How to Determine Whether to Demolish or Repair Your Pool

Pools are great for cooling off and enjoying summer. While growing up, pools were a status symbol for some people as they could only be found in rich people’s homes.

This is why some homeowners prefer having one in their backyard whenever they can afford it instead of searching for the “best swimming pool near me” online.

Meanwhile, not all of these people share this sentiment. According to Van’s Hauling and Tractor Works, a company specializing in pool demolition Phoenix, some potential home buyers do not want a pool and usually demand it removed before closing a deal.

On the other hand, homeowners with pools on their property sometimes need to decide whether to repair or demolish it.

Does a pool add value to your home?

Due to the beauty a pool can add to a home, it can be tough to see it demolished. This is the situation many real estate investors and other home buyers face when acquiring a new property.

Unfortunately, a pool will only appreciate the value of your home by 7 percent of the total amount you invested, if at all.

Cost of building a pool

The cost of building a pool is dependent on the type. Inground pools cost between $28,000 to $55,000.

Above-ground pools are cheaper and can cost as little as $700 and as much as $11,200. Custom pool with luxury add-ons can set you back by $100,000 or more. 

Your location may also influence the cost. However, the national average is estimated at $29,638.

This means that if you invested $100,000 to build a pool, you should only expect the installation to improve your home value by $7,000.

How to decide whether to repair or demolish your pool

Usage frequency

Pools are meant to be used. It could save as a spot for family and friends gathering. Swimming is also good exercise and suitable for people of all ages. 

If a pool has been abandoned and is no longer in use, it is better to remove it to save the repair and maintenance costs.

State of the pool

The appearance of a pool built about 30 years ago might need to be updated to look modern.

If you want to upgrade your home's beauty, you may need to remodel or demolish the pool.

Cost of repair and maintenance

Pools can last between 20 to 50 years if well maintained. The type of pool installed will determine the cost of repair and maintenance.

Old pools that frequently need repair and maintenance should be remodeled or demolished.

If you live in Florida, for example, looking up Sarasota Pool Repair should give you an idea of the costs involved in repairing and maintaining a pool in that area. Do your research and compare the costs of repairing and maintaining your pool versus demolishing it.

Effect on home value

Pools add little to nothing to your home value. They may also diminish the home value if they occupy 30 percent or more of the backyard.

The size of a pool is one of the major factors that affect the cost of its removal. Likewise, a large pool will cost more to repair and maintain than a smaller one.

However, a newly built pool can attract pool lovers to select your home ahead of others in the area.

Home usage

Swimming pools are best installed in recreational facilities like hotels and personal residences.

If you are planning to rent out your home, you may want to consider removing the pool. Although installing a pool on a property can help attract high-quality clients and increase rental value, it comes with higher insurance and maintenance costs.

You can keep the pool intact if you charge enough to cover the repair, maintenance, and insurance. 

Cost of repairing and maintaining a pool

Repairing and maintaining your swimming pool is essential, except if you plan to convert it to a pond.

Pool maintenance cost about $180 on average. It is lesser for indoor and outdoor pools. 

Meanwhile, the average cost of repairing a pool is $900. The repair cost is also influenced by geographical location, which could affect labor costs and the amount of time the pool is open for the season.

For instance, the average cost of repairing a pool in Ohio is $3,425, while it costs $340 in Maine and $920 in New York. 

Common pool repairs and their cost

• Fixing a leak – $10 to $3,500
• Pool filter replacement – $150 to $2,000
• Cracked pool beam – $75 per linear foot
• Pool drain repair – $400 to $700
• Pump motor repair – $50 to $650
• Skimmer repair or replacement – $50 to $1,200
• Light repair or replacement – $20 to $625
• Pool heater repair – $160 to $730.

Cost of demolishing a pool

The average cost of pool demolition, also called pool removal, is $6,000. There are two major types of pool removal; full pool demolition and partial removal.

Full pool demolition, on average, costs $9,000, while partial demolition costs $4,500 to $6,250.

Inground pools are usually more expensive to remove than above-ground pools because of the labor and machine required.