Pool removal process
Wherever you live, removing a swimming pool follows one order: permit, drain, break out the shell, fill, pack the soil, then topsoil and grass.
The pool removal process comes down to five jobs, done in order: drain the pool, break up or lift out the shell, fill the hole, spread topsoil, and have an engineer confirm the ground is solid. Here's what happens at each stage, how long the work takes, and what it may cost.
- To take out an in‑ground pool
- 1–7 days
- Partial removal and fill
- 1–3 days
- Full removal
- 3–7 days
The steps, in order
Step 1Empty the water out. Draining takes about a day and costs up to $175.
Step 2Break apart or lift out the shell, depending on the type of pool.
Step 3Fill the hole and tamp the soil down. Packing down the soil is called compaction and costs $250 to $1,000.
Step 4Add topsoil, then seed it or lay sod.
Step 5Have a structural engineer sign off. The engineer confirms the filled ground is stable and charges $100 to $200 an hour, according to Angi.
How long does it take?
In-ground pool removal takes 1 to 7 days, according to Angi. Where your job lands in that range depends on whether the crew leaves some of the shell buried or removes every bit of it.
| Job type | Time on site |
|---|---|
| Partial removal | 1 to 3 days |
| Full removal | 3 to 7 days |
These numbers are from HomeAdvisor.
Should you remove part of the pool or all of it?
Before choosing partial removal, check the legal limits that apply to your property. It's quicker and costs less, but if you sell, you'll need to tell buyers that part of the old shell is still underground.
A full removal clears out every piece of the shell. The ground you end up with can be built on, per HomeAdvisor. It also adds more to property value than a partial job.
Costs by type of pool
Where you live shapes what you pay, since labor rates change from state to state. These national ranges give you a place to start.
| Pool type and work | US price range |
|---|---|
| Above ground pool, taken apart and hauled off | $475 to $2,500 |
| Gunite or concrete pool, filled in place | $2,500 to $10,000 |
| Gunite or concrete pool, completely removed | $4,000 to $16,000 |
| Fiberglass pool, removed | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Pool with vinyl liner, removed | $3,000 to $10,000 |
Our price tool shows the range for your state, but the only number you can count on is a written quote from a company that has looked at your yard.
Landscaping after the pool is gone
Once the hole has been filled and packed, the top layer determines what will grow there. Grass calls for roughly 18 inches of topsoil above the fill, per HomeAdvisor.
Your next choice is seed or sod. Sod is grass that has already been grown and arrives in rolls. Seed costs less.
The same backyard, before and after
Landscaping costs
| Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Topsoil | $12 to $55 a cubic yard |
| Lawn seeding | $0.10 to $0.20 a square foot |
| Sodding | $1.50 to $3.00 a square foot |
| Compaction | $250 to $1,000 |
The topsoil figure comes from HomeAdvisor, while seed, sod, and compaction come from Angi.
Frequently asked questions
Is pool removal worth it?
Having a pool can make a home tougher to sell, according to Angi. Removing the pool can save $150 to $260 a month in upkeep and insurance.
Can a filled-in pool be dug back out later?
Yes, though it costs about the same as building a new in-ground pool, according to Angi.
Who provides the final price?
A pool demolition company that has walked your yard, which you can reach with the call button in our price tool. Ask for the price in writing, broken down into shell removal, fill, compaction, topsoil, and the engineer's sign-off.
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.