How much does an inground pool cost?
How much does an inground pool cost?
An in-ground swimming pool costs $35,000 on average with most paying between $28,000 and $55,000 depending on the pool type, shape, size of the pool, and degree of customization. A small fiberglass pool costs $18,000 while a large concrete pool costs $60,000 or more.
$50 – $125 cost per square foot
$28,000 – $55,000 average total cost
An in-ground swimming pool costs $35,000 on average with most paying between $28,000 and $55,000 depending on the pool type, shape, size of the pool, and degree of customization. A small fiberglass pool costs $18,000 while a large concrete pool costs $60,000 or more.
Average Cost to Install an Inground Pool
The average cost to install an inground pool is $35,000 with most homeowners spending between $28,000 and $55,000. The additional cost of pool ownership for basic maintenance, increased utilities, and repairs add $2,500 to $5,000 every year.
Custom upgrades like waterfalls, hot tubs, lighting, covers, or decking add $2,000 to $10,000 to your project cost.
The total cost depends on the size, location, and whether you build the pool with fiberglass, concrete, or vinyl.
| National Average Cost | $35,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $20,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $195,000 |
| Average Range | $28,000 to $55,000 |
A pool adds value to your home, provides an oasis during the summer months, and gives you a place to entertain your guests or relax in the sun. In this cost guide, we'll cover the costs of a basic pool, all the way up to indoor luxury pools.
Inground Pool Prices Installed
Inground pool prices range from $20,000 to $115,000 installed depending on the material. For an average 14' x 28' underground pool, fiberglass costs $46,000, vinyl costs $36,000, and concrete costs $51,000 to install.
Below are the average prices for turnkey installation and yearly pool maintenance costs.
| Material | Cost To Install | Yearly Maintenance | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass | $18,000 – $65,000 | $375+ | 25+ years |
| Concrete | $29,000 – $60,000 | $2,750+ | 50+ years |
| Vinyl | $25,000 – $45,000 | $1,325+ | Replace liner every 10 years |
Fiberglass Inground Pool Prices
Fiberglass inground pool prices range from $18,700 for a 10' x 16' to $63,200 for an 18' x 30' pool. Maintenance and upkeep cost $3,800 over a 10-year period and the pool will last for 25+ years.
Fiberglass pools are much easier to clean and maintain than vinyl or concrete.
The smooth surface is super resistant to algae, reducing water pH level maintenance.
Fiberglass shells are pre-made and typically run smaller than concrete pools.
Installation typically takes less than a week.
| Install Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| DIY Self-Install | $12,000 – $30,000 |
| Assisted Installation (Dig, Set, Fill) | $20,000 – $45,000 |
| Standard Pool Packages | $30,000 – $65,000 |
| Turn-key Pool Packages | $45,000 – $85,000 |
Most pool owners prefer a turnkey installation from an authorized dealer as it often saves more than the money saved from managing all the individual parts of the installation process yourself.
Gunite, Shotcrete, or Concrete Pool Cost
A gunite pool costs $29,000 to $60,000 with most paying around $51,000 for a 14’ x 28’ pool. The long-term 10-year cost of ownership to maintain a concrete pool averages $27,500, the highest of any pool material.
Concrete pools offer more options for creative pool shapes.
These pools typically require more chemicals and electricity.
A concrete pool may need an acid wash every 4 years to remove any mold or algae.
The method used to remove the algae weakens the structural integrity of the concrete, hastening the need for resurfacing.
Gunite pools need to completely be replastered every 10 to 15 years, which costs around $10,000.
Gunite is the name of the process to apply concrete to a form that will create your pool shape—it’s created by spraying the concrete and sand mix over a metal shape made of rebar.
Vinyl Underground Pool Prices
The average vinyl inground pool costs $25,000 to $45,000 and is the most affordable option when compared to fiberglass and concrete. Although the initial price is lower, the long-term cost to maintain a vinyl liner pool is $13,250 over 10 years.
Like fiberglass, vinyl pools come in predesigned shapes or as a custom solution to suit your vision.
Vinyl is easy to clean, resistant to algae, and has a smooth finish.
The vinyl is a liner shaped from thermoplastic or steel panels and placed over the pool structure, with a concrete or sand floor.
Vinyl pool liner replacement costs $3,000 to $4,000. The liner needs replacing every 10 years.
Inground Pool Cost Estimator
When estimating the cost to build an inground pool, the main factors are the size, materials, location, and any custom upgrades.
