Hot tub removal means draining the tub, disconnecting its power, cutting or lifting it out, and hauling it away for disposal or to recycle the metal and parts. You can do some of that yourself, but the electrical disconnect and the weight are where people get hurt. On this page you'll find the steps, the rules for draining water in Los Angeles, and what the job tends to cost. The home page explains how the referral works: you send one enquiry and we'll pass it to a local business that quotes the job.
What does hot tub removal involve?
Removal covers four jobs: shutting off and disconnecting the power, draining the water, getting the tub out of its spot, and disposing of it. Whole tubs rarely fit through side gates or past a house corner, so many are cut into pieces first. Each business sets its own scope, so ask what the quote includes.
Most tubs are acrylic shells over a wood or steel frame, with foam, plumbing and a pump pack. The frame, jets and motor parts are often taken as scrap metal, which is the main way a hot tub gets recycled. The foam and shell usually go to a construction and demolition transfer station.
Jobs fall into two groups:
- Above-ground or portable tubs. These sit on a pad or deck and come out in one piece or a few. This is the simpler job.
- In-ground or built-in spas. These need demolition, and often a permit and concrete work. The cost is much higher.
A tub on a deck adds a step, because the deck rail or boards may need to come off for access. Tell the business about stairs, gates and tight corners up front.
Do I need an electrician to disconnect my hot tub?
In most cases, yes. Hot tubs run on a dedicated 240 volt circuit with a disconnect box, and the wiring should be shut off and made safe by someone qualified to do it. California requires a licensed contractor for work that needs a permit, uses employees, or totals $1,000 or more in labor and materials, per the California Contractors State License Board.
Switching off the breaker is the first step, but it is not the whole job. You still have to check the circuit is dead and deal with the wire that stays in the wall or conduit.
Do these before anyone arrives:
- Turn off the tub's breaker at the panel and tape it so nobody flips it back on.
- Do not cut or pull wires yourself unless you know how to test that they are dead.
- Ask the business whether the quote includes an electrician, or whether you need to book one first.
You can look up any electrician's license on the state board's site before you hire.
How do I get water out of my hot tub in Los Angeles?
Let the sanitizer break down first, then drain. Common guidance in Los Angeles is to let the water sit for a few days without adding chemicals, or use a dechlorinating product, and to check the pH is near neutral before it goes into the gutter or the sewer. Don't drain after rain, and keep filter backwash out of the street.
Here is the order that works for most tubs:
- Stop adding chlorine or bromine and leave the cover off in daylight for a few days.
- Test the water with a test strip for chlorine and pH.
- Drain it with a submersible pump into a sewer cleanout, or slowly to the lawn only if the rules for your property allow it.
- Never let it flow onto a neighbor's property or build up in the street.
Water that has copper-based algaecide or dye in it has stricter rules, and it can't go to the storm drain. Rules differ for unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and other cities, and city guidance can change, so call 311 or LA Sanitation to confirm the rules for your address before you start. If you'd rather not handle this, ask the business whether draining is part of the job.
What's the easiest way to move a hot tub, and how many people does it take?
The easiest way is to drain it, disconnect it, and cut it into sections or slide it out on a dolly or hand truck. A whole empty tub weighs several hundred pounds, so lifting it by hand is risky. Plan on at least four able people for a small portable tub, and more or equipment for a large one.
Moving a hot tub, even a few feet, is where backs and fingers get hurt. A few points to know:
- Never tilt a tub with water still in it. Water weighs about 8 pounds a gallon, and a tub can hold several hundred gallons.
- Measure the tub and the path out, including gates, steps and doorframes.
- Hot tub movers and removal crews use dollies, ramps and sometimes a crane or forklift for tight yards.
- Acrylic shells crack and sharp edges cut. Use gloves.
If the tub is moving with you to a new house, say so when you enquire. Moving a tub that you're keeping is a different job from removing one for disposal, and the business will price it differently. If you only need a few parts or fittings pulled off, a hot tub jet removal tool is a small hand tool that releases the jet housing. It is not a substitute for a safe way to lift or cut the shell.
How much does hot tub removal cost in Los Angeles?
Published national guides put hot tub removal at roughly $150 to $800 for an above-ground tub, with averages near $400. In-ground tubs run higher, roughly $400 to $1,100 for the demolition alone. Treat these as a guide, not a quote. Los Angeles prices vary by access and disposal fees, and the business that visits sets the real price.
What moves the price up or down:
- Size and weight. Bigger tubs take more people, more time and more disposal weight.
- Access. Stairs, narrow gates and decks add labor.
- Electrical work. An electrician's visit is often a separate charge.
- In-ground work. Demolition, concrete and landscape repair can add a lot, and may need a permit.
- Recycling and disposal. Some businesses charge extra for sorting parts for recycling.
For a wider view of how haulers price, see our junk removal pricing guide. When you're ready, get quotes and we'll pass your enquiry to a local business. If the tub has to go quickly, same-day junk removal explains what to ask for.
Questions people ask
How much is it to remove an old hot tub?
Expect roughly $150 to $800 for an above-ground tub and more for an in-ground spa, based on published national cost guides. The final price depends on size, access, electrical disconnect, and disposal fees. A local business will want photos or a visit before it quotes, so treat any figure you see online as a guide.
What's the average cost to move a hot tub?
It depends on distance, weight and access, and I could not find a reliable Los Angeles average. Published guides put removal labor at about $100 to $200 an hour. Moving a tub to a new house also needs a disconnect and a reconnect by an electrician, which adds to the cost. Ask for a written quote.
How much does a 7 ft by 7 ft hot tub weigh?
A drained tub that size typically weighs somewhere around 700 to 1,000 pounds, depending on the shell and the frame. Full of water it weighs thousands of pounds more, because water is about 8 pounds a gallon. Check the maker's label or manual for the exact dry weight of your model.
How much do people usually charge for junk removal?
Prices run from about $60 for a small pickup to $600 or more for a big load, per published cost guides. The charge usually follows how much space your items take in the truck, plus labor and disposal fees. A hot tub counts as a large special item, so expect a quote above the entry price.
What's included in a $99 junk removal service?
A low advertised price is usually a minimum for a small load, and it rarely covers a hot tub. What is included varies by business, so ask what the price covers, whether labor, disposal and disconnects are in it, and whether stairs or heavy items cost extra. Get the final price in writing before work starts.
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