Pool removal in Iowa
Pool removal in Iowa starts with a local permit and an 811 call before digging; then a crew paid Iowa rates fills the pool in or takes it out.
- Concrete pool, filled in · 1–3 days
- $2,500–$9,900
- Concrete pool, taken out · 3–7 days
- $4,000–$15,900
US ranges from Angi, set for Iowa construction pay (BLS, May 2025); days from HomeAdvisor.
Pool removal cost calculator
What kind of pool is it?
Not sure? Touch the wall: soft and pressable is vinyl, slick and glossy is fiberglass, rough is concrete.
Last question
Fill it in, or take it all out?
Pool removal in Iowa runs anywhere from $475 up to $15,900, based on the pool type and whether you fill it in or remove it fully.
A nearby crew does the digging, and some Iowa rules have to be followed before the work begins. Call now When you call, you reach a pool demolition company serving your area. They'll ask about the pool and your yard, set up a visit, and hand you a written quote.
Pool removal cost by type of pool
The ranges below come from national Angi data, adjusted for Iowa, where average pay for construction laborers is $24.80 an hour versus $25.02 nationally (BLS).
| Pool type | What's done | Typical Iowa cost |
|---|---|---|
| Above ground | Taken apart and hauled away | $475–$2,475 |
| Vinyl liner | Pulled out of the ground | $3,000–$9,900 |
| Fiberglass | Removed from the yard | $5,000–$14,900 |
| Concrete or gunite | Broken up and the hole filled | $2,500–$9,900 |
| Concrete or gunite | Fully removed | $4,000–$15,900 |
A fill-in means breaking the pool up and filling the hole. A full removal takes the pool out entirely, which is why the price runs higher.
Concrete pools: fill-in versus full removal
A fill-in job generally keeps a crew on your property for 1 to 3 days. Full removal runs 3 to 7 days, per HomeAdvisor.
Having the crew visit your yard lets them look at the pool and how they can reach it, then quote you a written price for either option.
Fill it in
$2,500–$9,900 in Iowa
- Time in the yard
- 1–3 days
- Build there later?
- Usually not
- Tell a buyer?
- Yes: the bottom of the pool stays buried. Show the permit and the compaction report.
Take it all out
$4,000–$15,900 in Iowa
- Time in the yard
- 3–7 days
- Build there later?
- Usually, once the town approves the packed fill
- Tell a buyer?
- Show the permit and the compaction report.
Calling before you dig
Under Iowa law, you need to file a locate request with Iowa One Call no less than 48 hours before digging starts. That request gets utility companies out to mark any buried lines on your property. The 48-hour clock skips the day you phone in, plus Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, and homeowners are covered by the rule as well.
Permits and city rules
Each city sets its own rules. Des Moines bars anyone from starting to demolish a building or structure before the building official issues a demolition permit. Swimming pools aren't named in the code (Des Moines code).
Des Moines also holds that permit until any existing sewer or water service has been disconnected properly and approved.
Once demolition is done, the hole may be filled using building rubble, sand, clean earth, or another approved material. The upper 12 inches have to be clean earth or something equal to it, and the site needs to be left tidy and level.
Getting rid of the pool water
In West Des Moines, pool or spa water must never go into streets or storm drains. Where possible, it belongs in the home's sanitary sewer, following city guidelines (West Des Moines).
Draining outdoors instead? The city says the water should sit 7 days with nothing added, giving the chlorine time to fade. Rules in other cities may differ.
Finding the right contractor for the job
Once a contractor's yearly construction earnings hit $2,000, Iowa says they must be registered with DIAL, the state agency that handles this (DIAL). That's a registration, not a skills test. Contractors are also directed to check city or county rules for every job, so ask who takes care of the permit in your city.
After the pool is gone: selling your home
Under Iowa Code chapter 558A, anyone selling a home with one to four dwelling units has to hand the buyer a written disclosure. The sample form from the Real Estate Commission covers things like the foundation or basement, the sewer, structural damage, and flood plain status. Nothing on it asks about a pool that was filled in or about buried fill.
Hang on to your permit and paperwork so you have proof ready if a buyer ever asks.
Your yard, your written price
The ranges tell you what's typical, but your pool, access, and fill set the actual number. Call now to talk it over and receive a price in writing.
Get a crew to look at your yard
The ranges tell you what is usual. Once a crew sees your pool, the access, and the fill, they will give you a real written quote.