How Much Does an Inground Pool Cost and How to Build One?

Given the increasing heat and rising temperature, adding a swimming pool in your home for your little ones seems perfect. But, there are certain costs you need to consider before making this peculiar investment. Generally, the cost of an inground swimming pool varies based on factors including material used, size and shape, installation, and additional features.

Depending on these factors, the cost of the inground pool ranges from $28,000 to $55,000, averaging $35,000.

Therefore, it is important to budget properly considering the long-term costs, including maintenance. You may have several questions regarding pool costs so we have curated this comprehensive guide on how much an inground pool costs to help you make the right decision.

Table of Contents

• Factors Influencing Inground Pool Costs
• Cost Breakdown: Building Your Pool
• Budget-Friendly Backyard Pool Ideas
• Maintenance and Long-term Costs
• Conclusion

Factors Influencing Inground Pool Costs

The overall pool costs depend on how much luxury you are willing to add. While the general pool costs range between $28,000 to $55,000, this can increase upwards of $65,000 for additional features.

For instance, pool lighting may cost $700 or a hot tub $6,000 which may add additional expense. If you want to build a pool from scratch, you must understand the standalone costs.

Let’s analyze each component of swimming pools and see how they influence the total pool costs.

Size and Shape of the Swimming Pool

The size and shape of the swimming pool will significantly determine your pool installation cost. A pool measuring 32’x16’ will cost more than a pool measuring 20’x12’. Similarly, the depth of the pool matters too. If your pool has more depth, let’s say, 8 ft, then your pool will cost more than a pool having a 6 ft depth.

The cost of the pool also depends on whether it is prefabricated or custom-built. Since custom designs may include unique shapes, the costs may increase potentially. For instance, prefab pools cost $80 – $200 per square foot whereas custom pools cost $100 – $300 per square foot.

Labor and Installation Costs

The labor and installation costs also matter a lot when building an inground pool. The excavation costs range from $1500 – $5000, the plumbers may charge $75 – $150 per hour and the electricians $50 – $130 per hour to install the electrical wiring.

Additional Features and Accessories

If you want to add more luxury, you can consider installing pool lights to create an exotic ambiance at night. Pool lights may cost $1500 – $3000 depending on the type of light. Similarly, you may add waterfalls that range from $2500 – $25000 depending on their size.

Comparing Materials: Concrete vs. Fiberglass vs. Vinyl

The type of material you use to build a pool also influences the pool costs. Concrete pools are made from shotcrete or gunite. They may cost significantly more but can be molded into any design or shape. The cost of a concrete pool ranges from $95,000 – $150,000. However, the concrete pools are very durable.

If you have a limited budget, a vinyl pool is a great option. These pools cost $28,000 and are also DIY-friendly. While their upfront costs are lower, the maintenance costs may increase over time as the average cost to maintain a vinyl pool over 10 years is $13,300. Vinyl pools require less cleaning as algae don’t grow as easily on vinyl surfaces, so cleaning chemicals aren’t needed as often.

A fiberglass pool consists of a prefabricated shell that is made off-site in a controlled environment. The price of fiberglass pools is $46,000 on average. Fiberglass pools are easier to clean than other pools and their smooth surface prevents algae growth.

Cost Breakdown: Building Your Pool

Let’s look at the cost breakdown of each pool type. Concrete pools cost $95,000 – $150,000 and offer extensive customization options, which can increase costs. Vinyl pools cost $28,000. Vinyl liners need replacement every 10 years, costing around $4,000 – $7,000. Fiberglass pools cost $46,000. The prefabricated pools cost less than the custom-built pools.

There are hidden costs too that you need to consider before building a pool. Factors like soil type and water table levels can significantly impact your pool project’s overall cost.

Depending on your location, especially in the South, you might encounter different soil compositions, requiring extra depth or reinforcement for your pool foundations to withstand the local ground conditions. Pool filtration, heating, pool lighting, and safety features also incur additional costs.

