How Much Does It Cost to Move a Hot Tub?

If you are here then you’re probably planning to move your hot tub to the yard. Or maybe to a new house. Now, how much does it cost to move a hot tub? That’s probably the first question that pops up in your mind.

The cost of moving a hot tub by professional movers ranges from 200 to 400 USD. When you take into account additional costs added due to variables like elevation, distance, labor cost, the city you live in, all can bring these costs upwards of $1000 very fast.

There are lots of things to consider when it comes to moving a hot tub. Through this article, I will do my best to explain the costs that are involved with moving a hot tub, methods to choose the right movers for hot tub relocation. Here are all the things that you need to know.

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Costs of Moving A Hot Tub

The cost of moving a hot tub depends on several variables like the size of the tub, whether you are moving your hot tub. The cost will further increase if special equipment like forklifts or cranes is required in the hot tub moving process. Some companies also charge on a per-hour basis. The national average rates for moving a hot tub is given below:

National average moving cost100 USD/Hour
High-end moving service cost            179 USD/Hour
Low-end moving service cost60 USD/Hour

MOVING HOT TUB ON SITE

The main variable that determines the cost of moving is the location. If you are moving your hot tub from one location to another inside your property, the cost will be between 200 to 400 USD. The companies might charge you some extra depending on the difficulty of the job.

Happy woman relaxing in hot tub

For example, if you want to move your hot tub from one place in your garden to another, the cost will be low. If you want to move your hot tub into awkward places, and there are heights involved, you will be charged extra. Because whenever elevation is involved in this job, special equipment like a crane, forklifts, and extra manpower will be required.

The cost also depends on where you live. For example, if you are living in cities like New York, just an on-site hot tub moving cost will be between 700 to 1000 USD. Additional charges will be applied for services like safe removal of electrical appliances, and re-connecting them at the new location. Mover companies normally charge per hour basis for these types of services.

On the other hand, the state of California has the lowest hot tub moving cost in the United States. An on-site hot tub moving cost can be as low as 200 USD which includes additional services like special equipment fees, safe removal of electrical appliances at the old location, and re-connecting them at the new location.

The difference between the pricing of hot tub moving in different states is mainly because of the difficulty of the job. In the case of New York, the moving job is extremely difficult due to high-rise buildings that require special tools and lots of manpower.

On the other hand, California’s establishments are mainly ranch homes and had more space which makes the hot tub moving job easy. The cost of labor also plays an important role in the pricing difference in different states.

Typically, an on-site job is completed within an hour. The time may increase depending on the difficulty of the job.

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MOVING HOT TUB OFF-SITE

Moving a hot tub off-site is much more difficult, and costly compared to on-site moving. There are very few mover companies that provide off-site hot tub moving services. There is no fixed price when it comes to off-site hot tub moving service. This is mainly because of the variation of the distance.

Whenever you hire a company for the off-site moving of your hot tub, the first thing they will do is to take the mileage into account.

If you are considering moving to a different state, you might need to move your hot tub along with all your belongings. For that, find a mover service that provides out-of-state moving service.

They will consider the distance, the obstacles they might face while moving your belongings along with your hot tub, and other variables. Depending on these obstacles and variables, they will determine the cost of your off-site moving.

All the variables and obstacles that are applicable for determining that charges for an on-site move are also considered for an off-site move.

Services Offered by Hot Tub Mover Companies

The hot tub moving companies are licensed and insured professionals. They offer various hot tub moving services. They are:

Hot Tub Moving Service

The hot tub mover companies offer on-site or off-site hot tub moving services. They use appropriate tools, and experienced manpower to move your hot tub quickly and safely.

But not every mover company offers off-site moving services.

Tub Placement

Along with the moving service, these companies also provide tub placement services. It requires skill and experience to place a hot tub without damaging or destroying the surrounding area.

These mover companies are equipped with all the necessary equipment to move your hot tub safely to your desired location.

Hot Tub Removals & Disposal

In case you want to get rid of the hot tub in your house, then you can contact the hot tub mover companies. They will help you with the removal and disposal of your hot tub.

How to Move A Hot Tub on Your Own?

