Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we get on almost every call about an old spa. If yours isn't here, just ask.
How long does a hot tub removal take?
Most jobs run one to three hours once we're on site and the tub is drained. A tub that rolls out through a wide gate is quick. One that has to be cut into pieces on a second-story deck takes longer.
Do I need to drain it before you get here?
It helps a lot. A six-person tub holds roughly 350 to 500 gallons, and gravity draining through a garden hose can take two or three hours.
If it's still full when we arrive we can pump it, but that's time on the clock. Draining ahead of time is the single easiest way to keep your cost down.
Where do I put all that water?
Onto your lawn, in stages, after the chlorine or bromine has burned off for several days. Move the hose around so one area doesn't flood.
Don't send it into a storm drain and don't dump it all in one low spot next to a foundation.
Do I need an electrician?
Not for us to do our part. We shut off the breaker, confirm the circuit is dead, and disconnect the whip at the spa pack so the tub can come apart.
You'd want an electrician if you also want the abandoned 240-volt circuit pulled back to the panel, the disconnect box removed, and the penetration in the siding patched properly. That's usually a short visit.
If your tub simply plugs into a 110V outlet, none of this applies.
Will you take it out whole or cut it up?
Whole if the path allows it. The deciding factors are gate width, turns, steps, and whether the tub is freestanding or set into a deck or paver surround.
Measure your narrowest gate before you call. A standard 36-inch gate is workable for some tubs and not others, and we can often pull the gate off its hinges for the extra inch or two.
How do you cut one apart?
Reciprocating saws with demolition blades. Cabinet panels come off, the pump and heater assembly comes out as a unit, then the shell gets sectioned into four to six carryable pieces.
It makes a fair amount of foam debris. We tarp the area and clean it up before we leave.
What if the tub is frozen?
Tell us when you call. Between December and February we run into plenty of tubs with a solid block of ice in them, and that changes both the weight and the plan.
We still do removals through the winter. We just need to know what we're walking into.
Do you remove the concrete pad too?
We can. Breaking out and hauling a 4-inch pad is a separate line item because it's heavy and it adds dump weight.
Plenty of people keep the pad and use it for a shed, a fire pit, or patio furniture. Worth thinking about before you pay to remove it.
Can I sell or donate it instead?
If it still runs, absolutely try. A working tub has value and you'll find takers on local listings.
Once the pump is dead, the shell is cracked, or the foam is soaked, it's worth less than the cost of moving it. Nobody wants a project spa, and charities won't take them.
Do you take the cover, steps, and chemicals?
Cover and steps, yes, always. Leftover chlorine, bromine, and acid need to go to a household hazardous waste drop-off rather than the landfill, so set those aside and point them out.
Will you tear up my lawn?
We try hard not to. Carrying sections out beats dragging, and we'll lay plywood or mats over soft ground when we're moving something heavy.
Backyards can be soggy in spring around here, so if the ground is saturated we may suggest waiting a few dry days.
Do I have to be home?
Not necessarily. If the tub is drained, the breaker is off, and gate access is open, we can handle it and send you photos when it's done.
What areas do you cover?
Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Star, Kuna, and Garden City, plus the surrounding Ada and Canyon County areas.
How do I get a price?
Text or email three photos: the tub, the gate or path we'd use, and where a truck could park. Include the width of the narrowest opening. That's usually enough to quote it without anyone coming out.