Hot Tub Trade-In in Indianapolis: Repair, Replace, or Trade?

Many owners use their hot tub more in winter than in any other season. So if the old tub in your backyard has been acting up, late fall is a good time to decide what to do about it, before the coldest weeks arrive.

There are really three choices: repair it, replace it, or trade it in toward a new one. Here’s how we’d think through each, from a company that has built hot tubs in Indianapolis since 1981, and the questions worth asking before you spend anything.

Start with one question: can it be fixed?

Before you shop for a new hot tub, find out whether the one you have can be repaired.

A few things decide how easy a repair will be:

• Controls. Royal Spa controls use straightforward contactors and switches instead of a computer circuit board, so repairs are simpler and less costly. A tub that depends on a computer panel can be harder and more expensive to fix.
• Parts. Royal Spa hot tubs use standard, widely available components that any qualified technician can service, and replacement filters are standard sizes sold at pool and spa stores.
• Access. Blown-in foam insulation makes it harder to reach components for service. Removable insulation lets a technician get to the equipment faster, which keeps service costs down.

If you own a Royal Spa, call our Parts & Service Center at 317-780-2121 before you shop. Every Royal Spa hot tub carries a 40-year structural warranty, and the second hot tub we ever built is still running. An older Royal Spa may have plenty of life left.

If you own another brand, ask your repair company three things: Is the part still made? Can it be reached without cutting into foam? And what does the repair cost compared with how long the tub is likely to keep going? Our buying guide notes that some manufacturers design hot tubs to last about seven years, so the age of the tub matters.

When replacing makes more sense

Replacing usually comes down to the answers above. If the part you need is no longer made, if the repair quote is close to the cost of a new tub, or if the tub no longer fits the way your household uses it, a new hot tub may be the better spend.

If you do replace, use what you learned from the old one. Was it loud on low speed? Did the water need constant attention? Our showroom checklist covers the questions to ask about pumps, circulation, filtration and controls, so the next tub doesn’t repeat the same problems.

How the Royal Spa trade-in works

If you’re replacing, you don’t have to figure out what to do with the old tub on your own. Through our hot tub trade-in program, you can trade your current hot tub toward a new Royal Spa.

• Tell us what you have. The trade-in form asks for your current tub’s make and model, plus your zip code. We’ll be in touch within 24 to 48 hours.
• We haul the old tub away. Removal of your old hot tub can be free. Ask your showroom for the details on your trade.
• Ask in person. All three of our showrooms can talk you through a trade-in while you compare new models.

We don’t publish trade values, because they depend on the tub. Ask for a quote on yours.

Planning the swap

Replacing a hot tub is a lot like installing your first one, except you already know the spot. Our installation timeline walks through every step. The short version:

• Measure again. A new tub may not match the old footprint. Royal Spa footprints run from 63 by 82 inches on the Princess to 98 by 98 inches on the Monarch. Walk the delivery path too: gates, corners and low branches. If access is tight, the Knight is 71.5 inches wide, which lets it move through a standard doorway.
• Check the base. The tub needs a level, stable base. Water weighs about 8.34 pounds per gallon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, so a 250-gallon model like the Crown carries roughly 2,085 pounds of water before anyone gets in. If your old tub sat on a deck, have a contractor check it for the new model.
• Confirm the electrical. Most full-size hot tubs run on a dedicated 240-volt circuit. Have a licensed electrician confirm that your existing circuit and breaker match the specifications for the new model and build.
• Ask for a delivery date. Every Royal Spa is custom built to order at our factory on Epler Avenue, and lead times vary by model and season. Delivery is quoted with your tub based on your address and access.

Six questions to bring to the showroom

1. Can my current tub be repaired, and is it worth it?
2. What would my trade-in be worth, and does removal apply to my trade?
3. Which models fit my space and my delivery path?
4. What will it cost to run on my electric rate? We’ll show you your own operating costs before you buy, based on your rate and your usage.
5. What does the warranty cover? Ours is 40 years on the structure, 10 years on the surface and 3 years on parts.
6. When can it be delivered to my address?

Visit one of our three Indianapolis showrooms

Bring a photo of your current tub and its spot, the make and model if you know it, and your measurements.

• Factory Showroom, 2041 W Epler Ave, Indianapolis (south side, next to the plant where every tub is built). Mon 9 AM to 6 PM, Tue to Thu 9 AM to 7 PM, Fri 9 AM to 6 PM, Sat 10 AM to 4 PM, Sun noon to 4 PM. 317-781-0828.
• Avon, 7994 E US 36, at Dan Jones Road across from Lowe’s. Mon, Tue and Thu 10 AM to 7 PM, Wed 11 AM to 7 PM, Fri 10 AM to 6 PM, Sat 10 AM to 4 PM, Sun noon to 4 PM. 317-268-4947.
• Pendleton Pike, 9820 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis (northeast side). Same hours as Avon. 317-895-9778.

Ready to start? Request a trade-in quote, or send us a message and we’ll help you decide whether to repair, replace or trade.