Do I have to drain the hot tub before you arrive?

It helps and saves you labor time. If you can't, tell us in advance and we'll budget the extra time.

Will you disconnect the electrical yourself?

Yes — we flip the 240V breaker and disconnect the hardwired power line at the tub end. We don't do work inside your panel.

Can you remove a hot tub from a screened-in pool cage?

Yes. Most pool-cage doors are under 30 inches — we cut the tub into sections that fit. Adds 15-30 minutes.

Do you take the cover, steps, and cover-lift?

Yes — all included in the quoted scope.

How do I get a price?

Upload a photo of the tub (or describe the size and access) at bookjunkaway.com and our Book Junk Away estimator returns a Tampa-priced range in 15 seconds.

Tampa Bay Guide3 min read

Hot tub removal in Tampa: what to know before you book.

Hot tubs are one of the trickiest items to remove — they're heavy (500-900 lbs drained), awkward, often in pool enclosures with narrow access, and there's no way to just roll one onto a truck. Here's everything you should know before you book a hot tub removal in Tampa Bay.

What we actually do (the 4-stage process)

Drain. If the tub is still full, we drain it to the nearest landscape drain or sewer cleanout. Tampa's warm climate means standing water breeds mosquitos fast — don't let a dealer tell you the tub "just needs to be hauled" without draining first.

Disconnect. Remove the cover, detach the power (typically a 50-amp 240V hardwire; we flip the breaker first), disconnect any plumbing lines.

Cut. Most hot tubs won't fit through standard doorways or pool-cage screen doors. We use reciprocating saws to cut the shell into 4-8 manageable sections. Takes 30-60 minutes depending on model.

Haul. Each section goes out via dolly. We sweep up fiberglass dust and foam insulation before we leave.

How long does it take?

Most Tampa Bay hot tub removals wrap in 1.5-3 hours total from arrival to sweep-up:

2-4 person standard tub: 90 minutes
Large 6-8 person tub: 2-2.5 hours
Swim spa: 3-4 hours (usually needs two trips with a pickup, or a box truck)

If we're also hauling other junk (outdoor furniture, yard waste) in the same visit, add 30-45 minutes.

Things to check before you book

Is the power off? A 240V electrical line still live during cutting is dangerous. We always flip the breaker, but confirm the panel is accessible.
How full is it? A 350-gallon tub full of water weighs 2,900+ lbs and can't be moved. Drain it first, or tell us it's full so we plan extra time.
Access path? Measure the narrowest point. If it's under 32 inches, we'll need to cut more pieces.
Pool deck load? Most Tampa pool decks are rated for 100 lbs/sqft and can handle any hot tub. Older wooden decks on raised lanais may not. If yours feels spongy, tell us.
HOA permission? Some HOAs (Cheval, Bloomingdale, Innisbrook) want notification before any contractor work. Not required but smart to check.

Where the pieces actually go

Hot tubs are a disposal challenge — they're a mix of fiberglass, ABS plastic, foam insulation, copper plumbing, and sometimes wood frames. In Pinellas County they go to the Solid Waste Transfer Station for waste-to-energy incineration. In Hillsborough they typically go to the county landfill. Metal components (pumps, heaters, frames) are stripped and sent to Trademark Metals Recycling or Cohen USA.

We don't dump hot tubs in the street, curb, or anyone's yard. We don't leave pieces behind.