The Pros and Cons of Removing Your Pool

We've had clients who loved their house, but weren't wild about the pool in the back yard. Their kids were grown and they would have rather had a yard to entertain than a pool. Their dog loved the pool, but they didn’t.

“The only member of our family that uses the pool is our dog.”

So, we looked up the pros and cons, and the possible costs of removing their pool.

Pros:

  • Elimination of safety hazards. Pools are an inherent safety risk, particularly for children. With the pool removed or filled in, that safety risk is entirely eliminated, giving you peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

  • Decreased insurance premiums. Without a pool, the risk of safety hazards goes down dramatically. The insurance company will decrease the insurance premium accordingly. The savings will depend on how much was charged for pool risk initially, and if that was part of your premium to begin with.

  • Maintenance costs: gone! Say goodbye to your pool guy. No more chemicals, no more tests. All of the expenses related to that water-filled hole in the ground disappear when that thing is gone. Also, no more worrying about cracks and leaks that come with age.

  • The property value might increase. Depending on the neighborhood, the age of the pool, and the type of removal you choose will determine the property value. If you're planning on selling, some buyers may find the pool appealing, others will see it as an immediate burden on their new home purchase. Partial removals need to be disclosed to potential buyers.

  • No more eye-sore. Older pools are rarely stylish, and no longer the star of the backyard. Unused pools are not only liability issues, but ugly and smelly if not maintained.

  • More yard space! You’ll have plenty of extra space for personal projects in your yard once the pool has been removed. Parties, sports activities, a garden...the uses are much broader in spectrum.

Cons:

  • No pool. It gets hot in sunny Southern California. That instant refreshment that used to happen with a single plunge is going to be replaced by a cold shower.

  • Water conservation. A traditional lawn uses more water than a pool to keep it lush and green. Even a drought-tolerant landscape may use more water than a pool with a cover. It all depends on what you plant and how much water is required to keep it alive.

  • Property value decrease. Same as in the pros section, how and pool is removed, will impact your property value. You’ll need to research your options before coming to a definitive conclusion on property value increase or decrease.

  • Land use restrictions. Los Angeles County restricts what can be done with the land that has previously held pools for safety and sinkage concerns. The City of Los Angeles is in the mix, too. Before demolition, a permit must be pulled and a Department of Building and Safety engineer will need to inspect the area before, during, and after.

  • Removal or fill-in costs. Filling in or removing a pool is not cheap, and depending on the type of removal will determine what your cost will be. When you remove a pool, you're not just filling it in, you are also removing stairs, decking, landscaping, and gas/electrical/plumbing lines. Also, the County is very particular about what you use for fill.

  • Improper fill-in job. Some contractors may not have all the tools or know-how necessary to properly fill in or remove a pool. This can result in shoddy and incomplete work that could leave you with a sinking spot in your backyard, and more expensive repairs in the future. This is not a DIY or handyman project.

The average cost for removing a pool in Los Angeles is $7,000. But if you're paying someone to maintain it at about $1200 per year, and $50 per month to keep the water circulating, you're going to realize your savings in abut 4 years. If you've been thinking about pulling the trigger for that long, maybe it's time.

There are several items that affect the cost of removal:

  • Size of the pool

  • Location and accessibility of the pool

  • Materials being removed (concrete or gunite demolition is harder than a vinyl or fiberglass liner)

  • Whether or not the pool needs to be emptied of water (City Sanitation cares)

  • Method of demolition (partial or full removal)

  • Who you hire

Ultimately, the decision of removing or filling in your pool will depend on how much the pros outweigh the cons for your situation. If you’re in a position to afford fill-in or removal, and you see it as a beneficial investment, then you’re ready to call in a professional and get started!

Home Improvement, Lifestyle, Selling, Business, BuyingCecilie Korst//