How Much Does An Underground Pool Cost

Getting A Pool Is A Great Decision Heres Why

Since youre about to find out exactly how much its going to cost you to get your dream pool, lets remember why youd want a pool in the first place. The truth is, there are many, many reasons to seriously consider this investmentfrom recreation, to relaxation, to improving cardiovascular health, to hosting social gatherings, and to increasing the value of your house. The bottom line goes even further: having a swimming pool adds value to your life. So lets break down the benefits as it relates to your lifestyle, your health, and your home.

Overview Of Inground Pools

Pools provide a welcome retreat for yourself and family during the hot summer months. While pools are quite an investment, an inground pool can also bring a good return on investment, if you live in an area that has extended summers. If an ingound pool is too far out of your budget, above ground pools offer nearly the same convenience, at a fraction of the cost.

The costs in this guide include the process from excavating the hole to finishing the pool with common accessories and a concrete walk around the pool. Those we discuss in this Cost estimate are built using steel or polymer shells or gunite concrete walls.

Well share all the factors involved with installation as well as how they affect price. Well also share itemized costs for shells and accessories. Theres a survey of swimming pool costs from other sites and reader-submitted prices. Youre welcome to share your own cost at the bottom of the page with other homeowners who have had an inground pool installed.

Inground Pool Price Factors

Factors are listed starting with those that have the greatest impact on cost.

The process of determining your cost includes selecting your pool size, shape and material and choosing the accessories you want such as steps, a bench, lighting, pool heater, cover, diving board, slide, etc.

Price Of Inground Saltwater Pools

The average price of an inground saltwater pool is $35,000 for the swimming pool and another $1,100 to $2,200 for the salt water generator, bringing the entire cost to around $36,100 to $37,200. Saltwater pools typically dont require any chemicals added, are easier to maintain, and dont have an offensive chlorine smell.

For pool buyers who opt not to use traditional chemicals in their pool, a saltwater pool uses a special system that converts the salt in the water into chlorine, but the levels are much lower than in a chlorine pool, so it is easier on your eyes and skin.

Estimating Long-Term Salt Water Pool Costs

• Replacing the cell in the generator every 36 years at the cost of $800 .
• Adding salt to run your saltwater pool An average pool measuring 14 by 28 with a depth of 6.5 feet has a water volume of just under 20,000 gallons, and for that much water, you will need around 11 x 40-pound bags of salt, which should total just under $100.

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Inground Pools By Price

Some people pay for their pools out of available savings, but many pool buyers choose to use one of several easily available financing routes.

Regardless of how you plan to pay for it, your budget will be the largest factor determining what type and size of pool you’re able to install in your backyard.

Let’s take a look at what type and size of swimming pool you might expect to get within certain budget ranges, so you’ll have a clearer understanding of your available options.

Estimated Costs To Run A Pool

Maintaining and running a pool costs from $375 per year for a fiberglass pool, $1,325 yearly for a vinyl pool, to $2,750 per year for a concrete pool. The average pool service costs$125 per month, and another $375 yearly to open and close the pool, as well as any repairs needed.

• Water Your pool will evaporate an average of ½ per day or 2 per week, so expect to pay ongoing water costs of $4 to $20 per month, depending on the price of water in your city.
• Electricity Youll pay to keep the pool pump and filter running. The average price of electricity, depending on where you live, will be from $780 to $1,200 a year.
• Taxes Inground swimming pools can cause your home’s value to go up, thus increasing your property taxes.
• Insurance – A pool increases the chances of someone getting hurt on your property, which directly increases the cost of your homeowners insurance.

Cost To Run A Pool Per Year

Typical Pool Maintenance

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How Much Does A 16′ By 32′ Inground Pool Cost

A vinyl liner pool that’s 16 feet wide and 32 feet long typically costs more than $45,000, just for basic packages. It may be possible — but it’s probably unlikely — that you’ll be able to find lower prices. Vinyl liner pools are often the most affordable inground pools to install, but all pool types have become more costly in 2021.

Please keep in mind that the upfront cost of a vinyl liner pool installation might be more affordable than other pool types, but the lifetime costs are another story. You can expect to spend nearly $12,000 to maintain a vinyl liner pool every ten years.

Fiberglass swimming pools with dimensions of roughly 16′ x 32′ will likely cost over $55,000 for the most basic packages. You will, of course, need to pay more for any upgrades, optional add-ons, and other additional features.

Concrete pools of this size typically start at $65,000 for the most basic packages.

What Is The Average Cost Of An Inground Pool

The average inground pool cost between $35,000 and $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 or more. Also, going for a larger-than-average pool with a connected spa can start your pool prices at around $95,000. 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.

