how to remove a swimming pool!

[gallicgirl]

We are looking for a larger property to move to (larger compared to our small flat!) and DP has seen one on rightmove which he likes.

The house is fine but in the smallish garden there is a swimming pool! It's octaganol and maybe 15-20ft diameter, 4ft deep, surrounded by decking.

We wouldn't consider keeping it as we're not swimmers and DD is almost 3 so I think it's a huge safety risk. Question is, would it be a huge pain to remove and restore the garden and would we be able to recoup some of the cost by selling it?

[PrimalLass]

Fill it with sand and make a huge sandpit.

[Aethelfleda]

You'd have to either remove it totally or do something about drainage (otherwise your sandpit would turn into quicksand!)
But if you have a 3 year old how would you feel about getting a big trampoline and putting it in the void? It would then be level with the garden and I suspect v popular with the DC!

[zumo]

I would moth ball it get a pool company in for advice on how best to do it as you need to do the right thing with the filters etc.
Then build decking over it or the trampoline sounds good, before you know it your kids will be playing in the pool, don't just get rid use it as a tool to get the price down and then keep it

[cavell]

You can get a pool demolished for around £10k, I think. There are companies that will do the work for you if you google pool demolition. (We've been looking into this, too). Pools don't necessarily add value unless the house is very top end (£1.5 million plus) and they can make a house hard to sell.
My understanding is that you need to drill holes in the base to allow water to drain properly and then use a digger to bulldoze the top couple of feet of the pool sides into the base as hard core. Level it off and add extra rubble until you are about below surface level and then top up with top soil. If you can drain the pool yourselves and do some of the other work you will save money. You may also be able to sell the pump and filters etc on ebay. (Haven't actually done any of this, but this is what I've read).

[PrimalLass]

The trampoline thing is a much better idea

[Dri2]

If it is surrounded by decking is it not an above ground pool anyway? Just advertise on freecycle... Then they can dismantle it on collection.

[cavell]

If you want to convert it to a trampoline, you will have to do something about the drainage, otherwise you will have a trampoline above a smelly pool of stagnant water.

[gallicgirl]

Lol. DD would love a trampoline!

The decking is only 8 inches or so deep and the pool is 4 feet deep so it is below ground. DP reckons it's a plastic liner and it'll be easy to pull up and fill in .

Thanks for the ideas everyone. The house isn't ideal anyway so I'm thinking this will be a bit of bother.