The thought process is a familiar one for countless homeowners. It starts with a quiet frustration—the endless skimming, the shocking water bills, the nagging worry about safety. This frustration slowly builds until it solidifies into a firm decision: "I'm getting rid of this pool." The immediate next step seems logical: call a contractor and ask for the pool removal cost. The idea of a pool demolition feels like the ultimate solution, a final, decisive action to end the headache once and for all.
But what if the most decisive action isn't the wisest one? What if, in our rush for a permanent solution, we overlook a more intelligent, flexible, and financially sound strategy? The problem with permanent inground pool removal is its finality. It’s a one-way decision that erases a significant home asset forever. There is a better way to think about the problem. Instead of "removing" your pool, you should consider "pausing" it. This subtle shift in perspective—from destruction to preservation—can protect your home's value, save you from future regret, and give you the backyard you want today without sacrificing the options you might need tomorrow.
Committing to a pool demolition process is a major financial and emotional decision. It’s driven by a desire for immediate relief from a pressing problem. However, this relief often comes at a steep, irreversible price.
Many homeowners experience a phenomenon known as "decision regret" after major, permanent home alterations. The backyard that felt liberating at first can start to feel limiting. What if you decide to sell in a few years, and every potential buyer asks, "This is great, but where's the pool?" What if your own lifestyle changes, and you find yourself wishing you had that cool oasis on a blistering July afternoon? Once the concrete is gone, there’s no undo button.
Think of it this way: if your car's engine was too expensive to maintain, you wouldn't solve the problem by having the entire car crushed. You'd replace the engine or sell the car. Yet, with a pool, many people jump to the most extreme option: total destruction. You are spending thousands of dollars to eliminate an asset that adds tangible value to your property in the eyes of many future buyers. It's a financially counterintuitive move. As we've detailed in Pool Removal Cost: A Full Breakdown vs. Smarter Alternatives, the initial cost is only the beginning of the financial story.
This is where the concept of "pausing" your pool with a Freedom Deck conversion comes in. It’s a solution built on the principle of strategic flexibility. It addresses every single one of your current pain points without forcing you into a corner.
| Consideration | Permanent Removal (Demolition) | Strategic Pause (Deck Conversion) |
|---|---|---|
| Problem Solved? |
Yes, the pool is gone. | Yes, the pool is covered and requires no maintenance. |
| Water DisposalGained Usable Space? |
Yes, you get a patch of lawn. | Yes, you get a beautiful, functional patio. |
| Decision Reversibility? |
No, it is permanent. | Yes, the deck can be fully removed. |
| Property Value Impact? |
Often negative, as a valuable asset is lost. | Preserves the pool as an asset, adding flexibility. |
| Future Options? |
Severely limited. | Completely open for you or a future owner. |
| Timeframe? |
Weeks of disruptive construction. | Days of clean, efficient installation. |
This table makes the strategic advantage clear. Pausing the pool provides all the immediate benefits of removal while simultaneously preserving all the long-term benefits of keeping the pool as an asset.
Imagine your unused pool is transformed in less than a week. The noise, the cost, the worry—all gone. In its place is a stunning, low-maintenance composite deck. It’s a perfect space for your new patio furniture, a fire pit, a play area for the kids, or an elegant spot for entertaining guests. You have immediately upgraded your lifestyle and reclaimed your backyard.
But beneath that beautiful surface, your pool shell rests, safe and sound. It's not a buried liability; it's a preserved asset. It's an "insurance policy" on your property's value. When you decide to sell your home, you're not disclosing a problem; you're marketing a unique feature: a "flexible backyard with a ready-to-restore pool." This gives you a powerful advantage in the real estate market.
This approach is especially critical in markets like Arizona. For a deeper dive into the local dynamics, our article on Pool Demolition in Phoenix: Costs, Rules & A Smarter Alternative explains why preserving the pool asset is so vital in our climate.
The conversation about how to get rid of a pool should not be limited to jackhammers and dump trucks. That’s an outdated, brute-force approach to a nuanced problem. The modern, sophisticated solution is about transforming your space while preserving your options.
The ultimate luxury isn’t just having more space; it's having choices. Permanent demolition takes choices away. A strategic pause gives you choices. A choice to enjoy a patio today. A choice for a future owner to enjoy a pool tomorrow. A choice to adapt your home to your life as it changes, rather than making a permanent change you may one day regret.
Before you make that final call to start the pool demolition, ask yourself one last question: Do you really want to destroy a part of your home, or do you just want to solve a problem? If the answer is the latter, then it's time to stop thinking about removal and start thinking about reinvention. It’s time to press pause.
No. The pool is drained, and a specialized pump system is installed beneath the deck to handle any rainwater that gets through, keeping the shell dry and clean. You have zero pool maintenance responsibilities once the deck is installed.
The decks are built with high-quality, durable materials engineered to last for many years. The structural frame and patented bracket system are designed for longevity. The pool shell is not damaged during installation, so yes, it can be fully restored to its original condition even a decade or more later.
The cost to remove an inground pool can be very similar to the cost of a deck conversion. While a cheap partial fill-in might cost less upfront, it often leads to a greater financial loss in the long run due to its negative impact on property value. A deck conversion is an investment in preserving that value.