Above-ground pool removal is the simplest and most affordable type of pool removal. These pools, steel-frame, resin-frame or inflatable-base above-ground pools, don’t require excavation or heavy machinery in most cases. They’re drained, disassembled, the liner and panels are removed, and the whole thing is taken away in a truck. Most above-ground pool removals in the Southern Highlands are complete in a single day.
If you have an above-ground pool that you want gone, the cost and process are both much simpler than you might expect.
Types of Above-Ground Pools Removed in the Highlands
Steel Frame Pools
The traditional above-ground pool, a round or oval steel frame with a steel or polymer wall section and a vinyl liner. These are the most common type in the Southern Highlands and can be disassembled and removed in a few hours by a two-person crew. Steel frame and wall sections are recycled; vinyl liner goes to landfill.
Resin Frame Pools
Similar in structure to steel frame pools but with polymer/resin frame components rather than steel. Typically lighter and in better condition than older steel-frame pools. Removed in the same way, disassembled manually, materials loaded and taken away.
Semi-Permanent and “Permanentised” Above-Ground Pools
Some above-ground pools in the Southern Highlands have been “improved” over the years, embedded in timber or concrete decking, surrounded by structures, or sitting on a poured concrete pad. These jobs are slightly more complex than a free-standing above-ground pool and may require some demolition of the surrounding structures. This is assessed at the site inspection.
Large Inflatable and Quick-Set Pools
Smaller temporary pools (blow-up or quick-set styles, 1.5m, 4m diameter) can usually be handled as a self-removal job by the homeowner, the frames collapse and the liner goes to general waste. These generally aren’t worth putting a contractor onto. If you have something larger that you can’t manage yourself, contact us.
The Above-Ground Pool Removal Process
- Pool is drained, typically via the pump outlet, directed to an appropriate drainage point (not street drains, pool water must be treated before discharge in most circumstances)
- Equipment is removed, pump, filter and chlorinator are disconnected and removed (these can sometimes be sold secondhand or donated)
- Liner is removed, the vinyl liner is rolled up and removed to waste
- Frame is disassembled, panels, uprights, top rails and connectors are separated and sorted for recycling or landfill
- Site is left clear, the area where the pool stood is levelled and any concrete pad is either left in place or removed as agreed
- Materials are taken away, steel and aluminium for recycling, vinyl and resin components to landfill
Do You Need the Concrete Pad Removed?
Many above-ground pools in the Southern Highlands sit on a poured concrete pad, either purpose-made or a repurposed existing slab. Whether you want the concrete pad removed depends on your plans for the area:
- Keep the pad if you plan to use the area for a garden shed, outdoor furniture, or another structure that benefits from a paved base
- Remove the pad if you want to return the area to lawn or garden, or if the pad is in the wrong location for your intended use
Concrete pad removal adds $800 to $1,500 to the typical above-ground pool removal quote, depending on pad size and thickness. This is assessed at the site inspection.
How much does it cost to remove an above-ground pool?
Above-ground pool removal cost in the Southern Highlands runs $2,500 to $4,200 for a free-standing steel-frame or resin-frame pool, and $3,500 to $5,500 where the pool has been built into decking or surrounds. Removing the concrete pad underneath adds $800 to $1,500. How much it costs to remove an above-ground pool comes down to three things: the size and type of the pool, whether anything has been built around it, and what you want done with the pad and the ground underneath.
| Pool Type and Size | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Small steel frame (under 3.5m diameter) | $2,500 to $3,000 |
| Standard steel frame (3.5m, 5m diameter) | $2,800 to $3,500 |
| Large steel frame (5m+ or oval) | $3,200 to $4,200 |
| Semi-permanent with deck surrounds | $3,500 to $5,500 |
| Adding concrete pad removal | Add $800 to $1,500 |
Above-ground pool removal is the most affordable pool removal option, and in most cases there’s minimal preparation required on your end.
Can You Donate or Sell the Above-Ground Pool Instead?
If your above-ground pool is in reasonable condition, it may be worth trying to sell or donate it before calling for removal. A functional steel-frame pool in good condition can sell for $200 to $800 on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. However:
- If the pool is old (10+ years), faded, with a degraded liner or corroded frame sections, it’s typically not worth anyone’s effort to take it
- If you’ve been trying to sell or give it away and had no success, just book the removal, the cost is low and the process is simple
If the pool is sold, you’ve eliminated the removal cost. If not, removal costs $2,500 to $4,000 and it’s gone in a day.
Above-Ground Pool Pool Safety Barriers
Note that above-ground pools in NSW that are above ground level by more than 300mm require pool safety barriers compliant with the NSW Swimming Pools Act 1992. When removing an above-ground pool, the barrier requirement is also removed. This is typically a positive for properties where the pool fence has been restrictive or visually intrusive.
Frequently Asked Questions, Above-Ground Pool Removal
How much does it cost to remove an above-ground swimming pool? The cost to remove an above-ground swimming pool in the Southern Highlands is $2,500 to $4,200 for a standard steel-frame or resin-frame pool, per the table above. Above-ground swimming pool removal cost rises to $3,500 to $5,500 once the pool is integrated into decking, and adding pad removal is a further $800 to $1,500. Your contractor confirms a fixed figure at the free site inspection.
How much to remove an above-ground pool if I have already drained it? Draining the pool yourself before the crew arrives saves time on site, though it rarely changes the quoted figure by much: the labour is in the disassembly, loading and disposal, not the water. It does mean the job is more likely to finish inside a half day.
How long does above-ground pool removal take? Most standard above-ground pools are removed in two to four hours. A half day or full day is usually allowed on the schedule to cover any complications.
Do I need to do anything before removal day? Ideally, the pool should be partially drained or empty beforehand, this saves time and makes disassembly easier. The drain-down guidance covers where the water can legally go.
Can the steel frame be recycled? Yes, steel frame components go to a metal recycler. Most of the frame material from steel-frame pools is recyclable.
Do I need council approval to remove an above-ground pool? No. Above-ground pool removal is straightforward self-help work (or work by a contractor) that doesn’t require council approval. Deregistering the pool from the NSW Swimming Pool Register is advisable after removal.
What if my above-ground pool is attached to decking that needs to come down too? Timber deck removal is additional to the pool removal scope and is priced separately. This is assessed at inspection. Timber deck removal in the Southern Highlands typically adds $1,500 to $4,000 depending on deck size and construction.
Ready to remove your Southern Highlands above-ground pool? Request a free quote.