When you purchased that hot tub, you never considered what might happen if you needed to move it to a different spot. It’s large, heavy, unwieldy, and has so many little parts that you don’t want to break — is it a job for five of your strongest friends, or should you hire movers to do the job? We’ll provide a little insight into what you might consider before you start dialing your friends. Then? If you decide to go that route, we’ll give you step by step instructions on how to move a hot tub. If you dare.
DIY vs Professional Movers
It may be cheaper to move the hot tub yourself, but there are some other factors involved that hopefully won’t, but could, become additional costs and casualties of a move gone wrong. Moving a hot tub is hard work, meaning you’re at risk for personal injury as well as an injury for those who you ask for help. Is it worth a week on the couch with a back injury?
Second, the hot tub is also at risk for injury. If something should go wrong and the whole thing topples, you could risk puncturing the water-tight seal, damaging a jet or heating element, or something more serious. Even worse? Put the two risk possibilities together, and you have a recipe for disaster. Moving heavy items is no laughing matter.
Professional movers have the specialized equipment and technique to handle the move smoothly and are insured just in case something does go wrong. Need we say more?
You’re All About the DIY
So you’ve decided to move the beast yourself. Luckily, we’ve laid out the best ways to move a hot tub, on your own. You’ll need two furniture dollies, two 2×4” pieces of wood, and strapping.
- Drain the hot tub completely, including all hoses and pipes.
- Remove and pack all accessories and parts separately. Things like the heater, electrical units, pumps, plumbing, or other motors can usually be removed to prevent being bumped around. Be sure to label where they go, or take photos for reassembly.
- With the help of some loyal friends, turn the tub on its side as long as its geometry permits. It is best to move a hot tub on its side, rather than try to deal with such a large width item.
- Lift one end of the tub off the ground just high enough to slide a 2×4” piece of wood underneath that is long enough to span the width of the tub’s side. Do the same for the other end, so the hot tub is resting on two 2×4’s and is a few inches off the ground to make space for a dolly.
- Slide one furniture dolly between the two pieces of wood on one side, and then the other facing the first dolly. The two dollies will now support the weight of the tub, and the wood can be removed.
- Securely strap the tub to the dollies to prevent it from sliding one direction or the other. This will make transport much easier!
- Slowly and carefully roll your hot tub to its new place. Tip: chart your course ahead of time and remove any obstacles that might impede progress!
If all this sounds too complicated and difficult, hire a team of full-service movers who will arrive with their hot tub dolly and have it relocated in no time. Moving other things too? Have a look at our tips to help with planning your move ahead of time!