Building a standard 14’ x 28’ size pool costs $50 to $100 per square foot.
Larger pools with 9' to 12' deep ends cost $125 to $150 per square foot.
Inground Pool Sizes & Prices
The average swimming pool size is 14’ x 28’, and 6.5' deep but some homeowners have either a higher budget or less space for an average size pool. For head-first diving, The Red Cross recommends a depth of at least 9'.
Below are standard pool sizes and pool construction costs.
| Pool Size | Vinyl | Fiberglass | Concrete |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10' x 16' | $14,600 | $18,700 | $20,800 |
| 10' x 20' | $18,200 | $23,400 | $26,000 |
| 10' x 30' | $27,300 | $35,100 | $39,000 |
| 12' x 16' | $17,500 | $22,500 | $25,000 |
| 12' x 20' | $21,800 | $28,100 | $31,200 |
| 12' x 24' | $26,200 | $33,700 | $37,400 |
| 12' x 30' | $32,800 | $42,100 | $46,800 |
| 14' x 20' | $25,500 | $32,800 | $36,400 |
| 14' x 28' | $35,700 | $45,900 | $51,000 |
| 14' x 30' | $38,200 | $49,100 | $54,600 |
| 15' x 20' | $27,300 | $35,100 | $39,000 |
| 15' x 30' | $41,000 | $52,700 | $58,500 |
| 16' x 32' | $46,600 | $59,900 | $66,600 |
| 16' x 36' | $52,400 | $67,400 | $74,900 |
| 18' x 30' | $49,100 | $63,200 | $70,200 |
| 18' x 36' | $59,000 | $75,800 | $84,200 |
| 18' x 40' | $65,500 | $84,200 | $93,600 |
| 20' x 40' | $72,800 | $93,600 | $104,000 |
| 25' x 45' | $102,400 | $131,600 | $146,300 |
| 30' x 15' | $41,000 | $52,700 | $58,500 |
| 32' x 16' | $46,600 | $59,900 | $66,560 |
| 30' x 50' | $136,500 | $175,500 | $195,000 |
Small Backyard Pools Cost
Small inground pools such as a 10' x 16' plunge pool or a 10' x 20' cocktail pool cost $14,500 to $24,500 to install and are 5.5' to 7' deep. The cost of a small or mini inground pool rises when selecting concrete instead of vinyl, adding a deck, installing a cover, or adding a privacy fence.
Semi Inground Pool Cost
Most semi-inground pools cost under $10,000. Oasis semi-inground pools are constructed from extruded aluminum or steel and cost $6,800 to $8,500.
A semi-inground pool costs more than an above-ground pool but about 1/3 the price of an inground pool of equal size.
Semi-inground pool installation typically takes 1 to 3 days–much faster than that of an inground pool.
Indoor Pool Cost
An indoor pool costs $110,000 for a 12’ x 16’ vinyl and goes up to $220,000 for a 16’ x 32’ concrete inground pool, or higher for more accessories and ornate features. Indoor pool prices are $200 to $250 per square foot and factor in a 4’ perimeter for the room to house the pool.
| Material | Pool Cost | Structure | Dehumidifier | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $35,700 | $122,000 | $25,000 | $182,700 |
| Fiberglass | $45,900 | $122,000 | $25,000 | $192,900 |
| Concrete | $51,000 | $122,000 | $25,000 | $198,000 |
Cost of Inground Saltwater Pools
The average cost of an inground saltwater pool is $35,000 for the pool and another $1,100 to $2,200 for the saltwater generator, bringing the total cost to $36,100 to $37,200. Saltwater pools do not need any chemicals added, are easier to maintain, and don't have a chlorine smell.
A saltwater swimming pool uses a system that converts the salt in the water to chlorine, but the levels are much lower than in a chlorine pool, so it is kinder to clothes and your skin.
Estimating Long-Term SaltWater Pool Costs
Replacing the cell in the generator costs $800 every 3 to 6 years ($100 less than if you had a regular chlorinated pool).
Adding salt to run your saltwater pool costs just under $100 for an average 14' x 28' pool with a 6.5' depth. An average pool has a water volume of just under 20,000 gallons and needs around 11 x 40-pound bags of salt.
Custom Underground Pool Prices
The inground pool price can go up by $2,000 to $10,000 with custom upgrades that add value to your pool, but they don’t need to be a part of the initial installation. Adding upgrades later helps spread out the overall cost.
