Swimming Pool Cost

If you have been considering the installation of a swimming pool on your property, you have certainly considered swimming pool cost at some point.  There is a huge gap between the least and most expensive options available when you decide to install a swimming pool.


At the low end of the swimming pool cost spectrum would be purchasing a used above ground pool or a much smaller Easy Set type of pool.  This latter type is designed for low cost and easy installation.  I have written about them previously in the post  on Easy Set Pools.  At the other extreme are the in ground swimming pools that can vary in price considerably depending on your individual situation.  Expect these to cost several thousand dollars.  The cost will involve factors like pool size, accessibility to the area, material costs, labor, individual contractors and even the economy.  I will write more about in ground pools later.  This particular article will focus mainly on the lower cost, above ground swimming pools as and option.

Assuming that you want a pool for mainly family recreation and possibly some entertaining, the above ground swimming pool best suits the needs of people with budget concerns.  I personally have bought a  twenty-four foot pool in excellent used condition for $150 through local classified advertisements.  The used swimming pool had previously been owned by a woman who bought it for her grandchildren to swim in when they visited.  The pool was hardly used and only needed a new swimming pool liner that ran me another $150.  She even threw in the earth filter for the swimming pool!  The most expensive part of the entire operation was updating our old fuse box and running electricity to the pool area (about $500), and paying for an excavator to level things off (around $300 at the time).  Still not a bad deal considering that the local pool shops were charging about $1200 for a comparable pool that summer and I still would have had to deal with the electricity and excavation issues.

Our swimming pool cost was cut considerably as well by the fact that I had family members knew how to install swimming pools.  It was a two day project for us, but my cost was only food and drinks for the helpers.  As I said, my helpers knew what they were doing.  If you are not fortunate enough to know people with experience, you should build the cost of the actual swimming pool installation in to the total swimming pool cost.  This expense could vary quite a bit depending on where you are located and how much work is involved, so I would recommend calling for several estimates before going ahead with the swimming pool installation.

photo credit: HH Studio

*** NOTE ***  Don't wait for each contractor to call back before calling the next one.  It has been my experience that many of these independent contractors are very bad about returning calls.  When I called for a deck estimate, only one of the seven people I called actually responded and showed up to give an estimate for a rather large swimming pool deck that would have been a nice chunk of change for someone motivated enough to show up and do the job.  This isn't meant as a slam against anyone, just my personal experience.  I've also experienced the same thing when calling to have work done on a roof and when getting large trees removed.  If you are reading this and you are a contractor who actually returns calls and shows up, I commend you and wish you worked in my area.  You could own the market.


If you are interested in a NEW above ground swimming pool, your swimming pool cost can be cut down a bit if you can wait for sales on swimming pools in your area.  These could be at the start of the season around Memorial Day or, more likely, at the end of the season (Labor Day) when pool shops want to clear out the swimming pool inventory.  Swimming pool costs can be cut considerably at these times and you may even luck in to installation specials from time to time, but be careful as these usually do not include performing any leveling to the ground unless you pay extra (at least not in my experience).  Some pool installers will not do this or will crush you on this cost.  You might consider calling someone with a Bobcat who knows what they are doing and then get the area checked for levelness.

Other factors to consider when adding up swimming pool cost are things like swimming pool chemicals, swimming pool filters, fencing and gates for around your swimming pool and the accessories necessary for regular maintenance.  A swimming pool can be a wonderfully fun addition to your property but you should go in to the project with your eyes open to what the total swimming pool cost could end up being.  Be sure to shop around and look for off season swimming pool deals.  If you are willing to consider second hand swimming pools, start watching your local classified ads around the beginning of Spring when people get the itch to clean and clear things out.  Also, if you consider a second hand pool, go over it with a fine toothed comb and ask questions of the owner.  Don't be shy, as any hidden problems will also get added in to your swimming pool cost when you have to pay additional money to correct them.  Here is a link to another post with examples of new above ground swimming pools and their costs.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have enjoyed this post on above ground swimming pool costs.