Removing an inground pool costs about $3,000 to $15,000 in 2026
Removing an inground pool costs about $3,000 to $15,000 in 2026. Angi puts the national average at $6,000. A partial removal, where the pool is broken up and filled in, is the cheaper way. An above ground pool is far cheaper, at about $300 to $2,500.
What pool removal costs
| Average, Angi | About $6,000 |
|---|---|
| Inground, partial removal | $3,000 to $7,000 |
| Inground, full removal | $5,000 to $16,000 |
| Concrete or gunite, full | $8,000 to $15,000 |
| Fiberglass | $6,000 to $12,000 |
| Vinyl liner | $4,000 to $10,000 |
| Above ground, do it yourself | $300 to $800 |
| Above ground, professional | $500 to $2,000 |
| Above ground with a deck | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| Permit, depends on the city | $150 to $800 |
The method matters most. A partial removal fills the pool in place. A full removal digs out and hauls away the whole pool. Sources: Angi, pool removal cost (July 2026); Dropcurb, inground pool removal cost (April 2026); Dropcurb, swimming pool removal cost (April 2026); TopPoolRemoval, pool removal cost guide (July 2026); HomeGuide, cost to remove or fill in a pool (December 2025); HomeGuide, above ground pool removal cost (January 2026).
What changes your price
- Partial or full removal. Filling the pool in place costs less than digging it all out.
- Pool material. Concrete and gunite need the most demolition. Vinyl and fiberglass need full removal.
- Access. Demolition Calculators says a pool behind a house with a narrow side yard can cost 20 to 40 percent more.
- Pool size. Bigger pools take more fill and more hauling.
- Permits. Most cities want a demolition or fill permit.
- Extras. Draining, deck removal, grading and fill dirt add to the bill.
Partial removal or full removal
Dropcurb explains a partial removal this way: the contractor drains the pool, punches holes in the bottom for drainage, removes the top 2 to 3 feet of the walls, and puts the broken concrete in the bottom. The pool is then filled with dirt in layers. Dropcurb puts this at $3,000 to $7,000.
Not every pool can be partly removed. Angi says vinyl pools need full removal, and an engineer must first inspect the liner backing and say it is safe. Fiberglass shells also come out completely. Sanitred adds that if a pool is only partly removed, you must tell future buyers where it was.
Above ground pools are much easier. Dropcurb says most can be taken apart with hand tools in 4 to 8 hours. HomeGuide adds that draining costs $150 to $250, leveling the ground costs $500 to $1,000, and fill dirt costs $200 to $600. Sources: Dropcurb, swimming pool removal cost (April 2026); Angi, pool removal cost (July 2026); Sanitred, the cost of removing a swimming pool and alternatives (October 2024); HomeGuide, above ground pool removal cost (January 2026).
Related pool and hauling costs
If you are weighing whether to keep the pool, see our inground pool page for what a new one costs, and our pool fill page for what filling one with water costs.
Removal makes a lot of debris. See our dumpster rental and junk removal pages.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask if the quote is for partial or full removal.
- Ask if the permit, hauling, fill dirt and grading are included.
- Ask how they compact the fill, since layers matter to avoid settling.
- Ask if they remove the deck or fence too.
- Compare with $3,000 to $7,000 for a partial removal and $5,000 to $16,000 for a full removal.
Ways to pay less
- Ask about a partial removal if you have a concrete pool. It costs less than full demolition.
- Take apart an above ground pool yourself. Dropcurb says $300 to $800.
- Get several quotes for the same method.
- Ask if the price includes the permit and hauling.
- Ask if draining is included. HomeGuide says draining costs $150 to $250 on its own.
How we got these numbers
Contractors set their own prices. The ranges come from 2026 pool removal guides and one 2025 guide, as dated below, plus one 2024 contractor page. Some sources sell pool removal or hauling, so treat them as asking prices. We do not add our own guesses. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does pool removal cost?
About $3,000 to $15,000 for an inground pool in 2026. Angi puts the average at $6,000.
How much does it cost to remove an above ground pool?
About $300 to $800 if you do it yourself and $500 to $2,000 with a pro.
Is it cheaper to fill in a pool or remove it?
Filling it in, a partial removal, costs about $3,000 to $7,000. A full removal costs $5,000 to $16,000.
Do I need a permit to remove a pool?
Most cities require a demolition or fill permit. Costs range from about $150 to $800.