How Much Does It Cost to Fill a Pool With Dirt? [2026 Data]

In 2026, the national average cost to fill a pool with dirt or similar material is $8,000, with project totals ranging from $4,000 to $12,000 depending on the pool size and removal method. Most homeowners spend between $5 and $15 per cubic yard on dirt or gravel, though adding topsoil or a concrete slab will increase the total.

Pool Filling Cost Factors: What Affects the Price?

Several key expenses shape the total cost of filling in an in-ground pool, and understanding each one helps you build an accurate budget before work begins.

Pool Size

Pool size is the starting point for estimating your fill-in cost, since it determines how much fill material you need, with fill amounts ranging from $200 to $2,000 or more depending on your pool's dimensions. Use the cubic yard formula below to calculate your pool's volume, then use that number to price out materials. 

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 

The cost to remove an aboveground pool is significantly less than in-ground removal, and whether you choose a full or partial removal further shapes your total. Costs vary by pool type and removal method, as the table below shows:

In-ground Pool

You can expect the cost of removing an in-ground 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.

Aboveground Pool

Generally, the cost to remove an aboveground pool is $300 to $800, though you could spend up to $5,000 if you also need to remove a pool deck and backfill dirt. Unlike in-ground pools, most aboveground pools require removal rather than a dirt fill-in. However, in some cases, you may have installed your aboveground pool partially underground, which would require a fill-in.

Cost to Fill In a Pool by Material

Your pool's material determines how you'll fill your swimming pool and how much you'll pay, with costs ranging from $3,000 to $15,000. Some municipalities require full structural removal before any dirt fill is permitted, so checking local regulations before planning is essential. 

Costs vary significantly by material type, as the breakdown in the following table shows:

• Fiberglass: Your contractor will need to completely remove the fiberglass shell before filling in the hole. Sometimes they can lift the shell out in one complete piece. Other times, they'll need to cut the shell and remove it in separate pieces, which will increase costs.

• Vinyl: If your vinyl pool has a metal frame, you'll need to remove the entire frame before you can fill the hole with dirt. If your pool has a wood or concrete frame, you can remove the liner, partially break up the frame to allow for drainage, and then fill the hole with dirt.

• Concrete or gunite: If you have a concrete pool, you may be able to break up the material for drainage and then fill the area with dirt. This option is more affordable. In some cases, like where legally required, you may have to break up and fully remove the concrete, which will increase costs.

Pool Drainage

Draining the pool is a required first step before any demolition or fill work begins, and motorized submersible water pumps run $55 to $100 on average. Your local municipality may also require you to disconnect and remove all pump and lighting wiring as well as any gas lines before work can proceed.

Dumpster Rental and Disposal

Dumpster rental averages $380, or $200 to $800 per week, depending on the size you need, and most rentals include hauling and disposal in that price.

Fill 

Fill dirt costs $5 to $15 per cubic yard, plus $150 or more for delivery, and choosing a concrete-and-dirt mix for a partial removal brings the average total to $5,000. Costs vary by fill type, as the table below details:

• Gravel: This is 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: You'll need to leave 18–36 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.

• Topsoil: 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 whether you plan to plant grass or additional landscaping.

Labor

You can hire a local demolition service or a pool services company to handle your pool demo project, with labor rates varying based on pool size, site accessibility, and your geographical region. Getting quotes from at least three local contractors gives you the best basis for comparing prices on your specific job.

Tools, Vehicles, and Equipment

Contractors typically bundle equipment costs into their project price, but if you go the DIY route, renting the necessary equipment for a few days can cost up to $2,000. Demolition requires a truck for hauling, plus a jackhammer or heavy-duty drill, an excavator with rubber tracks, and a sledgehammer. 

Landscaping

A professional landscaper charges $50 to $150 per hour to lay grass, shrubs, and other plants once the fill work is complete. Tackling landscaping yourself is an option, but budget for tools, plants, and any additional supplies before committing to the DIY route.

Permits

Most cities and towns require permits for pool removal, which cost $50 to $250, and your contractor will typically pull and manage these permits as part of their overall project scope.

Licensed Engineer

Some local codes require a licensed engineer for pool removal, particularly when you plan to build a new structure over the former pool site, and the average cost to hire an engineer is $500 according to HomeAdvisor.

