Key Takeaways

• Most hot tubs weigh between 500 and 1,200 pounds empty, and moving one safely requires at least four people—never attempt this alone or with fewer helpers.
• Hiring professional hot tub movers is often the wisest choice, particularly when stairs, tight corners, steep slopes, or crane lifts are involved.
• DIY equipment rental and truck costs typically range from $250 to $600, while professional moves usually cost $400 to $1,200 for local relocations.
• Safe hot tub moving demands complete drainage, power disconnection at the breaker, proper equipment like dollies and spa sleds, and a carefully pre-planned route.
• This guide walks you through every stage: deciding whether to move your spa, preparing it for transport, executing moving day, loading and unloading, and completing post-move setup.

There’s something deeply personal about a hot tub. It’s where conversations happen under the stars, where tired muscles find relief after a long day, and where quiet moments become meaningful memories. So when life takes you to a new home, leaving your spa behind can feel like abandoning a piece of your daily sanctuary.

The good news? You don’t have to. With the right tools, enough helpers, and a solid plan, you can transport your spa to its new location and continue enjoying those restorative moments. This guide covers everything you need to know—from deciding whether moving makes sense, to the final safety checks after your tub is settled in your new back yard. Should You Move Your Hot Tub or Leave It?

Before you touch a wrench or flip a breaker, take a moment to honestly assess whether moving your spa makes sense. Not every tub deserves the effort and expense of relocation.

Here’s how to think through your options for a typical 2018–2024 hot tub:

If the tub is over 10 years old, has frequent leaks, or needs major repairs, leaving it in place may be best—this can add $5,000 to $15,000 to home appeal in suburban markets like Denver, Atlanta, or Seattle. Selling the tub makes sense when buyers don’t want it or if it’s a mid-range model 8 years or older, with realistic resale values between $500 and $3,000 depending on brand, age, and condition through platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Moving the tub is worthwhile for newer spas under 7 years old, especially high-end or saltwater models, as investing in quality brands like Hot Spring, Jacuzzi, Bullfrog, or Caldera can preserve value and performance.

Consider leaving the spa in place if it’s over 10–12 years old, experiences frequent leaks, or needs a new cover, circulation pump, and control pack. The cost of moving plus repairs may exceed the tub’s value.

Moving is most worthwhile for newer, high-end, or saltwater spas where replacement costs run $8,000 to $20,000 or more.

Important: Some manufacturers void warranties if owners move the tub themselves. Before making your decision, check your warranty paperwork or contact your dealer. This single step can save money and headaches down the road.

Tools, Equipment, and Helpers You’ll Need

Proper equipment and enough helpers aren’t optional—they’re the foundation of a safe move. Cutting corners here leads to personal injury, potential damage to your spa, and the kind of hard work that becomes a nightmare.

Core Moving Gear

• At least one heavy-duty 4-wheel furniture dolly rated for 1,000+ pounds (24-inch wide platform preferred)
• Spa sled or large appliance dolly if available
• 4–6 moving blankets (heavy quilted, approximately 72x80 inches each)
• Two 4x4 lumber boards, 6–8 feet long
• Lifting straps (2–4 inches wide, 2,000-pound tensile strength)
• Ratchet straps for securing the load in the truck
• Truck ramp with non-slip surface
• Sheet of 3/4-inch plywood to bridge soft ground or small steps

Drainage Equipment

• Submersible pump (drastically speeds up draining)
• Standard garden hose
• Wet/dry vacuum for remaining water
• Towels for final moisture removal

Safety Gear

• Work gloves with good grip
• Closed-toe shoes (steel-toe preferred)
• Eye protection
• Back braces if available

The Most Important Equipment: People

You need at least four people for a standard 7’ x 7’ tub. For larger 8’ x 8’ models weighing 800–1,000 pounds, six strong adults is safer. Moving a hot tub alone is dangerous—don’t attempt it, and don’t let friends or family convince you otherwise.

Equipment rental from home improvement stores typically costs $150–$400 for a day or weekend. This investment in the right tools helps you avoid injury and protect your spa.

Plan the Route and Measure Everything

A few minutes of careful planning prevents the frustrating scenario of getting stuck mid-move with a tub that won’t fit through a gate. This is where many DIY attempts fail—not from lack of strength, but from lack of preparation.

Measure Your Spa

Grab a tape measure and record:

• Length and width (including cabinet lips)
• Height
• Location of control panels and equipment bay

Most square hot tubs measure 84–96 inches (7–8 feet) per side and stand 36–42 inches tall.

Measure Your Route

Walk the entire path from current location to driveway or street, measuring:

• All doorways and gates (aim for 1–2 inches clearance on each side minimum)
• Narrow passages between structures
• Any turns that require maneuvering

A standard 48-inch gate provides minimal clearance for many spas. You may need to remove gate posts or find an alternate route.

Identify Obstacles

Common challenges include:

• Deck railings that need temporary removal
• Low hanging branches requiring trimming
• AC units, stone garden beds, or water features in the path
• Sloped lawns (keep slopes under 5% to prevent dolly runaway)
• Irrigation lines or PVC pipe that could crack under weight
• Uneven ground that requires plywood bridging

For tight spaces common in 1990s–2000s subdivision back yards, a crane or boom truck may be the only option to lift the tub over the house or garage.

