How to Move a Hot Tub

Co-authored by Sina Kamran

Last Updated: December 28, 2022

Hot tubs are difficult to move, so you’ll need the right equipment and plenty of manpower. Recruit at least four helpers and rent a truck, furniture dollies, and moving straps and blankets. If you have to deal with stairs, use an appliance dolly with straps instead of furniture dollies. Disconnect and drain the tub, lift it onto the dollies, then slowly roll it to the truck. Strap it to the truck’s inside wall, drive to the new location, then unload and reinstall your tub. After the move, throw a hot tub party for your helpers to thank them for their hard work.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Assembling Equipment and Manpower

1
Recruit at least 4 helpers. A large acrylic hot tub can weigh upwards of 1,000 pounds (450 kg), so you’ll need plenty of able-bodied helpers. Ideally, you’ll have 4 people lift the hot tub, and another person slide dollies under its base and help guide it.^{[1]
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- It's essential to have enough hands on deck. If you don't have enough helpers or the right equipment, you should hire professionals.
- You (or a helper) should also have basic knowledge about how to drain and disconnect your tub.
- A hot tub party can be a great incentive, so invite your helpers to one after you reinstall the tub.
2
Rent a truck large enough to hold the hot tub. You’ll need a truck if you’re moving the tub to a location other than elsewhere in your home. Measure your hot tub, then rent a moving truck that can accommodate it. Look for local rental companies or rent one from a local home improvement store.^{[2]
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- Go for a moving truck with a ramp, as you won’t want to have to lift the tub high off the ground.
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3
Make sure you have moving straps and blankets. If you don’t have them already, rent straps and blankets from your truck rental company.^{[3]
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Research source} You’ll need at least 2 or 3 large blankets to cover the tub and at least 4 straps to secure to the truck’s inside wall.
4
Get a pair of 4 wheel furniture dollies. Furniture dollies are platforms with 4 wheels and a non-slip top. Ask your truck rental company if they have dollies available to rent, or purchase a pair from your local home improvement store.^{[4]
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5
Rent an appliance dolly if you have to deal with stairs. Furniture dollies are great for flat surfaces, but can’t go up and down stairs. Instead, you’ll need an appliance dolly (also known as a hand truck), which you can rent from your truck rental company or a local home improvement store.^{[5]
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Get 4x4 lumber boards from a home improvement store. You can rest the hot tub on 4 lumber boards when you slide dollies under it and when you unload it. They'll make it easier to center the dollies and help ensure no one gets their fingers squashed during unloading.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Draining and Disconnecting Your Hot Tub

1
Disconnect the tub from the electrical outlet. After unplugging the hot tub, coil the power cord. If your tub has a storage compartment for the cord, open it and place the cord inside. If the cord detaches from the tub, disconnect it and store it in a safe place until you unload the tub at the new location.^{[7]
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2
Open the drain access panel and attach a hose to the spout. For many models, you’ll use a Phillips head screwdriver to open the access panel. After opening the panel, you should find a drainage spout. Thread a garden hose onto the spout, then place the other end of the hose where you want the water to drain.^{[8]
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- Drain the water into the street or a gutter instead of your lawn or garden. Your plants won’t like chlorinated water.
- Drainage procedures vary by model, so double check your owner’s manual.
3
Open the valve and drain the water. Turn the valve and wait for the water to drain, which can take at least 30 minutes. After draining the water, dry the tub thoroughly with a towel. Once you’ve drained and dried the tub, remove the hose and close the access panel.^{[9]
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- Replace the access panel’s screws so you don’t lose them during the moving process.
4
Remove the cover. If your hot tub has a removable cover, take it off and transport it separately. There’s a good chance it’ll get damaged if you leave it on during the move.^{[10]
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- Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions about removing your hot tub’s cover. You’ll likely need to unscrew its hinges, so be sure to keep the screws in a safe place until you reinstall it.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Loading the Hot Tub onto a Truck

