The decision to get rid of an unused swimming pool is a significant one. After years of dealing with the costs, maintenance, and safety worries, you’ve decided it’s time to reclaim your backyard. Many homeowners begin by researching how much does it cost to fill in a pool before committing to a major project, especially when comparing different options for pool demolition. You’ve started reviewing the pool demolition cost and are finally ready to move forward. But what actually happens when you sign the contract? The pool demolition process is far more involved and disruptive than many homeowners realize. It’s not a simple weekend project; it’s a major construction job that temporarily turns your peaceful backyard into a loud, messy, and chaotic work zone.
Understanding the step-by-step reality of inground pool removal is essential for setting realistic expectations —especially when evaluating the typical cost to remove an inground pool, which can vary significantly depending on local regulations, soil conditions, and whether the contractor performs a partial or full removal. It also provides a crucial point of comparison when evaluating less invasive, more modern alternatives. Before you commit to the noise, dust, and disruption, let's walk through the entire process, from the first permit application to the final, muddy patch of dirt.
Before a single jackhammer is fired up, a surprising amount of preliminary work has to be done. This phase is all about planning, permits, and preparation, and it can take longer than the demolition itself.
You can't just decide to demolish a pool. Nearly every city, including Phoenix and its surrounding municipalities, requires a permit for pool demolition. This involves submitting plans to the local building department, detailing how the pool will be drained, demolished, and backfilled. The city needs to ensure the process is done safely, doesn't impact neighboring properties, and adheres to environmental regulations. This step alone can take several weeks, depending on the municipality's backlog.
Once the permit is approved, the physical work begins. The first task is to drain tens of thousands of gallons of water from the pool. This must be done in compliance with local ordinances, which often prohibit draining chlorinated water directly into the street's storm drains. Following this, a licensed electrician and plumber must visit the site to safely disconnect and cap all utility lines, including the power to the pump and lights, and any gas lines for a heater. This is a critical safety step that ensures the demolition crew won't encounter live wires or gas leaks.
This is the part of the pool demolition process that homeowners find most jarring. It's loud, messy, and fundamentally changes the landscape of your yard for the duration of the project. Your backyard is no longer a personal retreat; it's an active construction site.
To break apart a reinforced concrete pool shell, contractors need serious firepower. This means bringing in heavy equipment like a Bobcat or a small excavator, often equipped with a hydraulic breaker attachment. Getting this machinery into your backyard can be a challenge in itself. If you don't have a wide side gate, a section of your fence or wall may need to be temporarily removed. The weight of this equipment can also cause significant damage to your lawn, sprinkler systems, and existing patios.
The demolition itself is an intense process. The relentless, concussive sound of jackhammers and breakers echoes for hours, if not days. This creates a significant amount of concrete dust and debris that can coat your windows, patio furniture, and plants. While reputable contractors use dust mitigation techniques like spraying water, a certain level of mess is unavoidable.
After the pool shell has been either partially or fully broken up, the process of filling the massive hole begins. The quality of this phase determines the long-term stability of your newly reclaimed yard.
For a full inground pool removal, this stage involves a parade of large dump trucks. One set of trucks hauls away the broken concrete and rebar to a disposal site, while another brings in tons of engineered fill—a specific mixture of gravel and soil. For a partial fill-in, the broken pieces of the pool's top edge are often pushed into the deep end to serve as the initial layer of fill.
| Phase | Key Activities | Typical Duration | Level of Disruption |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Pre-Construction |
Permit application, utility disconnects, pool draining. | 2-4 weeks |
Low |
| 2. Access & Setup |
Fence removal (if needed), equipment delivery, site prep. | 1 day | Moderate |
| 3. Demolition |
Breaking up concrete shell with heavy machinery. | 2-4 days |
High (Very Noisy) |
| 4. Debris Removal |
Loading and hauling away concrete and rebar. | 1-3 days | High (Truck Traffic) |
| 5. Backfilling |
Importing, layering, and compacting soil and gravel. | 2-4 days |
High (Truck Traffic) |
| 6. Final Grading |
Shaping the land for proper drainage. | 1 day | Moderate |
| 7. Basic Restoration |
Minimal landscaping, fence re-installation. | 1 day | Low |
| Total Estimated Time: | From permit to completion. | 3-6 weeks |
Note: This timeline starkly contrasts with a pool-to-deck conversion, which is typically completed in just 2-5 days with minimal noise and no heavy machinery tearing up your yard.
Once the equipment leaves and the dust settles, you are left with a large patch of bare earth. The initial contract usually only covers rough grading. Final landscaping—installing a new lawn, irrigation, plants, or a patio—is almost always a separate, additional expense. The ground may continue to settle for months or even years, creating dips and drainage issues that you'll have to manage.
Understanding the long, loud, and messy pool demolition process is crucial because it highlights the profound advantages of the alternative. A Freedom Deck conversion avoids this entire ordeal. There is no need for demolition permits, no heavy machinery destroying your yard, and no weeks of noise and dust.
The installation is a clean, quiet, and efficient process. A skilled team arrives with precision-engineered materials and installs a custom support structure inside the existing pool shell. In a matter of days—not weeks—they assemble a beautiful, durable composite deck. You go from having a problematic pool on Monday to hosting a barbecue on your brand-new patio by Friday. There's no collateral damage to your landscaping, no endless parade of dump trucks, and no long-term worries about soil compaction. It's a modern, intelligent solution designed for homeowners who value their time, their peace, and their property.
From applying for the permit to the final grading, the entire pool demolition process typically takes between 3 to 6 weeks. The demolition and backfilling portion itself often takes one to two weeks of active, on-site work.
Yes, it is almost certain that heavy machinery will cause some damage to your lawn, landscaping, and potentially your sprinkler system. Be sure to clarify with your contractor how they plan to minimize this and what, if any, restoration is included in their quote.
While not always legally required, it is a highly recommended courtesy. The process will generate significant noise and truck traffic for several days, and giving your neighbors a heads-up can help maintain a good relationship.
Yes, slightly. A fiberglass shell doesn't require the same level of intense breaking with hydraulic hammers. It is typically cut into smaller, more manageable sections with specialized saws. However, the process of excavation, hauling, and backfilling remains largely the same.