Hot tubs are huge and weigh a lot. They also cost a lot. This is why nobody will ever recommend moving hot tubs on your own. Hiring professionals is the best and the safest way to ensure the safety of yourself and your hot tub.

But it is possible to move your hot tub by yourself with some help from your trusted friends.

To move the hot tub by yourself, the first thing you need is some proper equipment. Here is a list of equipment that you will need to move your hot tub:

  1. A couple of 4-Wheeled Furniture Dollies: These wheeled dollies will allow you to move your hot tub from one place to another with minimum effort.
  2. One Appliance Dolly: The appliance dolly will help you to steer the hot tub to your desired location.
  3. 4×4 Wood Pieces: These wood pieces will mainly be used as ramps to help with loading and unloading the hot tub into the truck.
  4. Moving Straps: Moving straps will hold the hot tub in place while moving to prevent any accidental damage.

You can get all of them from any hardware store. Many hot tub mover companies hire them out too.

Once you have all the equipment you need, you can now go ahead to move the hot tub to your desired location. Just use the following steps:

Step 1: Ensure that you have all the necessary equipment.

This is the most important step. Ensure that you have all the equipment mentioned in the list above. Missing a single one from that list can cause damage to your hot tub and yourself.

Step 2: Get a Rental Truck.

This step is not required if you are relocating your hot tub on site. However, if you are moving your hot tub off-site, you will need a rental truck that has enough space for your hot tub.

Step 3: Get Enough Manpower.

Hot tubs weigh a lot and need serious strength to lift it. Get at least 4 people to help you with the heavy lifting. Never try to move your hot tub all by yourself- I repeat, Never. You can seriously hurt yourself.

Step 4: Check the Surrounding and Plan the Route.

Scout your surroundings carefully to plan how you are going to move your hot tub. Do you need to go up or down some stairs?  Do you need to go through some tight corners in your property?

Create a plan accordingly so that you don’t damage anything while moving your hot tub.

Step 5: Use the Wood Pieces to Move the Hot Tub Smoothly.

Lift the hot tub onto the 4×4 wood piece with the help of your friends. This will help you to move the hot tub easily and to put your furniture dollies under the hot tub.

Step 6: Use the Furniture and Appliance Dollies to Move the Hot Tub.

Putting the furniture dollies under the hot tub will allow you to easily slide them to the truck. Once you put your dollies under your hot tub, secure them with moving straps.

This will ensure that the dollies will not roll off. Use the appliance dolly to steer. For additional safety, keep at least one person at the front and one at the back of the hot tub while moving.

Step 7: Roll Your Hot Tub to the Truck’s Loading Ramp.

Roll the hot tub carefully to the truck. Once the hot tub is on the truck, use moving straps to secure it so that it doesn’t move while driving the truck.

Keep the dollies under the hot tub to easily move them from the truck once you have reached your destination.

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Get Instant access to our easy-to-use book and video course to help you take care of your hot tub so you can spend less time cleaning and more time soaking.

Covering everything from water chemistry, to cleaning, to troubleshooting. We also show you how to create a simple schedule for water testing, filter maintenance, and cover cleaning.

How To Move a Hot Tub On Grass?

Hot tubs weigh a lot. So, they need a firm and strong foundation. Putting a hot tub on grass or on the ground is not recommended as grass or the ground is not suitable to support the huge amount of weight of the hot tub.

However, you can put inflatable hot tubs temporarily just on the grass. To put your hot tub outside, you need to prepare the site for your hot tub.

SITE PREPARATION

The first step for putting a hot tub outside is to build a solid foundation. There are many types of foundations like concrete foundations, wooden deck foundations, and hot tub pads.

  • Concrete Foundation: A concrete foundation is the best for its strength. In the case of a concrete foundation, the concrete has to be at least 6 inches thick. The concrete slab needs to be reinforced with steel. Building a concrete slab is not very expensive.
  • Wooden Deck: Wooden deck is also a good alternative to the concrete slab. A concrete slab is not glamorous but a wooden deck will blend in with the surrounding perfectly and provide great support to your hot tub. However, good quality wooden decks cost way more compared to concrete slabs.
  • Hot Tub Pads: These are artificially made tiles that became popular in recent years. These tiles are made from high-density polyethylene and have interlocking hooks. You can buy some of these hot tub pads, use the interlocking hooks to connect them firmly, and place them on your hot tub placement site. They offer excellent support to your hot tub and cost less than a concrete slab or wooden decks.

