In-ground pool removal
Compare partial fill-in with full removal, see what published guides say it costs, then request quotes from independent local crews.
Partial fill-in vs full removal
Partial fill-in
Holes are broken in the pool bottom for drainage, and the shell is filled in place. Usually cheaper and quicker. Cost guides note the shell can settle over time and that a partial fill-in is often something to disclose when you sell.
Full removal
The shell is broken out and hauled away, and the hole is filled. More time and more cost, and it leaves the ground in better shape for building or heavy landscaping.
What in-ground pool removal costs
| Item | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Partial fill-in | $3,000 to $7,000 | Fixr (Jan 2025) |
| Full removal | $5,000 to $15,000 | Fixr (Jan 2025) |
| Partial fill-in | $4,500 to $6,250 | Bob Vila (Mar 2023) |
| Full removal | $4,000 to $16,000 (average about $9,000) | Bob Vila (Mar 2023) |
| Vinyl pool (either method) | $3,000 to $10,000 | Fixr |
| Concrete pool (either method) | $3,000 to $15,000 | Fixr |
| Fiberglass pool (either method) | $5,000 to $10,000 | Fixr |
Sources: Fixr, "How much does it cost to fill in a pool?" (page updated Jan 31, 2025), accessed Nov 2026; Bob Vila, "Cost to Fill In a Pool" (published Mar 1, 2023), accessed Nov 2026. Published ranges are national estimates from third-party cost guides, not quotes. Your price depends on your property and your contractor.
The two guides do not agree exactly, which is normal. Treat the overlap, roughly $4,000 to $7,000 for a partial fill-in and the high four to five figures for a full removal, as a starting point, and rely on real quotes for your property.
What changes the price
- Pool size and depth, and the pool material (vinyl, concrete or fiberglass).
- Partial or full removal, and what fill material is used.
- Soil type and how easily equipment can reach the pool.
- Add-ons. Bob Vila lists deck removal at $500 to $1,700, screen enclosure removal at $800 to $2,000 and a dumpster at $200 to $800 per week. Fixr also mentions landscaping, sod or seed and cleanup.
- A structural engineer, listed at about $500, if you plan to build on the filled area.
Sources: Bob Vila, "Cost to Fill In a Pool" (published Mar 1, 2023), accessed Nov 2026; Fixr, "How much does it cost to fill in a pool?" (page updated Jan 31, 2025), accessed Nov 2026. Published ranges are national estimates from third-party cost guides, not quotes. Your price depends on your property and your contractor.
Permits
Most cities require a demolition permit or a similar permit to remove or fill in a pool, and many require inspections before backfill. Check with your local building department. Cost guides list permits at $50 to $250, depending on location. See how a few cities handle it in our city permit guides.
Timeline
Fixr gives about 2 to 5 days for a partial fill-in and 5 to 7 days for a complete removal. Permit approval, inspections and weather are extra.
Source: Fixr, "How much does it cost to fill in a pool?" (page updated Jan 31, 2025), accessed Nov 2026. Published ranges are national estimates from third-party cost guides, not quotes. Your price depends on your property and your contractor.
See the full pool removal cost guide, or compare with above-ground pool removal.
Frequently asked questions
Is a partial fill-in or a full removal better?
It depends on what you want to do with the space. A partial fill-in is cheaper and faster, but the buried shell can settle or drain poorly, and the fill may not be approved for building on. Full removal costs more and is the usual choice if you want to build on the spot. A local contractor and your building department can tell you what applies to your lot.
Do I have to tell a buyer if I had a partial fill-in?
Rules vary by state, and a buried pool shell is commonly something sellers are asked to disclose. Ask your real estate agent or an attorney how disclosure works where you live.
Do I need a permit?
Most cities require a demolition permit or similar permit. One cost guide lists permits at $50 to $250, depending on local rules. Check with your local building department.
How long does it take?
One cost guide gives 2 to 5 days for a partial fill-in and 5 to 7 days for a complete removal, not counting permit time. Access for equipment and weather can change this.
Is the deck included in the price?
Often not. Removing a pool deck is commonly priced separately. One guide lists deck removal at $500 to $1,700 as an add-on. Ask each contractor what their quote includes.
Will you do the work?
No. Backyard Removal Pros is a free referral service. We match you with independent local contractors, who do the work and set their own prices.
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