A dead hot tub is one of the most frustrating things to own. It is too heavy to move on your own, too awkward to fit in a normal trash service, too valuable in steel and parts to just leave in the alley, and too costly to repair when the pump finally gives up after 15 years of California sun. Empire Junk Pick Up is the locally owned crew that solves all of that with a single phone call.
We come to your property, drain the water responsibly, dismantle the tub down to manageable pieces, and haul every last board, jet, and electrical component away in one visit. The patio looks like the hot tub was never there. The price is flat-rate and all-inclusive. Call (909) 561-0437 for a free quote in minutes.
Why Hot Tub Removal Is Trickier Than It Looks
Most people who try to remove a hot tub themselves discover three uncomfortable things in quick succession. First, the tub is bolted, plumbed, and sometimes built into the patio. Second, the shell weighs hundreds of pounds even when empty, and a full hot tub can weigh well over a thousand pounds with the water in it. Third, even after dismantling, the materials (acrylic shell, fiberglass, foam insulation, redwood or composite cabinetry, plumbing, electrical components, motor, jets, control panel, and cover) all go to different waste streams.
This is why a casual DIY attempt often ends with a half-disassembled hot tub sitting on the patio for six months while the homeowner figures out what to do next. Or worse, an injury during the lift.
Empire Junk Pick Up has the right tools and the right experience. We have removed hot tubs of every size, shape, age, and condition across the Inland Empire, and we make it look easy. It is not easy, but we make it look that way.
How Our Hot Tub Removal Process Works
Every hot tub job follows the same proven sequence.
Step 1: Photos and Quote
Send us photos of the hot tub from a few angles, ideally one wide shot showing the access path from the tub to the street, plus a close-up of the cabinet and any equipment. Text those to (909) 561-0437 or upload them through our form. We give you a flat-rate quote within minutes during business hours.
Step 2: Disconnect and Drain
When the crew arrives, we disconnect the electrical (you may need to flip the breaker; we do not touch the panel itself), unhook plumbing if applicable, and drain the water. Drainage is done responsibly into a cleanout, sewer access, or a designated drain area, never into a storm drain.
Step 3: Remove the Cover and Equipment
The cover and any external equipment (gazebo posts, side panels, control panel housing) get removed and staged for hauling.
Step 4: Cut Down the Shell
For most acrylic-shell hot tubs, the most efficient removal method is to cut the tub down into manageable pieces using reciprocating saws. We use the right blades for fiberglass and acrylic, and we control debris carefully. The pieces are then loaded onto the truck.
Step 5: Haul Away and Sweep
Every component goes onto the truck: the shell pieces, the cabinet panels, the equipment, the cover, and any insulation or framing. We sweep the area clean, do a final walk-through with you, and collect payment.
A typical hot tub removal takes one to three hours start to finish, depending on the tub size and access challenges.
Pricing Factors for Hot Tub Removal
Hot tub removal pricing depends on a few specific factors. We give you a single flat-rate number that accounts for all of them, but it helps to know what drives the quote.
Tub Size
A small two-person spa removes faster than a six-person, eight-foot hot tub with a full lounge seat. Larger tubs require more cutting, more loading, and sometimes more truck space.
Access
A hot tub on a flat backyard patio just inside a wide gate is the easy case. A hot tub on a rooftop deck, behind a narrow side yard, up or down stairs, or surrounded by built-in decking that needs to come apart first, will take longer and cost a bit more.
Built-In Surrounds
Many older Inland Empire hot tubs are surrounded by redwood decking, gazebos, or stamped-concrete enclosures. If the tub is set into a built-up structure, we may need to remove a portion of the surround to get the tub out. This can be added to the same job (often a great value, since we are already there).
Condition
A clean, dry hot tub that the homeowner emptied a week ago is straightforward. A tub still half full of stagnant green water with a half-rotted cover and a raccoon family living underneath is a different job. We take both, but the latter takes longer.
