So you've got an old hot tub in your backyard. Maybe it's been broken for two years. Maybe the previous owners left it. Maybe it just doesn't fit your life anymore. Whatever the reason, you've discovered the same uncomfortable truth every Utah homeowner does eventually:
Hot tubs are an absolute nightmare to get rid of.
They're heavy. They're awkward. The trash company won't take them. The thrift store won't take them. So how do you actually dispose of a hot tub in Utah without losing your mind?
Option 1: Sell It on Facebook Marketplace (Cheapest, Most Effort)
If your hot tub still works — or even mostly works — you can usually find someone to take it for free or pay you a few hundred bucks. The catch is they have to come pick it up themselves, which means you need to:
- Disconnect electrical (or pay an electrician)
- Drain remaining water
- Help load it onto their trailer
- Hope they actually show up after committing
Cost: $0-$200 (you might make money), but you'll spend 2-3 weekends dealing with no-shows.
Option 2: DIY Demolition (Cheap, Lots of Work)
Some people break down their own hot tub and haul it to the dump in pieces. Doable, but it's a hard day of work.
What you'll need:
- Reciprocating saw with metal-cutting blades
- Sledgehammer
- Wire cutters
- Multiple trips to the landfill (Trans-Jordan or Bayview)
- Disposal fees: roughly $50-$100 in landfill fees
- A truck or trailer to haul the pieces
Plan for 6-10 hours of work, plus 2-3 trips to the landfill. The shell is fiberglass and acrylic, the inside is foam insulation, and the cabinet is wood and plastic. It all has to come apart.
Option 3: Rent a Dumpster and Break It Down Yourself
This is a popular middle-ground option. Rent a 15-yard dumpster, break the tub down yourself over a weekend, and toss the pieces in. You're paying for the dumpster ($385 in our case), but you save on disposal trips and you can throw other junk in there too.
Option 4: Hire a Junk Removal Company (Easiest, Fastest)
This is the option most homeowners pick. Pay a hauling company to come, break it down, and haul it away. Total job done in 2-3 hours. You don't lift a finger.
Average pricing in Utah:
- Standard hot tub (4-6 person, easy access): $400-$650
- Larger hot tub (7+ person, normal access): $550-$800
- Difficult access (deck removal, fence removal): $700-$1,200
Bison Bin Co. Hot Tub Removal — Flat-Rate Pricing
We do hot tubs almost every week. Here's our pricing:
- Standard hot tub (4-6 person, normal access): $425
- Larger hot tub (7+ person, normal access): $525
- Difficult access or in-deck installs: $625+
Every quote includes:
- Disconnecting electrical safely
- Draining remaining water
- Breaking down shell on-site (no equipment needed from you)
- Hauling cover, base, and surrounding framing
- Proper disposal at licensed facilities
- Site swept clean before we leave
Same-day and next-day service available across Herriman, Draper, Bluffdale, Riverton, Sandy, West Jordan, Lehi, and Saratoga Springs.
What NOT to Do
- Don't try to drag a full hot tub onto a trailer. They weigh 600-1,000 lbs empty and even more if water is still inside. You will hurt yourself.
- Don't dump it on the curb hoping waste services will take it. They won't, and most cities will fine you.
- Don't pay someone in cash with no insurance — if they damage your property or get hurt, you're liable.
The Bottom Line
The CHEAPEST way to get rid of a hot tub is to sell it for free on Facebook Marketplace and hope a stranger does the work for you. The EASIEST way is to hire a junk removal company that handles everything in 2-3 hours.
If you've got the time and tools, DIY can save you $300+. If you don't — or if you just want it gone — pay someone to do it. Your back will thank you.