How Much Does It Cost to Remove an Above-Ground Pool and Deck in Metropolis, IL?

Removing an above-ground pool with an attached deck in Metropolis typically costs between $899 and $2,400 for the complete job. A standard 24-foot round pool with a basic wood deck runs about $1,299. If you've got a 27-footer with a wrap-around composite deck, you're looking closer to $1,900. The 33-foot ovals with extensive two-level decks can hit $2,400. These prices cover draining, dismantling the pool walls and frame, tearing out the deck structure, hauling everything off, and disposing of it properly—no hidden fees, no permit headaches.

I pulled a 24-foot Doughboy and its cedar deck out of a backyard off West 7th Street last spring. The liner was shredded, the deck boards were rotting through, and the homeowner just wanted it gone before they listed the house. Whole job took about four hours with two of us working. The metal frame went to recycling, the treated lumber to the landfill, and the liner to proper disposal.

What Affects the Price in Metropolis

Size matters most. A 15-foot starter pool with a small entry deck is quick work—maybe $899. But when you're dealing with a 27-foot or larger oval with stairs, railings, and a deck that wraps halfway around, that's significantly more labor and dump weight.

Deck material is the other big variable. Pressure-treated pine comes apart faster than composite decking, which often requires cutting into manageable sections. If your deck has concrete footings sunk deep (common along the Ohio River floodplain to keep things stable), we sometimes have to cut those flush rather than dig them out—adds maybe 30 minutes but doesn't usually change the quote.

Condition plays a role too. If the pool's already half-collapsed and the deck's falling apart, it's actually easier to remove—everything breaks down faster. A pristine setup that's still structurally sound takes more careful dismantling, especially if you're hoping to salvage the pump or filter for resale.

Get an instant quote with a photo: snap a picture of your pool and deck, upload it at usajunkremoval.com/quote, and our AI gives you a firm price in about 60 seconds.

Can You Remove It Yourself?

You can, but it's a full weekend project minimum. Here's what you're actually facing:

Draining: if you've got city water in Metropolis, you're looking at 10,000+ gallons. You can't just dump it into the storm drain on Market Street—it needs to go into the sanitary sewer (like a floor drain or toilet cleanout) or onto your lawn slowly. A sump pump from Lowe's on US-45 runs about $80 and takes 6-10 hours to drain a typical pool.

Dismantling the pool: once empty, the liner comes out easy enough. The metal walls unbolt, but they're sharp and awkward—I've seen more than one person slice their hand on a wall panel edge. The frame rails and uprights break down into pieces, but you'll need a truck or trailer to haul them.

Deck demolition: this is where most DIY attempts stall out. Deck screws rust in place. Joists are toe-nailed in. If it's an older deck built with ring-shank nails and joist hangers, you're looking at serious prying and cutting. A circular saw, reciprocating saw, and pry bar are mandatory. Budget a full day just for an average 12x20 deck.

Disposal: Massac County's landfill accepts treated lumber and metal, but you'll make multiple trips. The liner might not be accepted depending on material. Metal frame can go to a scrap yard, but they won't pay much for rusty residential pool parts.

If you've got the tools, the time, and a strong back, you'll save money. Most people get halfway through, realize it's brutal work in the July heat, and call us to finish.

What We Do Differently

We've hauled pools and decks since 1993, and we've gotten pretty efficient at it. Two-person crew, proper tools, done in half a day for most residential setups. We handle draining if there's still water in it. We unbolt and cut everything down, load it into our trucks, and haul it off the same day.

The metal frame goes to recycling. Treated lumber goes to the landfill (it can't be burned or composted per EPA regulations on treated wood). Liner and any foam padding get disposed of properly. You don't make five dump runs or argue with the scale operator about mixed loads.

We cover 38,000+ cities nationwide, including every neighborhood in Metropolis from the Superman statue downtown to the residential streets near Fort Massac State Park. One quote covers everything—no trip charges, no surprise fees when we find concrete footings or discover the deck's bigger than you thought.

Call or text 405-698-4285 and we'll usually have a crew out within a few days. If you're selling the house or the city's giving you trouble about the eyesore, we can prioritize it.

What About Just the Deck or Just the Pool?

