Quick Answer
To sell a used hot tub in Kingston, make sure it holds water and heats, drain and clean it, then list on Fliku, Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace with the brand, model, age, seating, jets and photos of the equipment. Third-party estimates put a working used hot tub at roughly $500 to $2,500, with 10-year-old tubs often $500 to $1,000, and non-working ones $100 to $400. State that the buyer must arrange and pay for the move, and that a licensed electrician must disconnect it.
A hot tub is one of those things that is lovely until it is not. Maybe you are moving, maybe the kids have grown, maybe the repair bill landed on the same day you realised you use it twice a year. Whatever the reason, you now have a very large item sitting in your backyard, and you need to find someone who wants it, who can take it away, and who will give you a fair price.
That is a harder sale than a couch, but it is a very doable one, and there are people in Kingston looking for exactly this. The tricky parts are pricing, the move and the electrical disconnect. I will walk you through each one in plain language.
What Is a Used Hot Tub Worth?
This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is "it depends, a lot". Hot tubs lose most of their value quickly, and condition matters more than anything else. According to third-party resale guides, a working used hot tub from a real brand typically sells for about $500 to $2,500 or more, and a non-working or off-brand one is usually worth $100 to $400, or little more than parts. The biggest driver is whether the tub holds water and heat, because a working pump and heater are the expensive parts to replace, often a few hundred dollars each.
Another guide suggests used hot tubs keep roughly a quarter to a third of their original price, with the sharpest drop in the first three years, and that a 10-year-old working tub might fetch $500 to $1,000, or $1,200 to $1,800 for a premium brand with a documented service history. These figures come from general resale sources, not Kingston sales, so check what similar tubs are asking locally.
| Condition | Rough used value | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Newer tub, well-known brand, fully working | Higher end, often $1,500 or more | Age, brand, features, service history |
| 10-year-old working tub | About $500 to $1,000 | Does it hold water and heat; cover and cabinet condition |
| Premium brand with service records | Up to about $1,200 to $1,800 at 10 years | Documented maintenance |
| Not working or off-brand | About $100 to $400 | Often sold for parts or scrap |
The numbers above are third-party estimates, not guarantees. A tub that needs a new pump will sell for less than the same tub in working order, so be upfront about problems and price accordingly. You can compare asking prices on Kijiji hot tub listings in Ontario, and a local dealer can give you an idea of what a model sells for.
Get the Tub Ready
A buyer wants to see a hot tub that has been looked after. Do the basics before you take photos.
Hot tub selling checklist
- Make sure the pump, heater, jets and lights work, and note any problems honestly
- Check that the tub holds water without leaks
- Drain and clean the shell, rinse the filters and wipe the cover
- Check the cover: a damaged or waterlogged cover is worth replacing or pricing in
- Gather the manual, service records, chemicals and accessories such as steps and a lifter
- Record the brand, model, year, seating capacity and number of jets
- Take photos of the whole tub, the control panel, the equipment bay and any damage
If you are selling a tub that you have been using, consider letting a buyer see it running. A tub that heats, bubbles and lights up speaks for itself. If you are selling it empty, say so, and say whether it has been tested recently.
Write a Listing That Sells
Put the key details in the title: "Hot tub, 6-person, 40 jets, 2018, works great, buyer removes". In the description, cover the brand and model, the age, the size, the seating, the type of controls and any upgrades. Say how it has been maintained, what the cover is like and what comes with it. State clearly that the buyer is responsible for the move and the electrical disconnect, and give pickup times.
Photographs make or break a hot tub listing. Take them in daylight, show the whole tub, the interior, the control panel and the cover. Include a shot of the equipment bay if you can open it safely. Buyers also like a short video of the tub running. A clear, honest listing attracts serious buyers and reduces the number of people who message and then disappear.
Who Buys Used Hot Tubs?
Hot tub buyers tend to be people who want one but do not want to pay full price, and they often search on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. A few local dealers sell new hot tubs and spas in Kingston, including Aqua Bay (a Hot Spring dealer on Midland Avenue), Hot Tub Heaven on Bath Road, Frontenac Pools and Shelin Pools, which also serves Napanee and Picton. Dealers mostly sell new tubs, and they may not buy used ones, but a call is worth making if you want to know what a model sells for or whether they take trade-ins or can help with removal. Their websites are Aqua Bay, Hot Tub Heaven, Frontenac Pools and Shelin Pools.
