Two Scottsdale pools of the same size can cost very different amounts to dig. The difference is usually what's under the yard, and how easy it is to get a machine into it.
Dig cost
Angi's 2026 pool excavation guide gives a national average of $2,500. Most owners pay $500 to $3,020, and large pools or rocky sites can reach $4,500.
| Ground | Angi, per cubic yard |
|---|---|
| Dirt | $8 to $25 |
| Sand | $8 to $40 |
| Rocky ground | $40 to $100 |
On a rocky lot, a 14 by 28 foot pool at Angi's 87 cubic yards would run about $3,480 to $8,700 at the rocky-ground rate, against $696 to $2,175 at the dirt rate, by our arithmetic. Angi also notes that the full extent of rock may not be known until digging starts.
Pool barriers
Scottsdale's pool barrier guidance, written for short-term rental owners, describes the layers the city expects:
- A primary 60-inch perimeter fence that's hard to climb, such as a backyard block wall
- Perimeter gates that self-close and self-latch, with the latch at least 54 inches high
- A second barrier: either a 60-inch pool fence with a lockable gate latch at least 54 inches up, or audible alarms on doors and windows with direct pool access
It cites Scottsdale's adoption of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. For a new pool at your own home, ask the city's Inspection Services (480-312-2500) which requirements apply.
Planning the dig
- Volume: length times width times average depth in feet, divided by 27, gives cubic yards.
- Spoil: ask whether haul-off is included. Angi notes many excavators include removal; otherwise dumpsters run $300 to $480.
- Access: the machine has to reach the backyard, so measure gates and side yards.
- Utilities: start an Arizona 811 request before the dig date.
- ESL lots: the pool has to fit within the area that can be disturbed. See ESL desert lots.
Sources
- Angi: How much does pool excavation cost? (Scott Dylan Westerlund, updated October 19, 2026)
- City of Scottsdale: Pool barrier requirements (short-term rental guidance)
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
How much does pool excavation cost in Scottsdale?
We don't have Scottsdale-only figures. Angi's 2026 national guide averages $2,500, mostly $500 to $3,020, with rocky ground at $40 to $100 per cubic yard.
What pool fence does Scottsdale require?
Scottsdale's barrier guidance for short-term rentals describes a 60-inch perimeter fence and either a 60-inch pool fence or alarms on doors and windows with pool access. Confirm requirements for your home with Inspection Services at 480-312-2500.
Get your pool dig quoted
Call or use the form. A local excavation contractor gets back to you, and asking for a quote costs nothing.
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