Concrete Pool Demolition
Full removal of concrete and gunite pool shells, with the excavation backfilled and compacted so the space is ready to landscape.
Learn more →What "full removal" actually includes
Full pool removal means the yard ends up as if the pool was never there — and everything on this list leaves the site:
- The entire shell — concrete broken out or fibreglass cut out, floor included
- The bond beam, steps, and coping
- Pool plumbing runs, skimmer box and light niches
- Concrete surrounds and paving, where quoted
- The old filter pad, pump and equipment
The excavation is then backfilled with clean sand in compacted layers of roughly 200 to 300 mm and finished level, ready to landscape. The compaction stage is what stops the surface sinking in year two — the full detail is on the pool backfill and compaction page.
Full vs partial: the honest comparison
| Full removal | Partial removal | |
|---|---|---|
| Shell | Entirely removed | Collapsed and buried |
| Cost | Higher — more cartage and fill | Lower |
| Duration | 4–7 days (concrete), 2–3 (fibreglass) | 2–4 days |
| Build over site | Yes, with compaction certificate | Often restricted |
| Sale disclosure | Nothing to disclose | Buried structure usually disclosed |
| Best for | Selling, subdividing, building | Staying put, lawn or garden only |
If the lower-cost column is calling to you, read the trade-offs properly on the partial pool removal page — for plenty of Perth owners it's the right call. Current prices for both sit in the Cost Guide.
Why full removal suits Perth blocks
The suburbs that built pools hardest in the 1970s–90s — Duncraig, Karrinyup, Willetton, Bull Creek, Rossmoyne — are now some of Perth's most sought-after family suburbs, where buyers pay for usable backyard and side access for future works. A documented full removal protects exactly that value. And Perth's sandy soils work in your favour twice: excavation is clean and quick, and sand backfill compacts to a reliable base far more predictably than clay ever does.
The method varies by shell: heavy break-out for concrete pool demolition, cut-and-cart for fibreglass pool removal. In-ground spas follow the same logic at smaller scale — see spa removal.
Permits and the pool register
Full pool removal is demolition work, and in many Perth council areas that means a demolition permit (form BA5 under the Building Act 2011 (WA)) before machines arrive — councils can take up to 10 business days to assess one. Your safety barrier must stay compliant until the shell can no longer hold 300 mm of water, and the council should be notified afterwards so the pool comes off the inspection register and the inspection levies stop. Specifics vary by LGA — see Council Approvals.
Enquiries through this site go to independent local contractors for quoting and completion. We ask the contractors we work with to hold the relevant WorkSafe WA licences and public liability cover — ask to see them. Call (08) 6171 3458 for a written scope covering demolition, cartage, backfill and reinstatement.
More services
Explore our other services
Fibreglass Pool Removal
Fibreglass shells lifted or broken out and hauled away, leaving a clean, level base for your new backyard.
Learn more →Partial Pool Removal
The shell is punctured, sections removed and the hole backfilled in engineered layers — a lower-cost, council-compliant option.
Learn more →Spa Removal
In-ground spas taken out and the recess backfilled and compacted to match the surrounding yard.
Learn more →Pool Backfill & Compaction
Engineered backfill placed and compacted in layers so the reclaimed area stays stable for lawn, paving or a future build.
Learn more →
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Can I build over the site after a full pool removal?
Generally yes — that's the point of doing it. Because nothing is left underground and the backfill goes in as compacted layers, the site can support footings for a granny flat, garage or extension, subject to your council's normal approvals. Councils commonly ask for a certificate of compaction from a geotechnical engineer before building over a former pool site, so tell the contractor at quote stage if a future build is on the cards — testing is easiest to arrange during the backfill.
What happens to all the material that comes out?
Clean concrete rubble goes to recyclers where it's crushed into road base; fibreglass panels and mixed demolition waste go to licensed tips; steel reinforcement is separated for scrap. A typical concrete pool generates 20 to 40 tonnes of material, which is why cartage is a visible line in a full removal quote. The hole is then refilled with clean, certifiable sand fill — never with demolition waste.
Is full removal worth the extra cost over partial?
If you're likely to sell, subdivide or build, usually yes. A buried shell generally has to be disclosed to buyers and can restrict what's built over it, and some buyers or their building inspectors discount for it. Full removal removes that conversation entirely. If you're staying long-term and only want lawn, partial removal is the rational saving. Both options are priced side by side in our Cost Guide.
Free, no-obligation