How Do Site Conditions Affect Inground Pool Cost
Your unique site conditions will impact inground pool costs. An experienced pool builder will evaluate your site prior to providing pricing information. Site condition factors that influence inground pool price are access to the yard as well as running electrical, plumbing, gas lines, and more.
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Average Cost To Install An Inground Pool
The starting point for your swimming pool will more than likely be size. Smaller pools, like plunge pools, will be at the lower end of the spectrum, while purchasing a large, 40-foot long pool with an 8-foot deep end, will result in a much higher cost. Not only are the smaller pools less costly due to the materials but also because they require less work by your builder/installer. A good place to start would be our Pool Styles, where you can see the full range of sizes we offer.
The other thing to consider is the equipment that you will need to properly operate your pool. Every pool will need a pump, a cleaning system and returns for a healthy, safe swim. If you add waterfalls, a built-in spa or other accessories, that will probably mean purchasing additional equipment to manage the volume of water. If you would like to maintain a constant temperature, to facilitate swimming in colder weather, you should also consider purchasing a heater for your pool/ spa. Overall, it is a small investment that extends the use of your pool throughout the year and adds even greater enjoyment.
Due to the increased demand for swimming pools, the average cost for a swimming pool has also been increasing. A number of years ago, the average cost for a smaller swimming pool would have been in the $25,000 $35,000 range. Today, that cost is moving towards the range of $35,000 $45,000 with a no frills install Most fiberglass pools today are more likely in the $55,000 $60,000 range.
How Much Does It Cost To Diy An Inground Pool
Building yourself a swimming pool is a fantastic way to relax and enjoy the water from the comfort of your own home. Professionally installed in-ground pools can range from a 9-foot swim spa to an Olympic size lap pool over 25 feet long. Still, according to Bob Vila, the average homeowner will pick something more moderate with a shallow end and a deep end for diving. In-ground pools, of course, differ from their above-ground counterparts although both may be considered permanent home features.
Pools are usually made out of vinyl, concrete, or fiberglass. Generally, the cost is based more on size than shape, although Happy DIY Home notes that custom shapes can significantly increase the total costs. The average DIYer will typically choose a material that fits their needs or order a custom pool installation kit. Costs range from around $12,000 for a smaller pool , to as high as $100,000 for a fully customized one. Unlike many other home features, there are some variables in how much a pool will cost to build, including location, liability, and what it’s built from so it’s wise to do your research before beginning construction.
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Types Of Inground Swimming Pools
The Spruce describes several primary types of swimming pools, but there are always customizations beyond this. By pool type we aren’t referring to shape, as modern curves work similarly to older angular designs with most materials.
Concrete-based pools
Highly popular are concrete-based inground pools. These pools are built using rebar to line the pool area then a layer of a type of wet concrete called shotcrete is added or a dry type of concrete called gunnite.
Fiberglass pools
Fiberglass pools use pre-fabricated pool liners which allow for quick installation but there may be potentially difficult maintenance after around 10 to 15 years. Think of many popular hot tub designs when considering fiberglass.
Vinyl pools
Vinyl pools utilize a vinyl pool liner which consists of prefabricated steel or aluminum walls and a sandy base layer with a vinyl liner held in place.
Chlorine vs. saltwater pools
Fixr also notes the choice between a traditional chlorine and a saltwater pool. Saltwater costs run between $70 to $100 per year for salt and chemicals while chlorine runs from $300 to $800 per year in chemical costs. Saltwater systems have a higher upfront installation costs but lower year-round maintenance than their traditional chlorine counterparts, but they do need regular checks and maintenance on the generator cells for electrolysis filtration.
What Causes Installation Costs To Vary
While some costs are obvious, such as landscaping and accessories, you may incur other costs that you hadnt considered or thought were included. Your location may require a flat cost permitting fee, and it may require the use of a crane to access the backyard space. Utilities, fencing, and pool covers may also fall under the required category. Knowing what to look for in your estimate will prevent unexpected costs.
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Permanent Vs Portable Pool Enclosures
Above ground pool enclosures are typically portable, such as inflatable domes or vinyl fabric tents with zippered doors. Inground pool enclosures are mainly permanent, using aluminum framing with screen or glass.
