For homeowners in Arizona and Nevada, an unused or aging swimming pool can feel less like a luxury and more like a relentless financial drain. The constant cycle of paying for chemicals, electricity, repairs, and water for a feature you no longer enjoy is a powerful motivator to seek a permanent solution. Naturally, the first question that comes to mind is often, "how much does it cost to fill in a pool?" It seems like a straightforward path to reclaiming your yard and your budget.
However, the final number on a pool removal cost estimate is often just the beginning of the story. The true cost isn't merely in the labor and materials to remove the structure; it's also calculated in the hidden expenses, the potential impact on your property value, and the permanent loss of a valuable home asset. Before you commit to an irreversible decision, it's crucial to understand every financial component involved and compare it to modern, value-preserving alternatives. This guide will provide a transparent breakdown of the costs and help you see the bigger financial picture.
When you receive a quote for an inground pool removal, it’s not just a single line item. The price is a complex sum of several distinct phases, each with its own costs. Contractors typically offer two main types of removal—partial and full—and the one you choose drastically affects the price and long-term outcome.
A partial removal, often called a fill-in, is the cheaper option upfront. The process involves punching holes in the bottom of the pool shell for drainage, demolishing the top few feet of the pool walls, and then backfilling the entire cavity with the rubble and additional fill dirt.
A full removal is exactly what it sounds like. The entire concrete or fiberglass shell is broken up, loaded into dump trucks, and hauled away to a proper disposal facility. The area is then filled exclusively with engineered fill (compacted soil and gravel) to ensure maximum stability. While more expensive, this method eliminates the risk of leaving a massive concrete tomb buried in your backyard.
Here is a checklist of the typical expenses that contribute to the final cost to remove an inground pool. Use this to compare quotes and understand exactly what you are paying for.
As you can see, the initial pool demolition cost is just the start. It’s the subsequent, often unquoted, expenses that can come as a surprise.
While every project is unique, we can establish a general baseline for what homeowners can expect to pay for pool demolition in markets like Arizona and Nevada.
| Service Type | Average Cost Range | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Removal (Fill-In) |
$7,000 – $15,000+ | Lower upfront cost but creates a non-buildable area with potential for future soil settling and sinks. |
| Full Removal & Backfill |
$15,000 – $30,000+ | Higher upfront cost but provides a clean slate for future landscaping or structures. The most complete but also most destructive option. |
| Freedom Deck Conversion |
$12,000 – $25,000+ | A fully reversible solution. Preserves the pool structure, adds a functional patio, and protects property value. |
Note: Financial data is based on industry averages and typical project scopes in the Southwest US. Actual costs will vary based on project size, material choices, and location
At first glance, a partial fill-in seems like the most affordable path. However, this is where we must look beyond the initial invoice and consider the long-term financial implications. A buried pool shell creates what real estate agents call an "encumbrance"—a feature that must be disclosed to future buyers and often results in a lower selling price or a buyer walking away entirely. The money you save today could be lost many times over when you sell your home.
This is why understanding alternatives is so critical. As you can see in the table, the cost of a Freedom Deck Conversion is highly competitive with permanent removal, yet its impact on your home's value is entirely different.
The biggest financial mistake a homeowner can make is assuming that the cost to fill in a pool with dirt ends when the last patch of grass is laid. In reality, the most significant financial event has yet to occur: the impact on your home's long-term value.
In pool-centric markets like Phoenix, a swimming pool is a tangible asset. While you may no longer want it, the next owner might. By permanently removing it, you are destroying an asset that contributes to your home's marketability and overall value. Real estate experts confirm that a home with a filled-in pool is often harder to sell and may command a lower price than a comparable home with either a functional pool or the option to have one.
This is the core financial advantage of a Freedom Deck. It solves your immediate problem—the cost, stress, and safety concerns of an unused pool—without making a permanent, value-damaging decision. You gain a beautiful, low-maintenance patio space immediately, while preserving the pool shell underneath as a valuable asset for the future. You're not just covering a pool; you're making a strategic financial decision that pays dividends in usability today and protects your investment for tomorrow.
When you started asking, "how much does it cost to fill in a pool?" you were looking for a solution to a problem. But the cheapest answer isn't always the smartest one. Permanent pool demolition is a one-way street that carries significant costs, both seen and unseen. It's a costly, messy, and irreversible process that can negatively affect your property's value for years to come.
Instead of destroying an asset, consider transforming it. A pool-to-deck conversion offers a financially competitive, aesthetically beautiful, and fully reversible alternative. It provides the immediate lifestyle upgrade you're looking for—more space, less maintenance, and improved safety—while intelligently preserving your home's value. Before you sign a contract to bring in the jackhammers, take a moment to consider what you truly want: a hole in the ground filled with dirt, or a vibrant new living space with a valuable asset safely preserved beneath it. The choice determines not just the future of your backyard, but the future of your investment.
Upfront, a partial fill-in can sometimes be cheaper than a high-quality deck conversion. However, when you factor in the potential for decreased property value and the permanent loss of the pool asset, a deck conversion often proves to be the better long-term financial decision. It converts a liability into a usable feature while protecting your home's resale potential.
The biggest hidden cost is often the loss of property value. In markets where pools are desirable, permanently removing one can make your home less attractive to a large segment of buyers. Other hidden costs can include unexpected fees for soil testing, complex permit requirements, or the cost of repairing damage to your landscaping and irrigation systems caused by heavy machinery.
On a partially filled-in pool, you generally cannot build any permanent structures like a shed, casita, or home extension. The ground is not considered stable enough, and most municipal building codes prohibit it. A full removal with engineered backfill may allow for future construction, but this dramatically increases the initial pool removal cost.