Stories of Demolition Companies in Los Angeles
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There is always a temptation to do it yourself, especially when it comes to demolition. After all demolition is fairly straightforward and it appears, on first blush, to be easy. Maybe you’ve done some reading about swimming pool demolition and are saying to yourself, Hey, that doesn’t sound so bad. I don’t need to hire a pool demolition contractor. I can do it myself!”

But should you do your own pool demolition? Or should you hire a pool demolition contractor? Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you make that decision.

1. Can You Use Heavy Machinery Safely and Effectively?

Unless you have a very very small pool you are going to need to use either a bobcat with a break attachment or a backhoe with a hydraulic jackhammer attached to the arm. Are you familiar with how to safely use heavy machinery? If the answer is no than you should hire a pool demolition contractor.

2. Can You File for a Proper Demolition Permit?

Permitting is fairly straightforward. It usually involves filing out a application and paying a fee. You may be required to submit various plans outlining specifics of your demolition project, including how construction materials is going to be removed. If you aren’t comfortable with filing for a proper demolition permit then you should hire a demolition contractor.

3. Are You Familiar with Best Demolition Practices, including Safety

Swimming pool demolition can be dangerous if you are inexperienced or aren’t familiar with the best safety practices in demolition. If you are not familiar with proper demolition safety procedures you are better off leaving your demolition to the professional.

In most cases, despite the savings, you are better off leaving swimming pool removal in the hands of a qualified swimming pool demolition contractor. 

Swimming pool removal in Los Angeles requires only a grading permit. A grading permit in Los Angeles can typically be obtained for a few hundred dollars. Either you or  your pool removal contractor  can obtain the proper permit. Most pool demolition contractors obtain a grading permit for a job and then pass the cost of the permit along to you.

However, if you live in a gated community or a community that has a strict homeowner’s association, you should check with your Homeowners Association before beginning your swimming pool removal. Your Homeowners Association may have specific by-laws about how a swimming pool can be removed in your area.

Never do a swimming pool removal with the proper permits and permission. Demo’ing without a permit can lead to extra costs if you are later forced to legalize your swimming pool removal, and can also result in fines from the city of Los Angeles.

Whether you are doing a complete swimming pool demolition or a partial swimming pool removal, swimming pool demolition is one of the simpler demolition jobs you can do. Here are 10 Tips to help you in your swimming pool demolition.

10. Use heavy machinery … While you can do a swimming pool demolition with a jackhammer I would highly recommend using heavy equipment to demo a pool. Either a bobcat with a hydraulic drill attachment, or a backhoe. Either one can quickly break up and bust up concrete. 

9. Obtain a permit … Typically you would need some type of permit for a swimming pool demolition. For instance, in Los Angeles, you only need a grading permit. Other municipalities may require a demolition permit or a series of permits. Obtaining a permit now ensures that your swimming pool removal is legal from the start.

8. Make a plan for construction debris disposal … Even if you are filling in your pool you can expect a certain amount of construction debris. Develop a plan beforehand on how you are going to dispose of that construction debris. Whether you are renting a dumpster or calling a hauling service, when, etc.

7. Get rid of pool accessories in advance … Pool toys, pool furniture, and portable pool filters can all become flying projectiles during a swimming pool demolition. 

6. Cover your windows … If you have glass doors and windows overlooking the pool, you may want to cover those doors and windows with heavy duty plastic or plywood boarding to prevent them from damage.

5. Lock up the cat, board the dog … It should go without saying that you need to isolate and lock up your pets during any kind of demolition work. 

4. Drain your pool… Before you begin your pool demolition be sure to remove the drain plugs and completely drain your pool. You may want to use a compressor and hose to drain the pool completely.

3. Drill drainage holes … Drill an array of drainage holes in the bottom of the pool so that once the pool has been filled in ground water will drain normally.

2. Buy extra fill … You will need fill dirt to layer on top of the demolished pool once the top layer of concrete so make sure you have some dirt on hand to complete the fill in. 

1. Recruit friends … doing your on swimming pool demolition can be a herculean effort so get some friends to help you. 

If you use these tips your swimming pool demolition will go smoothly.

Pool demolition is a fairly straightforward form of demolition. But you still need to hire a qualified pool demolition contractor that knows the proper way to demolish a pool. Hiring an inexperienced pool demolition contractor can damage your property and cost you a lot of money in the long run. So how do you choose a pool demolition contractor in Agoura Hills

Pick a pool demolition contractor that has a lot of experience, both in general and specifically when it comes to pool demolition. You want to find a pool demolition contractor who has a couple years of experience under their belt. You also want to only hire pool demolition contractor that is licensed by the state of California, bonded, and insured. You also want to find a pool demolition contractor that has current and verifiable references.

