You don’t need to do much. If you’re using a professional hot tub mover, we handle the draining, disconnection, wrapping, and heavy lifting. But there are a few things you can do to make moving day faster, cheaper, and smoother.
The 5-Minute Checklist
- Clear the path from the tub to where the van can park
- Remove accessories — cover, headrests, drink holders, steps
- Let us know about access — photos are worth a thousand words
- Don’t drain it — we handle that (unless you want to get ahead)
- Check your electrical setup — know where the isolator is
That’s it. Everything else is our job.
Why Access Is the Most Important Thing
The single biggest factor in how long a move takes — and what it costs — is access. Before moving day, walk the route from your hot tub to the nearest point a large van can park. Ask yourself:
- How wide is the narrowest point? Our Spa Sled needs about 80cm clearance. Standard garden gates are usually 90cm, so most are fine. Side passages between terraced houses can be tight.
- Are there steps? How many, and are they regular or uneven?
- Is there soft ground? Lawns after rain are a challenge. Plywood or boards can help.
- Will we need a crane? If the only way out is over a wall or fence, we bring the HIAB truck. This needs vehicle access on both sides.
Send us photos when you request a quote. A 30-second video walking the route is even better. It saves time on the day and helps us quote accurately.
Do I Need to Drain the Hot Tub?
No. We drain it as part of the move. We use a submersible pump — it takes about 20 minutes for a standard tub. If you want to get ahead, you can drain it the night before using the built-in drain valve, but it’s not necessary.
Never move a hot tub with water in it. Even 50 litres adds significant weight and makes the tub dangerously unstable during lifting.
What About the Electrics?
Your hot tub should be disconnected from the mains before we move it. Options:
- You switch it off at the isolator — the simplest option if you have a dedicated hot tub isolator switch
- A qualified electrician disconnects it — necessary for hardwired installations
- We disconnect it — included in our Full Set-Up and higher packages
At the delivery end, we can reconnect and commission the tub if you book one of our set-up packages.
What Happens on Moving Day?
Here’s the typical sequence:
| Step | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team arrives, assesses the route | 5 min |
| 2 | Drain remaining water | 15-20 min |
| 3 | Disconnect electrics/plumbing | 10 min |
| 4 | Wrap tub in protective material | 10 min |
| 5 | Move to van using Spa Sled | 15-30 min |
| 6 | Load and secure in vehicle | 10 min |
| 7 | Transit | Varies |
| 8 | Unload and position | 15-30 min |
| 9 | Set-up (if booked) | 30-60 min |
Total on-site time is typically 1-3 hours, depending on access.
What If I’m Buying a Second-Hand Tub?
Same process — we collect from the seller and deliver to you. The only extra consideration is that the seller needs to provide access. We recommend:
- Confirming the tub dimensions before buying (will it fit through your access?)
- Getting photos of the seller’s access too
- Booking us before committing to a collection date
We move tubs from eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and private sales regularly. It’s one of our most common jobs.
Ready to Book?
Get a free quote with your postcodes and access photos. We’ll respond within 2 hours with a fixed price. Or call us on 07405 112338 — we’re available 24/7.