Step 1: Disconnect the Power
Hot tubs are hardwired, usually through a GFCI disconnect. Have a licensed electrician shut off and disconnect the power before anyone starts cutting. JunkCo does not handle live wiring, and you shouldn't either.
Step 2: Drain It
A typical spa holds several hundred gallons. Drain it with the built-in drain or a submersible pump. Never drain chemically treated water into the street or a storm drain. If you aren't sure where it can go, ask the City of Fresno or City of Clovis before you start.
Step 3: Sell It or Cut It Up
If the tub still works, someone may take it for free or pay for it, but moving a whole tub usually takes a crew and a trailer. A broken tub is almost always cut apart: the cabinet panels come off, then the fiberglass or acrylic shell is cut into sections with a reciprocating saw. Wear eye protection, gloves, and a dust mask, because the cutting throws fiberglass dust and insulation foam.
Step 4: Haul Away the Pieces
The sections, motor, pump, frame, and waterlogged cover all need to be hauled. Metal parts can often be recycled. The City of Fresno's Operation Clean Up page lists hot tubs (no larger than 8' x 8', cut into 4' x 4' sections) as accepted, but the current one-time bulky item list does not include them, so call 311 to confirm before you set one out.
What Hot Tub Removal Costs
Most hot tub removals in Fresno and Clovis run about $300 to $800. A standard portable spa on a patio lands toward the low end. Swim spas, in-deck or inset tubs, and jobs with tight side yards, stairs, or long carries cost more. JunkCo confirms a flat-rate price from photos or on-site before any cutting starts.
More Questions
- How much does it cost to remove a hot tub in Fresno?
- Typically $300 to $800 depending on the size of the tub and how easy it is to get out. Swim spas and in-deck tubs cost more.
- Do I need to drain a hot tub before removal?
- Drain what you easily can. JunkCo will finish draining any water that's left, but the power must be disconnected by a licensed electrician first.
When to Call JunkCo
Call JunkCo Fresno when you want it handled for you: we carry everything out, load it, and haul it off, usually the same day in Fresno and Clovis. You get a flat-rate quote before any lifting. Related services: hot tub removal, shed removal. Call (559) 481-8502.
Sources
- City of Fresno, Operation Clean Up, checked October 2026
- City of Fresno, One-Time Bulky Item Pickup, checked October 2026
City and county programs change. Confirm hours, dates, and rules with the agency before you go.