Hot tub and spa removal
North Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley
“Removed my old spa and left everything clean.”
5.0 on Google from 463 reviews
How does hot tub removal work?
Send a photo of the spa and the path from the yard to the street. Once it's drained and the power is off, we cut the shell down into pieces that fit through gates and down stairs, carry everything out, load it, and sweep the pad. Most spas are out in one visit. Price depends on the spa's size and how hard the carry is.
How we take a spa out
Drained
The water needs to be out before we arrive. Most spas have a drain valve near the base; a garden hose or submersible pump speeds it up.
Power off
Power must be off before we arrive. If your spa is hardwired, have an electrician disconnect it first.
Cut down
We cut the shell and cabinet into sections small enough to fit through side gates, down steps and around corners.
Carried out
Everything is carried to the truck, including from hillside yards and up or down outdoor stairs.
Swept up
We clear the debris and sweep the pad or deck, so all that's left is the spot where it sat.
Before we arrive
- Drain it if you can; if not, tell us and we'll plan for it.
- Power must be off before we arrive. If your spa is hardwired, have an electrician disconnect it first.
- Take one photo of the spa and one of the path to the street: gates, steps, slopes.
- Let neighbors know if we'll be carrying through a shared side yard.
What we take
- Above-ground hot tubs and spas
- Spa covers, steps and cover lifters
- The deck or surround around the spa, if you want it gone too
Ask us first
- In-ground spas: send photos and we'll tell you what's possible.
- We don't take paint, chemicals (like motor oil and solvents), tires, asbestos, medical waste, ammunition or propane tanks, empty or full. We'll point you to the right drop-off.
Before
AfterHow much does hot tub removal cost?
Hot tub removal is priced by the size of the spa and the carry: a four-seater on a flat patio next to the driveway is a different job from a spa at the bottom of a hillside stairway.
Send one photo of the spa and one of the path out and we'll text you an exact price.
Fastest quote: text photos of your items to (909) 566-3090.
Spas are the one household item that almost never leaves in one piece. They're too wide for side gates, too heavy for a few friends to lift, and usually sitting in the part of the yard hardest to reach. What follows fills in the parts of the job the process above doesn't cover: the rules on draining, the pieces people forget, and what's left when the crew is done.
What's included, step by step
- Sizing it up from photos. The number of seats, the cabinet material and the width of the narrowest gate or stair tell the crew how many sections to plan for.
- Your prep. Chemicals stop, then the water comes out, then the power goes off. The order matters, and the checklist below lays it out.
- Cover, steps and lifter first. Those come off and go on the truck before any cutting starts.
- Sectioning. The shell, frame and cabinet are cut into pieces a person can carry through the tightest point on the route.
- Equipment. Pumps, heaters and control packs inside the cabinet leave with the rest of the spa.
- The carry and the pad. Pieces go to the truck, and the pad or deck is swept so only the footprint remains.
What normally stays behind: the concrete pad or deck under the spa and the electrical feed that ran to it. If you want a deck or surround gone as well, put it in your photos.
Spa prep, in order
- Stop adding chemicals at least 5 days before you drain.
- Drain it without letting water reach the street, gutter or storm drain.
- Switch the spa off at the breaker or disconnect box.
- Move patio furniture, pots and grills off the route to the street.
- Measure the narrowest gate or stair and send the number with your photos.
- Box up leftover spa chemicals for a hazardous waste drop-off.
- Warn neighbors if the route crosses a shared side yard or driveway.
California and LA rules that apply
Draining. LA County Public Works says to let chemicals dissipate before you drain a pool or spa, not to drain within 5 days of adding chemicals, and never to backwash a filter into the street or storm drain.[1] Storm drains carry runoff straight to creeks and the ocean with no treatment.[1] If your lot has unusual drainage, ask your city before you start.
Chemicals. Pool chemicals are household hazardous waste in California and go to a collection facility, not the trash.[2] LA's S.A.F.E. Centers take them,[3] free for any LA County resident.[4]
Decks and surrounds. California requires chemically treated wood to be managed as hazardous waste.[2] Many spa decks are built from treated lumber, so flag it if the deck is going too.