1
Use furniture dollies to move the tub over flat surfaces. With helpers at each corner, lift the tub off the ground high enough to slide the 4x4 boards under the tub. Then slide furniture dollies at the tub's front and back sides. Make sure the dollies are centered at both ends, then slide the boards out to lower the tub so its base sits flat on the dollies. If your dollies have straps, secure them to the hot tub.^{[11]
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- Slowly push the tub to the moving truck, and keep an eye on the dollies to make sure they don’t slide out of position.
2
Use an appliance dolly if you have to deal with stairs. You’ll need at least 2 or 3 people to lift the tub onto its side. Lift and push up the side opposite the one that will rest on the ground. Have 2 people on the other side to guide the tub and ensure it doesn’t tip over. Once the tub is on its side, slide the appliance dolly under it so the base of the tub faces the dolly.^{[12]
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- Make sure the side that rests on the ground doesn’t have any access or control panels. The weight of the tub might damage them.
- Wrap the dolly’s straps around the tub and make sure they’re secured tightly. Then carefully lift the tub and dolly backward to put the weight of the load onto the dolly’s wheels.
- Have at least 2 people guide the dolly from the front and 2 from the back. Go up or down stairs one step at a time, and make sure everyone is ready for the next step before proceeding.
3
Roll the tub up the truck’s ramp. Lower the moving truck’s ramp, then line up the wheels of your furniture or appliance dolly with the ramp. As you roll the tub up the ramp slowly and steadily, make sure it stays balanced. Have 2 people on either side to make sure it doesn’t tip.^{[13]
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- If you’re using an appliance dolly, you’ll have to pull the dolly up the ramp backwards, or so the side of the dolly with the handle goes up the ramp first. Have 2 people pull from the handle side and 2 to 3 people push from the other side of the tub.^{[14]
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4
Tie the tub to the inside of the truck. Cover the tub with moving blankets, and push it so it’s flush with the inside wall of the truck. Tie it securely with moving straps so it doesn’t jostle around and get damaged during transport. You’re now ready to head to your new location—drive safely!^{[15]
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- If you’re using furniture dollies, leave them in place under the tub. The weight of the tied-down tub will keep them in place.
- If you’re using an appliance dolly, you can keep it strapped to the tub, but you should take precautions to prevent it from damaging the tub during transport. Slide a blanket between the appliance dolly and the tub, then wrap moving straps around the dolly and tub to secure both to the inside of the truck.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Unloading the Hot Tub

1
Unstrap the tub and remove the moving blankets. It might seem like you should cover the tub with blankets throughout the entire moving process, but you’re better off using them only when the tub is inside the truck. Even if they’re taped or tied around the tub, moving blankets are slippery, and you wouldn’t want someone to lose their grip. Just be careful and proceed slowly if you have to navigate tight spaces.
2
Roll the tub down the ramp. After removing the moving straps and blankets, move the tub to the edge of the truck and line the dollies’ wheels up with the ramp. Slowly roll the tub down the ramp, and make sure it doesn’t start to tip to one side or the other. Have 2 people guide the tub from either side to keep it balanced.
3
Maneuver the tub to its new location. Make your way to the tub’s destination slowly and carefully. Make sure gates, doors, and other obstacles are opened or out of the way before you start to roll the tub into position.^{[16]
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4
Go up or down stairs 1 step at a time, if necessary. If you have to deal with stairs at the new location, position 2 people in front of the tub and have 2 others manage the dolly's handle. To go up, pull the appliance dolly so the handle side goes up the stairwell first. When going down, the side of the dolly with the hot tub should go down the stairwell first.^{[17]
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- Take it 1 step at a time, and make sure everyone is ready for the next step before moving.
5
Remove the dollies. Set up the 4x4 boards where you want to place the tub. If you're using furniture dollies, lift the tub from the corners, have someone quickly slide them out from under the tub, then lower the tub onto the boards. If you’re using an appliance dolly, unstrap it, slide it out from under the tub, then carefully lower the tub’s base onto the boards.^{[18]
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- You can then lift the tub from its sides and slide out the boards. The boards will help ensure no one gets their fingers caught when you lower the tub to the ground.
6
Reinstall the tub. Give your team a pat on the back—you’re now ready to reinstall the tub! Clean it, fill it with water, add sanitizing chemicals, and connect it to electricity.

Expert Q&A

Question

How heavy is an empty hot tub?

Sina Kamran
Hardscape Specialist
Sina Kamran is a Hardscaping Specialist and the Owner of Design Scapes, Inc. in Santa Monica, California. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in customized, site-specific hardscaping and landscaping design/build projects. He's a certified National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) designer, a certified installer with the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), and a Rain Bird Certified Irrigation Professional. Additionally, Design Scapes, Inc. has many 5-star rated reviews.

Sina Kamran

Hardscape Specialist

Expert Answer

A small- or medium-sized spa can be picked up by a crew of 4-6 people and moved with dollies to a trailer or truck. Larger hot tubs are best moved with a crane.