Swimming Pool Removal in Evansville

An old pool that nobody uses still costs money for chemicals, power, repairs and insurance. Around Evansville, Newburgh and the rest of the Tri-State, many homeowners eventually decide to take the pool out and get the yard back. This guide covers the two main methods, what drives the price, and what to settle with a contractor before work starts. Cost figures are from Angi's 2026 pool removal data, not local quotes.

What it costs

By size, Angi lists about $4,600 to $11,600 for full removal of a 12x24 in-ground pool and $5,600 to $15,100 for an 18x36. A partial fill-in of the same pools runs about $2,300 to $7,700 and $2,800 to $9,300. It puts the overall average around $13.50 per square foot. Steps, spas, waterfalls and large decks add cost.

Common add-ons

• Deck removal: $2 to $5 per square foot.
• Fence or enclosure removal: $800 to $2,000, or $5,000 or more for a large cage or glass enclosure.
• Disposal fees: $150 to $500.
• Permits and inspections: about $200, often bundled into the contractor's price.
• Structural engineer, where local codes require one: $100 to $200 per hour.
• Fill: about $5 to $8 per cubic yard for gravel and $8 to $12 for dirt. Soil compaction is $250 to $1,000.

Above-ground pools

Angi says above-ground pool removal costs about $300 to $800 and usually takes less than four hours. Excavating the base sand adds cost, but a recyclable metal frame may earn a discount. Some homeowners handle part of the job themselves, such as draining the pool where local rules allow, shutting off power to the pump and lights, and clearing furniture. Hire a pro for anything involving electrical disconnects or heavy lifting.

Full removal vs. partial fill-in

Full removal

The contractor removes the entire shell, backfills and compacts the hole, and leaves ground that can be built on. Angi notes it takes longer and costs more, but it adds more to property value. Vinyl and fiberglass pools generally need full removal, because the liner backing or fiberglass can't be left in the ground.

Partial fill-in

Part of the shell stays in the ground. For concrete pools, Angi says the contractor typically breaks up the concrete and mixes it with dirt to fill the cavity. It's cheaper and faster. Angi cautions that it's illegal in some areas, can lower property value, isn't suitable for future buildings because of settling and drainage, and must be disclosed to buyers.

If you might ever build a garage, addition or patio over that spot, full removal with engineered compaction is usually the safer choice.

The steps

1. Check permits. Ask the Evansville Building Commission, or your county building office outside the city, which permits and inspections apply to your pool. Removing a pool house, cabana or other accessory building needs a wrecking permit. See demolition permits in Evansville.
2. Locate utilities. Your contractor calls Indiana 811 before digging. Have an electrician safely disconnect pool lighting, pumps and heaters.
3. Drain the pool. Angi says draining takes about 24 hours. Check local drainage rules before pumping water into a street or storm drain.
4. Demolish. The contractor breaks up the deck and shell with an excavator and breaker, and hauls it away or keeps it for fill.
5. Backfill and compact. Fill goes in lifts and is compacted. Angi notes gravel alone doesn't compact well, so a mix topped with soil is common.
6. Grade and finish. The area is graded to drain away from the house, then topped with topsoil and seeded or sodded.

Angi says the whole job usually takes one to seven days. A partial fill-in can take up to three days, while a full removal can take a week.

Questions to ask contractors

• Is the quote for full removal or partial fill-in, and what happens to the shell and deck?
• What fill will you use, how will it be compacted, and will you provide compaction test results or an engineer's sign-off?
• Are permits, disposal, electrical disconnects, topsoil and seed included?
• What access do you need, and who repairs any lawn or driveway damage?
• What insurance do you carry, and can I get a certificate?

Ways to keep the cost down

• Remove a light fence or enclosure yourself before the crew arrives.
• Ask whether renting your own dumpster would cost less than the contractor's haul-away fee.
• If you won't build on the spot, ask about a soil and gravel or soil and concrete fill mix instead of all soil.
• Get quotes from several contractors and compare what each includes.

For other outdoor demolition, see garage, shed and barn demolition and the demolition cost guide.

Common questions

Sources

• Angi, How Much Does Pool Removal Cost? (2026 data, updated Oct 12, 2026)
• City of Evansville, Building Commission: Building Permits
• Indiana 811
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Asbestos in Indiana