Sometimes we really want a hot tub in our garden, but with no access means the only way to get one in is by crane or hiab lift.
Cranes and hiabs can be very dangerous! They are also expensive to hire if done the correct legal way. Many hot tub moving companies are using 3.5 tonne flatbed vehicles with hiabs mounted at the rear. This is a very dangerous and illegal method of lifting a hot tub! With the vehicle and hiab weighing around 3 tonnes empty, this means with 2 people in the cab and fuel in the tank this only leaves around 200 KGs to carry on the truck before it becomes overweight. Most hot tubs weigh at least 350 KGs. If a vehicle is travelling overweight they are uninsured and operating illegally. With these vehicles being so light they also run risks of falling over with a heavy hot tub lift at full reach. We recommend only using correct vehicles for lifting hot tubs. Large Hiab lorries can usually lift over 1 tonne at full reach (normally 20-30 meters). This is due to the weight of the vehicle. These are normally used for lifting hot tubs over garages and fences etc and some high end new hiabs can even lift over a house safely. They are smaller than cranes and not as heavy so can access driveways and roadsides easier. Cranes come in many sizes. Normally ranging from 20 tonnes up to 220 tonnes, Depending on reach required. These cranes will lift even the largest of hot tubs and swim spas over houses and distances up to 95 meters! They are expensive to hire due to insurance and fuel etc but with a contract lift you are fully insured with the crane company if anything were to happen. Some crane companies will hire a crane and driver for around £350 but this lift is not insured and the hirer takes all risks. A contract lift usually costs from £600 up to £1200 depending on the size of the crane needed. The company will take care of the full operation on a contract lift. Always be very careful when choosing a hot tub moving company. Make sure you are fully covered if anything were to happen. Its very easy for companies to say they are insured when they are actually not!
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