A pool dig is one of the shorter excavation jobs: Angi puts it at 4 to 8 hours of work. The bigger planning items are where the dirt goes and how the finished pool meets Florida's safety law.
Published prices
Angi's 2026 pool excavation guide gives a national average of $2,500, with most digs at $500 to $3,020. Labor is about 80 percent of the total.
| Ground | Angi, per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Dirt | $8 to $25 |
| Sand | $8 to $40 |
| Rocky ground | $40 to $100 |
To estimate the dirt, multiply width, length and depth in feet and divide by 27 for cubic yards. Angi's table puts a 14 by 28 foot pool at 87 cubic yards, about $1,500 at average rates. Hauling it away is extra; Angi's Tampa guide lists $10 to $30 per cubic yard.
Florida's pool safety law
Under Florida Statutes 515.27, a new home pool needs at least one of these to pass final inspection:
- An enclosure that meets the barrier rules in 515.29
- An approved safety pool cover
- Exit alarms rated at 85 decibels at 10 feet on every door and window opening directly to the pool
- Self-closing, self-latching doors to the pool, with the release at least 54 inches above the floor
- An in-pool alarm certified to ASTM F2208
Under 515.29, a barrier is at least 4 feet high on the outside, gates open outward away from the pool and are self-closing and self-latching, and a house wall can be part of the barrier if it has no door or window opening to the pool. Plan the dig with the barrier in mind.
Before you dig
- Apply for the pool permit with Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero or Lee County, whichever covers the lot.
- Request Sunshine 811 marks at least two full business days ahead.
- Decide whether spoil stays on the lot as fill or gets hauled.
Sources
- Angi: How much does pool excavation cost? (Scott Dylan Westerlund, updated October 19, 2026)
- Angi: How much does excavation cost in Tampa, FL? (updated June 16, 2026)
- Florida Statutes 515.27 (2025): Residential swimming pool safety feature options
- Florida Statutes 515.29 (2024): Residential swimming pool barrier requirements
- Sunshine 811: Get started, create a ticket
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
How much does it cost to dig a pool in Fort Myers?
We don't have local figures. Angi's 2026 national average is $2,500, with most digs between $500 and $3,020.
What safety feature does a new pool need in Florida?
At least one of: a barrier enclosure, an approved safety cover, door and window exit alarms, self-closing self-latching doors, or an ASTM F2208 pool alarm (Florida Statutes 515.27).
Get your pool dig quoted
Phone or fill in the form and a contractor who works in Lee County will get back to you. There's no charge for a quote.
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