How to Get Rid of an Above Ground Pool: Cost and Options [2026]
Remove an above ground pool yourself in a weekend for $100-$500 (draining, dismantling, and disposal) or hire a professional for $500-$3,000. Most standard round pools take 4-8 hours to dismantle. Once cut up, Dropcurb hauls away pool parts from your curb for $79. The national average for complete professional removal is $900.
What Does Above Ground Pool Removal Cost?
The total cost depends on pool size, whether you do the work yourself, and how you dispose of the materials.
DIY removal runs $100-$500. The biggest expenses are a dumpster rental ($250-$400) or multiple dump runs ($20-$50 each), plus tool rental if needed ($30-$50/day for a reciprocating saw).
Professional removal runs $500-$3,000. Standard above-ground pools (12-24 feet round) typically cost $500-$1,500. Larger pools, pools with attached decking, or pools partially buried in the ground cost $1,500-$3,000. The national average including site restoration is $900.
Pools with decking attached add $500-$2,000 to the total because the deck must be demolished separately. Deck lumber can often be donated or listed free on Marketplace if it is in good condition.
| Method | Cost | Timeline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY teardown + Dropcurb curbside | $179-$250 | 1-2 days | Handy homeowners, standard pools |
| DIY teardown + dumpster rental | $350-$600 | 2-3 days | Large pools, want to work at own pace |
| DIY teardown + dump runs | $100-$200 | 1-2 days | Own a truck, nearest dump is close |
| Professional removal | $500-1,500 | 4-8 hours | Standard pools, no DIY interest |
| Professional + deck demo | $1,500-3,000 | 1-2 days | Pools with attached decking |
| Professional + backfill/grading | $2,000-3,500 | 2-3 days | Partially buried pools, site restoration |
How to Remove an Above Ground Pool Yourself
DIY above ground pool removal is straightforward for most standard metal-frame pools. The job takes one weekend with basic tools and 1-2 helpers.
Before starting: Check your HOA rules (some require a permit for pool removal or changes to the yard). Call 811 before digging to mark underground utility lines — especially if the pool is partially sunken or you plan to backfill.
DIY Above Ground Pool Removal
- 1
Drain the pool completely
Use a submersible pump ($30-$60 rental) to drain to a storm drain or area of your yard away from the foundation. A 15-foot round pool holds about 5,000 gallons — draining takes 2-4 hours with a standard pump. Check local rules: some municipalities require slow drainage to prevent flooding.
- 2
Remove the liner
Cut the vinyl liner into sections with a utility knife. Roll up sections and bag them. The liner is trash — no recycling path exists for pool vinyl. A standard pool liner weighs 50-100 lbs.
- 3
Dismantle the frame
Remove top rails and uprights by hand (they slide or bolt together). Cut the steel wall into 4-foot sections with a reciprocating saw and metal-cutting blade. Wear gloves — cut metal edges are razor sharp.
- 4
Scrap the metal
Steel pool walls, aluminum rails, and uprights have scrap value. A 15-foot pool yields 200-400 lbs of scrap metal worth $20-$60 at current prices. Call your nearest scrap yard for today's rate.
- 5
Address the ground underneath
Remove the sand base (1-2 tons for a 15-foot pool). Fill low spots with topsoil ($25-$40 per cubic yard) and grade level. Seed or sod within 2 weeks to prevent erosion.
- 6
Haul away debris
Stack cut panels, bagged liner, and debris at the curb. Book Dropcurb curbside pickup for $79 — or load a truck and haul to the transfer station ($20-$50/load).
Pool dismantled and stacked at the curb? Dropcurb hauls it away for $79. Same-day service.
Book Pool Debris Removal →Can I Get Rid of an Above Ground Pool for Free?
Sometimes.
List it free on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Working above ground pools in decent condition get claimed — especially in spring and early summer. Buyers disassemble and transport themselves. Include the brand, size, age, and pump/filter condition in your listing.
Scrap metal value offsets disposal costs. The steel walls and aluminum components of a standard pool yield $20-$60 at a scrap yard. Combined with free city bulk pickup for the liner and non-metal debris, your total out-of-pocket can be near zero.
Post the liner separately if it is in good shape (less than 3-4 years old). Replacement liners cost $100-$300 new, so a used one in good condition has value.
What About Partially Buried Above Ground Pools?
Pools sunk into the ground cost more to remove because you need to excavate around the walls before dismantling.
Pools buried 12-18 inches: Add $200-$500 for hand excavation or $500-$1,000 for a mini excavator rental ($250-$400/day). One Reddit homeowner reported $1,200 total for a 15-foot pool buried 18 inches including backfill.
Pools buried deeper: Treat these like partial in-ground pools. Professional removal recommended at $1,500-$3,000 including excavation, demolition, backfill, and grading.
Important: Do NOT just collapse a buried pool in place and fill over it. The steel walls will rust and create sinkholes over time. Buried pool structures must be fully removed or properly documented (for future home sales and inspections).
Do I Need a Permit to Remove an Above Ground Pool?
In most cities, no permit is needed to remove a standard above ground pool that sits on the surface.
Permits may be required if:
- •The pool is partially buried and removal involves excavation
- •Your HOA requires approval for yard modifications
- •Electrical disconnection of pool equipment requires an electrical permit (hire a licensed electrician, $75-$150)
- •You plan backfill or grading that changes drainage patterns
Always call 811 before digging. Underground utilities (gas, electric, water, cable) run through many backyards. Hitting a gas line is dangerous and expensive — 811 locating is free and takes 2-3 business days.
Ready to reclaim your backyard? Dropcurb removes pool debris from your curb for $79.
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