How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Hot Tub?

Julia Pelly
Written by Julia Pelly
Updated June 23, 2022
Small wooden walkout deck with hot tub
Photo: irina88w / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Image

The average cost to remove a hot tub falls between $150 and $650

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What happens when a hot tub isn't such a hot commodity anymore? You may need to call in some pros to haul your hot tub away to make room for your next big plan for the space. While the average cost to remove a hot tub is between $150 and $650, most people pay around $350 to de-tub their homes. The average junk disposal cost for a hot tub is $300 to $600

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Hot Tub Within Your Own Yard?

An on-property relocation from one part of your yard to another usually takes less than an hour, as long as it’s all flat surfaces. Most homeowners are charged between $150 and $200 for this type of mini-move.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Hot Tub Yourself?

Removing a hot tub on your own is essentially free—if you don't factor in the time required. However, whether or not you have the necessary experience and how your tub is installed will influence whether you need a professional. 

Most hot tubs are freestanding and can be removed without damaging the foundation. However, if the hot tub is secured by concrete, you can carefully remove it using tools like a pickaxe and sledgehammer. You'll still need to pay for junk removal.

If you plan to reuse the tub in a new location, bring in a local professional plumber to handle disconnecting the water lines so you don't cause damage. If your tub was secured in concrete, trying to cut it out without experience can damage the tub beyond repair.

Hot Tub Removal Cost Factors

A few cost factors impact how much you’ll end up paying to haul away and dispose of your old hot tub. You should plan to pay between $300 and $600 to hire a junk disposal service to take the hot tub away. The size of your hot tub will determine whether the cost is on the low or high end of that range. Also, whether your hot tub is easy to access or difficult to get to will influence how much you’re charged for removal.

What Factors Influence the Cost to Move a Hot Tub?

Luxury patio with an in ground hot tub
Photo: pepmiba / E+ / Getty Images

While movers and local junk removal companies are capable of moving any type of hot tub to pretty much any location, some details will cost you more. Take a look at the factors that tip the price of tub-moving.

Size

The size of your hot tub often determines your haul-away rate. Some movers charge by the hour; the simple math is that a jumbo tub requires more time. Consider using hot tub repair to save money if you have a large indoor hot tub that will require lots of fanfare getting through doorways and stairs. Sometimes repairing a hot tub is a cheaper option than removing it and buying a new one. 

Movers that charge by weight may charge a premium for items weighing over a certain amount. You see this often with items like pianos, pool tables, and hot tubs.

Type of Installation

If your tub was installed in concrete, the movers may need to use saws or jackhammers to break up the concrete before pulling the tub away. This will add to labor costs and hourly rates. Tubs without concrete can be cut out in much less time.

Stairs

Will the journey of removing your tub involve stairs? Movers may tack on some extra fees to account for the time and labor needed. Many movers tack on extra "stairs" fees totaling $100 to $125 per job.

Distance

Pricing can be similar whether you're bringing a new hot tub home, relocating your hot tub to your next house, or delivering a hot tub to a local buyer. Most movers charge $350 for an "in-town" pickup that requires a specialized trailer.

Connecting a Hot Tub

Will you need your new hot tub connected after you relocate it? This usually takes an hour. With the hourly cost of electric work landing between $50 and $150, budget at least $85 for a basic wiring job. You may also need to install a new fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for a cost that averages $214.

Leveling and Balancing

If you're moving a hot tub from one part of your property to another, that could mean bringing in landscapers to prepare the new area. Most landscapers charge between $50 and $250 per cubic yard for leveling and excavation projects, according to HomeAdvisor.

FAQs

How do I prepare my hot tub for removal?

A wooden hot tub outside in the nature
Photo: CrispyMedia / Adobe Stock

Here's how to get your tub ready for a move:

  • Drain the water; if your tub doesn't have a drain, you'll need a sump pump and hose to manually pump the water

  • Disconnect the main power from the tub

  • Unhook all of the tub's electrical wires

  • Disconnect all plumbing lines after disconnecting the main water line

Does hot tub removal include the cost of disposal?

Most companies that haul away old hot tubs build the cost of disposal into the price. However, there's no guarantee. Always ask for confirmation before agreeing to an estimate.

Where can you throw away a hot tub?

When disposing of a hot tub on your own, you'll need to cut it into small pieces that are approved by your local landfill using a reciprocating saw. You can also consider listing the hot tub for free to anyone who wants to come haul it away from your property.

Is moving a hot tub worth it?

Moving a hot tub is worth it if you are unable to enjoy your soaking experience. After all, what’s the point of owning and maintaining a perfectly good hot tub if you aren’t comfortable using it? But if your hot tub is past its prime, and you’ve been thinking about upgrading to a newer or bigger model, it may not be worth it to simply move your old one. Instead, you’re better off buying a new hot tub and having it installed in your ideal location.

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