Above-ground pools are often treated as the simple end of the pool removal spectrum, and in many respects they are. But “above-ground pool” covers a surprisingly wide range of products, from small inflatable paddling pools to large permanent above-ground fibreglass shells, and the removal process, cost and effort varies considerably between types.
This guide explains the two main above-ground pool types found in Southern Highlands properties, the steel-frame round pool and the above-ground fibreglass shell, and what removal involves for each.
Quick Answer (BLUF)
Steel-frame round above-ground pools (the classic Intex or Bestway-style pool in larger permanent form) disassemble into panels, frame sections, liner and plumbing. They’re relatively straightforward to remove and dispose of. Above-ground fibreglass shells, which are essentially an in-ground fibreglass mould set on or into a prepared pad, are heavier, harder to move and require more effort to remove and dispose of. Semi-inground pools (set partially below ground level) add excavation requirements regardless of material. Cost ranges from $1,500 for a small steel-frame pool to $6,000-$10,000+ for a large above-ground fibreglass shell.
Type 1: Steel-Frame Above-Ground Round Pools
The classic above-ground pool is a circular or oval steel-framed structure with a liner, typically 3-6m in diameter and 1.2-1.5m deep. These pools were very popular in the 1990s and 2000s as a cheaper alternative to in-ground pools.
Construction: Interlocking steel panels form the pool wall. A steel frame provides structural support. A vinyl liner sits inside the steel wall. The pool sits on a sand or foam pad on the ground surface.
Removal process:
- Drain the pool, most have a drain valve; otherwise drain with a submersible pump
- Remove all plumbing connections (inlet, return, filter connection)
- Dismantle the steel frame, panels unbolt or clip together and can be dismantled with basic tools
- Fold and remove the liner (usually degraded and non-recyclable after several years in service)
- Remove the sand or foam base and smooth the ground surface
- Dispose of materials
Cold climate effects in the Highlands: Steel-frame pools suffer accelerated rust in the Highlands’ wet winters. The steel panels corrode from both outside (moisture) and inside (pool chemistry, if unbalanced). Rusty, pitted steel panels are common in Highlands pools that have been in service for more than 10 years, particularly in areas with cold, wet winters like Bundanoon or Robertson.
Can you DIY? Disassembling a steel-frame pool is one of the more accessible DIY pool removal projects, the work is largely manual, doesn’t require excavation equipment, and the materials are manageable in weight. However, disposing of the waste requires multiple trips to a council waste facility or a skip bin hire. Our DIY above-ground pool removal guide walks through the process. For many Highlands homeowners, hiring a professional to handle the whole job (including disposal) makes more sense than the time and hassle of multiple tip runs.
Semi-inground steel-frame pools: Some steel-frame pools were set partially below ground level, typically 300-600mm below natural surface, to reduce their visual height and improve access. If yours is semi-inground, there’s a small excavation to manage after the pool structure is removed. The excavated soil is typically used to backfill the depression.
Type 2: Above-Ground Fibreglass Shells
Above-ground fibreglass pools are a premium above-ground option, a pre-moulded fibreglass shell (like an in-ground fibreglass pool) that sits on a prepared pad rather than being set into the ground. They’re less common than steel-frame pools but not uncommon in the Highlands, particularly on rural-residential properties where an in-ground pool would have required significant rock excavation.
Construction: A moulded fibreglass shell, typically 4-8m long and 2-4m wide, sitting on a concrete, compacted gravel or timber pad. May have an above-ground fibreglass or timber surround structure. Plumbing runs to a filter unit.
Removal process:
- Drain the pool
- Disconnect all plumbing
- Remove any surrounding deck structure
- Lift or move the shell, this is the main challenge
The weight problem: A large above-ground fibreglass shell (6m x 3m x 1.2m) weighs around 500-700kg empty. This is too heavy to move by hand but manageable with a small tracked excavator or telehandler. The shell must be lifted clear of its pad and loaded onto a truck for disposal.
The disposal problem: Like in-ground fibreglass pool shells, above-ground fibreglass shells cannot be recycled and must go to a licensed landfill. The large, awkward dimensions of a fibreglass shell make it a difficult load, shells are often cut into sections with an angle grinder before loading to make them more manageable and reduce truck space required.
Cold climate effects: Fibreglass shells sitting above ground are more exposed to UV and temperature cycling than in-ground pools. In the Southern Highlands’ cold winters, gelcoat crazing and blistering occur faster than in warmer climates. Many above-ground fibreglass pools in the Highlands that are 15+ years old have significant surface damage.
The In-Between Cases: Semi-Inground Pools
A category that doesn’t fit neatly into either above-ground or in-ground is the semi-inground pool, a fibreglass or steel shell set partially below natural ground level. These are common on sloping blocks in the Highlands where cutting the pool into the slope was easier than building up.
Semi-inground removal involves elements of both above-ground removal (accessing and disconnecting the shell) and in-ground removal (some excavation required to free and remove the buried portion). Costs sit between the two categories.
Disposal: What Happens to the Materials?
Steel frame components: Galvanised steel panels and frame components can be recycled as scrap metal. Most metal recyclers will accept them. The vinyl liner, foam base and any degraded plastic components go to general waste or landfill.
Fibreglass shells: As noted above, fibreglass is a non-recyclable composite material. It goes to licensed landfill. Ask your contractor to provide a waste disposal docket as proof of proper disposal, required for your council documentation. See our pool removal waste guide for more detail.
Cost Comparison
| Pool Type | Typical Highlands Removal Cost |
|---|---|
| Small steel-frame (under 18,000L) | $1,500-$3,000 |
| Large steel-frame (18,000-40,000L) | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Above-ground fibreglass shell (small) | $4,000-$7,000 |
| Above-ground fibreglass shell (large) | $6,000-$10,000 |
| Semi-inground (any type) | Add $1,500-$3,000 for excavation |
These are full removal costs including disposal and site tidy. Council approval costs for above-ground pools depend on whether a CDC is required, some simple above-ground pool removals fall under exempt development provisions.
FAQs
Do I need council approval to remove an above-ground pool?
It depends on how the pool was installed and classified. Simple disassembly and removal of a freestanding above-ground pool is often exempt development in NSW. However, if the pool had a permanent concrete pad, attached deck structure or any in-ground element, an approval may be required. Check with a private certifier or Wingecarribee Shire Council’s development enquiry line before proceeding without approval.
Can I sell my steel-frame pool rather than dispose of it?
Possibly. If the liner is in reasonable condition and the steel panels aren’t heavily corroded, above-ground pools have a secondhand market on Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms. Expect $200-$800 for a functional pool. Heavily rusted panels or deteriorated liners have essentially no resale value. Removing and selling the pool yourself before the contractor arrives may offset some cost.
My above-ground pool has a timber deck around it, does that add to removal cost?
Yes. A timber deck increases the scope of work, the deck must be disassembled and the timber disposed of before the pool structure can be accessed. Whether the timber can be salvaged and reused depends on its condition; untreated aged timber is often not worth saving. Allow an additional $500-$1,500 for deck removal depending on size and complexity.
What if the pool is still full of water and the pump has failed?
A submersible drainage pump (available for hire) will drain most above-ground pools in a few hours. The water is directed to the sewer connection (never to stormwater or neighbours’ land). This is typically a pre-removal task you can manage yourself, or your contractor will include it in the job.