How to Prepare Your Hot Tub for Removal
You've scheduled the hot tub removal. Now what? A little prep work before the crew arrives makes the whole process faster and easier—and might even save you money.
Here's everything you need to do before removal day.
The Essential Prep Checklist
These are the things that actually matter:
1. Disconnect the electrical. This is the big one. Hot tubs run on 220-240V circuits that can kill you. You need a licensed electrician to safely disconnect the power. Schedule this before removal day—don't wait until the crew arrives.
2. Drain the water. An empty tub is easier (and cheaper) to remove. You can drain it yourself using the built-in drain valve, a submersible pump, or even a garden hose siphon. Start draining the day before if using a slow method.
3. Clear the access path. Look at the route from your hot tub to where the truck will park. Move patio furniture, planters, toys, and anything else in the way. The easier the path, the faster the job.
4. Unlock gates. Make sure the crew can actually get to your backyard. If you won't be home, arrange access ahead of time.
About the Electrical Disconnect
This step deserves extra attention:
Don't try this yourself. Turning off the breaker isn't enough. The circuit needs to be properly disconnected at the tub and capped at the source. This is not a DIY job.
Cost is reasonable. Most Boise-area electricians charge $75-150 for a hot tub disconnect. It takes them about 30 minutes.
Schedule ahead. Electricians can be busy. Don't wait until the day before to call. Book them for the day before or morning of removal.
Some removal companies include this. Ask when booking—some companies have electricians they work with or can bundle this service.
How to Drain Your Hot Tub
Options for getting the water out:
Where to drain: Direct the water away from your foundation and your neighbor's property. A lawn area that can handle a few hundred gallons works well. Avoid draining onto hardscape where the water will run into the street.
Preparing the Access Path
Make the crew's job easier:
Measure your gate. Standard gates are about 3 feet wide. Hot tubs are typically 7-8 feet. If the tub won't fit through whole, it will need to be cut up—which is totally normal.
Clear the yard. Move anything between the tub and the exit. Patio furniture, grills, planters, toys—all of it. The clearer the path, the faster the job.
Think about the truck. Where will the removal truck park? The closer it can get to the backyard, the easier the job. If you have a neighbor who'd let them park in their driveway for better access, it's worth asking.
Consider fence removal. Sometimes removing a fence panel temporarily is the easiest solution. If you're handy, you can do this yourself. Otherwise, mention it to the removal company—they may offer this service.
What You Don't Need to Do
Some things people worry about that aren't your problem:
Disconnecting plumbing. The crew handles this. Any water lines get capped as part of the removal.
Taking off the cover. We'll deal with the cover, steps, and accessories. You can leave them in place.
Cleaning the tub. It's going to the dump, not to a new home. Don't waste time scrubbing it.
Getting it completely bone dry. If there's a few inches of water or some standing water in the jets, that's fine. Completely empty is ideal, but a little water left over won't matter.
The Bottom Line
The two essential prep tasks: get the electrical disconnected by a licensed electrician, and drain the water. Everything else is helpful but not critical.
If you clear the path and make access easy, you'll probably save a few bucks and definitely make the removal faster.
Can't handle the prep? Don't stress—removal companies can work with unprepared tubs. It just might take a bit longer and cost a bit more. The job gets done either way.
Ready to Schedule Removal?
We'll walk you through exactly what prep you need for your specific situation. Free estimates throughout the Treasure Valley.
Call (208) 361-1982