Hot Tub Removal in South Florida: Cost, Process, and What Companies Won't Tell You
Let's talk about the elephant in your backyard. Or more accurately, the 800-pound acrylic swamp that used to be a hot tub.
You know the one. It worked great when you bought the house. Or maybe you installed it yourself, back when you had visions of relaxing evenings under the stars with a glass of wine. Now it's got a crack in the shell, the pump makes a sound like a dying animal, and something green is growing in the water that you're pretty sure isn't supposed to be there.
Every time you look at it, you think: I really need to get rid of that thing.
And then you think about what that actually involves — the weight, the size, the fact that you can't just roll it to the curb — and you close the blinds and pretend it doesn't exist for another month.
If you're somewhere in Palm Beach County staring at a hot tub you haven't used in years, this guide is for you. No judgment. Just straight answers about what it actually takes to make that thing disappear.
Why Hot Tubs Are Such a Pain to Get Rid Of
Here's the thing about hot tubs that nobody mentions when you're buying one: they're designed to never leave.
A typical hot tub weighs between 500 and 900 pounds — empty. Fill it with water, and you're looking at 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. They're built to sit in one spot for decades. Which is great, until you need them gone.
You can't put a hot tub on the curb for regular trash pickup. Most waste management services in Palm Beach County won't touch them. The county dump will accept them, but you need to get them there yourself, which requires a truck or trailer most people don't have.
And even if you could transport it, you first have to get it out of your backyard. Through the gate. Around the pool cage. Past the landscaping. Without destroying anything on the way.
This is why old hot tubs sit in backyards for years. It's not laziness. It's logistics.
The DIY Option: Can You Remove a Hot Tub Yourself?
Technically, yes. Realistically, it depends on how much you enjoy dangerous, exhausting work in the Florida heat.
Here's what DIY hot tub removal actually looks like:
Step 1: Drain it completely.
This takes a few hours with a submersible pump, or a full day if you're using gravity and a garden hose. Make sure you're draining somewhere legal — in most Palm Beach County municipalities, you can't just flood your neighbor's yard or drain into the storm sewer.
Step 2: Disconnect the electrical.
Hot tubs run on 220-volt power. If yours is hardwired (not just plugged in), you'll need an electrician to disconnect it safely. This usually costs $75-150. Skipping this step is how people get electrocuted.
Step 3: Decide whether to move it whole or cut it up.
Moving it whole requires a crew of 4-6 strong people, furniture dollies, and a clear path to a truck or trailer. It also requires a truck or trailer big enough to hold something the size of a small car.
Cutting it up is more manageable but takes hours. You'll need a reciprocating saw, a lot of blades (acrylic destroys them), and protective gear. The fiberglass and foam insulation create dust you don't want to breathe.
Step 4: Haul it to disposal.
The Palm Beach County Solid Waste Authority will accept hot tubs at their transfer stations, but you're responsible for getting it there. If you cut it into pieces, you can sometimes fit them in a pickup truck over multiple trips.
Total DIY time: 8-16 hours of actual work, spread over a weekend or two.
Total DIY cost: $75-150 for electrician, $50-100 in saw blades and disposal fees, possible truck rental $50-100. Plus a lot of sweat, some minor injuries, and at least one moment where you seriously question your life choices.
Is it doable? Sure. Is it how you want to spend your weekend? That's the real question.
What Professional Hot Tub Removal Actually Costs
Alright, let's talk numbers. This is what most people really want to know.
Professional hot tub removal in Palm Beach County typically runs between $350 and $700. The range depends on a few factors:
Size matters. A two-person spa is easier than an eight-person party tub. Most quotes are based on the hot tub's dimensions and weight.
Location matters more. A hot tub sitting on an open patio with a wide gate? Easy. A hot tub inside a screened pool enclosure, behind a narrow side yard, with landscaping on both sides? That's more work, more time, more money.
Condition matters too. If it's still intact, it comes out in one piece. If it's already falling apart — rotted wood frame, cracked shell, mold everywhere — there's more handling and disposal complexity.
Here's what you get for that $350-700:
Complete disconnection (we verify electrical is off)
Full dismantling on-site if needed
Removal of all pieces — shell, frame, pumps, cover, everything
Hauling and proper disposal
Site cleanup — we don't leave debris behind
No renting a truck. No recruiting friends. No spending your Saturday covered in fiberglass dust.
For most people, when they actually think about the time, hassle, and physical labor involved in DIY, the professional route starts looking like a bargain.
The Hidden Costs of Waiting
Here's something I tell people who are on the fence: that hot tub isn't getting easier to remove.
In South Florida's climate, unused hot tubs deteriorate fast. The sun bakes the acrylic until it becomes brittle. The humidity rots the wooden frame. Standing water breeds mosquitoes — and in Palm Beach County, that can actually get you a code violation.
Every year you wait:
The shell gets more fragile (harder to move in one piece)
The frame gets weaker (sometimes collapsing during removal)
The removal job gets more complex (and more expensive)
I've seen hot tubs that would've been a $400 removal turn into $600+ jobs because the owner waited three years and let it basically decompose in place.
