If you are thinking of removing a pool, you may be wondering about the cost and process of doing it. There are a few approaches to this task, but most people in Silicon Valley decide to have the edges removed, break up the gunnite or concrete bottom (for drainage) and then add compacted soil before re-landscaping.
A more expensive method is to remove all the pieces of rebar and concrete.
The least expensive is to simply leave all of the pool in place, just add soil and landscape. With that last approach, anyone can view the backyard and see exactly where the pool once was (when seen in homes for sale, it lends itself to snickering – so not advised).
The typical method, partial removal, seems to cost between $10,000 and $20,000 in the San Jose area now (in 2014), depending largely upon what type of new landscaping goes in. The removal only takes about 1-2 weeks, some of that related to weather conditions and how busy the contractors are at the time.
Pool removal process and pics
Next, please enjoy 12 photos of the pool removal process, care of my clients and friends, whose home is in Willow Glen. By the way, they used POOL IT OUT in Livermore for this job.
(Update March 2022 – something happened to the last image and we can’t find the full resolution copy! After the pool was broken up, filled, and compacted our clients installed a tidy lawn over the area. Seeing it you would never guess that there used to be a large concrete patio and pool in this yard!)
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Pools, saleability and resale value in Silicon Valley