How do companies ship something as big as hot tubs?
Your hot tub will probably be shipped by a trucking shipping company like NorthAmerican Van Lines.
Most companies will offer Free Curbside Shipping. If they do not be sure to get an exact shipping quote from them in writing before buying the hot tub. Be aware if you live out of the continental, US Alaska or Hawaii. Allot of times extra costs are involved if shipment are going to those areas.
Will the trucking company contact me before they make delivery?
Some companies like NorthAmerican Van Lines will contact you by phone in advance of the delivery. Typically they will let you know the expected arrival window. In addition to this you can now track your delivery online and know where you stand day by day. You will need to be on hand for the delivery. Upon curbside delivery, two moving men will remove it from the truck for you and place it onto your driveway or in your garage if you prefer.
Hot tubs come delivered on pallets
The Hot Tubs come on a pallet which also makes it easier to move to it's location. As an example NorthAmerican van lines provides a placement service for a small fee where they will bring it to the location where you are going to put the spa. If you are interested in this service be sure to talk with the hot tub retailer.
Before accepting your hot tub: It is suggested to look closely at the shipping crate and packaging before the hot tub is accepted. After the spa is accepted by the customer, getting a shipping claim can be difficult, so inspect closely. most hot tubs are not shipped in a normal moving box, but rather in a wood crate to protect it from damage during shipping.
Typically there are two types of hot tub deliveries:
1. Curbside Delivery:
Spa’s are to be unloaded and delivered to customers curbside location or garage if accessible with this type of delivery.
Typical Equipment Used By Trucking companies for curbside delivery:
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(2) Four wheel dollies
Pallet Jack
Lift gate
2. Backyard Delivery: Typically there is an extra cost for this service
The following are the typical parameters of backyard delivery. (But check with the retailer before buying the hot tub)
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The spa delivery placement must be within 300ft of the truck.
The path must be free of obstruction, which would hamper or effect the delivery
The path the delivery crew will take from the truck to the backyard placement area must be relatively level in such a way that two people can safely deliver the spa.
The backyard delivery can not involve more then (3) steps for the delivery crew to ascend/descend.
Equipment Used By Some of The Trucking Companies for backyard delivery:
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(2) Four wheel dollies
Pallet Jack
¾” Plywood
Side cutters
Lift gate
Walkboard, to be used as ramp if needed.
(2) Men
Being in the industry for some time now,
these are the typical shipping processes, but this does not mean the
company you are buying from will follow these methods, be sure to check
with your retailer first.