Distance From the Street
If the hot tub is right next to the driveway, loading is fast. If it is at the back of a long property, loading takes more trips. We never charge a "long carry fee" out of nowhere; this is just one of the factors baked into your flat-rate quote.
What We Do With Old Hot Tubs
A hot tub is mostly steel, plastic, foam, and wood. We sort the components and route them appropriately.
- Steel and copper (the heater core, plumbing, frame fasteners, motor housing) goes to scrap metal recyclers.
- Acrylic and fiberglass shells are typically landfilled because reuse infrastructure is limited, but we always check for any local reuse programs that accept them.
- Foam insulation goes to landfill in most cases.
- Redwood or cedar cabinetry that is in good condition occasionally finds a second life with reclaimed wood buyers.
- Electrical components go through e-waste channels.
Every load goes to a state-permitted disposal or recycling facility. We never illegally dump.
Bundle a Hot Tub Removal With Your Patio Project
Hot tub removals are usually triggered by a bigger plan: replacing the patio, installing a pool, redoing the backyard, downsizing the home, or selling the property. Bundle related items into the same visit and you typically save money compared to multiple separate calls.
Common add-ons we handle on the same hot tub visit:
- Old gazebo or pergola teardown
- Wood deck or composite deck removal
- Fence section replacement debris
- Old patio furniture
- Backyard shed teardown (see Shed Removal)
- Construction debris from the new patio install (see Construction Debris Removal)
- Yard waste from the same backyard project
If your hot tub project is part of a bigger backyard refresh, mention everything on the phone. We will quote the bundled job for less than the sum of separate visits.
Service Area for Hot Tub Removal
We remove hot tubs across the entire Inland Empire, including:
Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Rialto, Colton, San Bernardino, Redlands, Highland, Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Upland, Montclair, Bloomington, Grand Terrace, Chino, Chino Hills, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and surrounding cities.
Mountain communities (Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, Big Bear, Running Springs) are case-by-case based on weather and road access. Eastern Los Angeles County cities (Pomona, Claremont, La Verne) are usually accommodated as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does hot tub removal cost?
Hot tub removal in the Inland Empire typically falls in the range that reflects the tub size, access difficulty, and any built-in surrounds. Empire Junk Pick Up provides flat-rate quotes that include the drain, the dismantle, the haul, and disposal. Text photos to (909) 561-0437 for an exact price.
Do I need to drain the hot tub before you arrive?
You do not have to. We drain it as part of the service. If you want to drain it yourself in advance to save a little time and possibly a little cost, that is fine; just let us know on the phone.
Will you take the hot tub cover too?
Yes. The cover, the cover lifter (if any), the steps, and any other accessories are all included in the haul. There is no separate cover removal charge.
How long does hot tub removal take?
Most hot tub removals take one to three hours from arrival to a swept patio. Extremely large tubs or tubs with built-in decking take longer.
Can you remove a hot tub through a narrow gate?
Yes, in nearly all cases. Hot tubs are removed in pieces, not as a single unit, so they can fit through any gate or door wide enough to walk a piece of acrylic or wood through. If access is unusually tight, we plan ahead with smaller cuts.
Do you remove the deck or patio under the hot tub?
We do not break up concrete patios. We do remove wood decking, gazebos, surrounds, and similar structures that are part of the hot tub setup. These can be added to the same visit.
What if my hot tub still works? Can it be donated?
Working hot tubs can occasionally be donated or sold rather than scrapped. If yours still functions, you may want to list it on a local resale site first, since a working hot tub has resale value. If donation or resale is not realistic, we will haul it as a removal job.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We carry general liability insurance and dispose of all waste at state-permitted facilities. Hot tub removal involves cutting tools and electrical disconnection, both of which we handle with proper safety procedures.
Can you remove a hot tub in one day?
Yes. The vast majority of hot tub removals are completed in a single visit, often the same day you call.
Do you remove swim spas?
Yes, although swim spas are larger and longer than standard hot tubs and may take more time and truck space. Send photos and dimensions for an accurate quote.