How to Choose a Pool Removal Company: 7 Questions to Ask

Removing a pool is a weird project. It's demolition, excavation, hauling, and dirt work all in one - and if it's done wrong, you don't find out until your yard sinks three years later.

So how do you pick the right pool removal company? Ask these seven questions and listen carefully.

1. Partial or full removal - and can you explain the difference?

Any legitimate pool removal company should walk you through both options without you asking. Partial removal (break up the top, punch drainage holes, backfill) costs less. Full removal (everything hauled out) costs more but leaves buildable ground. If they only offer one and can't explain why, keep calling.

2. How do you compact the fill?

This is the question that matters most. Dirt dumped in a hole settles - a lot. Proper backfill goes in lifts, compacted layer by layer. If the answer is "we dump it and grade it," your future lawn will have a pool-shaped dent.

3. What about drainage holes?

For partial removals, holes punched in the pool floor let groundwater pass through instead of turning the old shell into an underground bathtub. It's standard practice. They should mention it before you do.

4. Is debris hauling included in the price?

Broken gunite and pool decking is a mountain of material. Make sure the quote covers hauling and disposal - some lowball quotes conveniently leave it out.

5. Do you handle the disclosure paperwork question?

A buried pool generally needs to be disclosed when you sell your home in Idaho. A company that's honest about that is a company that's honest about the rest.

6. Are you licensed and insured for this?

Excavation next to your house, near gas and electrical lines for the pool equipment. Insurance isn't optional. Neither is calling for utility locates before digging - ask if they handle that.

7. Can I see pool jobs you've done?

Photos, references, reviews mentioning pools specifically. General demo experience is good; pool-specific experience is better.

We're happy to answer all seven - that's most of what our pool demolition and removal page covers, and the rest comes out in a free site visit.

The takeaway: the compaction question does the heavy lifting. Ask it first, and you'll know within a sentence whether you've found a real pool removal company.