Once you have chosen a foundation suitable for your hot tub, all you need is to move your hot tub and place it here. I will always recommend getting professional help while you are moving your hot tub.

But if you decide to move your hot tub on your own, just follow the steps mentioned above. By following these steps, you should be able to move your hot tub without causing any sort of damage.

Should You Move A Hot Tub by Yourself?

Hot tubs are huge in size and weigh a lot. This is why it is extremely difficult to move a hot tub. Especially if you try to do it yourself with the help of your friends.

By attempting to DIY to move your hot tub, you are not only putting yourself at risk but also those who are helping you.

On top of that, you can also damage your hot tub and the surroundings while moving your hot tub. All it needs is a single step to go wrong. Therefore, no matter what the cost, hiring professional movers is the best and safest way to move your hot tub.

These moving companies have experienced manpower and are equipped with the necessary tools to handle any situation. No matter how difficult the job is, they always come prepared.

So, hiring professionals to move your hot tub is the best way to make sure that the job will be done safely, correctly, and with minimum to no damage to your house or your hot tub.

What Happens If Movers Damage Your Hot Tub?

Accidents happen, no matter how many safety measures you take. This is true for any case. When movers are moving your hot tub, you might be worried about the tub getting damaged during transit. It is possible. However, you don’t need to worry at all.

All licensed moving companies are required by law to carry insurance that will at least cover a portion of your possessions in case of any damage.  Some companies offer insurance that covers the full price of your damaged properties.

Similar insurance policies are also available in case you move your hot tub through a dealership. They are liable to compensate for causing any damage to your hot tub during transit.

So, before you hire movers, inquire about their insurance policies. You should take some pictures of your hot tub to document its condition of it before moving to another location.

This will help you a lot to access the full protection of this insurance in case of any accidents.

How to Choose the Right Hot Tub Mover Service?

You can use the following steps which can help you to hire the right hot tub movers who can get the job done perfectly:

Fix your Budget: The first step is to fix how much you want to spend on moving your hot tub. Knowing your budget will help you determine whether you should hire high-end movers or low-end movers.

Compare Between Multiple Moving Companies: Not all companies follow the same policies. Therefore, you should compare multiple moving companies whether they have all the equipment and vehicles required to get your job done safely and correctly.

You should also inquire about their insurance policies. By working these out, you will get an idea about which company you should hire.

Check Client Reviews: Another best way to know about the capability of a moving company is to read the clients’ reviews. Hot tubs are very expensive .

So, you should hire a moving company that is capable of completing the job without any hiccups. 

Tips for Saving Money on Moving Hot Tubs

Many hot tub moving companies change per hour basis for their services. You can do some simple things that don’t require crazy skills to save some money on the cost of moving your hot tub:

Drain the Hot Tub: Turn off all hot tub appliances, drain the hot tub, and clean it before the movers arrive. They will charge extra for this type of work. So, you can save some cash here.

Remove and Pack Some Hot Tub Accessories Yourself: Remove hot tub accessories like pumps, heaters, electric units, plumbing, and other accessories. Removing these accessories doesn’t require crazy skills.

Pack these removed accessories and label them appropriately. You can also take pictures of these accessories before removing them. These pictures can help you with reassembling them correctly.

Final Thoughts on How Much Does It Cost to Move a Hot Tub

Choosing to place your hot tub isn’t something that can be done on a whim, it is a process and requires forethought and proper preparation.

Manually this job is brutal and may need electrical and other needs if not thought out ahead of time, then you add in the cost of movers and professionals and it can quickly get out of hand.

Keep Your Hot Tub Clean and Clear All Year Long!

Get Instant access to our easy-to-use book and video course to help you take care of your hot tub so you can spend less time cleaning and more time soaking.

Covering everything from water chemistry, to cleaning, to troubleshooting. We also show you how to create a simple schedule for water testing, filter maintenance, and cover cleaning.

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