How Much It Costs to Fill In Your Pool With Dirt [2024 Data]

Filling In a Pool Cost Factors

Photo: Александр Трихонюк / Adobe Stock

Filling a swimming pool involves several steps, from draining the pool and drilling holes in the bottom to cracking the concrete and filling in the hole with dirt. A contractor usually includes supplies, equipment, and disposal in their costs, but it’s best to double-check. Here’s a breakdown of the main expenses associated with filling in an in-ground pool.

Pool Size 

To figure out how much it’ll cost to fill your pool, it’s best to start by calculating your pool size. Knowing the size will help you plan for the amount of fill you need, which can range widely from $200 all the way up to $2,000 or more.

Cubic Yard Formula

Pool length in feet x pool width in feet x pool depth in feet 

Divide the total by 27 (the number of cubic feet in a yard).

And presto! The final amount is the number of cubic yards of dirt you need to fill your pool. 

Here are the cubic yards and fill dirt prices for standard residential pool sizes:

Pool Type 

Removing an above ground pool costs $300 to $800, while filling in an inground pool ranges from $2,000 to $16,400. The considerable price range varies depending on factors like fill material, pool size, and whether you opt for partial or full removal.

Pool Drainage

Before demoing your inground pool and filling it in, you’ll need to drain it of water. Motorized submersible water pumps cost anywhere from $55 to $100 on average. Your local municipality code might also require you to disconnect and remove all pump and lighting wiring and any gas lines. 

Dumpster Rental and Disposal

Dumpster rental costs $380 on average, or between $200 and $800 per week, depending on the size. The rental usually includes hauling and disposal.

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Fill 

Fill dirt ranges from $5 to $15 per cubic yard, plus $150 or more for delivery. If you opt to fill your pool with a mix of concrete and dirt (also known as a partial removal), you can expect to pay an average of $5,000. 

Gravel 

Gravel costs $5 to $8 per cubic yard, and it’s the most affordable fill type. Typically, you would fill the pool partially with gravel—to the halfway mark—and then fill the rest with dirt. If you use gravel alone as a fill, you’ll find that the gravel settles over time, which can lead to sinkholes.

Dirt

Structural fill dirt costs $8 to $12 per cubic yard. You'll need to leave 18 to 36 inches free at the top for space for the topsoil. Some people fill the pool entirely with dirt and topsoil, or you can use a mixture of gravel and dirt.

Concrete

Although you can’t fill a pool with concrete, you can pour a concrete slab on top of a filled pool area. Concrete costs $100 to $200 per yard.

Topsoil 

Topsoil costs $12 to $55 per cubic yard. It has all of the nutrients and organic materials to help your filled pool area come back to life.

You’ll need to add at least 18 to 36 inches of topsoil, depending on what you plan on doing with the space. If you only want nice green grass, you need about 18 inches of topsoil. However, if you’re planning on landscaping, consider adding 36 inches of topsoil.

Labor

You can hire a local demolition service or a pool services company to help with your pool demo project. Labor rates vary by location and depend on your pool size, difficulty accessing the pool, and geographical region. Reach out to at least three local contractors to get quotes for your specific project. 

Tools, Vehicles, and Equipment

If you decide not to order dirt for delivery, you'll need a truck to haul it. You'll also need a jackhammer or heavy-duty drill, an excavator with rubber tracks, and a sledgehammer for the demolition. A contractor typically includes these charges in their project cost, but costs could reach up to $2,000 to rent equipment for a few days if you're doing it yourself.

Landscaping

You can hire a professional landscaper at $50 to $150 per hour to lay down grass, shrubs, and other plants. You can also tackle landscaping as a DIY, but be sure to factor in costs for tools, plants, and any other supplies.

Permits

Cities and towns generally require permits for swimming pool removal. They cost anywhere from $50 to $250. Your contractor will typically handle this as a part of their project process and price. 

Licensed Engineer

Some local codes require you to work with an engineer when removing a pool, especially if you plan to build another structure on top of where the pool was. According to HomeAdvisor, the average price to hire an engineer is $500.

Cost to Fill In a Pool: Full vs. Partial Removal 

One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to go with a full or a partial removal. It’s most cost-effective to do a partial removal, although it’s not possible for every pool type. On the other hand, a full removal allows you to build on the land again, which gives you more options down the road.

Full Pool Removal Cost 

A full pool fill-in (or pool removal) costs twice as much (or more) than a partial pool fill-in; you can expect it to run somewhere between $9,000 and $19,000. The high pool demolition costs account for all of the work that’s required.

Every piece of the pool is demolished and hauled off, and workers fill the empty hole with dirt and gravel. You can have a layer of topsoil installed so your yard can be as good as new. The extra investment for a full pool fill-in is worthwhile for two reasons: you can always build something new on the land, and you won’t devalue your property.

If you have a fiberglass pool, you’ll have to get a full pool fill-in. If the fiberglass is in good shape, you may be able to salvage the liner for re-use; if the fiberglass shell is in bad shape, then the shell will be cut up and hauled off.

Partial Pool Fill-In Costs

A partial pool fill-in costs $5,000 on average. Workers demolish the edges and sides of the pool, and use it as backfill. Then, they fill the hole with dirt and gravel and top it off with a layer of topsoil. The company will completely remove all the steel during this process.

Although you’ll save money, the area will be considered non-buildable—and you’ll have to disclose the partial pool fill-in to future buyers.

Cost to Fill In a Pool by Pool Type and Material

The cost of filling in your pool depends mainly on your pool type and the fill materials you choose. Here are some cost ranges you can expect to pay.

Inground Pool 

You can expect the cost of removing an inground pool to range from $2,000 to $19,000, depending on what you decide to do. The partial pool fill-in option is on the lower end of the price range, which costs $2,000 to $10,300.

