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Diving into Costs: What Factors Influence the Price of Your Swimming Pool?

Chad Maag • February 9, 2024

One of my favorite parts of my job is transforming average backyards into gorgeous oases. Usually, this includes a swimming pool. It’s understandable that many homeowners are concerned about how much a pool is going to cost. The truth is, it depends on many factors.

In this article, let’s dive deep into the elements that contribute to the cost of your dream swimming pool. They include:

Pool type
Pool size and shape
Conditions in your yard
Features and accessories

Let’s get started. I can tell you more about some of the factors that will go into a higher or lower cost for your inground pool.

Pool Type

An aboveground pool will cost less than an inground swimming pool; that’s a given. When it comes to inground pools, though, there are different materials to choose from that come at a variety of costs and provide a range of benefits. The most common types are vinyl, concrete, and fiberglass.

Vinyl pools are usually the least expensive, at least upfront, but the vinyl liner will normally be replaced every 10 years or so, which offsets the initial savings. Concrete pools are usually the most expensive type. They are also prone to algae growth, which makes the maintenance and cleaning costs a bit higher. Fiberglass pools are priced somewhere in the middle, and they have low maintenance costs over time. Fiberglass is my preferred material for a variety of reasons, including durability, a quick installation process, and the moderate costs involved.

Pool Size and Shape

In general, a larger pool will cost more than a smaller pool. This is due to the materials involved as well as the work that needs to be done on the property to prepare it for the installation. Fiberglass pools come in preset designs and shapes, but if you were to choose a custom size of a concrete pool, for example, that would raise the cost.

While a smaller pool won’t always be substantially less expensive than a larger pool, it makes sense to discuss the different options with your pool company. At Green Ideas, we provide a free consultation to talk through the various choices and price points, so you know what your cost will be and how you might tweak the size to reduce it if needed.

Conditions in Your Yard

Everyone’s yard is a bit different, and there are certain features that could make your pool installation more expensive. If you have very rocky terrain, the excavation process might incur more expenses, for example. You might need retaining walls or other landscaping done to make the space appropriate for a pool.

If your yard needs to be graded because there’s a steep slope, this will raise the cost above what it would cost to install a pool on a level yard. Similarly, accessibility might be a concern if there isn’t adequate room to get our normal equipment into the yard. It might require different equipment, or we might need to arrange for additional work to be done prior to preparing for the pool.

Better Homes & Gardens has more information on how your yard’s condition (and other factors) could impact the cost of a pool.

Features and Accessories

Finally, the features and accessories you choose for your inground swimming pool could raise the price. Everything – from the ladders and stairs to a tanning ledge, a waterfall, lighting, a fountain, and a diving board – adds up. You might want a heating system, a solar pool cover, or seating to be included, and that will raise the price more.

Besides the pool itself, many homeowners decide to have landscaping and hardscaping put in around the pool area. You might choose concrete or wood to create a pool deck, for example. Other examples of backyard features that will enhance the pool (but that come with a price tag) include a koi pond, a fire pit, an outdoor fireplace, or even an outdoor kitchen.

Conclusion

The cost of a pool can vary significantly depending on what type of pool you prefer, what features you want, and what else you want done to your yard at the same time. My team does it all, and we are happy to see if we can work within your budget. Give me a call to discuss your needs and wants, and I’d be glad to provide a consultation, so we can go over the options that might work for you.