Demo Patrol is a licensed and insured pool demolition contractor serving Chico, Butte County, and the surrounding areas. Partial pool fill-ins, full inground pool removal, pool deck demolition, backfilling, compaction, and final grading — all with our in-house crew and our own equipment. No subcontractors. One contract. One crew.
Removal Options
Two options for getting rid of your pool. Every pool removal customer we have worked with so far has opted for partial — it gets the job done at a fraction of the cost.
Pool Fill-In
Complete Excavation
Transparent Pricing
Our pricing is calculated based on the specific dimensions of your pool. We take the length and width, average out the depth, and calculate the cubic yards of fill dirt needed for backfill. Then we factor in the number of days the project will take based on pool type and access.
Cubic yards of fill dirt determines the base cost. We then factor in pool type (concrete, gunite, or fiberglass), days on site, equipment needed, and site access.
Pool deck and paver removal is bundled into the price — not a separate line item. More decking and pavers going into the pool actually reduces your fill dirt cost, so we can offer lower rates when there is more hardscape to remove.
What Drives the Cost
The biggest cost surprise for homeowners. Dirt runs up to $450 per load for 15 cubic yards. A larger pool can require a significant number of loads.
Larger concrete and gunite pools require more breakout labor and more fill. Fiberglass pools are a different process — we cut the entire shell out with a Sawzall.
Limited equipment clearance means smaller machines and more hand labor, which adds time and cost.
Butte County demolition permits are $199 — the cheapest demo permits we deal with. Two inspections required.
Required for full pool removal. Raney Geotechnical out of Sacramento charges by the hour. You bring a bucket of fill material to their lab for testing, then they perform a nuclear compaction test on site.
$1,000 or 10% deposit, whichever is less. Balance due on completion.
Our Process
One crew handles everything — assessment through final grading. Here is exactly how we remove a pool in Chico.
We inspect the pool, evaluate site access for our equipment, assess the pool structure (concrete, gunite, or fiberglass), and discuss partial vs. full removal. You receive a written, itemized estimate.
Butte County demolition permits cost $199 and require two inspections. Permits are typically issued in less than a week — much faster than Sacramento, which can take up to a month. We handle all permit management.
Gas, water, and electrical lines serving the pool are disconnected before teardown. We coordinate shutoffs with PG&E, California Water Service, and the electrical provider. 811 called for underground locating.
8,000 lb mini excavator with hydraulic breaker breaks apart the pool walls and floor. 10,000 lb skid steer handles breakout. Mini skid steer jackhammers drainage holes. Fiberglass pools? We cut the entire shell with a Sawzall.
Concrete goes to Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility or a Butte County concrete recycling facility. Metal and rebar go to scrap. Every load tracked with dump receipts.
Fill dirt compacted in lifts. For full removal, Raney Geotechnical is on site for the entire backfill process to perform nuclear compaction testing. This is the step where cutting corners causes problems — we do not cut corners.
The surface is graded for proper drainage. Site is left clean and ready for landscaping, sod, patio installation, or whatever you have planned for the space.
Building department performs the final inspection to close out the permit. We handle scheduling and coordination. You get a completed project with all paperwork closed out.
Pool Demolition Pricing
Real pricing based on the work we do in Butte County. Every estimate is customized to your pool dimensions and site conditions.
| Service | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Partial Pool Removal Pool fill-in with backfill & grading | $7,500 – $15,000 |
| Full Pool Removal Complete excavation with engineer | $18,000 – $30,000 |
| Butte County Permits Includes two inspections | $199 |
| Fill Dirt 15 cubic yards per load | Up to $450/load |
Financing available through Wisetack. $1,000 or 10% deposit, whichever is less.
Why Remove a Pool?
The number one reason homeowners call us about pool removal is a pool that has been neglected for years. The cost to repair and bring it back to working condition is $10,000 or more — at that point, removal makes more financial sense. Most of our pool removal customers are homeowners who have been putting off dealing with a pool that costs more to fix than it is worth.
Most customers want the space back for something simpler — a patio cover, landscaping, or usable yard. Pool removal eliminates ongoing maintenance costs, liability concerns, and the insurance premium that comes with having a pool on your property.
Years of deferred maintenance lead to cracked shells, failed plumbing, and equipment that needs full replacement. Repair estimates in the $10,000+ range make removal the smarter investment.
Most customers want the space back for landscaping, a patio, or simply usable outdoor space. A partial fill-in gives you a level, graded surface ready for whatever you have planned.
Pools carry ongoing insurance premiums and liability exposure. Removal eliminates both, plus the annual maintenance costs for chemicals, equipment, and water.
A neglected pool is a liability on a home sale. A clean, graded yard is an asset. Many homeowners remove pools before listing their property.
Why Demo Patrol
Assessment, permits, utility coordination, teardown, debris hauling, backfilling, compaction, grading, and cleanup. No subcontractors. Our equipment fleet includes mini excavators, hydraulic breakers, skid steers, mini skid steers, and 10-wheeler semi trucks.
CA Contractor #1117491. Fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation. Every job is permitted and inspected.
Safety walkthroughs on every project. Dust control, site protection, and noise mitigation throughout the teardown. Your property and your neighbors are protected.
Pools are built from concrete, gunite, or fiberglass — none of these contain hazardous substances. In the rare case a building department requests testing, we have successfully pushed back since the materials do not warrant it.
Preapproval available on our website. $1,000 or 10% deposit, whichever is less, with the balance due on completion. No in-house financing — Wisetack handles everything.
5.0 rating across platforms. Our reputation is built on reliable service, transparent pricing, and doing the work right the first time.
Service Area
We serve Chico and the surrounding Butte County communities for pool demolition. Our equipment fleet is based locally, and Butte County's fast permitting process (less than a week, $199) makes pool removal projects here move quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pool demolition is one of our core services in Chico and Butte County. We also handle residential, commercial, mobile home, concrete, barn, fire damage demolition, cleanup, and property restoration.
Licensed and insured pool demolition contractor serving Chico, CA. One crew, start to finish. Financing available through Wisetack.