Hillside streets. On LAFD-declared Red Flag days, parking is banned on posted streets in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and vehicles there are towed. Red Flag days are declared when winds reach 25 mph with humidity of 15% or less.[5] LAFD says there are 4 to 7 of them in an average year.[5] In Pasadena's posted hillside areas, licensed contractors may park at the job address for up to 60 minutes on Red Flag days, and only while the driver is there.[6]
What affects the price
Every spa removal quote starts with two questions: how big is it, and how far is the truck?
- Spa size. A two-seater and an eight-seater with a lounger are very different amounts of shell, frame and cabinet.
- The route. A flat patio beside the driveway is the simplest case. Side gates, long side yards, stairs up to the street or down a slope all add labor.
- Hillside lots. Encino, for instance, splits into flats north of Ventura Boulevard and hills south of it,[7] and the Hollywood community plan takes in several hillside communities.[8] Spas on those lots often sit on terraces well above or below the street.
- What's around it. A gazebo, deck, steps or privacy screen that should go too adds material.
- Water left in. A spa that can't be fully drained is much heavier and slower to take apart.
Free city options vs. paying a hauler
This is one item where the free options are thin.
- City of LA. LA Sanitation defines a bulky item as anything non-hazardous too big for the black bin,[9] but its example list covers furniture, mattresses, carpet and similar items and doesn't mention spas.[9] Crews only collect what's on the work order,[10] so ask MyLA311 before assuming a spa qualifies. See the LA bulky pickup guide.
- Glendale. If an item isn't on the City's bulky list, it isn't accepted.[11] The Glendale guide has the list.
- Pasadena. No single item may weigh more than two people can safely lift, and each free pickup is capped at about 3 cubic yards.[12] A whole spa won't qualify. Details in the Pasadena guide.
- Burbank. A spa isn't named on either of the City's bulky lists,[13] so call before you book. The Burbank guide has the contacts.
Doing it yourself means cutting the spa up, renting a truck and paying at the landfill. Sunshine Canyon charges every load a one-ton minimum and adds a per-item charge for hard-to-handle or bulky items.[14]
Where it goes afterward
A cut-up spa is a mix of materials, and each goes its own way.
- Metal. The steel frame, pump motors and heater parts can be recycled as scrap metal.
- Wood. Under California's SB 1383, lumber and wood count as organic waste the state wants kept out of landfills.[15] Treated wood is the exception and is handled as hazardous waste.[2]
- Shell, foam and cover. Acrylic or fiberglass shells, foam insulation and the vinyl cover are usually disposed of as ordinary waste.
Related guides and areas
- How to get rid of a hot tub in Los Angeles
- Above-ground pools, playsets and trampolines
- Paint, pool chemicals and other hazardous leftovers
Spa removal by area: Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Hollywood, West Hills, Woodland Hills.
What customers said about this job
Ricardo and Brian did an amazing job helping us out with a difficult removal of a spa from our yard that involved a lot of outdoor stairs. Legacy scheduled us the next morning when they saw we were in need of immediate assistance after another team was unable to complete the job and had to stop half way. Legacy really got us out of a pinch when we needed it most and we are very grateful for them. Thanks very much to all the Legacy team! We will definitely call them again if we need this type of service in the future.
Ricardo and his team were very professional and very prompt in removing my old spa at a very reasonable cost. They chopped the shell into small parts and quickly carted them away. They even finished by sweeping up the remaining debris. Highly recommend them for your junk removal.
Incredible service, unbeatable price and family owned business everyone should use for junk removal. Ricardo and Brian were on time, courteous, knowledgeable and got loaded a 4 seater spa and double refrigerator in under an hour and for $350 less than the competition. Call these folks for all your junk removal needs!
Where we do this
Based in North Hollywood, working mostly within 10 miles: the east and central San Fernando Valley and the neighborhoods just over the hill.
Hot tub removal: questions
How much does hot tub removal cost in the Valley?
It comes down to the spa's size and how hard the route out is. A small spa on a flat patio beside the driveway is a lighter job than a large one at the bottom of a hillside stairway. Text one photo of the spa and one of the path to the street, and you'll get an exact price back.
Do I need to drain the hot tub first?
