Angi puts a typical residential pool dig at 4 to 8 hours of machine work. Most of the cost is labor, and the rest depends on the ground and where the dirt ends up.
Prices
| Item | Angi |
|---|---|
| National average | $2,500 |
| Typical range | $500 to $3,020 |
| Sand | $8 to $40 per cubic yard |
| Dirt | $8 to $25 per cubic yard |
| Hauling (Orlando) | $10 to $30 per cubic yard |
Florida's pool safety requirements
Florida Statutes 515.27 requires at least one of these before a new home pool passes final inspection:
- A barrier enclosure meeting 515.29
- An approved safety pool cover
- Exit alarms of at least 85 decibels at 10 feet on doors and windows that open 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
The 515.29 barrier is at least 4 feet high on the outside, with gates that open outward away from the pool, close by themselves and latch. A house wall can be part of it if no door or window in that wall opens to the pool.
On older lots
Downtown and older Sanford neighborhoods keep a lot of older architecture, so there may be old lines, foundations or fill nobody has records of. Request Sunshine 811 marks, and ask the contractor how the quote handles surprises.
Sources
- Angi: How much does pool excavation cost? (Scott Dylan Westerlund, updated October 19, 2026)
- Angi: How much does excavation cost in Orlando, FL? (updated June 17, 2026)
- Florida Statutes 515.27 (2025): Residential swimming pool safety feature options
- Florida Statutes 515.29 (2024): Residential swimming pool barrier requirements
- Wikipedia: Sanford, Florida
Reviewed October 20, 2026. Rules, prices and contacts change, so check the source before relying on it.
Questions and answers
What safety feature does a new pool need in Florida?
At least one of the five options in Florida Statutes 515.27, such as a barrier enclosure, a safety cover, door and window exit alarms, self-closing doors or an ASTM F2208 pool alarm.
Get your pool dig quoted
Send the form or call, and a contractor serving Seminole County will be in touch. You won't pay for the quote.
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