Pool Removal Costs vs. Partial Fill Costs

Choosing between a full removal and a partial fill-in is one of the biggest budget decisions you'll make, and costs differ substantially between the two options. The table below breaks down costs by removal type:

Full Pool Removal Cost

A full pool removal costs $9,000 to $19,000, covering complete demolition of every pool component, hauling all debris off-site, and filling the hole with dirt and gravel topped with a layer of topsoil. That higher investment pays off because the land becomes fully buildable and your property value is protected. 

Fiberglass pools always require full removal; if the shell is in good condition it may be salvageable for reuse, but a damaged shell will be cut up and hauled away.

Partial Pool Fill-In Costs

A partial pool fill-in costs $2,000 to $7,000, or $5,000 on average, with workers demolishing the pool's edges and sides, using the debris as backfill, and topping the hole with dirt, gravel, and topsoil while fully removing all steel. 

The trade-off for the lower price is that the area becomes non-buildable, you must disclose the partial fill-in to future buyers, and not all municipalities permit this approach, so confirming local regulations beforehand is essential.

Pool Removal Additional Costs: What Else to Budget For?

Beyond the core fill-in price, your final budget will depend on which additional services your pool fill company includes and whether your pool has any special features that require extra work.

Removing the Pool Deck

Most demolition companies bundle pool deck removal into their project quotes, but if it is billed separately, removing a concrete deck costs $500 to $1,700.

Removing Pool Enclosures

Removing a pool enclosure costs $800 to $2,000, with aluminum or steel enclosures pushing costs toward the higher end of that range.

Planting Grass

Once the fill work is complete, reseeding the yard is the simplest way to restore the space, and it costs about $400 to $1,600.

Restore a Partially Filled Pool

Restoring a partially filled pool costs $28,000 to $55,000 depending on how much of the original structure is salvageable, though a DIY approach can bring that figure as low as $11,000. Pool excavation alone runs $400 to $1,500, and what comes next depends on your pool's original construction: a concrete liner may only need hole patching if the shell is otherwise intact, while a vinyl liner with steel walls typically means starting from scratch since the steel was removed during fill-in. 

In the worst case, when no lining can be salvaged, restoration costs approach the price of a brand-new pool at $38,000 to $67,000.

Install a New Pool

After a full pool fill-in, installing a new in-ground pool means starting from scratch, with costs running $38,000 to $67,000 depending on whether you choose concrete, fiberglass, or a vinyl-lined pool.

Pros and Cons of Filling In a Pool

Weigh the pros and cons of filling in your pool.

Pool Removal vs. Pool Remodel

The cost of a pool remodel is very similar to that of a pool removal. In some instances, a pool remodel can be more affordable than removal (unless you have an aboveground pool or can do a partial fill). If you're choosing between the two, you'll need to consider your goals.

Removal is generally the go-to choice for homeowners who don't want to maintain a pool. Pool owners spend around half an hour per week on maintenance and about $400 to $1,200 per year on pool-associated costs. That cost rises if you have an aging pool that needs more frequent repairs.

Remodeling is the best choice if you have an aging in-ground pool, but still regularly use your pool or are planning to sell your home and want to maintain the value. It's a good idea to price out the options (and check local listings to understand the demand of a pool) before you decide which will reap the largest return.

Why You Should Hire a Pro to Fill Your Pool

You'll spend about $1,000 to $4,000 in labor costs when hiring a local pool-filling pro , but this is a necessary step, as it's unsafe and inefficient to DIY this project. Professionals have accumulated experience over years of work, and what may seem a simple task at first glance is actually a fairly involved undertaking where skill matters.

Here's why it's ideal to hire a pool-filling pro

Heavy machinery, backbreaking loads, and safety considerations are all compelling reasons to hire a professional. Here are some other reasons:

• Professionals will ensure your pool filling doesn't settle or sink in the future.

• Pros already own the heavy machinery, eliminating the high cost, hassle, and learning curve of renting it yourself.

• Filling a pool is a large project. Many DIYers lack the physical strength and safety training to perform this task.

• Pros can source the filling material at a discount due to their licenses and contacts. This helps offset any potential financial impact.

• Mistakes can be catastrophic to your budget, and a pro knows how to avoid them.

• Pros handle the necessary permits and inspections required by local municipalities.

If you want to DIY a pool-filling project

Homeowners can participate in the process, but they should focus on smaller tasks such as:

• Clearing and decluttering the work area

• Deciding what to fill your pool with and how you want it to look afterwards

• Clearly marking utility lines for the pro (electrical, gas, water)

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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