Moving a Hot Tub: Who Does What
This is the part that scares sellers off, so let me be clear. You should not move the tub yourself, and you should not expect to. In your listing, say that the buyer is responsible for removing it. Hot tubs are heavy, awkward and wired directly into the property's electrical system, so a specialty mover is usually needed. Third-party guides put the typical cost of a specialty hot tub mover at a few hundred dollars, with one estimate averaging about $375, though costs vary with distance and access.
The electrical side matters for safety. Before a tub is moved, the power must be turned off at the breaker and confirmed off, and a licensed electrician should disconnect the wiring and cap it safely at the junction box. Do not let a buyer or a friend "just unplug it" if the tub is hard-wired. If you are selling a tub that is already disconnected, say so. Ask the buyer to arrange a mover and an electrician, and agree on a date so you are not stuck with a half-removed tub.
Pricing Strategy: Be Realistic and Be Clear
Because the tub has to be removed by the buyer, many sellers price it lower than they would like, and that is often the right call. The buyer is paying for the tub, the move and the electrician, so a price that leaves them room is more likely to attract offers. Do a quick search for similar tubs, note the asking prices and price slightly below the closest match if you want a quick sale. If a tub is old, say so, and do not apologise for the price; just be honest. For general advice, read how to price used items for a fast sale.
If a tub does not work and you cannot repair it, you can sell it as-is for parts or scrap, or pay someone to haul it away. A junk removal company may take it for a fee. See sell, donate or junk it for how that works.
Viewings and Safety
Showing a hot tub means letting strangers into your backyard, so be careful. Arrange viewings in daylight, have someone else at home, and keep your gate and doors secure afterwards. Do not leave valuables out. Ask serious buyers to confirm a pickup time, and do not hand over the tub until payment is complete and confirmed in your account.
Whatever you are selling, a large item in your own backyard is a good reason to be careful about who comes to your house. Meet in daylight, keep the item near the door, have someone else home if you can, and accept cash or an e-transfer you can see in your own banking app before anything leaves. Never send a deposit or a verification code to someone you have not met, and be suspicious of any buyer who offers more than you asked. Our guides to avoiding scams when selling locally and safe meetup spots in Kingston cover the details, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre lists current scams.
Buying a Used Hot Tub: What to Ask
If you are the buyer, the questions are the same ones a seller should be ready to answer. How old is it? Does it hold water and heat, and has it been used this season? Has it been serviced, and are there records? What condition are the cover, the cabinet and the shell in? Does it need a 110 or 220 volt connection, and what does your property have? Ask to see it running. Check the jets, the lights and the control panel, and look for leaks. Plan for the cost of the move, the electrician and a new cover if needed, because a cheap tub can become expensive quickly.
Parts, Covers and Accessories
Hot tub accessories can add or lose money. A good cover in solid condition is worth a lot, because replacement covers are expensive, while a waterlogged cover is a negative. Steps, cover lifters, filters and chemicals can be included to sweeten the deal. If you have spare parts, such as a pump or a filter, list them in the description. If you are selling a tub without a cover, say so, and say whether the buyer will need to buy one. These small details help buyers calculate the full cost and make an offer with confidence.
Selling a hot tub in Kingston?
List it free on Fliku and reach local buyers. No fees.
List Your Hot Tub on FlikuFrequently Asked Questions
How much is a used hot tub worth in Ontario?
It depends on the age, brand and whether it works. Third-party resale guides put a working used hot tub at roughly $500 to $2,500, a 10-year-old tub at about $500 to $1,000, and a non-working or off-brand tub at about $100 to $400. A tub that holds water and heats is worth far more than one that does not, so compare local listings.
Who removes a hot tub when it is sold?
The buyer usually arranges and pays for removal, using a specialty mover, and a licensed electrician should disconnect the wiring. Third-party guides suggest a hot tub move often costs a few hundred dollars. State this clearly in your listing so everyone knows who is responsible.
Do I need an electrician to disconnect a hot tub?
If the tub is hard-wired, yes. The power should be turned off at the breaker and confirmed off, and a licensed electrician should disconnect the wiring and cap it safely. Never ask a buyer or a friend to simply unplug a hard-wired tub.
Where can I sell a used hot tub in Kingston?
You can list it on Fliku, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. Local dealers such as Aqua Bay, Hot Tub Heaven, Frontenac Pools and Shelin Pools mainly sell new tubs, but you can ask whether they take trade-ins or can tell you what your model is worth.
What if my hot tub does not work?
You can sell it as-is for parts, scrap or to someone who likes to repair them, and price it at a fraction of a working tub, perhaps $100 to $400. If nobody wants it, a junk removal company may take it for a fee. Be honest in your listing about what does not work.