We can remove either one separately. Pool-only removal (if the deck's staying or already gone) runs $549-$899 depending on size. Deck-only removal starts around $799 for a basic 10x12 and goes up based on square footage and construction.

But honestly, if they're connected and both need to go, doing them together saves money. We're already on-site, the equipment's already there, and we can often break them down more efficiently as one combined job.

Does Metropolis Require a Permit?

Generally no. Removing an above-ground pool and deck doesn't require a permit in most Illinois municipalities, including Metropolis. You're not disturbing the foundation or doing structural work on the house. You might want to call Metropolis City Hall at 524 Market Street just to confirm if there are any specific local rules, but in 30 years I've never run into permit requirements for this kind of removal.

If you're filling in the area afterward and doing major grading, that's a different story, but just taking down the pool and deck is straightforward.

Recent Job in Southern Illinois

Last fall we pulled a 27-foot oval and a massive two-tier deck out of a property in Palmyra, VA—but we do the same work across southern Illinois regularly. The Metropolis jobs tend to be older pools from the '90s and early 2000s that have reached end-of-life. Walls rusting through at the bottom, decks with soft spots, pumps that haven't run in three years.

One thing I've noticed around the Ohio River towns: decks often have extra bracing and deeper footings because of the clay soil and moisture. Doesn't make them harder to remove, just means we sometimes cut footings flush instead of pulling them.

What Happens to All That Material?

Metal frame and rails go to a recycling facility. Steel and aluminum from pool structures is easy to recycle and actually has value. The liner—usually vinyl or resin—goes to the landfill; it's not recyclable in most facilities. Treated deck lumber also goes to the landfill per EPA guidelines (it contains chemicals that make it unsafe to burn or compost).

If your pump and filter are still good, you can try selling them on Facebook Marketplace before we arrive. Pools and parts sell decent around here in spring. But if they're sitting with the rest of it, we'll haul them too.

Check if we cover your neighborhood: visit usajunkremoval.com/coverage and enter your zip code. We service all of Massac County and the surrounding area.

How to Prepare for Removal Day

Not much prep needed. If there's still water in the pool, let us know when you book—we can drain it as part of the job. Clear any personal items, pool toys, or chemicals from the area. If there's a gate we need to access, make sure it's unlocked or let us know the code.

Most importantly, if there are any obstacles—low-hanging branches, a tight side yard, buried utility lines near the deck footings—give us a heads-up. We work around stuff all the time, but knowing in advance helps us bring the right equipment.

The actual removal is loud and dusty, so if you've got close neighbors, maybe give them a heads-up that we'll be running saws and loading metal for a few hours. We're usually done and gone by early afternoon.

Why Homeowners in Metropolis Call Us

Honest pricing up front. No games. A property owner near the Superman museum called us last summer after two other companies either no-showed for the estimate or quoted one price and then tried to add fees on removal day. We gave him a flat quote over the phone with a few photos, showed up when we said we would, and finished the job for exactly what we quoted.

We've worked with corporate clients like State Farm and Chick-fil-A on commercial projects, but most of our work is residential—homeowners who just need something big and unwieldy gone. One recent review: 'Very professional and completed the job fast.' That's what we aim for every time.

Get an instant AI quote: text a photo of your pool and deck to our system at usajunkremoval.com/quote and you'll have a firm price in about a minute. No waiting for a callback, no scheduling an on-site visit unless you want one.

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FAQ

How long does it take to remove an above-ground pool and deck? Most jobs take 3-5 hours with a two-person crew. A small 15-foot pool with a simple deck might be done in under three hours. A large oval with an extensive wrap-around deck can take a full day, but that's rare.

Can you remove a pool that still has water in it? Yes. We bring pumps and can drain it as part of the job. Just let us know when you book so we plan for the extra time—draining adds a few hours depending on size.

What if the deck is connected to the house or a fence? We can work around attached structures. We'll cut the deck free where it connects and make sure we're not damaging anything you're keeping. If the connection is complex (like a deck that ties into a screened porch), we might need to take a look in person before quoting, but usually photos are enough.

Call 405-698-4285 or get your instant quote online. We'll have that pool and deck out of your backyard and your life in less than a day.