Grillo Pool Removal • CT / MA / RI • Westchester & Long Island, NY
If you’re removing an in-ground pool in Connecticut, the big question usually isn’t “can you do it?” — it’s: Do I need a full removal (haul-out), or does a fill-in make more sense?
The fastest way to get pointed in the right direction is to text a few photos (pool + access route). Text: (203) 572-3992 • Prefer a call? (203) 806-4086
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Quick navigation: Quick answer · Definitions · Our default for concrete pools · When haul-out makes sense · Comparison table · Settling & drainage · Get an accurate quote fast
Quick Answer: Fill-In vs Full Removal
For most Connecticut homeowners, a fill-in is the best value when the end goal is to reclaim the yard for lawn, landscaping, and normal use. A full removal (haul-out) is usually only worth the added cost when the town requires it (common in wetland-sensitive areas) or the homeowner specifically wants nothing left on-site.
- Concrete/Gunite pools: Our standard approach is to break up the concrete and bury it as part of a proper fill-in — unless the town won’t allow it or you don’t want concrete buried.
- Vinyl liner / fiberglass pools: There is no “partial removal” option the same way there is for concrete. Partial removal is only possible on concrete/gunite pools.
- Haul-out adds real cost: removing and hauling away tons of concrete means more trucking, more disposal, more time — and for most yards, no real benefit.
If you want to see what each option looks like in the real world, compare a partial removal example for gunite here: Wilton gunite demolition and a full removal + haul-out example here: New Canaan full removal & fill-in.
What “Fill-In,” “Full Removal,” and “Partial Removal” Actually Mean
Homeowners (and even contractors) use these terms loosely, so here’s how to think about it in plain English.
1) Fill-In (Most common end goal: yard back)
The pool is demolished in a controlled way and the area is rebuilt with proper fill and grading so it can be used again. For concrete/gunite pools, this often includes breaking the concrete and burying it in the footprint (when allowed and when the homeowner is okay with it).
2) Full Removal / Haul-Out (Most common end goal: nothing left on-site)
The pool structure/materials are removed and hauled off-site, and the area is rebuilt with suitable fill and grading. For concrete/gunite pools, this means loading and hauling away a lot of heavy concrete — which is why it usually costs more.
3) Partial Removal (Only possible on concrete/gunite pools)
This is the key point most people miss: we cannot do a partial removal on vinyl liner or fiberglass pools. “Partial removal” only applies to concrete/gunite because there’s a heavy shell that can be demolished and managed on-site. Example: Gunite demolition in Wilton, CT. If you’re not sure what type of pool you have, start here: Types of Pools.
Concrete/Gunite Pools: Why Breaking & Burying the Concrete Is Usually the Smart Move
For most concrete/gunite pool removals in Connecticut, breaking and burying the concrete makes the most sense. It’s what we do by default every time for concrete pools unless: (1) the town won’t allow it, or (2) the homeowner doesn’t want concrete buried.
Here’s the honest truth: hauling away concrete adds a lot of cost without providing much benefit for most people. You’re paying for extra dumpsters, trucking, disposal fees, extra machine time, and often extra labor — just to end up with the same result most homeowners want: a stable yard.
When a “standard” concrete pool fill-in works great
- You want lawn / landscaping / a usable yard again
- You’re not planning to build a structure right in the old pool footprint
- The town allows on-site concrete management as part of the scope
- You want the best value (strong result without paying for unnecessary haul-out)
Want the concrete-specific breakdown? See: Concrete Pool Removal.
When Full Removal (Haul-Out) Makes Sense
Full removal is not “wrong.” It’s just not automatically the best choice. Here are the situations where it can be the right call:
- The town requires it: Some towns (or specific sites) won’t allow concrete to remain in the footprint, especially near wetland-sensitive areas or certain groundwater conditions.
- You don’t want anything buried: Some homeowners just prefer a clean slate with nothing left on-site.
- You’re planning future construction: If you’re putting a foundation, addition, or major structure directly in the old pool footprint, full removal may be recommended depending on your engineer/plan.
- Site conditions dictate it: Certain high water table / flood-prone areas may steer the scope toward haul-out depending on the municipality and site specifics.