Step-by-Step Construction Process

Now that you have learned about the different types of pool materials and costs, let’s walk through the step-by-step guide to constructing an inground pool.

• 1. Design Selection

The first step is the design selection. Your pool’s design should be suitable for the land where it is meant to be and must also be accessible for maintenance.

• 2. Earth Excavation

Once the design has been decided, a swimming pool building team will measure the pool area, after which the excavation process can begin.

• 3. Swimming Pool Base Construction

The next step is the pool base construction. The excavation is performed so that the bottom face becomes uniform and flat. If the site has any loose soil, it is filled and compacted with firm soil.

• 4. Steel Cage Reinforcement

The next step is the steel cage reinforcement. This process takes approximately two to three days.

• 5. Pump and Filter System for Swimming Pool

Once everything is set up, the pump and filter system is put into place. The plumb lines bring water from the pool to the filtering system and back. The whole system is also connected to the municipal water line, so fresh water can be supplied to the pool. This is necessary, as the water that is lost from splashing or evaporation must be replaced.

• 6. Filling Concrete in Swimming Pool

Next, the pool floor and walls are mixed with concrete. Since the concrete thickness determines the pool’s durability, the higher the thickness the better.

• 7. Waterproofing the Pool

Waterproofing involves glass, tiles, ceramic, and epoxy-cement systems. The waterproofing method is selected based on the moisture conditions of the soil, as well as the area’s water table level.

• 8. Construction of Coping

And the last step is fixing the coping, which is the walking area around the pool. It is usually done with tile, marble, concrete, or stone. Once completed, you need to wait for a few days before filling the pool.

Budget-Friendly Backyard Pool Ideas

If you are looking for backyard pool ideas on a budget, you are at the right place. Below, we have listed the most affordable backyard pool ideas that do not break the bank.

Above-ground Pool

Consider an above-ground pool that doesn’t require a patio. Its price starts around $5,000 and can be placed anywhere. It is ideal if you don’t want to dig into your ground.

Inflatable Pool

An inflatable pool is a great alternative when you are tight on budget. You may add benches and wood tables around it for extra seating and a place to enjoy some food and drinks. An inflatable pool can start around $200.

When considering the budget, you may opt for DIY installation. While DIY considerably saves cost, and ensures personal satisfaction, it can be time-consuming, and labor-intensive and may incur mistakes that can lead to higher costs.

On the other hand, the professional team builds pools with great expertise and efficiency and also handles inspections. However, they may cost a bit more initially but the long-term costs reduce significantly given they do work with fewer mistakes.

If you want to save your budget, here are a few tips to remember. Get multiple quotes from different pool installation companies to ensure you get a fair price. Choose a basic space-saving design as additional features cost more.

Maintenance and Long-term Costs

With the swimming pool in place, there are certain ongoing pool maintenance costs you need to consider. Regardless of the indoor or outdoor pools, homeowners can anticipate an average cost range of $60 to $95 per hour for pool maintenance.

If you want to hire a professional pool cleaning team, they charge as little as $50 per month.

Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Pool Owners

Besides pool maintenance, pool owners need to consider seasonal maintenance. For instance, in summer, they must skim their pool regularly for debris and keep an eye on water levels. During fall, they may vacuum their pools for fallen leaves, dirt, and debris.

In winter, they must ensure their pool’s filtration system is intact and not damaged by extreme cold. In spring, they must test and adjust the chemical levels to prepare for the swimming season.

Investing in Energy-efficient Pool Solutions

To reduce costs and save energy, you must consider energy-efficient options such as installing a pool cover to reduce evaporation loss during summer and prevent heat loss during winter. Invest in LED lights to cut down on energy bills during the night. Use a solar vacuum cleaner to clean your pools by using solar energy.

Conclusion

We hope you have gotten an idea of how much an inground pool costs. The overall pool cost depends on multiple factors like pool material, size or shape, additional features, etc. It is important to prepare a solid budget for installing an inground pool as it also comes with routine maintenance and upkeep expenses.