How much does Swimming pools cost?

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$9000

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$13000

$23750

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Pool size and materials determine total inground swimming pool costs
Hiring a pool maintenance company for regular upkeep can extend the life of your pool
Extras, such as pool decks and water slides, can double the cost of a basic pool

Adding an in-ground swimming pool can turn a ho-hum backyard into a sumptuous sanctuary. A centerpiece for entertaining friends and family, swimming pools also increase a home’s value. But they’re big-ticket items that are expensive to install and maintain. Without careful planning, costs can spiral out of control.

This guide will help you decide whether to invest in an inground swimming pool and provide average costs for installation, pool maintenance, and popular but pricey add-ons.

Total inground swimming pool costs

The national average for installing a 12×24-foot inground pool—a common size—ranges from $25,000–40,000. Installation costs typically include excavation (digging the hole), plumbing, wiring, the pool shell, and a basic pump and filtration system. Adding popular extras—heaters, decking, water slides, custom lighting, and landscaping—can double or triple a homeowner’s total cost, to more than $100,000.

Pool owners will also incur approximately $650–4,200 in annual maintenance, repair, and energy costs.

Cost by type of pool material

The material you select for your pool affects its cost. There are 3 materials used for the shells of inground swimming pools, In addition to the shell, a pool package also includes plumbing and electrical work, pumps, and filters.

Concrete pools. Made of gunite, a type of concrete sprayed over a rebar (steel) frame, these pools are the most expensive, but extremely durable and built to last more than 50 years. They’re also available in custom shapes and sizes. Average cost: $30,000–70,000, installed.

Fiberglass pools. Fabricated in a factory, these pools are shipped to your home in one piece. Because of shipping, they’re limited in size; 16×40 feet is the largest possible dimension. Average cost: $25,000–65,000, installed.

Vinyl liner pools. These pools consist of a vinyl liner that attaches to support walls. Although they’re less costly to install, maintenance is high because the vinyl liner must be replaced every 10 years. Average cost: $20,000–45,000, installed.

Cost of pool add-ons

Building a swimming pool rarely stops with the pool itself. Here are some popular amenities that often accompany a new pool and can increase total cost. Prices include installation.

Pool decking: $2,500–15,000 (Cost depends on deck size and materials.)
Pool heater: $1,800–2,200
Diving boards: $350–1,000
Waterfall: $1,400–7,500
Slides: $500–14,000 (High-end slides feature lighting, spray jets, and extensive landscaping.)
Pool covers: $500–3,000 for manually installed safety covers. Those that operate with push-button controls can cost up to $18,000.
Pool fences or enclosures: About $15–60 per linear foot (Pool fences are required by most building codes.)

Maintenance costs

Owning a swimming pool is a long-term commitment, because they need regular upkeep to maintain clean water and a sound structure. Expect to pay a professional pool company $100–200 per month for weekly or biweekly maintenance. This can total up to $2,400 a year in ongoing costs for pools that are used year-round.

Regular maintenance services provided by pool contractors vary. At minimum, the pool company you hire should:

Test the water’s chlorine levels and overall pH, and keep it balanced by adding appropriate chemicals.
Clean large debris, such as leaves and grass clippings, from the skimmer (where the water enters the pool’s filtration system) and pump baskets.
Vacuum the pool and clean the pool’s filtration system (optional).

The maintenance fee may also include opening and closing the pool at the beginning and end of the swim season. If not, expect to pay $300–500 for each in addition to the monthly maintenance fee.

Learn more: Read How to winterize a pool

Maintenance costs vary based on pool material:

Concrete. In general, gunite pools cost more to maintain than the other two types. That’s because dirt and algae can cling to the plaster that covers the walls. It just takes a little more elbow grease and chemicals to keep them clean. Concrete pools also need to be drained and given an acid wash every 5 years or so for deep cleaning. Expect to pay about $400–500 for an acid wash.

