Cost to have a Hole Dug for a Semi-Inground Above Ground Pool in Orlando

Sinking an above-ground swimming pool partially in the ground in Orlando has become quite popular.

Although putting an above-ground pool in the ground makes the overall job much bigger and more expensive, most are very happy with the end result.

COST FOR ME TO DIG THE HOLE FOR AN ABOVE-GROUND POOL INSTALLATION IN ORLANDO AND SURROUNDING AREAS

Note: Does not include hauling any dirt away
Note: Backfilling is not included

WHAT IS NEEDED TO HAVE A HOLE DUG FOR SINKING (SEMI-INGROUND) YOUR ABOVE-GROUND POOL

1 Wide enough access

My machine needs at least 4.5ft wide of access to the dig site. If you don’t have a wide enough gate, then a section of fencing will have to temporarily come down.

If you have a wood fence, then that is easier because sections usually come apart with no issues. Make sure you have an open section that can be taken down.

If you have a vinyl fence, then that can be an issue as they don’t come apart easily. I won’t take vinyl fencing apart, so you would need to have that open before I get there to do the dig.

2 Have enough room for the dig

To dig a hole for a pool, there needs to be enough room to dig the hole, make a ramp (for the machine to get in and out of the hole), and pile the dirt.

Usually, space isn’t an issue but if you are wanting to put a pool in a tight area, keep in mind that extra space is needed to dig a hole.

NOTE: I leave piles of dirt around the hole for easier backfilling. This will require more space around the pool.

3 Have underground power lines or water main located

In the 37 years of my installing pools in greater Orlando, I’ve only run into major power lines maybe twice. And that is scary.

In most all cases, underground power lines are too far in the ground for me to hit them, but not always.

I did a dig in Kissimmee once maybe 15 years ago and ran into the neighborhood’s power source about fourteen inches down. This was a major no-no for the power company (KUA) as that is not even near the code.

I have occasionally run into power lines that were run to outbuildings in the yard and not to code (buried 18″ down with conduit, 24″ without). Make sure and locate them first.

4 Know where you want the dirt

I don’t haul any dirt away, but will put it anywhere in the yard that you want. Deciding if you want me to spread it out or where to pile it ahead of time is helpful.

5 Set correct expectations

When digging a big hole in a yard, it makes a big mess. There will be track marks that may tear up some grass. And there will be dirt. A lot of dirt. Usually, more than the homeowner expects.

If your yard has a lot of nice landscaping, some that are in the way of the dig may have to go or be somewhat damaged.

And no one knows what’s in the ground. Things like irrigation lines, electric lines not up to code, tree stumps, excessive roots, buried trash, an old drain field, a buried patio, or groundwater can get in the way of the dig.

These things can not be pre-determined, so they have to be dealt with at dig time. And what is already in the ground is the responsibility of the person who owns the land.

POTENTIAL ADDED COSTS TO DIGGING A HOLE FOR AN ABOVE-GROUND POOL

The earth in Orlando is usually pretty clean, sand-based, and easy to deal with, but not always. Some things may add to the cost of the dig.

1 Piling the dirt far away from the hole

Some will want me to set the dug dirt far away behind their yard or in the front yard. That will cost more as it will take me much more time to travel loads of dirt back and forth.

2 Running into hard earth or clay

Some neighborhoods are built up to make the entire area high and dry. Developers sometimes use earth with a lot of hard clay or hard earth for this. This may result in costing more to dig it out.

3 Running into an old drain field

Old drain fields have tons of rocks which all have to be dug out. This is a pain and time-consuming.

4 Buried tree stumps or excessive roots

If you are planning on installing your pool near a big tree or two, then there may be big roots in the ground where the hole is dug. This will cost more.

Also, big tree stumps cannot be dug out. Sometimes the pool has to be relocated or the stump is ground down. I don’t offer stump grinding, so you’d have to get that done elsewhere.

5 Old burn site or excessive buried construction trash

Anything left in the ground that will take time to dig out other than earth can cost more.

MY MACHINE TO DO THE DIG

I have a small skid/steer machine. It has tracks instead of wheels, so it won’t make as much of a mess in the yard.

It has a small bucket too, which means it cannot move a lot of dirt fast. This means that if you want me to transport the dirt far away, I’ll need to make several trips back and forth.

My machine is only 48” wide and weighs only 3400 pounds. This is good for maneuvering in tight spots and not breaking anything when having to drive over them.