Swimming pools are a major feature of many backyards, but sometimes a pool that was once the perfect size no longer fits your needs. Whether you’re looking to reduce maintenance, create more usable yard space, or simply update the look of your outdoor area, making a pool smaller is a practical solution.
At Blue Star Pools, we specialize in pool renovations of all sizes — including pool downsizing — ensuring a seamless process tailored to your vision and goals.
Let’s walk through what’s involved and the important factors that affect the project scope when resizing your pool.
Why Homeowners Choose to Make Their Pools Smaller
Over time, lifestyle changes or property needs can make a large pool feel more like a burden than a benefit.
Here are common reasons homeowners opt for a smaller pool:
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Reduced Maintenance: A smaller pool requires less cleaning, fewer chemicals, and lower operational costs.
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More Backyard Space: Downsizing frees up space for landscaping, patios, outdoor kitchens, or even gardens.
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Energy Efficiency: Smaller pools use less energy for heating, filtration, and lighting.
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Enhanced Aesthetics: Modernizing your pool design can give your entire backyard a refreshed, updated look.
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Safety Considerations: Reducing depth or size can make pools safer, especially for households with young children or seniors.
What’s Involved in Making a Pool Smaller?
Downsizing a pool is more complex than it might seem — but with expert handling, it’s absolutely achievable. The process typically includes:
1. Evaluation and Planning
Professional assessment of your existing pool’s structure, plumbing, and electrical systems is essential. An experienced pool contractor, like Blue Star Pools, will evaluate feasibility, offer design recommendations, and create a detailed plan.
2. Partial Demolition
In many cases, sections of the existing pool need to be removed or reshaped. This could involve cutting into the pool shell, adjusting the perimeter, and ensuring structural integrity is maintained.
3. Reframing and Reconstruction
After the necessary sections are removed, the pool is reframed to its new shape. This may involve:
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Building new pool walls
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Reworking steps, benches, or tanning ledges
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Adjusting depth levels if desired
4. Plumbing and Electrical Adjustments
Pumps, drains, lights, and filtration systems may need to be rerouted or updated to match the new pool dimensions and design.
5. Surface Refinishing
After construction, the pool surface is refinished with your chosen material (plaster, pebble, tile, etc.) to create a smooth, cohesive look.
6. Decking and Landscaping Integration
The area around the modified pool will need rework as well — from patching or expanding the pool deck to refreshing landscaping elements for a flawless finish.
Factors That Influence the Cost to Make a Pool Smaller
Rather than a one-size-fits-all answer, several key factors impact the overall investment required:
✔️ Scope of Size Reduction
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Slight modifications (e.g., reshaping corners or adjusting shallow areas) are generally less involved than major size reductions.
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Major changes, like removing several feet of length or width, involve extensive demolition and reconstruction.
✔️ Type of Pool Structure
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Concrete (gunite) pools are highly adaptable but require careful work to maintain integrity.
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Fiberglass pools are less flexible for major alterations and may require special handling.
✔️ Plumbing and Equipment Updates
Changes to the pool’s size often necessitate updates to plumbing lines, drains, returns, and filtration systems to ensure efficient and safe operation.
✔️ Surface and Finish Choices
After resizing, the pool surface must be refinished. Options like plaster, quartz, aggregate, or glass tile have different material and labor costs.
✔️ Decking and Landscape Restoration
If downsizing alters the surrounding decking or backyard layout, additional work like concrete pouring, paver installation, or sod restoration may be necessary.
✔️ Local Regulations and Permits
Depending on your city’s regulations (like those in Newport Beach and surrounding areas), permits and inspections could be part of the process.
Benefits of Working With Pool Remodeling Experts
When modifying a pool’s size, experience matters. Partnering with a team like Blue Star Pools offers critical advantages:
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Detailed Planning: Customized designs based on your goals and budget
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Skilled Execution: Proper demolition, construction, and refinishing
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Code Compliance: Ensuring safety standards and permit approvals
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Seamless Integration: Decking, landscaping, and lighting that enhance the new pool design
We are committed to delivering pool transformations that exceed expectations — creating spaces that are beautiful, functional, and long-lasting.
FAQs About Making a Pool Smaller
1. Can any pool be resized?
Most concrete pools can be resized. Fiberglass and vinyl liner pools can be more challenging but may still have options depending on their structure and condition.
2. How long does it take to make a pool smaller?
Pool resizing timelines vary but typically range from several weeks to a few months depending on the complexity of the changes and site conditions.
3. Will downsizing affect the strength or safety of the pool?
When properly engineered and constructed by professionals, a resized pool will maintain or even improve structural integrity and safety standards.
4. Do I need new pool equipment after downsizing?
It depends on the extent of the changes. Pumps, heaters, and filtration systems may need resizing or updating for optimal performance.
5. Can I redesign the pool’s shape during the downsizing project?
Absolutely! Downsizing is a great opportunity to modernize your pool’s shape, add new features, and create a fresh new design tailored to your backyard.
Ready to Right-Size Your Pool? Let’s Get Started!
At Blue Star Pools, we believe every pool should fit your life perfectly. Whether you need a smaller pool for easier maintenance, better energy efficiency, or more backyard space, our experts are ready to help.