Inground Swimming Pool Designs, Shapes, & Prices
Inground swimming pool designs, shapes, and prices will match the level of customization, the materials, and the square footage. The most popular inground pool designs are:
Rectangle Inground Pools
Free Form (Radius)
Classic (Roman / Greek)
Kidney
Geometric Shapes (Circle, Oval, Heart)
L-shaped
Beach Entry or Zero Entry Pool Costs
Beach entry pools cost $90 per square foot on average, with most homeowners paying $50 to $125 per square foot. Also known as a walk-in pool or a zero-entry pool, it has a gradually sloped entry into the pool—the same way you would walk into the water on a beach. The water at that shallow end is typically warmer than it is in the rest of the pool.
Lap Pool Cost
An inground lap pool costs $20,000 to $70,000 on average depending on the size and materials. You can build something long or do more laps in a shorter pool to end up with the same swimming distance.
A traditional lap pool in a competition setting will be somewhere between 6’ and 9’ deep.
| Size | Vinyl* | Fiberglass* | Concrete* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10' x 20' | $18,200 | $23,400 | $26,000 |
| 20' x 30' | $54,600 | $70,200 | $78,000 |
| 20' x 60' | $109,200 | $140,400 | $156,000 |
*Pricing is based on 6.5’ deep.
Indoor Lap Pool Cost
Building an indoor lap pool costs $95,600 to $305,900. Other factors affecting the cost include building a room around the pool and buying a large dehumidifier to prevent moisture damage to the home.
Backyard Lagoon Pool Costs
A lagoon pool costs $50,000 to $150,000, or between $70 and $110 per square foot depending on the complexity in the design of your pool and the degree of landscaping you want to augment the design. Lagoon pools are perfect for homeowners looking to have something more tropical in appearance for their backyard escape.
Inground Pool with Hot Tub Prices
The average cost of an inground pool and hot tub is $30,000 to $70,000, depending on the size. Adding an in-ground hot tub costs $6,000 to $15,000 more when building simultaneously with a pool, or $8,000 to $25,000 when adding to an existing pool.
Prices depend on the style of the hot tub and how integrated it is with the rest of the pool. Pool companies typically offer to include the hot tub with the inground pool in their quote, with discounts for getting both done as one project. Hot tubs vary in price depending on the number of jets, the quality of materials, and the number of people the hot tub can accommodate.
Entry Level – $2,000 to $4,000
Medium Quality – $5,000 to $8,000
High End – $9,000 to $12,000
Premium – $13,000 to $20,000
Inground Pool Lights
Inground pool lighting costs $700 to $1,800, with LED and fiber optic solutions that can often be controlled from your phone. While lighting can be added after the pool has been installed, it is a lot more cost-effective to have them installed at the time the pool is being built.
Waterfalls or Water Features
A waterfall costs $2,000 to $17,600, depending on the type, features, material, and design complexity. A sheer descent or sheet waterfall costs $400 to $1,600, while a rock waterfall costs $1,500 for faux rock or up to $17,600 for a large waterfall feature made with real stone.
Diving Board or Slide
Diving boards for inground pools cost $300 to $800 for a surface-mounted board and even more for one that is elevated for use in deeper pools. An inground pool slide can cost anywhere from $900 to $20,000.
Pool Steps
Inground pool steps cost $200 to $2,500. The lower end of the price range includes products from a variety of manufacturers that the homeowner can place in position once the pool is built. Common more expensive styles include wedding cake steps, end steps, end steps with benches, corner steps, corner steps with benches, full-width end steps, end steps with side benches, and roman steps.
Pool Deck Cost
The cost for a pool deck ranges is $2,800 to $23,200 depending on the number of sides the deck is installed on, the width of the deck, and the selected deck materials. Material options include wood and engineered or composite wood, and each has cost and durability considerations which should make the right choice easy to make.
| Deck Sides | 4” deep | 8” deep | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 sides | 184 SF | 400 SF | $4,600 – $10,000 |
| 4 sides | 400 SF | 928 SF | $10,000 – $23,200 |
Inground Pool Heater Cost
An inground pool heater costs $1,600 to $5,200 installed Prices depend on how much water you need to heat, and what the rise in temperature is from the average coldest temperature to the desired water temperature.
Electric tankless water heaters generally start between $500 and $600.
Larger and more powerful electric pool water heaters average $1,200 to $6,000.
Similar gas-powered pool water heaters cost $1,500 to $4,500.
