Moving a hot tub is one of those jobs that looks simple from a distance. You know the feeling... you see a big square box and think it can’t be too difficult. Then you realise the weight, the tight access and the need for specialist lifting kit all shape the true price.
Let’s walk through how hot tub relocation costs work in the UK so you know what’s realistic and what isn’t.
Hot tub relocation cost... what’s realistic?
Most relocations sit somewhere between a couple of hundred pounds and the higher hundreds, depending on distance and how tricky the move is. Our own pricing starts from £250, though the final figure depends on the access, travel and what the team needs to get the tub out safely.
People often expect a simple flat rate, but the truth is that hot tubs vary wildly. A compact 13A tub sitting on a patio is one thing. A 2.4m spa squeezed down a narrow side path is something else entirely.
Let us break down what actually shapes the cost...
Distance and travel
This is the one everyone expects. Longer journeys involve fuel, time and planning, especially if collection and delivery happen on the same day. A move within the same town is usually at the lower end of the range, while cross-country jobs sit higher.
The bigger factor is often the return distance for the team rather than the mileage shown on your map. It all contributes to the quote you receive.
For us, we're based centrally in the UK... in Nottingham. But if the relocation pickup is in Essex, we have a 150-mile, 3 hour drive before we even arrive at the first job and this is of course factored into the price.
Access at both properties
Here’s where things shift from straightforward to specialist. Access dictates the equipment we use and the number of engineers needed.
Key access factors:
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Narrow gates or tight turns
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Long walks over grass or gravel
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Steps or steep gradients
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Limited turning space for the Spa Sledge
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Obstacles like oil tanks, fences, or outbuildings
If the Sledge can’t travel on the ground safely, we may need ply-boarding or another approach. Every adaptation affects the time on site, but the relocation quote we provide is based on up to 1 hour at the pickup and 1 hour at the dropoff location so this doesn't affect our pricing.
When a HIAB crane changes everything
Sometimes the only safe move is upwards. A HIAB crane becomes necessary when:
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There’s no access route through the property
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You need to lift over a fence, garage or extension
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Terraced housing blocks all side access
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Large tubs can’t physically tilt through the available gap
HIAB fees vary across the UK and depend on height, reach, duration and location. A quick photo check usually tells us whether you’ll need one long before the move date.
Steps, slopes and tricky terrain
Even a few steps can change the whole job. Hot tubs can’t simply be bumped up and down stairs; they must be controlled at all times.
If we need additional engineers or more specialist kit, the price can adjust to reflect the extra labour and time.
Electrics and commissioning
If you’d like the tub commissioned once it reaches its destination, we can do that on the day. The supply must be in place and within 2 metres of the final position.
Commissioning includes:
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Positioning the tub
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Connecting to the ready supply
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Filling the tub
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Adding chemicals
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Bleeding pumps and checking components
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A Mini Service so you know everything is functioning as it should
Because this takes additional time on site, commissioning sits as an add-on to the relocation fee.
Urgency and weekend moves
If you’re working to tight move dates, we do our best to help. Bank holiday or weekend relocations may sit slightly higher due to scheduling and staffing - we pay our team a bonus for working these unsocial hours.
It’s never inflated for the sake of it... it’s simply the reality of fitting specialist engineers into the diary at short notice.
How to get an accurate quote
Honestly, the fastest way to get a spot-on figure is to send us:
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A photo of the spa
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A few photos of the route out
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Gate widths and any awkward corners
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The postcode for collection and delivery
Once we’ve seen access at both ends, we can give you a clear, honest price with no surprises.
Hot tub relocation cost in the UK
Hot tub relocation cost in the UK varies because no two moves are the same. Distance, access, lifting requirements and whether you want commissioning all influence the final figure.
With the right equipment and a trained team, your spa stays safe from the moment we collect it to the moment it starts heating up again at your new address.
