How to Move a Hot Tub

Need to move a hot tub?

If you have a hot tub, make sure to tell your moving company about it.  Hot tubs can be a hefty “hidden cost”.  If you don’t have a moving company, then get ready to do the heavy lifting yourself.

Well, yourself and two others, and the following: a dolly, two 2x4s, some rope/bungee cords.

How to Move a Hot Tub on Your Own

Because of their weight, size, and price-tag, hot tubs are one of the more difficult things to move.  However, if you have some helping hands (preferably 3-4 people, though it’s possible with 2), then you can handle it quite easily.

1. Drain the hot tub, obviously
2. Separate removable parts – like the heater, pumps and plugs.  Wrap and box the more fragile parts.
3. Place 2x4s – put them parallel to each other just next to the hot tup.  Space them just lest than the height of the hot tub. So, if the hot tub is 3 ft, space the 2x4s about 2.5 ft apart.
4. Tip the tub – put it on its side so that its side is resting on the 2x4s.
5. Switch dolly for 2x4s – either slide the dolly under the 2x4s (if possible), or slide the hot tub off the 2x4s onto the dolly.
6. Strap – tie the hot tub to the dolly.
7. Wheel – carefully wheel the dolly to where you need to go.  If you need to get the hot tub into a moving truck, make sure there is a ramp available.