On the high end, a heat pump or solar pool heater costs $2,500 to $6,500. These work in hotter climates and transfer the heat in the air to the water in the pool, and they do so very economically.
Pool Fence or Enclosure Costs
Pool Fence
A pool fence installation costs $600 to $4,400 or more depending on the size of the pool, the fencing materials you select, and how far back from the edge of the pool the fence is installed.
Gates with a self-closing latch for your pool fence average an additional $200 to $250 each including installation.
Pool Enclosure
A pool enclosure costs $5 to $65 per square foot or $4,000 to $50,000. Pool cages are either custom-built or prefabricated with screen mesh, glass, plastic, or vinyl. Enclosures reduce insects, debris, and pollen, provide UV protection, and enable swimming year-round.
Pool Cover Cost
An automatic pool cover costs $8,000 to $20,000, while a manual cover costs $1,000 to $3,600. A pool cover is excellent for safety, keeping in more of the heat in the water, and helping restrict more of the moisture from doing any damage to the structure of the home.
Cost Factors to Build a Swimming Pool
The average cost to build a swimming pool increases depending on the location, surrounding landscaping, and additional features like lighting, decking, enclosures, and more.
Built-In Pool Cost by Location
The cost for built-in pools or inground pools will vary because of location in two respects–local location and geographic location. Built-in pool costs will increase if:
If your home is located in a northern state, you'll pay 20% more, versus in a southern state such as Texas or Florida you'll usually pay less.
Your home is more than 50 miles away from your pool company – it could add $50 to and from your property per day overage for transportation.
The site of your future pool in on a steep hill – this slows down daily productivity and could add thousands of dollars if the job takes longer.
There are lots of rocks to be excavated in the site.
Access to the pool installation site is difficult.
Various states and large cities have different labor costs that affect price. Nebraska and South Dakota have the lowest labor costs, and Hawaii has the highest.
Backyard Pool Landscaping Prices
Landscaping costs $3,000 to $5,000 on average for a new installation or around $4 to $12 per square foot to add plants, trees, and shrubs around your new pool. Three of the more common styles of landscaping design for built-in pools are tropical, modern, and desert. Here are average prices if you are starting with a bare-bones yard, or you want to add features to the backyard to complement the pool area:
Sod installation costs $0.90 to $1.80 per square foot and will help regrow your grass.
Installing a yard drainage system costs $3,400.
Re-sloping your lawn costs $1,850 on average.
Cutting down a tree costs $825 on average.
A retaining wall costs $5,000 and helps level your yard.
Installing a prefab outdoor kitchen starts at $3,000.
Cost to build a deck or patio is $3,000 to $10,000.
The cost to build a pergola is $3,450, while a gazebo runs $6,925.
Installing a water mister to keep cool costs $230.
Additional Costs to Put in a Pool
On top of the cost to put in a pool, other prices include pool covers, building permits, electrician fees, increased insurance, and more.
Inground pools can cause your home's value to go up, thus increasing your property taxes.
A pool increases the chances of someone getting hurt on your property which directly increases the cost of your homeowner’s insurance.
Electrician Cost for Inground Pool
The electrical work to bring power to your pool for the pump and filter costs around $2,200. Also, if there is a water heater being installed and there is insufficient capacity at the breaker panel, you may need to upgrade to a 300 amp, as well as change the meter base, for about $6,000.
Pool Permit Cost
Pool building permits from the building department at your local city, or any other local governing authorities, cost $500 to $2,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cheapest Inground Pool?
For homeowners looking for cheap inground swimming pools, vinyl pools are the cheapest at around $35,000 installed.
What’s the Most Affordable Inground Pool Shape?
For either a custom-built pool or a prebuilt liner shape, the most affordable inground pools are those with the least-interesting shape—those with a rectangle or an oval shape will generally be the most inexpensive.
How Does the Type of Pool Affect Cost?
In addition to the material you choose for your pool to be built from, the style of pool has the next cost impact on the bottom line for your project, with some of the more significant projects being inground pools compared to above-ground pools ($35,000 versus $5,000) and plunge pools compared to lap pools ($20,000 versus $35,000).
What’s a Walk-In Pool and How Much Does It Cost to Build?
A walk-in pool is also known as a zero-entry pool or a beach entry pool, and they cost $50 to $125 per square foot. How it differs from the more traditional pool is it has an area where you can walk into the pool in the same way you would walk into the water on a beach, and typically the water at that shallow end is warmer than the rest of the pool.
