The demolition & removal process of a residential swimming pool is more than dumping dirt into and filling the shell of a swimming pool. There are often headaches of city processes and regulations, many phone calls for inspection, and even tough questions from clients about what you can and cannot do. Here is the simple breakdown of a swimming pool demolition, and the one we have followed for 25+ years on over 1,500+ swimming pool demolition and removals.
1) Call Dig Alert Service
Dig Alert Utility Service is a non-profit utility service that provides safety markings of all electrical, water and phone lines on any residential and or commercial properties. We recommend that any property owner looking to demolish a swimming pool, ensure that either themselves or their hired contractor calls Dig Alert Service to mark any potentially hazardous utility lines in the scope of work area. This will not only protect the lives of the contractor/employees, but also the liability and checkbook of the property owner. You can call Dig Alert Service by dialing 811 (seriously, it's that easy).
Cost: FREE
2) Draw Up Plot Plans / Open City Permits
Another necessity when completing a project like this, is to find a CSLB LICENSED Contractor to open city permits for the swimming pool demolition project. A licensed contractor will carry the proper insurance, workers compensation, and experience to safely and properly complete the job - ridding you of headache and risks.
Most cities will require the contractor to open the permit with a completed building application, and a simple Plot Plan of residential or commercial specifications of current and future use (see below), as well as proper documentation proving they hold a CSLB A-License, CSLB B-License, or a C-21 Demo.
Cost: $250 to $650
3) Disconnect Pool Equipment and Cap Utilities
This portion of a swimming pool removal is important because it lays the groundwork for the rest of the project. All remaining standing water in the pool must be pumped out and drained to a sewer drain or residential p-trap to allow the safe use of all hand held power tools and electrical equipment.
Next, ALL electricity, water and power to the swimming pool and spa must be turned off and capped at the meter. Following that, the swimming pool (and spa) equipment must be cut and removed from the property. Some homeowners may want to consider letting the contractor just "haul away" the equipment, as some value can be found in this by reselling it on craigslist. Gas lines will be cut flush with finish grade, and can be capped at current location for future use or abandoned under ground to allow for future landscape/hardscape to go above it.
Cost: $300 to $400
4) Demolition of Pool Begins
The first part of demolition begins with the contractor finding out the city requirements for swimming pool demolitions within their local jurisdiction. Each city varies in their requirements, so be sure to contact the local building department. Through the last 25 years of taking out swimming pools, we have found the following to be the most common among swimming pool demolitions:
1 - Saw cut and demo, two (2) 24" x 24" holes in the lowest part of the swimming pool to allow for proper drainage beneath the future backfill and call your city for first inspection for them to inspect the size and cleanliness of holes.
Cost: $5,000 to $15,000
2 - After you receive inspection for the bottom holes and proper disconnection of electrical meter and pool equipment, it is time to demolish the swimming pool side walls. Most, but not all, cities want to see the pool side-walls / coping to be demolished down 24" from finish grade. The picture below gives a good representation on what the means and looks like. A swimming pool backfill keeps the shell of the pool intact, while only the sidewalls are removed.
5) Backfill and Compaction Testing
The filling of a swimming pool changes from city to city, but most cities in Southern California require the pool to be filled with clean fill dirt that does not have rocks, trash or concrete debris. Every 10" to 12", the clean fill dirt will be compacted with a hand held whacker and wheel rolling (seen below) to allow for a minimum compaction of 90% relative density, a requirement by most cities to ensure that no shifting or sliding of land will occur. Compaction testing would be completed by a Certified Soils Engineer to confirm that the relative minimum density of 90% has been achieved by the license contractor.
Cost: $500 to $1,500
6) Final Inspection
Following the complete backfill and compaction of the swimming pool, the city will come to inspect the area and collect the Soils Compaction Report, that is provided by the licensed Soils Engineer. If all was done properly, then the city shall give final approval on the project as a whole.
Overall Cost (Average) for Swimming Pool Demolition: $8,750
www.frischandsons.com | (714) 282-0643 | License # 696810 (A/B/C27)
Article was written by Bobby Frisch, a management employee of Frisch and Sons Inc.
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