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Salt Water Pool Vs Chlorine Pool Cost

The difference in the cost of a salt water pool vs. a chlorine pool lies mainly in the cost of chlorine and the initial purchase of the salt system. Both pools use chlorine to keep algae and other bacteria away, providing a healthy environment for swimming.

A salt water pool creates chlorine with a chlorine generator from the salt added to the water. The cell which is the part that generates the chlorine will need replacing every 3 6 years at the cost of about $800. You will also need salt a few times per year at an average price of $10 per 40-pound bag.

In comparison, a chlorine pool needs to have chlorine added quite often. How often depends on the size of your pool and the results of your weekly water testing. Its typical to go through 1 2 buckets of chlorine tablets a year at the cost of $100 to $755 in addition to other balancing chemicals.

Fiberglass Inground Pool Prices

Fiberglass pools prices have gone up in 2021. Typically range from $18,700 for a 10 by 16 to $63,180 for installation on a 18 by 30 pool. Over a 10-year period, service and upkeep costs will cost around $3,750 and the pool will typically last for around 25 years or more.

• Smooth surface is hyper resistant to algae and needs less maintenance of pH levels.
• Are easier to clean and maintain than vinyl or concrete pools.
• Installation normally takes less than a week.

The major differences in price are tied to how much labor you pay for vs. doing it yourself. Normally a turn-key package deal can save you more than you trying to manage all of the individual parts of the installation process yourself.

2021 Fiberglass Pool Installation Prices

The majority of pool buyers prefer a turn-key installation from a professional pool contractor.

• DIY Self-Install: $12,000 to $30,000
• Assisted Installation : $20,000 to $45,000
• Standard fiberglass pool packages: $30,000 to $65,000
• Turn-key fiberglass pool packages: $45,000 to $85,000

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How Much Salt Do I Need When I Change Over My Pool

When converting to saltwater, youll need about 440 pounds of salt for a 15,000-gallon inground pool or around 11 bags of salt. Ideally, the ratio of salt to water is 2,700 3,400 parts per million . At 3,500 ppm, humans can taste and sense salt, but at around 3,000 ppm of dissolved salt in the pool, the water will feel soft and silky.

Swimming Pool Permit Cost

The cost of a permit for a swimming pool ranges from $200 to $300. This varies by your municipality and pool type. Your permit must be applied for with all paperwork submitted before work begins. Building regulations in your area may impact the scope. Be prepared to change things if your work lies outside local regulations or codes when you apply for the permit. Pulling a permit also means that an inspection of your pool must be undertaken before you can use it.

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Concrete / Gunite / Shotcrete

Concrete pools, also known as gunite or shotcrete, are the most expensive pool type, costing most homeowners between $31,000 to $71,666 to install. You can shape your concrete pool into a customized design, and concrete pools last nearly a lifetime.

Keep in mind that concrete pools are high maintenance. Algae has no problem growing on concrete. To keep your concrete pool less green and more clean, youll need to perform an acid wash every 3 to 5 years, usually costing between $290 and $400.

Concrete is susceptible to cracking and needs to be replastered every 10 to 15 years. Acid washes also increase the need for replastering the pool. Replastering a concrete pool typically starts around $2,500 and can cost as much as $13,000.

Pros:

It can last for more than 50 years. Shape and size are customizable. Durable

It is usually the most expensive pool type to install High maintenance Requires high amounts of electricity and chemicals to stay clean and swimmable Susceptible to mold and algae It has an abrasive surface that can make feet bleed. Childrens soft feet are especially vulnerable to the harsh surface. Not compatible with saltwater systems. It can take months to install

Diy Vs Hiring Professionals

Once youve chosen the type of pool construction, youll need to consider if you want to attempt to handle the installation by yourself or hire a builder. Unless you have prior experience with pool installation, hiring a professional is always advised. It will save you money in the long run as theyll be able to handle unexpected issues as they arise.

Builders will also be able to handle:

• Pool permits, which youll need to acquire before construction can begin.
• Waste disposal, such as excess soil, shipping materials, and cut-offs .
• Rocks and other obstacles, which can add to the cost of excavation. A local builder will also be familiar with the ground quality and will be able to anticipate major issues, working them into the budget before construction starts, making your costs more transparent.

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Cost To Build Inground Swimming Pool

About this calculator: Yes pools are expensive to build. Everyone knows that. But how expensive? Well, as with any construction project, the exact answer depends on a lot of different design choices that need to be made. The cost of an average in-ground concrete swimming pool varies by location, shape, size, and decorative quality. The point of this website is to give you a ballpark estimate based on only a few of these variables. Of course youll need to hire a contractor to get an exact cost to build a pool, but with this simple tool you can at least know ABOUT how much youll need to spend to get the kind of pool you have in mind.

