What is the Average Cost to Move a Hot Tub?
Are you thinking about moving your hot tub to the deck to take advantage of the elevated view? Or are you considering moving the hot tub into your new sunroom? Maybe you're planning to move your hot tub with you to a new city. It would be a great way to relax, after all, amidst the predictable stress of moving.
Whatever is prompting this change, you need to know how to manage the move of your spa as efficiently, safely, and inexpensively as possible. Hot tubs can be too heavy and awkward to move alone. You certainly wouldn't want to injure yourself or damage your hot tub in the process. The best way to move a hot tub safely is to leave it to the professionals. And the good news is that the average cost to move a hot tub is pretty affordable. If it proves to be too much of a hassle, you can even trade in your old spa for credit toward a new spa.
WHAT TO EXPECT: THE AVERAGE COST TO MOVE A HOT TUB
The professionals available to move your hot tub can include a local hot tub dealer, a dealer-related service provider, or an independent moving service. The price they charge will vary due to the difficulty of the move. Moving a spa upstairs, or to a higher elevation, increases the cost of the move. If specialized equipment such as a crane or forklift is needed, then the price will also be higher, and you might be charged on a per-hour basis. A move across a flat, level surface such as from the yard to a patio, on the other hand, is usually a single flat rate.
MOVING YOUR HOT TUB ON-SITE
Typically, the average cost of moving a hot tub is $200 to $400 dollars for an on-site move, but, again, it depends on the variables and the difficulty involved. For example, if the hot tub also has to move through multiple awkward spaces, additional charges may apply. The price you can expect is also highly variable based on where you live.
MOVING YOUR HOT TUB OFF-SITE
When it comes to off-site moves, there is no set price due to the variations in distances. Many dealers don't offer off-site moving service. They can, however, refer you to a dependable service.
When you call that moving service, they will likely give you a quote that takes the mileage into account—whether you are moving a short distance away or to another city. If you are moving to a different state, your option is a moving company that specializes in out-of-state moves. In this case, they may build the price of moving your spa in with the rest of your possessions. In any case, an off-site hot tub move figures in more distance, variables, and obstacles than an on-site move would.
DOES THE COST VARY BY STATE?
Although the average cost to move a hot tub can change from place to place, it isn't predictable by state or region. The highest quoted price we uncovered was in the New York City area with a stated estimate of $750 to $1,000 for an on-site move only. The lowest price was in California with an estimate of $200, which included a stair fee, safety capping of electrical appliances at the old location, and re-connection at the new location—provided the wiring was already run.
The difference between the two local estimates may be due to many factors. Labor costs may play a role, as well as the common difficulties of moving in high-rise buildings and brownstones in New York City compared to the prevalence of ranch homes and more space, generally, in California. Indianapolis, a city of sprawling suburbs, has a similarly low going rate of $250. While it is difficult to come to any clear conclusions about the average cost to move a hot tub nationwide, it is fair to say that if you live in a dense area with more obstacles to contend with, you should expect to pay more for moving your hot tub whether it is on-site or off-site.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THE MOVE?
You should expect to disconnect the power and drain your hot tub before moving. Draining and disconnection is not included in most hot tub moving services, although exceptions do exist. If you are shipping your hot tub out of state, draining your spa yourself will give you the opportunity to remove all the water you can and letting it dry out to ensure that no trapped water can leaks onto your other possessions in transit.
Proactively draining your spa thoroughly is less important for an on-site move. If your local moving company offers a draining and disconnection service along with a moving service, then you should feel free to take advantage of it.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE DROPS MY HOT TUB?
One of the fears that you may have when considering moving your spa is that it will become damaged during transit. Although this is possible, there is no need to worry. A licensed and insured moving company is required by law to carry insurance that covers at least a portion of your property in case of damage. Many also offer additional insurance that will cover the full price of your possessions. If you are arranging to move your hot tub through a dealership, they have delivery crews that are similarly insured and policies in place to compensate you, should your spa become damaged.
In order to access the full protection of this insurance, you should inquire about the options beforehand. You should also take photos to thoroughly document the condition of your spa before the move. While this extra preparation may be a hassle, it can give you piece of mind in case of accidents with your spa.
SHOULD I RECONSIDER MOVING MY SPA?
There are some reasons that you might not want to move your spa. A spa can add value to your home. If you're selling your home, you may want to leave the spa there to make it more appealing to buyers. If your hot tub is more than a few years old, it may be lacking some of the technological innovations and features of newer spas. You may want to save on moving costs and put the money towards a new upgraded hot tub with the latest features instead. Intriguingly, if you're staying in your home or moving to a different house in the same city, you may be able to save both on the costs of moving your spa and on the price of a new spa at the same time.
HOW MUCH WOULD I RECEIVE IF I TRADED IN MY SPA FOR A NEW ONE?
Nearly all spa dealers offer to haul away your current spa free of charge when you purchase a new one. Many also offer a trade-in value on your old spa, allowing you to save the costs of moving your spa to a different location and netting you a discount on a brand new spa or spa accessories.
The combination of savings can be quite impressive: up to a thousand dollars or more, depending on where you live. All you need to do to take full advantage of the opportunity is to find a dealer in your area.
Hot Spring® is one of the top hot brands in the world with a network of dealerships in all fifty states and over seventy countries. When planning for a change, a local Hot Spring dealer can help move your spa, refer you to a moving specialist, or offer to trade your spa in for a brand new one.