Pool Demolition.....anyone?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by sjackson_ca, Feb 5, 2011.

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  1. sjackson_ca

    sjackson_ca New Member

    Abner’s post about his “Adventures in Home Ownership” reminded me about this, and so I thought I’d ask. We have pretty much decided to demo our pool. This means we will have it filled in so we will no longer have a pool. The reason for this is because it should cost less than half of what it would cost to remodel the pool (replaster, redeck and update utilities, all of which need to be done to completely utilize and enjoy the pool) and we want to eliminate the liability associated with owning a pool. (Our neighbor had a horrible experience last year. A friend’s toddler daughter fell in and was drowning. Fortunately, she was discovered, resuscitated and recovered, but it happened in an instant. They are pretty sour on their pool now.)

    We have contacted a demo contractor who will do the work, pull the permits, etc. We also consulted with a realtor in the area who told us that market value is much less impacted now than it used to be. There is a growing market of buyers who are interested in homes without pools, presumably for the same reasons we don’t want one –headache of maintenance and liability.

    So, has anyone else on this esteemed board been through this experience of the demo of an in ground pool? Did you learn things going through it that you wish you had known before you started?

    We hope (?) to have a grandchild or two someday….I just don’t want the extra worry. This way they will have a HUGE yard to play and explore in…..and without the worry of accidentally drowning in a pool on our property.

    Appreciate any insight or advice you can share.

    Thanks.

    S
     
  2. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Forgive me if this question is obtuse, but why pay a demo contractor and pull permits? Who would know or care? When you are done, there would be no existing structure that would be flagged by an inspector. If I were to do it, I'd rent a jackhammer, rent a disposal bin and hire two or three day laborers, then do it myself. My experience with demo contractors has been extremely expensive for work that is not rocket science. Pull it out, fill it in with as much rock as possible and make sure the rest is well-compacted. Otherwise you will have problems with the ground sinking as it settles.

    If you do this you will probably pay about 25% of what you would have paid using a contractor.
     
  3. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    :iagree:

    Just buy a sledgehammer. Seriously, when do you EVER get to break stuff and not get in trouble! Invite the neighborhood kids, serve hot dogs and beer to their parents and go wild!!!!
     
  4. MISin08

    MISin08 New Member

    [fast forward 20 years] Grandchild, now in teens: "Yeah, a pool would be great for having friends over. My grandparents used to have a pool, but they got rid of it before I was born. How clueless is that?"

    :banana:

    Phillip
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 5, 2011
  5. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    I don't blame you for not wanting a pool. There is a lot of upkeep, maintenance and repairs involved. And of course, the safety/liability issues. When we bought our house, we specifically looked for a house that did not have a pool. We figured it would be much easier and relaxing to just buy a Jacuzzi.

    How big is your pool?

    Abner
     
  6. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Right on, I love doing demo work. Something about busting out a wall that your mom would have yelled about, or something like that. It's the only time I can break something and not have MY WIFE scold me.
     
  7. sjackson_ca

    sjackson_ca New Member

    Cities/counties often require that a permit be obtained. Not all, but many do. It isn't a small job.

    We are not soil experts. We are concerned about improper compaction. The pool is about 22 x 40.

    If when we are ever to sell the home, we would have to disclose it in the sales agreement. That is a requirement in California. And we aren't going to lie about it.

    The reason for using a contractor is to make sure it is done correctly and prevent having some HUGE sunken hole in our backyard......

    S
     
  8. sjackson_ca

    sjackson_ca New Member

    It's about 22 x 40. When we moved here, our daughter wanted a pool...we had one in our previous residence. And she enjoyed it for a couple years, but she's out of the house. It is unlikely that if/when she is married and has children that she will live in this area. So we'll take the extra $12,000 we would have otherwise spent to renovate the pool and take those grandkids to Disneyland, Washington, D.C, Grand Canyon.....any other fund memory-making place......

    S
     
  9. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

    Damn, that is a big job. If you have the money for it get the contractor (I love busting things up with a sledge hammer, but cement isn't my favorite busting material) like you intend. That way you will not have future problems if you ever want to sell your house. If you want to entertain or just relax, get a jacuzzi.

    We will have to replace our jacuzzi next year most likely. There are companies that sell brand new $4,999.00 jacuzzis for $1,995.00. My neighbor bought one and that thing is DELUXE!!!!!!!!!!!

    See ya,

    Abner :)
     
  10. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    My neighbor, an expert in real estate, reckons a pool (even in great working condition) knocks of around $10,000 off the sales price on a $300,000 home. So your investment in removing the pool may pay-off in the end.
     
  11. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    Buy a couple of bags of marijuana, some beer and invite all of the skateboarders you can find over to ride the pool. It will be destroyed in no time.

    Seriously though, you are right in your decision to pull permits and hire professionals. You will be money ahead in the long-run having someone else deal with the headache.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 7, 2011
  12. Abner

    Abner Well-Known Member

     
  13. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    You sound like someone who is not inclined to do these kinds of things himself, so my suggestion would not be a good idea for you. I have done a similar project at my beach house in California, no pool was involved, but I did hire laborers and bring in a lot of fill dirt and rock, and it turned out very nicely. 12 years later, I have no trouble with sink holes, but i did it properly. However, I have done this sort of thing to my houses and my rental houses for the past 20 years, so I have experience. There are things that I use contractors for and things that I do not use them for, but I know my limits. I get tired of paying contractors for things that are well within my abilities. However, you are correct about it being a huge amount of work and if this sort of thing is not your bag, it would be a poor idea.
     

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