How to Lift a Hot Tub for Moving or Storage

Following safe lifting practices when you’re moving should always be top of mind. Improperly lifting heavy items can lead to serious acute or chronic injuries, and can also significantly derail the moving process. But lifting heavy items is, understandably, easier said than done, especially when you’re moving without the help of a professional moving company. So what about that hot tub then? Below, we’ll cover everything that you need to know about safely moving a hot tub, including how to lift a hot tub when you’re transferring it to a storage unit or to your next home.

When it comes to extremely heavy items like hot tubs, we usually recommend opting for the assistance of a moving company. Professional movers are seasoned experts when it comes to lifting heavy and bulky furniture and appliances, and they’re well-versed in the proper safety protocols that you need to follow in order to lift without injury. They’re also usually the way to go if you’re going to need to move your hot tub up or down a set of stairs. Still, it’s not impossible to figure out how to lift a hot tub on your own, provided you go into it with a plan—and the right supplies. Here’s how to do it.

Gather What You Need

There are a few key necessities that you’ll need to have on hand in order to lift a hot tub, among them: the help of two to three other able-bodied individuals. Unless you’re the Hulk you’re probably not going to be able to do any hot tub lifting on your own (and if you could do it, it still wouldn’t be worth the strain and possible risk of injury to your back). Even if you’re tackling the rest of your move alone, now is the time to rope in the help of a couple friends. (Here’s some advice on how to ask friends for moving help. Hint: pizza and a genuine “thank you” go a long way.)

As for the rest of your supplies, the process of how to lift a hot tub includes just three basic things:

    • Two sturdy 2×4 pieces of wood
    • Two furniture dollies
    • Moving straps

    Double check that you’ve got what you need before moving day, since otherwise, that hot tub isn’t going anywhere.

    Prep the Hot Tub

    Prepping your hot tub for a move takes a bit of time, so it’s important that you do it ahead of time. Give yourself a few days to a week, just in case you come up against any difficulties.

    Following the directions in your owner’s manual (if you lost it, you may be able to find a copy on ManualsLib, otherwise reach out to your hot tub’s manufacturer directly for a copy), disconnect and drain your hot tub. When disconnecting, take a picture of the setup before unplugging anything so that it’s easier to set back up again later. Be sure to wrap up and secure all cords, and if there are any cords that detach from the unit entirely, label them with tape so you’re not trying to guess later on what they’re for. Wrap and box up all component parts of your hot tub as well, including any filters, plumbing equipment, and water treating supplies.

    Note that draining your hot tub isn’t done just by dumping all the water out on the ground of your yard. Hot tub water contains chemicals that can severely damage the lawn, and so it needs to be disposed of properly, usually with a pump or a hose. Again, the owner’s manual is where you’ll want to look to find the information on how to do it right.

    As a final prepping measure, give the interior and exterior of your hot tub a quick wipe down—especially if it’s going into storage. This will take care of any lingering moisture, and is also a good practice to follow when moving any sort of large appliance.

    How to Lift a Hot Tub

    Once your hot tub is fully prepped and it’s moving day, it’s time to lift. Go into it with a plan, not just for lifting but for how you’re going to get the hot tub to the moving truck and where in the truck it’s going to go. Heavier items generally go in the back and around the sides of the truck, so plan on loading your hot tub early in the day.

    As for the lifting itself, here’s what to do (with the assistance of your two to three helpers).

    1. Position the hot tub. If your route to the truck is narrow, turn your hot tub on its side. Otherwise, you should be fine to leave it positioned as is.

    2. Slide the 2x4s under the hot tub. Lift one side of the hot tub a few inches off the ground and slide a 2×4 under it. Then do the same with the other side. This will help make it easier to navigate the dollies under the hot tub, and also creates a completely flat surface for the hot tub to rest on.

    3. Lift the hot tub onto the dollies. Position a dolly next to each side of the hot tub where the 2x4s are. One side at a time, slide the hot tub—2×4 and all—onto the flat side of each dolly. Secure the hot tub to the dollies with moving straps.

    4. Bring the hot tub to the moving truck. Go slow when traveling with your hot tub to the moving truck, especially if it’s going to be a bit of a bumpy path.

    5. Load the hot tub onto the moving truck. Keep the hot tub on the dollies and slowly push it up the ramp into the moving truck. If you can, leave it strapped to the dollies during transport, since that will save you time later on when you’re unloading at your new home or at your storage unit. If you have to use the dollies however for other items, unstrap the hot tub and gently slide the unit off the dollies. Do however keep it on the 2x4s in the truck.

    And there you go. When it’s time to unload later on, just reverse all of the steps above. Place the hot tub on the dollies if it’s not already, secure it with moving straps, and slowly slide it down the ramp and to the spot where you’re going to keep it. Remove the moving straps and, along with your helpers, lift the hot tub off of the dollies and then off of the 2x4s. If the hot tub was positioned on its side, slowly turn it back to its proper positioning.

    Rather Have Movers Do It?

    Has learning how to lift a hot tub convinced you that you’d be better off hiring movers for the job? We’ve got you covered. Use our free online moving company directory to quickly and efficiently search reputable movers in your area. We recommend reaching out to at least three different moving companies for quotes in order to make sure that you get the best deal possible. Make sure to let the company know that you have a hot tub to move so that they can be sure to send enough helpers and the right supplies.