How Much Does an Underground Pool Liner Cost?
Pool liners come in a range of thicknesses, and this affects the price you will pay. For example, a 28/20 mil 14’ x 28’ pool liner will average $600 while a thicker 28/28 20’ x 40’ pool liner will average $1,700.
If you are replacing an existing pool liner with a new one, the labor costs associated with draining the existing pool, removing the current liner, and replacing it with the new liner are around $2,500.
What Does it Cost to Convert a Liner Pool to Gunite?
For an average-size pool, most homeowners will pay an average of $4,000 to convert a vinyl liner pool to a gunite pool because you are not paying to dig the hole for the pool to be installed. With some pool companies, you may still need to pay additional fees for draining the existing pool and removing the old pool liner.
How Much Does It Cost To Maintain An Inground Pool?
Depending on the size of your pool and type of pool, your monthly inground pool maintenance costs could be between $50 and $300. Common elements included in maintenance packages from pool companies include the following:
Pool cleaning serviceÂ
Testing the water and balancing levels
Inspecting water heater equipment
Inspecting and replacing water filter when needed
How Much Does It Cost To Open or Close A Pool?
The average cost to open a pool is around $400, and $300 for pool closing. These services include taking the cover off, cleaning the water of any debris, checking for leaks, and getting the chemicals to the right balance. At the end of the season, they can also take the water level down, drain pumps and the filter system, and place the cover to protect the pool for the winter.
How long does it take to install an inground pool?
Installing an inground pool takes 2 to 8 weeks on average, depending on the type. A vinyl liner pool takes two weeks to install, while a concrete pool takes 6 to 8 weeks to install.
Do Swimming Pools Add Value To Your Home?
According to Realtor.com, most homeowners can expect to see a maximum return of 7% on the investment in their pool when they are selling the home. Not all home buyers want to take on the ongoing maintenance cost of a swimming pool, and some homeowners might only see a swimming pool as a liability.
What Is The Average Cost Of An Inground Pool In Florida?
According to Reef Tropical, the pool cost in Florida is $35,000 to $60,000 for a basic inground concrete pool without any add-ons. With custom features, you could be looking at $80,000 to $200,000+.
Going for a larger-than-average pool with a connected spa can start your pool prices at around $95,000.Â
For a more elaborate pool with a tile surface and an attached spa, the cost for an inground pool would start at about $220,000.
How Much Does A Pool Cost In Houston, Texas?
According to Premier Pools and Spas, pool prices in Houston, Texas have an average base price of $20,000 to $28,000 in most areas. From there, costs rise as you add upgrades like spas, pool covers, etc. If your land needs grading or extra excavation because of rocky terrain, this can add significantly to your pool cost in the Houston area.
How Much Does Inground Pool Resurfacing Cost?
A concrete pool should last 10 to 15 years before it needs to be resurfaced, at which point you will be spending in the region of $10,000 to $13,000 depending on size and the type of finish on the pool, and potentially as much as a total of $20,000 if replacing the tile at the waterline at the same time.
DIY Inground Pool Cost
A DIY inground pool project is a way to save money by taking on some of the tasks yourself. According to River Pools and Spas, a do-it-yourself inground pool project could save you $6,000 to $10,000 on an inground fiberglass pool project that would have cost $40,000 to $55,000 with a professional pool company.
Hiring someone to dig the pool hole for you costs between $400 and $1,500 in an area with optimal soil conditions or as much as $15,000 in hard to get to areas with rocky terrain. Additional expenses you might incur might include the following:
Fiberglass pool shell: $500 to $5,000
Equipment rental (one week): $2,000
Crane: $400 to $800
Dirt hauling and disposal: $13,000
Water (trucked in): $700 to $1,200
Backfill material: $1,000 to $2,000
Miscellaneous plumbing: $300 to $600
Pool equipment: $700 to $1,200
Hiring A Below Ground Pool Installer
When looking to hire an inground pool contractor, create a list of the top 3 to 5 companies and schedule an on-site consultation with each. Compare the bids, services, features, and warranty from each company before making your final decision. Things to look for are:
Have been in business for 5+ years.
Offers a clear written warranty.
Are licensed, insured, and bonded.
Rated highly on HomeGuide and Google.
Have examples and references of pools they have installed.
Have APSP (Association of Pool & Spa Professionals) and CMS (Certified Maintenance Specialist) certifications for maintenance providers.
Have APSP CBP (Certified Pool & Spa Building Professional) certification.
