Before getting deep into this blog, let us address an important question: Can you move a hot tub yourself without help? 

Here is the answer: you can certainly move a hot tub without the help of a professional moving company, but when we say “yourself,” we by no means describe it as a job that can be done solely by an individual person. 

Moving a hot tub is not a simple task—it’s heavy and awkward, and you just ask for trouble if you try to move it yourself.

That’s why hiring professional movers is a wise choice.

They know exactly how to handle the job without causing damage or unnecessary stress.

Yes, it might cost a bit more, but think of it as an investment in keeping your hot tub—and your sanity—intact. 

Depending on the size, even an empty hot tub can weigh from 500 pounds to 1000 pounds, but if you don’t have a budget to hire a professional moving company, gather around 5-6 abled-bodied friends or family to help you move the bathtub, but be careful as lifting a heavy item like this can cause you severe injury. 

Things To Do Before Moving a Hot Tub

Before you jump into moving your hot tub, take a moment to plan it out carefully—don’t just get in without proper planning! A little prep now can save you from a whole lot of headaches (and backaches) later.

Measure Twice- Not Less Than That

Heard about the famous carpenter’s rule? Measure twice and cut once.

Follow that rule here. Measure your hot tub, any gates or pathways, and truck entrances to ensure it fits through them.

Then, measure it again to be sure. If you cannot measure your tub due to time constraints or your busy schedule, do not forget to check the manufacturer’s specifications for dimensions. 

In addition to taking the measurements, make sure to take weight or at least (have an estimated weight of the hot tub when it’s unfilled.

Size and Capacity

Below given is the table of approximate weight for each size of the tub. These are rough estimates so be sure to check your specific hot tub models for specific weights. 

Size of tub Empty Weight Water Filled Weight
Small (1-3 people) 400-500 pounds 3000-3400 pounds
Medium (4 people) 600-700 pounds 4000-4500 pounds
Large (6 people) 900-1000 pounds 5500-6000 pounds

Choosing between DIY or Hiring Professional Movers

Planning to choose between DIY vs hiring a moving company?

Here are a few things you would like to take into consideration when making a decision between these two:

DIY Moving

Thinking about how to move a hot tub yourself? Hot tubs are heavy and delicate, which makes them difficult to move without proper preparation.

Successfully relocating a jacuzzi requires thoughtful planning, physical strength, and the right moving equipment.

Typically, you’ll need a team of 4–5 capable individuals to handle the job.

If you’re on a tight budget or have strong and reliable friends willing to help, a DIY move might be a practical and cost-effective option.

However, ensure everyone who is involved in the moving process understands the effort required to manage the process safely.

Professional Moving Company

You must have paid a fortune to buy that mini home spa in your home, and the thought of not taking it with you wouldn’t even have crossed your mind. 

Hiring a professional moving company is a wise decision when it comes to moving a jacuzzi; not only would your back and knees thank you later, but the moving professionals would safely move your hot tub as they have the right moving equipment and are trained to handle heavy and delicate items.

They can navigate tight spaces, stairs, or long distances without damaging your jacuzzi or injuring themselves. 

You can call a few moving companies or search “hot tub moving companies near me” and have them visit your home to inspect the hot tub and get an accurate moving quote. 

Now, you must be wondering about the approximate cost of hiring professional movers. So here is an (approximate) breakdown if you are planning to hire a professional moving company. 

  1. Moving a 500-pound hot tub with professionals typically costs around $700.
  2. Moving companies generally charge about $139 per hour for two movers and a truck.
  3. Additional movers usually cost $60 per hour each. For most hot tubs, 4–5 movers are recommended.

So, with this estimate, you can calculate if hiring a professional moving company can fall within your budget. 

Prepare The Final Location

The easiest way to move a hot tub is to prepare the final location before hauling it there to avoid any unwanted surprises.

Ensure the area is clear and there are no obstructions in the pathways. 

If you are doing a DIY move and transporting the hot tub in a rental truck, ensure the truck is large enough to hold the jacuzzi.

Your truck should also have a loading ramp to make the move seamless. 

 Tools You Will Need To Move a Hot Tub

  • Garden Hose: Get a garden hose for draining water out of the hot tub
  • Measuring Tape: Measuring tape is used to measure the size of the bathtub for a seamless move. 
  • Furniture Dollies: Specialized furniture dollies can bear the weight of your jacuzzi and make it easier to navigate through tight spaces. They are equipped with heavy-duty wheels to make it suitable for different terrains. 
  • Ratchet Tie-Down Straps: Whether you’re safely securing your hot tub on trucks or holding it on a furniture dolly. Ratchet Tie-Down straps prevent them from shifting during transit.
  • Plywood Sheets: Plywood sheets can create a smooth and plain path for moving a hot tub, especially in areas like grass that have uneven surfaces.
  • Moving Blankets: To protect the exterior of the hot tub from scratches and dents, you can wrap it in furniture pads or moving blankets. 
  • Power Tools: You may need tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and drills to disconnect any electrical and plumbing connections from the hot tub. Make sure you have the required tools for your specific model and that you are qualified to do this work. If not, then you can always hire a professional plumber. 
  • Gloves and Protective Gear: If you are planning a DIY move, then ensure you have the right safety equipment, including gloves, sturdy boots, and safety glasses to avoid injuries. Wear knee pads and back braces to minimize the strain on your body. 
  • Abled-Bodied People: You will need around 4-5 abled-bodied and strong people to move a hot tub if you are planning a DIY move. If you are unsure about moving it, then hiring professionals is a safer option, as they will help you plan the move seamlessly without causing any damage. 
  • Cleaning Essentials: Post-move, you’ll need to clean your hot tub before reinstalling it again. You should have cleaning essentials like sponges and mild cleaners ready. 

How to Move a Jacuzzi (Without Breaking Your Back): 10 Easy Steps

  • Disconnect the Hot Tub

Before you start the moving process, disconnect the Hot Tub from its electrical source. Once it’s unplugged, wrap it neatly, using some cord ties if you have them, and then place it in a bag or box safely.

  • Drain The Hot Tub Completely

To drain the water from the Hot Tub completely, you need to attach the garden hose to the drain valve (located at the bottom). Place the other end of the hose in a level area of your yard that’s at least 10 to 15 feet away from your area. 

See if you can dump water out in the street drain to prevent flooding your yard. Once you’re done with the main drainage, you can use a wet vacuum cleaner to clean any remaining standing water.

Once you drain the water, close the drainage valve. Try draining it on a sunny day so your jacuzzi can dry before the moving day. 

  • Make Sure Your Hot Tub is Clean and Dry

It’s very rare when we see the hot tub empty, so after all the water is drained, you can clean it thoroughly. You don’t have to scrub it hard; rather, clean it delicately so that you don’t cause scrapes, scratches, or dents on the shell of your jacuzzi. 

You can use a soft microfiber cloth to clean the surface of the tub. If you’ve finally got an empty jacuzzi, make sure to clean every nook and corner of the tub.

It is said that if water is left in the pipes and equipment of your hot tub, it can grow bacteria, which is difficult to remove. Additionally, without water, the seals and gasket can become dry and begin to leak. Therefore, be careful that your hot tub is never left empty. 

  • Transport Your Hot Tub Cover Separately 

Hot Tub covers weigh around 50-70 pounds, so if you want to make your life simpler, transport the cover separately in the truck. They are bulky items, so you don’t have to worry about them falling off in transit. You can protect the cover by wrapping it in a moving blanket so that it doesn’t get damaged during transportation. 

  • Cover Your Hot Tub With Moving Blankets

Secure your hot tub with cushioned moving blankets over the top. The bottom should be the side of the jacuzzi with a motor, as this is the heaviest side. If you feel other parts of the Hot Tub are coming in contact with the doorways or fences, cover them, too.

Pro Tip: Use the tie-down strap to secure and ensure the moving blanket stays on it during the entire move so that there is no damage to your jacuzzi during transit. 

  • Place Wooden Planks Under The Hot Tub

Place plywood planks under the hot tub, which will create a flat and smooth surface. You should be a few inches off the ground. But you cannot do it on your own; at this point, you’ll need to take the help of 3 people (possibly four).

Start by having your friends lift one side of the hot tub while you slide the plywood underneath. If the tub is too heavy to tilt and lift by hand, use a jack for extra support. Be careful when positioning the planks to avoid scratching or damaging the sides of the hot tub. Take your time to ensure everything is done safely and smoothly.

  • Slide Dollies Underneath The Hot Tub

You can ask any professional mover about how to move a hot tub, and they’ll tell you that the furniture dollies are the most crucial part of the moving process. With the jacuzzi off the ground and stable on the wooden planks, you can now slide your furniture dollies easily and then lift and move your hot tub on the route you’ve already planned.

However, if the path is tight-spaced and narrow, you’ll need to turn the hot tub on its side safely (you can hire a professional moving company or do it yourself with a group of friends). Once your hot tub is ready to move, you can slide in the dollies on the front and back ends of the jacuzzi. It should firmly stand stable on two dollies. To ensure the hot tub doesn’t fall, secure it with moving straps. 

If you’re moving the hot tub yourself, ensure your friends or family are holding onto the hot tub on all sides. One should be at the back end, one in the front, and the other two on the sides of the jacuzzi. 

  • Time To Load The Hot Tub Into The Truck

Once you have safely secured your hot tub on the dollies, now carefully roll it toward the moving truck. You’ll need more than four people for this part—trust me!  Ensure one of them gets inside the truck to see that the hot tub is secure. 

Keep the dollies ready so that you can easily unload and roll the hot tub to its new position as soon as you reach your new home. Cover your jacuzzi with moving blankets so that there are no dents or damage to the exterior of the tub. Secure your jacuzzi with moving straps and see it is on the sides of the truck so that it doesn’t shift during transit. 

  • Unload and Set Your Jacuzzi In Your New Home

After you arrive at your new home, open the back of the truck and pull out the ramp. Make sure there are no obstructions in the pathways, and there is enough space to remove the hot tub without running into the walls or the garage doors.

Remove the tie-down straps. If you’re moving the jacuzzi yourself, have one person hold it from inside the truck while another supports it as it comes down the ramp. The other two people should be on either side, helping slow it down and keep it balanced.

When the tub is at the bottom of the ramp, lift it with some help and slide wooden planks underneath it. Then, place a furniture dolly underneath to keep it stable on the flat surface. Roll it to the spot where you want to set it up. Finally, lift the tub again and carefully remove the wooden planks one at a time so your hot tub sits securely on the ground.

  • Refill and Reconnect Your Jacuzzi

Once your jacuzzi has reached its final place, take some time to clean all the dirt that might have gotten into it during the transit and ensure that there is no damage to your tub. Refill the hot tub with water and connect it to an electrical source.

Ensure you put the spa cover on your jacuzzi when not in use to protect it from any dirt, debris, or leaves from falling inside the tub. Also, appropriate chemicals should be added to the water to stop the algae from growing.

How To Move Your Jacuzzi on Rollers

Let’s face it—moving a full-size hot tub is not a small task, and two people won’t be able to lift even a small jacuzzi for long.

But with a little teamwork, you can move it using rollers.

The roller method is similar to the dollies and plywood method.

Here are a few steps to move your jacuzzi with the help of Rollers:

  1. Clear the area, decide on your pathway, and raise the jacuzzi, just like you would do in the dolly method.
  2. Get a few logs or pipes (at least 4 inches in diameter). Want to save some money? You can use sturdy PVC pipes instead—just cut them about 2 feet longer than the hot tub.
  3. Place them in a horizontal, parallel position. With the help of some strong hands or lifting straps, lift the hot tub onto the rollers.
  4. One person can push the hot tub along with the rollers, and the other can pick the roller as it appears out of the back and reposition it at the front of the tub.

Conclusion

Moving a hot tub can be one of the most physically draining tasks, so if you feel you don’t want to burden yourself with the (headache of planning the move), we don’t blame you.

You can hire a professional moving company like Let’s Move, which is well-equipped with the right moving tools and trained to handle your jacuzzi without you having to worry about hurting your back and knees. 

This by no means implies that you cannot move your hot tub on yourself.

If you feel you don’t have the budget to hire professional movers, you can team up with your friends or family who are strong enough to move the hot tub with you.

With the above listed steps, you will be able to move your jacuzzi seamlessly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to move a hot tub in the grass

Just as you would do it in every move, lift the jacuzzi with the help of a few people.

If it’s heavy, lift it with the help of a jack, insert wooden planks underneath it, and then slide in the furniture dollies.

Do not attach your hot tub to the moving truck by ropes or chain and drag it across the yard; this will definitely not work. 

2. How much does an empty hot tub weigh?

Generally, a small (for 2-3 people) jacuzzi will typically weigh 500 pounds when empty and around 3000 pounds when filled.

If your hot tub accommodates 9-10 people, the dry weight will be around 900-1200 pounds and around 8000 when filled with water. 

3. Can you dismantle a hot tub to move it?

Most hot tubs are not designed to be dismantled easily.

It’s usually more practical to move them in one piece using the appropriate equipment and techniques.  

4. How long does a hot tub last? 

Hot Tubs are an investment, so it is natural to do everything to maintain them.

However, beyond the 10-15 year mark, there comes a point when it is not worth it to repair it any longer.