Drain it if you can; if not, tell us and we'll plan for it. A broken pump or valve is the usual reason a spa can't be emptied, so mention it with your photos. Plan the draining around LA County's guidance: no chemicals for at least 5 days beforehand, and nothing into the street or storm drain.
Where can I drain spa water legally?
LA County Public Works says to let chemicals dissipate first and not to drain within 5 days of adding them. Never run the water or the filter backwash into the street or a storm drain, because storm drains flow to creeks and the ocean untreated. For anything more specific to your property, check with your city.
Who disconnects the power?
Power must be off before we arrive. If your spa is hardwired, have an electrician disconnect it first. For a plug-in spa, switch it off at its breaker or disconnect box. Either way, the wiring that stays behind after removal should be left safe, and an electrician is the right person for that part.
What do I do with leftover spa chemicals?
Don't put them in the trash. California sends pool and spa chemicals to household hazardous waste collection, and LA's S.A.F.E. Centers take pool chemicals free from any LA County resident. Keep lids tight and bottles upright for the drive.
Will the city's bulky item pickup take a hot tub?
Don't count on it. LA Sanitation's list of example bulky items doesn't mention spas, and its crews only collect what's on the work order, so ask MyLA311 first. Glendale only takes items on its list, and Pasadena won't take anything heavier than two people can safely lift.
Can you remove a spa from a hillside yard or up stairs?
Yes. Cutting the spa into sections is what makes stairs and slopes workable, since each piece can be carried by hand. One customer's spa came out down a long run of outdoor stairs after another team had stopped halfway through the job.
How long does it take?
Most spas are out in a single visit. In one review, a four-seat spa plus a double refrigerator were loaded in less than an hour. A long hillside carry or a deck that also has to go adds time.
Will you take the deck or surround too?
Yes, if you want it gone. Show it in your photos so the price includes it. If the deck is pressure-treated lumber, mention it, because California requires chemically treated wood to be managed as hazardous waste.
Do you remove in-ground spas?
In-ground spas: send photos and we'll tell you what's possible. Add a short description of the surround and how the yard is reached. An in-ground spa is a different kind of job from a freestanding hot tub, and the photos are how we judge whether it's one we can take on.
Can I give away a hot tub that still works?
Sometimes. A working spa can find a taker on a local marketplace or neighborhood group, but the buyer usually has to arrange the move and the electrical work themselves. If no one bites within your timeline, removal is the fallback.
Does a Red Flag day affect a hillside spa removal?
It can. On LAFD-declared Red Flag days, parking is banned on posted streets in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and vehicles there are towed. If your street has Red Flag signs, check the forecast when you book.
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026. Rules, fees and hours change; check with the city or program before you go.
- [1]Swimming Pool Tips (flyer) — Los Angeles County Public Works (dpw.lacounty.gov)
- [2]Waste Banned from the Trash — CalRecycle (calrecycle.ca.gov)
- [3]S.A.F.E. Centers (Household Hazardous Waste Disposal), LA Sanitation & Environment (sanitation.lacity.gov)
- [4]East Valley: Randall Street S.A.F.E. Center, LA Sanitation & Environment (sanitation.lacity.gov)
- [5]Red Flag, Los Angeles Fire Department (lafd.org)
- [6]Red Flag Parking Restrictions, Fire Department (cityofpasadena.net)
- [7]Southwest Valley Community Plans Update | About | Los Angeles City Planning (planning.lacity.gov)
- [8]Hollywood Community Plan (planning.lacity.gov)
- [9]Schedule a Bulky Item Pickup, LA Sanitation & Environment (sanitation.lacity.gov)
- [10]Metal Appliance Pickup, LA Sanitation & Environment (sanitation.lacity.gov)
- [11]Bulky Item Pick Up (PDF) (glendalerecycles.com)
- [12]Residential Refuse Service & Recycling, Department of Public Works (cityofpasadena.net)
- [13]Bulky Item Pick-Up, Public Works (burbankca.gov)
- [14]Disposal Costs, Sunshine Canyon Landfill (operator site) (sunshinecanyonlandfill.com)
- [15]Statewide Mandatory Organic Waste Collection — CalRecycle (calrecycle.ca.gov)
Facilities and organizations mentioned are general local information, not Legacy Junk Removal partners.
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