ability to pay in instalments.
When you purchase a hot tub unit from Skargards, you have the benefit of a 40-day right of withdrawal if the product does not meet your expectations.
Gardenvity
Your payment journey on Gardenvity’s site is even more straightforward.
When you enter your postcode, your shipping fee will be conveniently calculated for you at the checkout. The total amount includes the VAT, and you are welcome to pay by card (Visa or Mastercard), via PayPal or through a wire transfer.
To the best of our knowledge, Gardenvity does not offer the ability to pay in instalments or after delivery.
Any returns of unused hot tubs must be made within 14 days of delivery.
Royal Tubs
The Royal Tubs payment process is similarly simple when buying a hot tub from stock, and you can checkout via Google Pay or using your credit card. Royal Tubs also accepts wire transfers, cash on delivery, the option to buy your wood-fired hot tub by way of an interest-free credit (provided by DivideBuy) or by paying 3-12 monthly instalments.
The shipping fee is automatically added to your total when you submit your address.
Regarding customised models, the process is different, and you will not be able to see the final price instantly. You can only submit a request once you have selected the model, all technical features and accessories that you wish to add to your hot tub design. You should get an email shortly afterwards with a personal quote (including VAT) and a link to the checkout or to discuss the package further with a Royal Tubs representative.
The Log Company (Kirami)
The Log Company offers a comfortable user interface when it comes to placing and paying for your order. To ensure security, the brand uses Opayo payment processing and accepts Visa, Visa Debit and Mastercard, as well as PayPal transactions. Payment by personal cheque is also made possible. VAT is included in the final amount shown at the checkout.
The Log Company has teamed up with Novuna, one of the UK’s leading financial services companies, to offer finance packages that suit a broad range of consumer requirements, making it possible to pay for your hot tub in instalments.
TimberIN
While TimberIN does not offer instant online payment functionality, they do show you the final price as soon as you check all the boxes when selecting the hot tub package elements.
Please note that TimberIN only gives their prices in Euros, not in GBP, so make sure to convert the amounts into your relevant currency when calculating costs. After you have placed a request, you’ll receive an invoice. You will be required to pay half the amount as a deposit before production begins and then the other half before your goods are shipped. TimberIN accepts all major payment methods – bank transfer, credit or debit cards and direct Paypal payments.
It’s important to stress that the price on TimberIN’s invoice will include a 0% VAT, so you will be responsible for paying the import VAT of 20% on your purchase and any applicable customs fees. We would hope that TimberIN provides customers with clear information to make this process smooth without additional paperwork on your side.
Through our research, we were unable to find out whether TimberIN offers any financing schemes.
Now that you’ve read the fine print…
We hope that we have addressed the key points that a customer like yourself would want, and need, to know before signing a contract with any hot tub manufacturer to purchase a new hot tub.
There can be a lot of fine print to read, but it’s important to do so to make sure you know what you’re getting and what the warranty covers. Our advice is to make the most of contacting each hot tub brand’s customer service team for support because, as you can see, some terms and conditions have not been presented in the clearest way. Since some of this important information isn’t available online, it may be necessary to ask.
Until next time!
