Northern California CA Contractor #1117491 OSHA-10 Certified

Pool Demolition &
Removal.

Reclaim your backyard. Partial fill or full excavation. We handle permits, demolition, backfill, compaction, and grading. Financing available through Wisetack.

Call (916) 909-1359

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Two Options

Partial Fill vs.
Full Removal

The right method depends on what you plan to do with the space. If you want usable yard, partial fill is the most cost-effective option. If you plan to build, full removal is required.

Most Common

Partial Pool Removal

$7,500 – $15,000

typical cost range

Top 18–30 inches of pool walls removed

Pool bottom perforated for drainage (2–3 ft diameter holes)

Backfilled with clean fill dirt and gravel in compacted layers

Final grading for proper drainage

Best for: reclaiming yard space, landscaping, patios

Most building departments do not require compaction testing for partial removal. They do request at least 90% compaction, which we achieve through layered fill and mechanical compaction.

For New Construction

Full Pool Removal

$18,000 – $30,000

typical cost range

Entire pool structure excavated and removed

All concrete, rebar, plumbing, and decking hauled away

Cavity backfilled with engineered fill in compacted lifts

Compaction testing through Raney Geotechnical or equivalent

Best for: new construction, ADUs, additions, structural improvements

Full removal is significantly more involved. Hauling costs are higher, compaction testing is required, and total fill dirt volume is substantially greater. We coordinate with geotechnical engineers for certification.

Step-by-Step

How We Remove
Your Pool

Inspection & Permits

We assess your pool, discuss partial vs. full removal, and determine the best approach. All permits filed with your local building department. Encroachment permit secured if equipment staging requires street access.

Utility Disconnection

Water, gas, and electrical lines disconnected properly. Pool pump, heater, and filtration systems removed. We coordinate with each utility provider and confirm clearance.

Drain the Pool

Submersible pump removes all water. Disposal follows local building department specifications. We ensure no flooding to your yard or restricted drainage areas.

Demolition

8,000 lb mini excavator for precision work, 10,000 lb skid steer for material handling, Sawzall for fiberglass pools. Concrete, gunite, fiberglass, vinyl. We handle every material type.

Debris Removal

Concrete, rebar, fiberglass, and old pool components sorted on site. Recyclable materials sent to appropriate facilities. Over 70% recycled on most jobs.

Backfill & Compaction

Clean fill dirt at approximately $450 per load, compacted in layers to prevent settling. For full removal, Raney Geotechnical handles compaction testing. Final grading for proper drainage.

Real Project · Sacramento

Neglected Pool to
Reclaimed Yard

An abandoned in-ground pool in a Sacramento backyard. Concrete shell broken out, cavity excavated and backfilled, pad graded clean. The homeowner got their yard back.

Abandoned in-ground kidney pool with debris and overgrowth in Sacramento backyard — Neglected kidney pool. Cheaper to remove than restore.

Kubota skid steer with hydraulic breaker demolishing concrete pool shell in Sacramento — Skid steer with hydraulic breaker working the concrete shell.

Cleared and graded backyard pad where Sacramento pool once was, ready for new use — Backfilled, compacted, and graded. Ready for lawn, patio, or ADU.

Transparent Pricing

Pool Demolition
Cost Factors

Pool removal cost depends on size, access, removal method, and site conditions. Here is what drives the final number.

Pool Size & Type

$3,000 – $10,000

Larger pools cost more. In-ground concrete and gunite pools are more involved than vinyl liner pools.

Demolition Method

$1,000 – $5,000

Full excavation costs more than partial fill due to significantly more concrete removal, hauling, and backfill volume.

Site Access

Up to $5,000 added

Less than 6 feet of equipment access means smaller machines, more manual labor, and significantly more time.

Fill Dirt

~$450 per load

Average pool requires 100–400 yards of fill. A 20x40 ft pool needs approximately 200 yards across multiple loads.

Compaction Testing

$1,000 – $5,000

Required for full removal and new construction. Raney Geotechnical or equivalent. Most partial demos do not require testing.

Permits

$150 – $2,700

Demolition permit ($150–$900) plus encroachment permit ($600–$1,800) if equipment needs street staging.

Financing Available Through Wisetack

$1,000 deposit with as little as 10% down. Pool removal is a significant investment. Financing makes it accessible without draining your savings. Ask about payment terms when you request your estimate.

Get Your Free Estimate

Is It Time?

