A Step By Step Guide to Moving A Hot Tub

There’s a good chance your hot tub is one of your most valuable items. So it makes sense that you want to take it with you when you move.

But moving a hot tub is a lot different than moving a mattress or bed frame with a few friends. Getting it wrong can lead to permanent damage or serious injury, that’s why it’s important to know how to move a hot tub properly.

There are several different options when it comes to moving a hot tub.

• Hire a professional moving company to do the heavy lifting for you
• You can rent loading equipment to get it in and out of your truck rental if you want a DIY option
• Work with local movers or hired labor that can help you load and unload the hot tub into a moving container
• If you’re just moving your hot tub, consider companies that will move single items

Here, we’ll cover the costs associated with moving a hot tub and offer advice on how to move a hot tub yourself. You’ll find a step-by-step guide as well an insider advice if you choose to work with the professionals.

The Cost of Moving a Hot Tub

How much does it cost to move a hot tub? Well that depends on where you’re moving it. how you move it, and additional factors. In general, it costs $200 to $500 to move a hot tub on-site and over $1,000 to move it long distance. The pricing for long distance hot tub moves can vary dramatically from company to company. To get an idea of the cost to move your hot tub, get a free quote from the moving company.

If you’re trying to move your hot tub to a different location on your property — for a better view or easier filling — you’ll pay less than if you’re trying to move your hot tub across state lines using the best interstate moving companies.

The price also depends on how you choose to move your tub. A local hot tub dealer may offer discounts for new hot tubs or short moves while long distance moving companies and professional movers may charge a premium to transport your hot tub.

Obstructions and obstacles can also increase the cost of moving a hot tub. If you have to move it up and down stairs or need special equipment to access the new location, expect your prices to increase.

How to Prepare a Hot Tub to Move

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! Here’s how to plan for moving your hot tub.

1. 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 hot tubs weigh 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 have all the experience and supplies necessary to make your move a success.

You can also choose to hire hot tub movers. If you’re moving your hot tub along with the rest of your home, then you have the option of hiring a professional moving company 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 and support the weight of the tub
• A clear path from the hot tub’s location and the moving truck
• All the tools and people necessary (including tie-down straps and moving supplies)

2. 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
• 2 furniture dollies (if your route is flat)
• 1 appliance dolly (if your route requires going up on down stairs)
• Moving straps
• Moving blankets

3. 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 at least three additional people, more if you have an oversized hot tub. (Did we mention that hot tubs weight a ton?) In return for their help, you can treat them to dinner or drinks!

4. 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. You need to cut off the water supply. To start, unplug your hot tub and put away the power 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.

5. Drain the Water

Next, remove the drain cap and 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 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 moving process, use a submersible pump.

Use a towel or a wet/dry shop-vac to take care of the remaining water. While you have an empty hot tub, you might as well clean it with an all-purpose cleaner.

How to Move a Hot Tub Yourself

Alright, with all the preparations done, you’re ready for the hard part. Unless you pay 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. With this step-by-step guide, you’ll have a stress-free moving experience.

1. Use the Wooden Boards to Slide the Hot Tub

One great hot tub moving tip is to use pieces of wood to slide the hot tub. 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 gap of serval inches between the hot tub and the ground.

2. Use a Dolly To Load The Tub

Next, roll the furniture dolly or hand truck 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 house 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 loading 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 or rental truck, lay the hot tub on a flat surface or propped up on its side. It’s a good idea to place it against one of the sides of the truck. 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.

5. Reinstall the hot tub in your new home

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.

Reward Your Effort 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.