Document Your Plan

• Take photos or a short video of the route
• Sketch a simple diagram showing turns, slopes, and stairs
• Review with all helpers before moving day
• Check HOA rules or city permits if crossing sidewalks or needing street parking for a moving truck

Finding the best route before you start rolling saves enormous frustration when you’re exhausted and holding 600 pounds of spa.

Step-by-Step: How to Move a Hot Tub Safely

Now for the heart of the matter. This chronological guide walks you through each stage, from prep day to final placement. We’ll use a common scenario: a standard 7’ x 7’ acrylic spa holding 400 gallons, located on a suburban backyard deck with one 3-step stair, being loaded into a 16-foot moving truck.

At certain points, you’ll see recommendations to consider hiring professionals. These aren’t upsells—they’re honest assessments of where DIY moves commonly fail.

Step 1: Shut Off Power and Disconnect Safely

This step is non-negotiable. Electricity and water create a potentially lethal combination, and power must be completely off before you do anything else.

1. Locate your breaker panel and switch off the hot tub breaker—typically a 240V double-pole breaker labeled “Spa” or “Hot Tub”
2. Find the external disconnect (GFCI service disconnect box) if present. Older tubs (pre-2010) and many current models have this mounted within sight of the spa. Switch it off as well.
3. Verify power is off by checking the control panel display and attempting to activate jets. You should see no lights and hear no pump activity.
4. Disconnect the power whip (optional for those comfortable with electrical work): Open the equipment access panel and disconnect the power cord, noting where each wire was attached.

If you’re uncomfortable with 240V electrical work, hire a licensed electrician. Service calls typically run $150–$300 in most U.S. cities—a small price for safety and doing the job right.

Correct disconnection protects expensive components like control boards, heaters, and circulation pumps from accidental short circuits during the move.

Step 2: Drain the Hot Tub Completely

Draining removes hundreds of pounds of weight and prevents messy water sloshing in your truck. Every gallon weighs about 8 pounds, so a 400-gallon tub holds over 3,200 pounds of water when full.

Draining Process:

1. Locate the drain valve (usually at the base of the cabinet, behind an access panel)
2. Connect a garden hose to direct water to an appropriate drainage area (lawn, driveway, or sewer cleanout)
3. Open the valve and let gravity work

Before draining begins, briefly run the jets with the air valves open. This pushes water from pipes into the main shell for easier removal.

Final Steps:

• Use towels or a wet/dry vacuum to remove remaining water from the footwell, seats, and filter compartment
• Pay attention to low spots where water pools
• Allow time for trapped moisture to drip from jets and plumbing

Environmental Note: Follow local regulations for discharging chlorinated water. Many municipalities require dechlorinating before disposal and prohibit draining to storm drains. Check your local rules to avoid fines.

Step 3: Remove Accessories and Loose Components

Every pound removed makes the move easier and reduces weight significantly. Stripping accessories also prevents damage during transport.

Items to Remove:

• Hot tub cover (often weighs 50–100 pounds—transport separately to prevent warping)
• Cover lifter (models from 2010–2024 often use hinges and brackets that bend easily in transit)
• Steps and handrails
• Side tables and cup holders
• Headrests
• Filters
• Any clip-on lighting accessories

Organization Tips:

• Store small parts (screws, brackets, clips) in labeled plastic bags
• Tape bags inside the cover or place in a clearly marked box
• Photograph how components were attached for easier reinstallation

Once stripped, wipe down the empty shell to remove grit and debris. Even small particles can scratch acrylic surfaces when moving blankets press against them.

Step 4: Protect the Hot Tub Shell and Cabinet

The spa’s acrylic or thermoplastic shell and synthetic cabinet panels can crack or scratch during transport. Proper protection now prevents expensive repairs later.

Wrapping Process:

1. Wrap corners and outer sides with moving blankets
2. Secure blankets loosely with straps or tape (avoid sticky tape directly on acrylic surfaces)
3. Pay extra attention to the equipment bay side—pumps, heaters, and control panels are the most expensive components to repair or replace
4. Leave the bottom partially unwrapped so helpers can see their footing and spot any hoses or wires

Pro Tip: Use blankets or furniture pads between any hard surfaces that might contact each other during transport. The shell is surprisingly vulnerable to impact damage.

Step 5: Lift and Position the Hot Tub onto Dollies or a Spa Sled

This is the most physically demanding step and where injuries most commonly occur. Don’t rush it.

Setup:

1. Gather at least four people (six for larger tubs)
2. Designate one person as the “captain” who calls out all movements
3. Position everyone evenly around the tub

Lifting Technique:

1. Using coordinated effort, lift one side a few inches
2. Slide a 4x4 board underneath to create leverage and room for equipment
3. If tilting onto one side is necessary, ensure the tub rests on the side opposite the equipment compartment—crushing pumps and heaters is an expensive mistake
4. Carefully slide the furniture dolly or spa sled under the tub’s center to distribute weight evenly

Critical Safety Points:

• Lift with your legs, keeping backs straight
• Move in unison on a count: “1-2-3 lift”
• If the tub feels unstable or anyone feels unsafe, set it down immediately
• Never put hands or feet under the tub

If you have tight spaces, steep slopes, or multiple staircases, this is the point where hiring professionals makes the most sense. The risk-to-savings ratio shifts dramatically when terrain gets difficult.