A permanent pool enclosure costs $3,000 to $50,000 on average, doesn’t move, lasts longer, and is the most cost-effective. A portable pool enclosure such as a pool dome costs $750 to $7,500, but has to be taken down each season and may only last five seasons.
Permanent vs. Portable Pool Enclosures Prices
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Top screen features are UV, tiny insect, and pollen protection, pet resistance, heat repellant, flame retardant, water-shedding abilities, low VOCs, antimicrobial protection, and lead-free materials.
Pool Screen Mesh Sizes
Screen mesh sizes range from 8/8 to 20/20, which shows the number of openings per linear inch. The mesh size impacts the protection against squirrels, birds, and insects getting into the pool area, as well as your view outside the cage.
- 18/14 gauge is the standard size mesh.
- 20/20 gauge has smaller holes and prevents pine needles, all insects, and offers UV protection.
- Florida Glass is a vinyl-coated fiberglass screen without any holes that’s commonly used around the base of the enclosure for privacy and to keep dirt and pets out.
Swimming Pool Construction Cost Per Square Foot
New swimming pools can have a very wide range of costs per square foot. The average cost for in-ground pools ranges from $180 to $350 a square foot, depending on the material, type, shape, and finish. These costs include the full construction, including the deck and finishing work. Below is a list of costs according to the most common square footage for in-ground pools. The following sections break down the various components for understanding the costs.
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| $72,000 – $140,000 |
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Swimming Pool Excavation/ Filling/ Compaction
Building an in-ground swimming pool is a project that you may have been dreaming of for a long time. In-ground pools offer countless hours of fun and relaxation for everyone, young to old. A pool is also a solid investment in your property. Unlike above-ground swimming pools, inground swimming pools are permanent fixtures that add resale value.
During the project, your yard will be the site of major building activity. Fences may need to be removed so that a dump truck and a digger have full access. Budget between two and three months for the total project, from start to finish. The actual working time is usually between 40 and 50 days.
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 service
- Testing the water and balancing levels
- Inspecting water heater equipment
- Inspecting and replacing water filter when needed
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How Does Fiberglass Compare To Other Types Of Swimming Pools
If you want a quality swimming pool that will last your family a lifetime, fiberglass swimming pools are a great investment. The cost of a fiberglass pool compares very favorably to other types of pools.
Fiberglass vs Concrete/Gunite Inground Pools: Most concrete/gunite builders are booked a year or more in advance. Plus, the important thing with gunite pools is that you truly rely on the talent to pour your pool correctly. There are many variations between the builders and you will pay greatly for this talent. It is not uncommon to reach prices of $100,000+ for concrete/gunite pools with a long wait time.
Fiberglass pools are built in a factory under strict quality controls so you are guaranteed that the pool you see in the brochure is the pool that you will receive at your home. While we may be experiencing longer waiting times than normal, we can still provide you with your own swimming pool much quicker than having one built from scratch in your backyard.
In addition, the installation time is much, much less. Most builders can spend one week, sometimes much less, digging the hole for your fiberglass swimming pool. Installing it once it arrives, plumbing it and setting it can often take place that same week. Gunite pool production will take months and can be very messy and dangerous around your home.
Limitations of Vinyl Liner Pools
To explore the differences between pool construction more in-depth, read our blog post Fiberglass vs. Vinyl vs. Concrete Pools.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Small Inground Pool
What is the average cost of a small inground pool? The cost to install an inground pool is $35,000 on average and can range from $28,000 to $55,000 and sometimes upwards of $65,000 for special customizations and extra features. An added hot tub, for example, will cost $6,000 to $15,000 and pool lighting will be another $700 to $1,800.
What is the cheapest inground pool? Overall, vinyl liner pools are the cheapest inground swimming pools that money can buy. Its rare to find a pool builder who can build a concrete or fiberglass pool at a vinyl liner pool price.
What is the cost of a small inground pool? Cost Estimator by Custom Pools.
How much does a 12 x24 inground pool cost? How much does a 12 by 24 inground pool cost? A small vinyl liner pool, about 12 feet wide and 24 feet long. might cost between $25,000 and $35,000 .
