Swimming pools can provide your family with many enjoyable summer afternoons, but you may reach a point where you find that your pool is becoming a source of more frustration than joy. Whether your pool is in a state of disrepair, you are tired of paying for pool maintenance, you are concerned about safety, or you simply wish to use your yard for a different purpose, you may have decided to have your pool removed entirely.
Among the many questions you may have about the pool removal process is the need for permits. Here is a look at all of the considerations involved in the inground pool removal process as well as the permits you might need to carry out this common home improvement project.
The Cost of Pool Removal
The cost of pool removal depends on several factors, and chief among them is the method of removal that you choose. The overall range of pool removal is $3500 to $15,000.
The more affordable option is a partial pool removal. This entails draining the water from the pool, punching holes into the bottom of it and then demolishing the top part of the pool’s shell and filling it in with the broken pieces. Although it is cheaper, it must be disclosed to future buyers and could impact your home’s sales prospects.
The second option is a full inground pool removal. This is more thorough, which means it requires more labor and carries a higher price tag. However, it is often the preferred route because it leaves the yard as though a pool never existed there and does not impact your home’s future sales prospects. This involves draining the pool, demolishing the entire shell, removing the materials from the site and filling it in with new soil.
Some of the other factors that can determine how much it will cost to remove your pool include the materials from which your pool is made (such as concrete, fiberglass, granite or tile), the depth of the pool, the shape and size of the pool, and the local codes governing removing the debris and filling the pool.
Pool Removal Timelines
The precise timeline for your pool demolition will depend largely on your contractor. It will also depend on how difficult it is to access the part of your yard where the pool is situated. In general, however, a pool fill-in can take around three to five days once the work gets underway and preparations have been completed. A full pool removal may take as long as a week.
The Permits Needed for Pool Removal
A building permit is normally required for a pool demolition. Every city or county will set its own requirements and prices for permits, so you need to check with your municipality to find out the specifics. You should expect to spend somewhere between $100 and $500 for a pool removal permit.
If you are using pool removal contractors to carry out the project for you, they will normally handle this aspect of the project, but it is a good idea to do some research to find out what is needed and ensure your contractors are following the regulations.
Why Are Permits Needed for Pool Removal?
Permits are required for pool removal for several reasons. First, they can ensure that the demolished pool pieces are being removed and disposed of responsibly and that the work is carried out in a reasonable way that does not disturb the neighbors.
The main reason, however, is to ensure that the empty space where your pool once stood is filled in safely and that it does not pose a danger to other structures and those who walk in the area. It can also help ensure that the soil that is used to refill the yard is not going to damage the environment.
The Impact of Your Pool on the Value of Your Home
Many people believe that having a swimming pool can raise the value of a home because it is an additional amenity that makes it more desirable. However, this is only true under certain circumstances; in some cases, having a pool could actually decrease the value of a home.
Having a swimming pool in the yard can raise your home’s value if you live in an area that allows for six or more months of swimming weather and the pool is less than 15 years old and in good condition. It can also raise the value of your home if most of the homes in your neighborhood also have a swimming pool.
However, if the area where you live does not experience enough warm weather each year, your pool is older or in poor condition, and it is one of the only ones on your block, then there is a good chance that removing the swimming pool will not decrease the value of your home.
Keep in mind that many home buyers are not looking for homes that have swimming pools. For example, families that have small children, pets or elderly people may be concerned about the dangers of having a swimming pool in the yard. Having a pool also means having to pay higher insurance premiums as well as ongoing maintenance costs. Moreover, many people prefer to use their yard for other purposes and would rather have more available space.
Reclaiming the Pool Space
There are several options when it comes to using the space where the pool once stood following a full pool removal. However, it is important to check whether permits are needed for whatever use you have in mind.
Many people will use the area as garden space or even the base for a greenhouse. Some homeowners may choose to undergo a pool-to-deck conversion so they have a larger space to entertain and enjoy the great outdoors, while others might turn the pool area into a water feature or a koi pond.
Reach out to the Pool Removal Professionals at Dirt Connections
If you have any questions about the pool removal process and the permits that are required to carry out your project, get in touch with the pool removal experts at Dirt Connections. Our experienced team can handle the entire project from start to finish and ensure that it is carried out safely and according to code. Contact the professionals online or over the phone at 703-828-0866 today!
Summary
Dirt Connections was started with one goal in mind: providing quality residential and commercial construction services to clients on time and on budget. Reach out for more information on how we can support your next project.
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