A real example of a full removal + haul-out job: Concrete Pool Removal – Full Removal & Fill-In – New Canaan, CT.
New Canaan, CT: concrete staged and ready for haul-out on a full removal job. Click to enlarge.
Fill-In vs Full Removal: Side-by-Side Comparison
This is the easiest way to decide. (Mobile-friendly table — swipe left/right.)
| Category | Concrete/Gunite Fill-In (Break & Bury) | Concrete/Gunite Full Removal (Haul-Out) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most homeowners who want a stable yard back for lawn/landscaping | Town-required haul-out, homeowner preference, or certain future build plans |
| What happens to the shell | Concrete is broken into manageable pieces and buried in the footprint (when allowed) | Concrete is broken, loaded, dumpstered, and hauled off-site |
| Disposal & trucking | Lower disposal needs (scope-dependent debris still hauled away) | Higher disposal needs (heavy loads of concrete) + more trucking |
| Cost impact | Usually the best value for most yards | Usually more expensive without added “yard benefit” for most homeowners |
| Why people choose it | Great end result + avoids paying for unnecessary haul-out | Required by town/site conditions, or a personal/engineering preference |
Mobile tip: swipe left/right on the table to see all columns.
For pricing ranges and the real cost drivers (pool type, access, dumpsters, deck removal, etc.), see: Pool Removal Cost in CT.
Important Note About Vinyl Liner & Fiberglass Pools
Homeowners sometimes ask for a “partial removal” on a vinyl liner or fiberglass pool. We get why — you’re trying to save money. But the reality is simple: Partial removal is only possible on concrete/gunite pools.
The reason is straightforward: with vinyl liner and fiberglass pools, the materials you’d be leaving behind are garbage/debris (liner, fiberglass, plastics, etc.). We can’t legally bury garbage/debris — so there’s no legitimate “partial removal” option for those pool types the way there is with a concrete shell. If you’re not sure what kind of pool you have, start here: Types of Pools (or just text us photos and we’ll identify it quickly).
Settling, Drainage, and “Will My Yard Be Normal Again?”
A good pool removal isn’t just demolition — it’s rebuilding the space so it works like a yard again. That means thinking about fill strategy, compaction, and drainage-aware grading.
What reduces settling?
- Placing fill in lifts (layers) instead of dumping everything in at once
- Compaction where appropriate (site conditions matter)
- Finishing the grade for drainage so water doesn’t collect in the old deep-end area
- Planning the finish (topsoil/seed/sod prep depending on scope)
If you want to see two real-world examples of how the finished surface can look, start with: Wilton gunite demolition (fill-in) and New Canaan full removal + fill-in.
For more common homeowner questions (permits, timeline, finishing, etc.), see: Pool Removal FAQ’s.
Decision Checklist: Which Option Should You Choose?
Choose a concrete/gunite fill-in (break & bury) when:
- You want a yard back for lawn/landscaping
- You want the best value and don’t want to pay for unnecessary haul-out
- Your town/site allows on-site concrete management as part of the scope
- You’re not building a structure directly in the pool footprint
Choose full removal (haul-out) when:
- The town requires the concrete to be removed (common in certain wetland-sensitive situations)
- You personally don’t want anything buried on-site
- You have a future construction plan that needs a clean slate (confirm with your engineer/plan)
If you’re still unsure, don’t overthink it — the deciding factors are usually visible in photos: pool type, access, surrounding hardscape, and site conditions.
Get an Accurate Recommendation (and a Ballpark Quote) Fast
The fastest way for us to tell you which option makes sense — and what it will realistically cost — is to text photos. Access is one of the biggest price drivers in CT (tight gates, stone walls, long carries, limited staging), and photos show it immediately.
Text these 3 photos for the fastest answer:
- 1 wide photo of the pool + surrounding deck/coping
- 1–2 photos of the access route (street → backyard, gates, tight turns)
- Anything tricky (pavers, slopes, stone walls, septic/well, wet areas)
Text: (203) 572-3992 | Call: (203) 806-4086
Important: We use a call blocker. If you call from an unknown or blocked number, your call may not get through. Text first and wait for our text reply before calling.
Next steps: If you want to go deeper, these pages answer most follow-up questions: