The Southern Highlands has a genuine population of pre-1980 pools, some approaching or past 60 years old, installed during the region’s earliest wave of development as a Sydney weekender destination. These pools are a different proposition to the 1980s and 90s concrete stock that makes up most of our removal work: construction standards were less consistent, records are rarely available, and the shell itself can throw up surprises that a newer pool generally doesn’t. This guide covers what’s different about removing a very old pool and how your contractor plans for the unknowns.
Why Pre-1980 Pools Are a Different Job
Modern concrete pool removal is a fairly predictable process, our pool removal cost by pool type guide sets out the standard method and pricing for concrete, fibreglass, vinyl and above-ground pools built to recognisable specifications. Pre-1980 pools don’t always fit neatly into that picture. Construction methods varied more between builders, documentation from the original build is almost never available, and decades of partial repairs, some done well, some not, can mean the shell in the ground today is quite different from what was originally installed.
The result is that a very old pool needs a more careful site inspection before quoting, rather than a standard assessment based on visible size and apparent construction type.
Common Surprises With Very Old Pools
Unknown or mixed construction. Some pre-1980 pools were built with lower-grade concrete, less reinforcing than would be used today, or a composite of materials, a concrete base with block or brick walls, for example, that isn’t apparent until demolition is underway. This can change how the shell breaks up and how long the job takes.
Non-standard depths and shapes. Older pools were sometimes built deeper or with steeper walls than later standard designs, and diving pools from this era are more common than they are today. Depth and shape affect excavation volume, backfill requirements and machinery access.
Asbestos risk in adjoining structures. Pre-1985 properties carry a real chance of asbestos-containing materials, most often in fibro cement pump sheds, equipment enclosures or old coping and edging products, rather than the pool shell itself. Your contractor checks for this as a standard part of every site inspection on a property of this age, and where it’s found, a licensed asbestos removalist handles that component as part of the fixed quote.
Undocumented plumbing and electrical runs. Older pools sometimes have plumbing or electrical conduit run in unexpected paths, occasionally without the depth of cover that would be required today. These are identified and safely capped or disconnected as demolition proceeds, but they add a small amount of uncertainty that your contractor builds into the quote as a contingency allowance rather than a fixed line item.
Prior partial repairs. A pool that’s had patch repairs, a partial reline, added bracing or a modified equipment pad over its life can have inconsistent material and thickness across the shell. This generally slows the demolition rate compared to a uniform, single-era shell.
How the Job Is Planned Around the Unknowns
For a pre-1980 pool, the site inspection focuses more heavily on visual and physical assessment: probing accessible sections of the shell where possible, checking for visible repairs or inconsistencies, and confirming the age and likely construction era of adjoining structures for asbestos risk. Where genuine uncertainty remains after inspection, your contractor prices the job with a contingency allowance for unexpected material or additional time, disclosed upfront in the quote rather than appearing as a surprise variation once work starts.
This is different to the standard fixed-price approach for a well-understood 1980s or 90s pool, and owners of very old pools should expect that additional uncertainty to be spelled out in the price.
Indicative Costs for Very Old Pool Removal
| Scenario | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Pre-1980 concrete pool, standard size, straightforward | $13,000–$20,000 |
| Pre-1980 concrete pool, mixed/unclear construction | $15,000–$24,000 |
| Asbestos management in adjoining structures (if required) | Add $800–$2,500 |
| Contingency allowance for unforeseen conditions | Typically 10-15% of base quote |
All figures are indicative and include GST. The wide range reflects the genuine variability in very old pool construction, a firm figure is only possible after the site inspection, and your contractor flags any contingency allowance clearly in the written quote.
Is Your Pool Above-Ground or Inground From This Era?
Very old above-ground pools are rare in the Highlands relative to inground stock, but where a semi-inground pool from this period exists, the same construction-uncertainty principle applies. Our above-ground vs inground pool removal guide explains how we categorise borderline structures for removal and approval purposes. For the standard concrete demolition process that still applies once the shell type is confirmed, see our concrete pool removal service page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pool is old enough to fall into this category? As a rough guide, if your pool was installed before 1980 or you have no reliable information about when it was built, it’s worth flagging this at enquiry so the site inspection can be planned accordingly. Properties built or subdivided before the mid-1980s are the main candidates.
Will removing a very old pool definitely cost more than a standard 1980s pool? Not always, but there’s more variability in the estimate until the site inspection is done. Some very old pools turn out to be straightforward; others reveal mixed construction or asbestos in adjoining structures that adds cost. We disclose any contingency clearly before you commit.
Is asbestos more likely in a pre-1980 pool than a 1980s one? The relevant cutoff for asbestos risk is the general 1985 ban on asbestos-containing products in Australia, so pre-1980 properties do carry a meaningful chance, most commonly in surrounding structures like pump sheds rather than the pool shell itself. Your contractor assesses this at every site inspection regardless of the pool’s exact age.
Can you still give me a fixed quote for a very old pool? Yes. We aim to fix the price wherever the site inspection allows it. Where genuine construction uncertainty remains after inspection, we disclose a contingency allowance in the written quote rather than leaving the total open-ended.
Have a very old pool you’re considering removing? Get a free on-site quote and we’ll assess the construction and any asbestos risk before confirming your price.