This started as an old shell left over for dead, (was sitting in someone's backyard for about 2 years), but turned out to be a very nice installation once it was moved to a loving owner's house, a new skirt was built and a new spa pack installed. Total cost from start to finish less than $1400. (Of course most of the build out of the spa skirt, pavers and all was done by a good friend of the home owner, saved big!)
The biggest advantage of taking an old spa shell and 'growing' your own, is that you have a LOT of options available, as well as that most of these older spa shells are DEEP! Plus when you're finished, you have a lot more pride in ownership, as well as you know everything about it - so there's no spa technician to call!
Imagine, building a 30 jet spa from the ground up for less than $2200, (including pumps, jets, and digital control) and the same thing new off the showroom floor would cost you upwards of $6000!