Step By Step Guide to Move A Hot Tub

Knowledge is power and with power comes responsibility.

Therefore I must say this:

Although we’ll explain exactly how to move a hot tub yourself,

Hire professional movers!

There’s a good chance your hot tub is one of the most valuable items in your move and getting it wrong can lead to permanent damage or serious injury.

All that being said, this is how you can pack and move a hot tub.

Before you or your hired help can move a hot tub, there are a handful of steps to follow in preparation. These are crucial to the success of your move, so don’t skip them!

Make sure your plan is finalized, supplies are available, and the moving crew is ready first.

Make a Plan

All great feats start with a good plan, and you’ve probably already noticed that moving your behemoth of a hot tub won’t be easy. Most models range from 500 to 1,000 pounds! So it’ll take more than sheer determination to get it from point A to point B.

The first decision you’ll need to make is if you plan to DIY move the hot tub or if you’ll hire someone to do it.

If you want someone else to do the heavy lifting for you, labor-only hiring companies like HireAHelper will help you find your dream team. They’ll have all the experience and supplies necessary to make your move a success.

There’s also the option of hiring moving companies to move one item.

If hiring help isn’t in your moving budget, you can do it yourself. Just make sure you have the following secured:

• A moving truck or trailer large enough to fit your hot tub
• A clear path from the hot tub’s location and the moving truck
• All the tools and people necessary

Gather Your Supplies

If you’re going to move a hot tub yourself, make sure you have each of these tools in your arsenal. You may think you can do without certain ones, but we can promise you that they’ll make this task much easier! Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 4×4 wood beams
• 1 appliance dolly (if your route includes stairs)
• Moving straps
• Moving blankets

Ask for Help

Next, make sure you have enough people to move your hot tub. If you’re hiring help, they should have a team ready to go that has experience with this type of move.

If you’re doing it yourself, ask your strong friends and family members to help you out. You’ll need three people + You. (Did we mention that hot tubs are extremely heavy?) In return for their help, you can treat them to dinner or drinks!

Cut the Power

The last two steps for moving a jacuzzi apply to both those hiring help and those enlisting the help of friends.

Hot tubs are typically full of water, but you can’t move them like that. To start, unplug your hot tub and put away the cord and other pieces that may dangle and be a safety hazard.

Some brands have an internal storage space, but if it doesn’t, place them in a bag in a safe place until after your move.

Drain the Water

Next, drain the water according to the manufacturer’s directions. It isn’t as easy as dumping the water into your yard, and besides, it can flood your yard!

First, remove the hot tub’s cover. You may need a screwdriver to do this. This will prevent the cover from getting damaged mid-move.

Then, attach a garden hose to the drain valve, and open the valve. It may be best to place the other end of the hose in your street’s gutter while it drains. If you want to speed up the process, use a submersible pump.

Use a towel or shop-vac to take care of the remaining water. While it’s empty, you might as well clean it with an all-purpose cleaner.

Alright, with all the preparations done, you’re ready for the hard part. Unless you’re paying someone else to move your hot tub, that is. (Your effort is done!)

If you’re moving it yourself, now’s the time to put your plan into action. If you’re careful, you’ll have a stress-free moving experience.

1. Use the Wooden Boards

With the help of your friends, lift one side of the hot tub and place a 4×4 wooden beam underneath it. Do the same with the opposite side. This will leave a several inch gap between the hot tub and the ground.

2. Load the Dollies

Next, roll the furniture dollies under the hot tub on the two sides without wooden beams. Carefully remove the beams so the hot tub sits on the dollies, and secure it with moving straps.

If you’re using an appliance dolly, gather your team to tip the hot tub onto one side on the dolly. Make sure you aren’t tipping it onto any access panels or electrical sources as it can damage them. Then, secure the hot tub with moving straps.

3. Move It Carefully

When moving a hot tub, whether to a new home or just across the yard, remember to take it slow. Position a member of your team on each side of the hot tub to keep it in place. Your path should already be clear, but stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

When you get to the moving truck, have one team member go up the ramp beforehand and help pull it into the trailer. This takes a lot of strength, so remember to work together!

4. Protect It from Damage

Once inside the trailer, lay the hot tub either flat or propped up on its side. You should only transport it on its side if the trailer isn’t large enough to lay it flat.

Then, cover the hot tub with moving blankets and tie it down with moving straps to prevent damage during transportation. As with any other move, careful driving will help tremendously.

Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll essentially follow the steps for moving a hot tub in reverse. You’ll roll your hot tub out of the moving truck and to its intended location, set it on the wooden beams, and roll the dollies out from underneath it.

Once you remove the wooden beams, refill the hot tub with water. Use the manufacturer-recommended chemicals, plug it in, and you’re ready to relax after all your hard work.

End Your Move with a Relaxing Soak

What better way to end your move than to reward yourself with a soak in your newly-installed home spa? You worked hard, so you deserve it!

It takes a lot of work, but you can learn how to move a hot tub yourself. However, there’s nothing wrong with hiring professionals. As long as everyone works carefully, your hot tub will make it to its new location in one piece.