Why Homeowners
Remove Their Pools

Ongoing Maintenance Costs

Chlorine, filters, pumps, resurfacing, equipment repairs. If your pool sits unused most of the year, that money is going nowhere.

Safety Liability

An unused pool with cracked tiles, dirty water, and broken fencing is a serious hazard. Children, pets, and trespassers all increase risk.

Reclaim Your Yard

Pools consume a massive footprint. Remove it and you have room for a patio, fire pit, garden, play area, ADU, or guest house.

Lower Insurance Premiums

Pools increase homeowner insurance rates. Remove the pool, remove the risk, and watch your premiums drop.

Easier Home Sale

Not every buyer wants a pool. A clean, open yard gives buyers freedom to envision their own plans and makes your property easier to sell.

Build Something New

ADUs, room additions, outdoor kitchens. Full pool removal with compaction testing gives you a certified build-ready site.

Every Pool Type

We Handle Any Pool

Concrete Pools

Gunite Pools

Fiberglass Pools

Vinyl Liner Pools

Above-Ground Pools

Infinity Pools

Custom Pools

In-Ground Ponds

In-Ground Water Features

Concrete Pool Decks

Hotel & Commercial Pools

Mobile Home Park Pools

Why Demo Patrol

Real Equipment.
Real Crew. Real Results.

Licensed & Insured

CA Contractor #1117491. Full liability and workers' comp on every pool demolition project.

Specialized Equipment

8,000 lb mini excavator for precision backyard work. 10,000 lb skid steer for material handling. Sawzall for fiberglass. Right tool for every pool type.

Streamlined Process

Permits, utility disconnect, drainage, demolition, debris removal, backfill, compaction, and grading. One crew handles every step.

OSHA-10 Certified

Safety is not optional on pool demolition. Working in excavated cavities, near utility lines, and with heavy equipment requires proper training.

Transparent Estimates

Written quote with every line item. Fill dirt, permits, hauling, compaction testing. You see every cost before we start.

Flexible Payment

Wisetack financing available. Zelle, credit card, cash, wire, or check. $1,000 deposit to start.

Pool Demolition
By Location

See pool demolition services specific to your area. We serve Northern California within a 5-hour radius.

Pool Demolition Chico, CA Pool Demolition Sacramento, CA Demolition Contractor Sacramento, CA

Common Questions

Pool Demolition
FAQs

Partial removal means we break down the top 18–30 inches of the pool walls, perforate the bottom for drainage, and backfill with compacted dirt and gravel. The pool shell stays underground. Full removal means we excavate the entire pool structure (walls, floor, plumbing, everything), haul it all away, and backfill the cavity from scratch. Full removal is required if you plan to build on the site. Partial is the more common choice for homeowners who want their yard back.

Partial pool demolition typically runs $7,500–$15,000. Full excavation and removal ranges from $18,000–$30,000 depending on pool size, access, and site conditions. Fill dirt runs about $450 per load, and most pools require multiple loads. Compaction testing, permit fees, and encroachment permits are additional. We provide a written estimate with every line item after the onsite assessment.

Most pool demolition projects take 2–5 days from start to finish. A straightforward partial removal on a standard residential pool with good access can wrap in 2–3 days. Full removal with poor access, large volume, or required compaction testing takes longer. We provide a timeline with every quote.

Yes. Sacramento County and most Northern California jurisdictions require a demolition permit for pool removal. Some also require an encroachment permit if we need to stage equipment on the street. We handle all permit applications, inspections, and documentation end-to-end. Every approval delivered to you in writing before demo day.

Yes. We compact fill material in layers to prevent future settling. For partial removal, most building departments require at least 90% compaction. For full removal where new construction is planned, we coordinate with Raney Geotechnical or a comparable firm for compaction testing and certification.

Yes. We offer financing through Wisetack with a $1,000 deposit and as little as 10% down. This makes pool removal accessible for homeowners who want to reclaim their yard without paying the full amount upfront. Ask about payment terms when you request your estimate.

Concrete is hauled to recycling facilities where it is crushed and resold as aggregate. Metal rebar goes to scrap yards. Fiberglass and vinyl are disposed of at appropriate facilities. We sort everything on site and recycle over 70% of materials. Every load is tracked with dump receipts.

The top reasons we see: ongoing maintenance costs, safety concerns with children or pets, desire for usable yard space, high insurance premiums, and plans to build an ADU or other structure. A pool that sits unused is a financial drain. Removing it frees up the yard and reduces monthly upkeep.

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