If you opt for a full removal, it’ll cost $9,000 to $19,000. If your pool has a metal frame, your only choice will be full removal. On the other hand, if your pool has a wood or concrete frame, you could go with a partial fill-in.

Above Ground Pool

Generally, the cost to remove an above ground pool is $300 to $800. Unlike inground pools, above ground pools require removal rather than a dirt fill-in. However, in some cases, you may have installed your above ground pool partially underground, which would require a fill-in. 

Fiberglass

Fiberglass pools require a full removal. Again, you can reuse the shell if it's in good condition. Filling in a fiberglass pool costs $5,000 to $10,000.

Vinyl

You can expect an inground vinyl pool fill-in to cost $3,000 to $10,000. A partial fill-in is possible if there is a concrete frame behind the vinyl liner. Otherwise, you need to go with the full removal.

Concrete or Gunite 

Inground concrete or gunite pools cost $3,000 to $15,000 to fill. Homeowners often opt for partial fills for these pool types because it’s the most cost-effective option. After the pros partially demolish the pool, they can use the rubble as the first layer of fill.

Additional Pool Removal Cost Factors

Depending on the pool fill company, you may have additional costs to consider. Also, you’ll need to account for extra costs if your pool has special add-ons.

Removing the Pool Deck

Most demolition companies include the cost of pool deck removal in their quotes. However, if it’s considered an added expense, you can expect to pay $500 to $1,700 to remove a concrete deck.

Removing Pool Enclosures 

Removing a pool enclosure costs $800 to $2,000. You can expect to pay the higher end of the scale if your pool enclosure is aluminum or steel.

Planting Grass

After the workers finish filling the pool, you’ll have lots of options for what you can do with the space. But if you plan to keep it simple, your best bet is to reseed your yard. This costs about $400 to $1,600.

Restore a Partially Filled Pool

The cost to restore a partially filled pool depends on how much of the original pool is salvageable. It ranges between $28,000 and $55,000, but it could be as low as $11,000 if you DIY.

First, remove the topsoil, dirt, gravel, and backfill. Pool excavations cost $400 to $1,500. If the pool had a concrete liner, workers drilled holes on the bottom during the fill-in process. Assuming that there is no other damage to the original shell, patching the holes will get you on track to restoring your pool.

If the pool had a vinyl liner and steel walls, you’re likely looking at starting from scratch. If the fill was done properly, workers removed all of the steel. If the pool had a vinyl liner and polymer walls, you might be able to salvage the original walls with some repairs.

Once you finish restoring the walls and liner, you may need to install equipment, repair plumbing and electrical components, and install a new pool deck.

Here are some of the possible costs:

• Pool pump: $700–$1,100

• Lights: $200 per light

• Pool heater: $2,500

• Electrical: $1,500–$3,000

• Pool deck: $3,000–$12,000

• Fencing: $6,500

In the worst-case scenario, you won’t be able to salvage any of the pool lining. This can happen when workers damage the lining during the fill-in process. In these cases, the cost of restoring your pool will be close to the cost of installing a brand new pool: $38,000 to $67,000.

Install a New Pool

If you had a full pool fill-in done, the cost to install another pool will be the same as starting from scratch. An in-ground pool will cost $38,000 to $67,000, depending on whether you opt for a concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl-lined pool.

Pros and Cons of Filling In a Pool

There are many reasons why people choose to fill a pool in their yard: maybe you moved into a new property with a run-down pool, or your kids have flown the nest. Pools take up a lot of valuable real estate, and you might have visions of turning it into a different kind of oasis (did someone say outdoor kitchen?).

Pros

• Save money on your home insurance premiums

• Get rid of pool maintenance costs

• Spend less on water bills

• Remove potential for pool-related accidents

Cons

• Partial pool removals mean the land is non-buildable

• Potentially lowers your home’s resale value

• It’s costly to install a new pool if you change your mind

Cost to Fill In a Pool Yourself

The cost to fill in a pool with dirt yourself includes the price of the dirt plus any equipment and vehicle rentals. If you don’t get your dirt delivered, you’ll need a truck that can transport heavy fill dirt and bring it to your yard for dumping. You’ll also need a jackhammer or heavy-duty drill, excavator with rubber tracks, and sledgehammer for the demolition. 

Expect to haul and dispose of excess concrete and pool materials or rent a dumpster. Don’t forget to get a permit and have an inspection to ensure the hole is filled properly and will drain rainwater.

Keep in mind that there are potential hazards involved in DIY pool removal. If something goes wrong, you can inadvertently wreak havoc on your sewer connections, utility lines, landscaping, plumbing, and sprinklers and cost yourself a lot more money down the road. 

Based on your county codes, you may have to hire a local structural engineer for your pool removal, especially if you plan to build anything at the pool’s location. Any pro working on your project should be licensed, bonded, and insured to limit your risk. You may also consider hiring a local landscaper to cover the area with lush green grass or other landscaping.

DIY Cost to Fill In a Pool vs. Hiring a Pro 

You may consider DIYing this project if you have the experience, know-how, and time to get the job done. Filling in a 12-by-12 pool costs around $3,000 to $11,900. Of these costs, labor is about $1,000 to $4,000. So you can expect to save about a third of the total cost by DIYing a pool fill-in.

However, DIYing the job will likely save you less than the labor costs because you’ll need to rent heavy machinery. It’s also a dangerous job if you don’t have experience handling this equipment.

In most cases, it’s best to call a pool removal company near you to get the job done. That way you can save yourself time and make sure the project gets done right. An experienced pro will follow any local codes regarding demolition and disposal of pool materials. Your pro can handle all the permits, inspections, equipment, and labor if you decide against the DIY route.

Stephanie Shaykin contributed to this piece.