Hidden Costs To Look Out For With A Gunite Pool

• Surface Upgrades It is typical to have a basic exposed aggregate finish to a gunite pool. Beware that full tile inlay, glass bead-infused aggregate, or mother of pearl infused aggregate may be significant upgrades.
• Weekly Maintenance A gunite pool is the most difficult style of pool to maintain due to the surface harboring algae, potential staining or scaling. Water chemistry must be watched very closely and taken very seriously. You may have to consider paying a professional pool company to service the pool.
• Surface Maintenance Acid washing is a common practice for maintaining the surface and scale prevention. This may have to be done every three to five years.

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Saltwater Vs Chlorine Pool Costs

No matter which pool type you have, you need to treat it regularly to prevent bacteria growth and keep it clean. The two most common methods involve creating a saltwater or chlorine pool. When building a pool from scratch, there is little difference between the two. However, saltwater pools usually have fewer chemical expenses, averaging around $70 to $100 a year, while chlorine pools have chemical costs of about $300 to $800.

Vinyl Fabric Pool Enclosure Prices

A vinyl fabric pool enclosure costs $10,000 to $25,000. Similar to a wedding tent, a reinforced vinyl membrane is stretched over a rigid, interlocking, and tubular frame. These structures can withstand heavy snow and winds and are permanent, but can be relocated. Some models have lighting, central air, and insulation. The fabric is either colored, clear, or opaque.

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Installing Saltwater Pool Extras

There are many extras you can purchase to enhance your swimming experience.

• Add a Salt Water Hot Tub Installing a hot tub salt water system costs$500 to $1,700. Any hot tub can be turned into a salt water hot tub, but you can get a molded, hexagonal tub for $3,000 to $10,000. For an inground hot tub, costs can reach around $20,000.
• Handicap Pool Lift A handicap pool lift is available for in-ground pools. One version with a seat that lowers into the water costs $3,355. There are many options for handicap pool lifts, making the pool accessible to nearly every person.
• Patio or deck a concrete pool deck can cost from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on size, design, and complexity.
• Pool Enclosure can cost between $6,000 $8,000
• Pool Fence costs from $600 $4,400
• Water Features

Dont Overestimate Your Pools Return On Investment

Lastly, its important to be realistic about expectations on the financial return of a pool. As Borges cautions: A house value does not increase with a pool, especially not to the cost of the pool.

However, most pool owners agree the work and expense are usually worth the summers of outdoor enjoyment and exercise in your own backyard.

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What Is The Price Of Happiness

The most important thing to consider is the joy that you will be bringing to you and your family. Remember that this is an investment in creating great memories around the pool, of being safe and secure in your backyard oasis while enjoying everyones company. Swimming pools are great for physical activity and staying healthy. You can replace your gym membership, forget about the stationary bicycle and delete that expensive workout app, all the while creating even better personal relationships and enjoying life to its fullest.

Average Costs Of Building A Swimming Pool

Labor costs vary, depending primarily on the pool type. In-ground pools have higher labor costs than above-ground pools, while concrete and fiberglass have higher labor costs than vinyl. Labor costs are also impacted if blasting is needed with the excavation and whether the deck is installed at the same time.

On average, labor costs to build a pool range from $5,000 to $30,000 but can go higher for custom pools with specialty designs. The pool material cost ranges from $4,000 for a vinyl , $10,000 for a basic fiberglass shell, up to $27,000 for a premium shell, and between $55 and $70 a square foot for a concrete pool.

Not every project requires all levels of work. For example, not every installation requires blasting, and the finish work can range, depending on the pool material, with fiberglass requiring the least and concrete requiring the most.

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Above Ground Salt Water Pool Cost

The cost to install an above ground saltwater pool is $3,000 to $8,000 depending on the size of the pool and the labor costs. Converting an above ground pool to salt water costs $600 to $1,200, which includes the salt water chlorination system, salt, and professional labor.

• The yearly cost of additives for your salt water above-ground pool runs from $250 to $750 a year, depending on the size of the pool.
• An above-ground pool usually needs to be replaced every 7 15 years, costing another $3,000 $8,000.
• When you purchase an above-ground salt water pool kit, all kits include the pool frame, the liner, the salt system, and the pump and sand filter. Most kits will also contain a cleaning kit, a ladder, a cover, and a ground cloth.

Inground Pool Comparison

• The total cost to install an inground saltwater pool ranges from $27,000 to $60,000.
• Concrete typically need to be replastered every 8 to 12 years for $6,000 to $10,000.
• Vinyl pool liners usually need to be replaced every ten years, but saltwater can break these down faster if the pH levels are not monitored continuously. A new pool liner costs $3,000 or more to install or replace.