Plus there's the backyard space you're losing. That hot tub footprint could be a garden, a seating area, a place where your kids actually want to play instead of the creepy swamp corner they avoid.
And let's be honest — if you're thinking about selling your house, a dead hot tub isn't exactly a selling point. Most buyers see it as a problem they'll inherit. Some realtors specifically advise removing non-functional hot tubs before listing.
What Actually Happens During a Hot Tub Removal
Since you're probably wondering what the process looks like, here's how we handle spa removal and disposal in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, and everywhere else we serve:
Before we arrive:
You call or book online. We ask a few questions — size of the hot tub, where it's located, any access challenges. Based on that, we give you a price quote. That quote is the price. No surprise fees when we show up.
When we get there:
Our crew does a quick assessment to confirm everything matches what we discussed. If there are surprises (it's bigger than described, or there's an access issue you didn't mention), we'll talk about it before starting. But 90% of the time, we're good to go with the original quote.
The removal:
Depending on size and access, we either move the hot tub out whole or dismantle it on-site. Dismantling is more common — we cut the shell into manageable sections, break down the frame, and remove everything piece by piece.
This usually takes 1-3 hours depending on complexity. You don't need to be there the whole time, but we'll want you available at the start to confirm what's going and answer any questions.
After we're done:
We haul everything to proper disposal. The acrylic shell goes to facilities that accept large plastics. Metal components get recycled. Wood goes to appropriate waste processing. We don't just dump it on the side of the road somewhere.
Your backyard has a hot-tub-shaped space where the hot tub used to be. What you do with it from there is up to you.
"But My Hot Tub Still Works…"
Sometimes people call about removing a hot tub that's actually still functional. They're moving, or renovating, or just never use it and want the space back.
If your hot tub is in good condition, you have a couple of options before paying for removal:
Try to sell it. A working hot tub can sell for anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars, depending on age, brand, and features. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are your best bets locally. The catch: the buyer is usually responsible for removal and transportation, which limits your market to people who know how to move hot tubs.
Try to give it away. Some people just want a hot tub and are willing to do the removal work themselves. "Free hot tub, you move it" posts get responses. Sometimes it takes a few weeks, but if you're not in a rush, this costs you nothing.
Donate it. This is harder than you'd think. Most charities don't accept hot tubs because they can't easily resell them and they're expensive to move. But occasionally, organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore or local community groups will take working ones. Worth a call if donation matters to you.
If none of those options work out — or if you just want it gone now and don't want to deal with strangers coming to look at it — professional removal is always there.
Questions People Ask About Hot Tub Removal
How do I get rid of an old hot tub in Florida?
You've got three options: sell/give it away if it works, DIY removal if you have the tools and strength, or hire a professional hot tub removal service. For most people in Palm Beach County, professional removal is the path of least resistance — one call, one appointment, done.
How much does it cost to remove a hot tub near me?
In the Palm Beach County area, expect to pay $350-700 for professional removal. The price depends on the size of the hot tub, where it's located in your yard, and the condition it's in. Always get a quote before work starts — any company that won't give you a price upfront is a red flag.
Can I put a hot tub in a dumpster?
Most dumpster rental companies won't allow hot tubs — they're too heavy, too bulky, and the materials are problematic. Even if you could physically fit one in a dumpster, you'd likely face overage fees or outright rejection. It's not the hack it seems like.
Do you remove the concrete pad underneath?
We remove the hot tub itself, but not concrete pads or decking it might be sitting on. If you want the pad removed, that's a separate concrete demolition job. We can do that too, but it's a different quote.
How long does hot tub removal take?
Most removals take 1-3 hours from start to finish. Larger hot tubs or tricky access situations take longer. But you're not spending a full day on it — we're in and out.
What about the electrical hookup that's left behind?
We can cap off the electrical line and leave it safely terminated. If you want it fully removed back to the panel, you'll need a licensed electrician. We can recommend someone if you don't have one.
That Hot Tub Isn't Going to Remove Itself
Look, I get it. Hot tub removal is one of those tasks that's easy to keep pushing off. It's not urgent. It's not blocking your daily life. It's just... there. Being ugly. Being useless. Being a thing you'll deal with eventually.
But eventually has a way of becoming never.
So here's my suggestion: make the call, get the quote, pick a date. Future you will be grateful to current you. That dead hot tub will be gone, your backyard will be usable again, and you can stop having the same mental conversation every time you look out the window.
It's not as hard as you think. It's just one phone call.
Ready to get rid of that hot tub?
Junk Bull provides professional hot tub removal across Palm Beach County, Martin County, and Broward County. We'll give you an honest quote, show up when we say we will, and leave your backyard clean.
Call 561-344-6677 or book online at junkbull.com.
Same-day service available. No hot tub too big, too old, or too swampy.
Junk Bull — Junk Removal & Demolition Serving Palm Beach, Martin & Broward Counties 📞 561-344-6677 🌐 www.junkbull.com
We've seen worse. Seriously.
