Pool removal in Washington, DC
Pool removal in Washington, DC starts with a local permit and an 811 call before digging; then a crew paid Washington, DC rates fills the pool in or takes it out.
- Concrete pool, filled in · 1–3 days
- $2,500–$10,000
- Concrete pool, taken out · 3–7 days
- $4,000–$16,100
US ranges from Angi, set for Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC is a bigger job than it looks. There's a permit, rules for draining the water, and the utility lines have to be marked before anyone digs. One call gets a local pool demolition crew out to your yard with a written price. Filling in a concrete pool takes about 1 to 3 days of work in your yard. Taking a concrete pool out completely takes about 3 to 7 days.
What does pool removal cost in Washington, DC?
What you pay comes down to your pool type and whether it gets filled in or fully removed. For a concrete or gunite pool, filling it in typically costs less than taking it all the way out. The numbers below are from Angi, adjusted for Washington, DC construction wages averaging $25.11 an hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
| Pool type | Typical Washington, DC cost |
|---|---|
| Above-ground pool, dismantled and hauled off | $475 to $2,500 |
| Concrete or gunite pool, filled in place | $2,500 to $10,000 |
| Concrete or gunite pool, fully removed | $4,000 to $16,100 |
| Fiberglass pool, removed | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Vinyl liner pool, removed | $3,000 to $10,000 |
These ranges show what's typical. Your exact price depends on your pool, how easily a crew can reach your yard, and how much fill it needs. Call now and the crew will look at your yard and give you a written price.
Permit for taking out a pool
Demolition permits in Washington, DC come from the Department of Buildings. When the demolition is under 5,000 square feet, photos go in for plan review. Properties outside a historic district can apply, pay, and walk away with an instant permit online.
Per the fee schedule, demolition runs $30 plus 2% of the construction cost. If you only need an excavation permit under 50,000 cubic feet, that's $130. Both carry an extra 10% on top.
Calling before you dig
Before anyone digs, Miss Utility needs notice ahead of the start date. The utility companies then have time to mark their buried lines. The point is to get buried lines marked before equipment touches soil, so build that waiting period into your start date.
Draining the pool water
If pool water drains into DC's separate storm sewer, rules from the Department of Energy and Environment say its chlorine level must first fall below 0.1 mg/L. One approach: quit adding chlorine to the uncovered pool and give it time.
Hiring a licensed contractor
In DC, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection handles contractor licensing. The license covers work like building, altering, repairing, improving, or demolishing a structure, with categories like General Contractor and Home Improvement Contractor.
Anyone applying as a Home Improvement Contractor has to put up a $25,000 surety bond, and the license lasts two years. Whatever crew you're weighing, ask them about their license.
Want a crew to come see your yard?
One call links you with a pool demolition company that works in your area. They'll ask a few questions about your pool and yard, book a visit, and give you a written price. Call now to book your visit.
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.