The easiest way to obtain a lot of this information is to get an estimate. Actually you should obtain at least three estimates from pool demolition contractors. Use these estimates like you would a job interview. Ask lots of questions and take the opportunity to get a feel for how your pool demolition contractor works.

Be wary of any pool demolition contractor that refuses to openly provide you with standard information like California Contractor’s license, proof of insurance, or written estimates. Legitimate pool demolition contractors are more than used to providing this sort of information to potential customers. 

Demolishing a swimming pool and filling it in is a relatively simple and straightforward demolition job. Demolishing a swimming pool is time and labor intensive however. If you plan on doing your own swimming pool demolition plan on renting some heavy equipment and recruiting some friends to help.

Step 1. Formulate a plan. Swimming pool demolition isn’t something you want to do on a whim. You should spend a couple weeks planning exactly how you are going to demolish and fill in your pool.

Some things to think about — Will I need a permit? Most cities will require some sort of permit to demo a pool. How will I haul away construction debris? Even if you are doing a partial pool demolition you will generate a bit of construction debris that you will need to dispose of. What kind of heavy equipment will I need to rent? Do I have enough space to bring in a bobcat with a hydraulic breaker or will I need to do it with jackhammers?

Step 2. Clear and drain your pool. Clear away all pool accessories from the pool, including toys, filters, and removable ladders or diving boards. Drain your pool. You will eventually drill a set of holes in the bottom of the pool to ensure proper drainage, but be sure you drain your pool normally before beginning any swimming pool demolition.

Step 3. Demolish your swimming pool. You are most likely doing a partial swimming pool demolition so this involves drilling holes in the bottom of the pool and then cutting away the top two to three feet of concrete. The concrete is then used as fill in the bottom of the pool. 

Step 4. Fill in the pool with more fill dirt and start compaction. After you’ve properly compacted the pool area begin landscaping.

If this all sounds too daunting there are many swimming pool demolition contractors that specialize in swimming pool removal. 

 

 

There are two types of swimming pool demolition. Partial swimming pool demolition and complete swimming pool demolition. 

Partial swimming pool demolition is often called a swimming pool fill in. A partial swimming pool demolition typically involves cutting away the first two feet of concrete surrounding the pool and lowering the pool to ground level. Then the demolished concrete is dumped into the bottom of the pool and used as fill. That fill is compacted, and then a layer of fill sand is added. The concrete and fill sand is compacted again, then dirt and top soil is added.

Complete swimming pool demolition is basically the same process but the entire swimming pool is demolished. All the concrete and construction material (like fiberglass) is removed and hauled away. Fresh fill sand and fill dirt is used to fill in the hole. Complete swimming pool demolition is often more expensive than partial swimming pool demolition and less popular than partial swimming pool demolition. The advantage to complete swimming pool demolition is that a homeowner will not have to disclose the old pool when he or she sells the home. Also, in certain parts of the country, some cities only permit for complete swimming pool demolition.

Guest post, written by: Brooke E.


I am a realtor and I recently started buying foreclosed houses, then reselling them. These tend to be a bit of a fixer-upper, and it takes some work to be able to resell them for a profit. Most notably, no one wants to buy a house with a swimming pool. So whenever I buy a foreclosure with a pool my first call is to a demolition company specializing in swimming pool demolition. Below are the 4 steps I take to making this happen.

  • STEP ONE: Find a Swimming Pool Demolition Expert

    Call around and find a demolition company that specializes in swimming pool demolition. It’s best to get a few estimates so you can be sure you’re getting the right price. Swimming pool demolitions varies widely from company to company. I suggest getting at least three to compare, and make sure you get these quotes in writing!
  • STEP TWO: Decide What Kind of Swimming Pool Demolition You Need

    What many people might not be aware of, I know I wasn’t beforehand, there are actually two types of swimming pool demolition. They are: partial pool demolition and complete pool demolition. Complete swimming pool demolition is when a demolition company removes all the concrete and fills in the hole. In my case, I always choose this type of swimming pool demolition because it’s the only one my town allows.

    Partial swimming pool demolition is where only a few feet of concrete is demolished and then used as fill for the pool. Partial is a lot cheaper to do, so if you are also flipping houses look into this as a possibility.
  • STEP THREE: Pull Your Swimming Pool Demolition Permit

    Swimming pool demolition requires some kind of permit so just file the permit with your city’s building office. Often times the pool demolition company is able to handle this step for you, so check with them first.
  • STEP FOUR: Have the Swimming Pool Demolished and Filled In.

    Swimming pool demolition will typically take 2 days, but could go longer if you have a really big pool. A swimming pool demolition company will spend the first day doing the demolition, and the second (and third) days filling the swimming pool.
    • And that’s all there is to it! Clearing out an old decaying pool can really increase the value of your property!