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How Much Does It Cost To Open Or Close A Pool
The average costs to open a pool is around $400, and for pool closing expect to spend $300. 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 Much Does A Pool Cost In Houston Texas
According to Premier Pools and Spas, pool prices in Houston, Texas have an average base price which starts around $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.
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Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Choosing the Wrong Size and Depth Decide what you want the pool for before you add on all the possible features available. You wont be happy with a family pool, deep end, and diving board if you only want to do laps.
- Poor Pool Maintenance Choose your maintenance plan and expenses in advance.
- Picking the Cheapest Options Uninsured or unbonded pool installers might save you thousands up front but cost you much more than that when the pool starts showing problems from a bad installation job. Check online ratings for contractors on any bids you get, and ask to see their insurance certificate.
- Buying a Pool with No Warranty on Labor or Parts Youll have no way to get any repair or replacement costs covered if something wasnt installed properly.
- Inexperienced DIY Work – You can avoid the angst of having an off-kilter pool if you level the ground properly to begin with, and keep it perfectly straight while adding backfill.
Refinancing Your Mortgage For An Inground Pool
Have you built up some equity in your home? By refinancing your mortgage, you can leverage your equity to finance your inground pool. And because mortgage rates are usually lower than other financing options, you can save on interest.
For example, if your property is worth $300,000 and the balance of your mortgage loan is $210,000, you’ve accumulated $90,000 in equity.Refinancing your mortgage loan lets you borrow back up to 80% of your property’s value. In our example, you could refinance up to $240,000, or 80% of the property’s value. Since your mortgage balance is $210,000, youd have $30,000 to use for your inground pool.
Talk to one of our advisors to see if this option works for you. If youre ready to apply for refinancing, complete this quick application form.
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Assumptions Made To Create The Pool Cost Estimate
Building a pool is not really the sort of construction project that MOST people consider doing themselves. It is possible to build an inground pool yourself, and DIY kits are available to help. But building an in-ground swimming pool is a complex project that most people wont do themselves. This calculator, therefore, assumes that youll be hiring a professional contractor. These cost estimates all assume labor and materials provided by a contractor. Of course you can be your own general contractor and save money, but concrete and plumbing and electrical contractors should be hired to ensure things are done right and to have the work warrantied. It does take a lot of time to be a contractor.
Inground Pools For Under $50000
If you increase your budget to $50,000, you’ll have many more options.
There are vinyl liner pools, fiberglass pools, and concrete pools available within this price limit. However, the current pool-buying climate will probably restrict you to smaller pools with minimal customization. This may change in the future, and we’ll update this article to reflect any changes to pool price ranges, but right now, most pool buyers are spending more than $50,000 for turnkey installation packages, even with just a few must-have options and accessories.
Want to know the difference between fiberglass, vinyl liner, and concrete pools? Check out our complete guide to these three popular pool types.
You can also try our new interactive Pool Type Selector tool to figure out what type of pool you really want in your backyard. Check it out below:
Concrete and fiberglass pool packages tend to start in the $45,000 to $50,000 range. This will typically include the bare necessities, but it probably won’t come with fencing, landscaping, spas, and/or other optional high-end features.
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Cost To Install An Inground Pool
The cost to install an inground pool is $35,000 on average and can range from $28,000 to $55,000 and sometimes upwards of $65,000 for special customizations and extra features. An added hot tub, for example, will cost $6,000 to $15,000 and pool lighting will be another $700 to $1,800.
You can either choose to purchase a package from a pool supplier, which can include everything from excavation to decking, or go the DIY route. Turn-key packages for inground pools cost between $35,000 and $100,000. You can save thousands of dollars by doing some or all of the installation yourself, but only if you are experienced.
For an inground pool installation, you will need to pay for the pools shell, rental equipment including a crane, excavation, water, backfill material, plumbing and pool equipment. That adds up to tens of thousands of dollars in some cases. Compare the package price to these DIY inground pool installation costs to find out which is more cost effective.
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Consider A Smaller Pool
Smaller pools also serve as excellent sources of aesthetics and functionality. So, consider building a small inground pool if you have a limited budget.
Ultimately
The cost to build an inground pool varies based on various factors. But averagely, building an inground pool costs approximately $20,000 to $65,000. If you plan to build an inground pool, always take time to analyze all the costs involved. This way, youll be able to cut down the costs.
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