Stuck With an Old Hot Tub? Here’s How Denver Homeowners Get Rid of Them
That hot tub in the backyard seemed like a great idea — until it broke down, started leaking, or just became an eyesore you never use. Now you’re stuck with 500+ pounds of fiberglass, acrylic, and wood that won’t fit in any trash can, and the city won’t pick it up.
Hot tub removal is one of the trickiest items for Denver homeowners to deal with on their own. Here’s a complete rundown of your options in 2026.
Why Hot Tub Removal Is Different From Regular Junk
Hot tubs aren’t like couches or old dressers. They present unique challenges:
- Weight: Most hot tubs weigh 400–900 pounds empty
- Electrical: Hardwired 220V connections that need proper disconnection
- Plumbing: Water lines that need to be drained and capped
- Size: Won’t fit through gates, doorways, or standard truck beds without disassembly
- Materials: Mixed materials (fiberglass, acrylic, foam insulation, wood, PVC) make disposal complicated
Denver’s large item pickup program does not accept hot tubs. You can’t just schedule a pickup and leave it at the curb.
Option 1: DIY Hot Tub Demolition and Disposal
Some handy homeowners tackle this themselves. Here’s what’s involved:
- Disconnect power — Have a licensed electrician disconnect the 220V line
- Drain the water — This can take several hours depending on the method
- Cut it apart — Use a reciprocating saw to cut the shell into manageable pieces
- Haul the debris — You’ll need a truck or trailer to take everything to a transfer station
Realistic time estimate: 6–10 hours of labor, plus dump runs.
Cost: $50–$150 in disposal fees, plus tool rental and a truck if you don’t own one.
Risk: Fiberglass splinters, electrical hazards, potential injury from heavy lifting.
Option 2: List It for Free on Craigslist or Facebook
If the hot tub still works, you might find a taker. But even “free” hot tubs are hard to give away because the new owner has to figure out transport, electrical hookup, and installation. Expect lots of inquiries and very few follow-throughs.
Option 3: Hire a Professional Hot Tub Removal Service
This is the option most Denver homeowners choose — and for good reason. Professional hot tub removal in Denver means a crew shows up, handles the disconnection, demolition, and hauling in a single visit. No renting tools, no dump runs, no risk of injury.
At Junk Sameday, our hot tub removal process works like this:
- We provide a free onsite estimate — no surprises
- Our crew disconnects and drains the tub
- We demolish it onsite into manageable sections
- Everything gets loaded into our trucks
- We clean up the area where the tub sat
- Materials are taken to appropriate recycling and disposal facilities
The whole process typically takes 2–4 hours depending on the size and location of the tub.
How Much Does Hot Tub Removal Cost in Denver?
Hot tub removal pricing depends on the size of the tub, accessibility (is it on a deck? behind a fence? in a basement?), and whether electrical disconnection is needed. Most hot tub removals in the Denver area fall between $300 and $600 (see our full Denver junk removal pricing guide for more item-by-item costs) — significantly less than what you’d spend on DIY when you factor in electrician fees, tool rental, truck rental, and disposal costs.
What Happens to the Hot Tub After Removal?
We don’t just dump everything in a landfill. Hot tub components are separated for proper handling:
- Wood framing — recycled or repurposed when possible
- Metal components — sent to scrap metal recyclers
- Plastic/PVC piping — recycled where local facilities accept them
- Acrylic/fiberglass shell — disposed of at appropriate facilities
Other Large Items We Remove
While we’re at your property for the hot tub, many customers have us take other items too — at a discounted rate since we’re already there. Common add-ons include:
- Old patio furniture
- Yard debris and landscaping waste
- Old grills and outdoor appliances
- Deck demolition debris
Ready to Get Rid of That Hot Tub?
Stop stepping around it in the backyard. We offer same-day hot tub removal across the Denver metro — from Aurora to Arvada and everywhere in between.
📞 (720) 950-0370 — Call or text for a free estimate
🗓️ Book your pickup online — Schedule your removal today