Fiberglass. Many people believe that fiberglass pools are the easiest to keep clean because the gel coat surface prevents algae and other contaminants from gaining a foothold. After about 15 or 20 years, scratches and fading require a new gel finish on the fiberglass shell, about $350–550, installed.

Vinyl. Pools with vinyl liners are relatively easy to keep clean, but the liners must be replaced about once every 10 years. Expect to pay $1,800–2,400 for a liner replacement, installed.

Cost factors

Other factors that can increase the cost of installing an inground pool include:

Location. Pools built in the north can cost up to 20% more than a similar pool installed in the south. In cold climates, concrete pools need thicker walls. Vinyl and fiberglass pools require additional support to protect the shells from freezing and thawing that could cause them to crack.
Distance from pool maintenance company (they may charge for transportation).
Building site conditions. Uneven or sloping yard will require regrading.
Pool permits. These cost about $1,500, but they’re usually included in the pool builder’s estimate.

In addition to building and installing a pool, pool owners incur other costs:

Homeowners insurance. Many people increase their liability coverage when they have a pool installed.
Property tax changes. Pools increase a home’s value, which usually leads to a tax increase.
Increased utility costs. Pools need electricity to run, and they use a lot of water. A single speed pool pump can cost up to $400 per month in electricity costs. A more efficient variable speed pump can cost up to $125 per month.

Due to increased homeowner demand and supply-chain shortages, the cost of a basic pool is on the rise. “I ordered filters [last] May, but I won’t get them until next June. It usually takes 45 days,” notes Craig Bagin, president of B&B Pool and Spa Center in Chestnut Ridge, New Jersey. The price of PVC pipe used in pool plumbing has risen from $2 to $6 per foot, he reports, a cost that could be passed along to pool owners.

Chlorine is also in short supply. In 2020, a hurricane and fire shut down one of the largest chlorine producers in the country, which is having an effect on chlorine prices. Las Vegas pool builder Scotty Heer of Scotty’s Pool Service, says, “A 50-gallon bucket of chlorine jumped from about $70 to close to $200 within the past year.”

How to save money

While there are many ways to reduce the cost of new pool installations, cutting corners on equipment and materials isn’t one of them.

“Cheap is not the way to go,” says Craig Bagin. “It’s not like buying a car that you can trade in for a new one. A backyard pool is a permanent fixture. If it’s not constructed properly and doesn’t have the right size pipes and pool equipment, it will be a permanent heartache.”

Safer ways to reduce pool costs include the following:

Delay pool heaters, slides, and water features. These upgrades will increase the initial cost of your pool project. Ask your pool builder to install plumbing and electrical for these amenities up front, in case you decide to add them later. It won’t add much to the total cost and saves digging up the yard later to lay down piping and wiring.
Phase in yard improvements. A new pool usually means new patio, deck, and landscaping. Adding these extras a little at a time means less sticker shock. You may even be able to find a contractor who’ll do it for less than the pool builder.
Think smaller. As pool size increases, so does the cost. That’s because larger pools require more powerful pumps and filters. Reducing size from 12×30 feet (360 square feet) to 12×24 feet (288 square feet) can lower overall price by 25%.
Warranties. There are 3 types of warranties to consider. A manufacturer’s warranty for fiberglass and vinyl pools usually cover up to 20 years. Workmanship warranties from the pool builder are usually 1–5 years. Equipment warranties for pumps, filters, and the like are usually 1–5 years. Read the fine print as most warranties only cover specific items. All warranties are prorated.

FAQs

How much does a 12×24-foot inground pool cost?

A 12×24-foot pool is the most common size. The average pool prices for that size are as follows: A vinyl pool ranges in cost from $25,000–28,000; fiberglass pool will cost $32,000–34,000; and a gunite pool averages $36,000–38,000.

What is the average cost of putting in a swimming pool?

The average cost for a 12×24-foot pool is $25,000–40,000. Type of material and size of pool affect its price.

How much does it cost to install an inground pool?

The cost depends on the material and size of the pool. Expect to pay from a low of $20,000 to a high of more than $70,000, in addition to any extras.

Find a swimming pool contractor in your area.

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