That hot tub on the back deck hasn't been turned on since 2021, and now it's just a very heavy planter. You're not alone. Fall and winter are when most people in Gainesville, High Springs and Alachua finally decide to get rid of an old spa, before the deck rots underneath it or a renovation needs the space.
Here's what hot tub removal involves, what it costs with TrashHelp North Florida, and how to do it yourself if you'd rather save the labor.
Two ways to get rid of a hot tub
1. We remove it for you. Once the power is disconnected, our crew cuts the tub down on site if it won't fit through the gate, loads every piece and hauls it to a licensed disposal facility. You don't lift a thing.
2. You do it, we bring the dumpster. If you're handy and have a saw and a couple of friends, rent a dumpster, cut the tub into sections and toss it in. We drop the can, you fill it, and we haul it away.
How much does hot tub removal cost?
Our hot tub removal price is $75 per seat. A 4-person tub is $300, and a 6-person tub is $450.
Disposal is included. That price covers standard access: a clear path from the tub to where our truck can park. If the tub is boxed in by a fence, sits on an elevated deck, is set into the ground, or needs to come through the house, the job takes more work, so we'll quote it separately. The fastest way to get an exact number is to text us a few photos of the tub and the path out to the street.
Doing it yourself? Our dumpsters are flat-rate with a 7-day rental and tonnage included:
| Dumpster | Price | Tons included |
|---|---|---|
| 12 yard | $400 | 2 |
| 15 yard | $425 | 2 |
| 20 yard | $525 | 3 |
| 30 yard | $725 | 4 |
For a cut-up hot tub, we recommend a 15-yard. If you're also tearing out the deck or gazebo around it, step up to a 20.
How to prep for hot tub removal
- Shut off and disconnect the power. Turn the breaker off. If your tub plugs in, our crew will handle the disconnect. If it's hardwired, as many 240-volt tubs are, have a licensed electrician disconnect and cap the wiring before we arrive. Never cut into a line that might be live.
- Drain it. Use the drain valve or a submersible pump. A full tub holds hundreds of gallons, and water left inside makes it far heavier and messier to move.
- Let it dry for a day or two. Wet insulation foam is heavy, and a dry tub is easier to cut and lighter to haul.
- Clear the path. Move grills, patio furniture and planters out of the route between the tub and the driveway. Note anything we can't move, like a narrow gate or steps.
- Don't forget the cover and steps. We'll take the cover, cover lifter, steps and empty chemical containers in the same trip. (Full bottles of spa chemicals are hazardous waste and can't go in a dumpster.)
Why not just haul it yourself?
An empty hot tub typically weighs anywhere from 500 to over 1,000 pounds, and it's wide, awkward and full of foam and fiberglass. Most won't fit in a pickup bed whole, and residential curbside pickup won't take one (Alachua County's new bulk limit caps bulky items at 2 cubic yards a week). Between a borrowed trailer, a saw, several helpers and a trip to the transfer station, a do-it-yourself haul often costs a full Saturday and a sore back.
If you want to know where things go in our area, our Gainesville dump guide covers the Alachua County transfer station and other drop-off sites, and our High Springs dump guide covers the US 441 collection center north of town.
Hot tub removal FAQ
How long does hot tub removal take? Most standard removals are done in a single visit, usually within a few days of your call.
Do you remove in-ground or built-in spas? Yes, but those are quoted separately because of the extra demolition. Text us photos and we'll give you a price.
Can you take the deck too? Yes. We can haul the decking and framing with the tub, or you can tear it out yourself and rent a dumpster for the debris.
What areas do you serve? Gainesville (including West Gainesville, Jonesville and Haile), High Springs, Alachua, Newberry, Fort White, Trenton and Bell and the surrounding North Florida area.
Can I put a hot tub in a dumpster? Yes, as long as it's drained, disconnected and cut into pieces that fit. Keep spa chemicals, batteries and paint out of the can. Alachua County residents can take those to the county's Hazardous Waste Collection Center.
Ready to get rid of that hot tub? Text us photos of your tub for a quick quote, or call (352) 448-0809. Want to handle it yourself? Book a dumpster in Gainesville online in a few minutes. For other furniture, appliances and cleanouts, see our Gainesville junk removal service.