You could install a new pool where an one formerly 'resided.' You might have some things to be careful of .... to be assessed when one has knowledge of what's going in relative to what was once there.

As the pros above have noted, it's possible. However, the real question is, do you know whether the previous pool was actually fully removed or just filled in? Depending on your location and the local code, two types of so-called removal may be allowed.

A partial removal, i.e. filling in a pool, is the cheaper way to go and if it's allowed, that's what many people choose to do. A partial removal involves a demolition contractor removing the coping, the tile, and the top few feet of the liner. Then holes are drilled in the bottom of the liner for drainage and then the pool is filled with dirt and other fill materials (sometimes the code allows dumping the debris from the demolition of the top few feet in with the fill). In certain localities, if a pool is only partially removed, no new pool can be put there unless the original pool is dug up and fully removed (see below for what full removal entails). Additionally, a partial removal may need to be disclosed when selling the home since it might prevent someone from installing a pool in the future.

A complete removal, when done correctly, leaves no trace. During a complete removal, the entire liner, coping, bond beam, structure, etc. are demolished and all debris is removed from the site. The hole is filled with clean-fill soil in and compacted at regular intervals as it's filled so that the compaction matches 95% or more of what nature could do. Typically a soils engineer would have been involved in this process and regular samples should have been taken to indicate that the compaction of the fill is sufficient to avoid creating a sink hole or further settlement. Often times a permit is necessary for a complete removal and the city will inspect to ensure the proper protocol has been followed. When finished, it is basically as if a pool were never there, so putting a new pool in at the same location should not be an issue. There is no need to disclose a prior pool in many cities because the old one was completely removed.

Thank you. This is in California. The pool was filled in with permits. So, as you describe with regard to soil compaction, it is not suitable to build anything on top of where it existed. But since we would like to have a pool I wondered how difficult and expensive it would be to completely remove what was there and start over. Or if it would be possible to restore the pool, which I'm sure would need new plumbing, electrical, many repairs and an entire resurfacing. Would you happen to know which would be easier and/or more cost effective?

I can't comment on specific numbers for your situation, but I can provide some anecdotal information that may help. It certainly seems like you'd need to do most of the work for a full removal, digging up everything that's there, and start over. For a relatively normal rectangular 18' x 36' pool, the lowest bid I received in Southern California for a full removal was $10,000, so you can figure digging up the remnants will run at least that much.

There's probably not much hope of saving any of what remains of the old pool, but you may be able to avoid the cost of removing much more of the liner if you choose to do a down-sizing of the pool. Basically, your new pool will be built smaller and inside of the existing/remaining liner. I have no idea if the city will permit you to treat the filled in liner as existing like they would if the pool had never been removed, but the process for downsizing a pool is very similar to the partial removal, so it's possible. You can figure this part of the process would run as much as a new pool would, north of $40,000 minimum. So with the initial dig, demo, and reconstruction, you could easily end up spending $75,000 or more, and that's assuming you can get the permit to put the pool in (certain cities in California have slowed the issuing of pool installation permits since the drought).

The best thing you can do is talk to a quality pool contractor and see what they would recommend. Downsizing the pool is something many contractors I've spoken to have offered as an alternative to removing my (aging and ugly) pool, so I know it's something that's done with some frequency. Good luck!

Thank you Andrew!!

Hi I agree with above information. Just to note in Southern California for a pool fill in we punch holes in the bottom of the pool so the shell can drain then fill it in.. this is per permit. So u would need a complete removal and new pool. In Los Angeles we can get over the counter permits for most pools 10’ + away from a down slope. In slope pools are what require extra permit time. If you are in Southern California and want to talk about possible options I can at least give some info. Let me know if u have questions.