How Much Does Pool Removal Cost in London, Ontario? (2026 Guide)
If you're tired of opening, closing and paying for a pool nobody swims in, the first question is always the same: what does pool removal actually cost in London, Ontario? Most residential inground pool removals we quote in London and the surrounding area land between roughly $5,000 and $15,000, which is the range on our Pool Removal FAQ. Where your project falls in that range comes down to six things, and this guide walks through each one so you can budget with confidence.
SPM Landscape & Excavation has been removing pools across Southwestern Ontario since 2006, from London, St. Thomas, Komoka and Strathroy to Kitchener, Waterloo and Guelph. Here's what we look at when we price a job.
Quick answer: what pool removal costs in London, Ontario
Smaller vinyl or fibreglass pools with good access usually sit at the lower end of the range.
Concrete (gunite) pools, deep ends, large decks or tight backyards push toward the higher end.
Full removal with engineered, compacted fill costs more than partial removal, but leaves nothing buried.
Finishing work such as topsoil, final grading and fresh sod is part of most quotes and is worth comparing line by line.
The 6 factors that set your pool removal price
1. Pool type: vinyl, fibreglass or concrete
Vinyl liner pools are the most common in London backyards and the fastest to remove: the liner, steel or polymer walls and plumbing come out, and the floor is broken for drainage. Fibreglass shells have to be cut and hauled. Concrete and gunite pools take the most machine time because every wall and floor slab has to be broken up and either removed or buried properly.
2. Partial removal vs. full removal
Partial removal (sometimes called abandonment) removes the top portion of the pool, punches drainage holes through the floor and fills the rest. Full removal takes the whole structure out before backfilling. Partial is cheaper; full is the better choice if you might build a garage, addition or pool house on that spot later. We break this decision down in detail in our guide to partial vs. full pool removal.
3. Size and depth
A bigger, deeper pool means more demolition and, more importantly, more fill. Fill is often the single largest material cost, so a 16 x 32 pool with an 8-foot deep end needs far more material than a shallow 14 x 28.
4. Access for equipment
If a skid steer or mini excavator can get into the yard through a wide gate or along a side yard, the job moves quickly. Narrow side yards, fences that have to come down, retaining walls, or trees in the way all add labour time. We always walk the access route during the free site visit so there are no surprises.
5. Fill, compaction and topsoil
The hole has to be filled in layers and compacted so the area doesn't settle into a dip a year later. Clean fill, proper compaction between lifts, and a finished layer of quality topsoil cost more than dumping loose dirt, but they're what make the difference between a flat lawn and a sinkhole.
6. Finishing: grading, sod and patios
Most homeowners want a usable yard when we leave. Final grading that sheds water away from the house, fresh sod, or a base prepared for a future patio are all common add-ons. If you're planning interlock or a garden, tell us up front so we can prepare the right base.
What's included in an SPM pool removal quote
Free site visit and locates. We measure the pool, check access, and request utility locates through Ontario One Call before any digging.
Drain and disconnect. The pool is drained and equipment is disconnected. Power to the pump and heater should be safely disconnected by a licensed electrician.
Demolition. Decking, coping and walls are broken out; the floor is broken so water can drain through.
Haul-away. Debris, liner, steel and equipment are removed from site.
Backfill and compaction. Fill goes in layer by layer and is compacted as we go.
Grade, topsoil and sod. We finish with graded topsoil and new sod so the yard is ready to use.
You can see how this looks in practice on our pool removal procedure page.
City of London rules worth knowing before you remove a pool
Keep the pool fenced until it's gone. London's Swimming Pool Fence By-law PS-5 requires every pool to be fully enclosed. Don't take the fence down early to make access easier unless the pool is drained and the site is secured.
Ask the City first. For questions about permits or zoning, the City's zoning office can be reached at zoning@london.ca or 519-930-3510.
Don't drain pool water into your basement drain. London's Drainage By-law WM-4 treats swimming pool drain water as storm water and prohibits discharging storm water into the sanitary sewer. Ask your contractor how the water will be handled.
Mind your neighbours' drainage. In-ground pools in London need a grading and drainage plan when they're built. When the pool comes out, the new grade still can't send water onto the lot next door.
Hidden costs to ask about so your quote doesn't grow
Disposal and trucking fees for concrete and debris
Electrical disconnect by a licensed electrician
Fence or gate removal and reinstallation for machine access
Lawn repair along the access route
Buried surprises such as old patio slabs, rock or abandoned plumbing
Extra topsoil if your yard needs regrading beyond the pool area
A good quote spells each of these out. If a price looks low, check what's missing.
Is pool removal worth the money?
Compare the one-time removal cost with what the pool costs you every year: chemicals, opening and closing, electricity for the pump and heater, liner replacements, repairs and insurance. We break those numbers down in our pool maintenance cost guide. For many London families, removal pays for itself within a few seasons and adds usable yard space for kids, dogs and gardens.
How to get an accurate pool removal quote
Know your pool type, rough dimensions and deepest depth.
Take a photo of the access route from the street to the pool.
Tell us what you want afterward: lawn, garden, patio or a future building.
Ask whether the quote includes compaction, topsoil and sod.
Frequently asked questions
How long does pool removal take?
A typical vinyl pool removal takes a few days on site. Larger concrete pools, tight access, or full removal with engineered fill can stretch the job to a week or more.
Is partial pool removal cheaper than full removal?
Usually, yes. Partial removal leaves the lower shell in place after breaking drainage holes in the floor, so there's less demolition and hauling. Full removal costs more but leaves nothing buried.
Do I need a permit to remove a pool in London, Ontario?
It depends on your property and project. Contact the City of London zoning office before work begins, keep the enclosure compliant until the pool is gone, and make sure the finished grade doesn't push water onto neighbouring properties.
Can I lay sod over a filled-in pool right away?
Yes, as long as the fill was compacted in layers and topped with good topsoil. Sod is the final step on most of our pool removals.
Get a free pool removal quote in London and area
SPM Landscape & Excavation is WSIB covered, carries $1M liability insurance, and has been removing pools in Southern Ontario since 2006. Call or text (519) 474-0008 or send us a few photos and we'll get back to you with a free quote.
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