How much does it cost to build an in-ground vinyl-lined swimming pool?

In-ground vinyl ¹ pools are more budget-friendly than fiberglass ² or concrete pools. They tend to cost about $10,000 less. A vinyl pool is also easier and quicker to install than other in-ground pool types. The vinyl surface is smoother on your feet than other materials, which makes the wading experience more pleasurable.

A swimming pool adds value and improves the aesthetics to any home’s landscape and, especially in warm regions, is a necessity for many homeowners.

To have a typical 12'x24' rectangular (288 sq.ft. of water surface area) in-ground vinyl-liner swimming pool installed averages $37,000. This price includes the liner ³, pool installation, walkway, and perimeter fence.

Pros and cons

When choosing to install a vinyl pool you should always weigh the pros and cons to determine if it is the best pool choice for your unique needs.

Cost factors

When thinking about putting in an inground vinyl pool there are several cost factors that you should consider.

Size: the price of an inground, vinyl-lined pool varies depending on the pool’s size. For example, a 12'x24' rectangular vinyl sided pool averages $37,000 when fully installed, but one that is larger or smaller would necessarily change that final price tag.

Excavation: the average cost to have a professional pool installer excavate the pool area is $14 per hour, or an average of $5.37 per square foot.

Location: the price of excavation may increase if the pool’s location is not easily accessible.

Liner: the cost of the vinyl liner ranges from $4,500-$6,000 depending on pattern and size. A vinyl liner can often be shaped into various forms without additional charges.

Concrete walkway: the cost to install a concrete walkway around the pool averages $3.23 per square foot.

Fencing: local laws often require a perimeter fence. The cost to install a vinyl 4-foot fence with security gate averages $15-$35 per linear foot.

Water: the average swimming pool holds 18,000-20,000 gallons of water. In many parts of the country, water is metered ⁴ so it will cost money to fill the pool. Depending on what part of the country you reside within, the cost to fill the swimming pool will average an additional $80-$100 on your water utility bill.

Shape: the shape of a vinyl-lined pool can be customized to various forms, such as rectangular, square, or kidney-shaped. Shaping the pool often costs nothing or very little extra.

Accessories: accessories such as a pool ladder, lighting, diving board, or slide can vary in cost from $450-$14,000 depending on what you decide to purchase. Features such as a waterfall or bubbler average $50-$15,000.

Parts

When installing a pool, there are numerous additional parts and cost considerations. Each item has its own cost and you will have to determine which works best for the pool set-up that you are installing.

Decking

A deck is typically installed around the perimeter of a vinyl inground pool to offer stability to the ground around the pool. Having the a deck installed around the pool’s perimeter is not included in the price of the pool or undertaken by the pool installers. Instead, you will have to hire an outside contractor to complete the decking. The decking used must be able to withstand water and provide a firm foot grip when wet. Decks can be constructed of many materials such as:

• Stone: a stone deck averages $4,000 for material and installation without grading ⁵.
• Concrete: a concrete perimeter deck averages $4,500 for material and installation with no grading.
• Pavers: stamped pavers average $4,500 for all pavers plus installation, without grading.
• Aggregate surfaces: an aggregate surface averages $4,500 for materials and installation with no grading.
• Wood: pressure-treated wood averages $7,000 for material and installation with no grading.

The overall cost of decking does vary depending on the size and shape of the deck, color, and material.

Labor

A professional vinyl pool installer charges an average of $14 per hour, or $5.37 per square foot to excavate and install the pool. Excavation involves digging out the site where the pool frame and lining will be installed. All excavated material and debris are removed from the site. The pool’s frame is then installed in the excavated depression. The liner is placed over the frame and formed to the desired shape and appearance. An inground vinyl pool typically takes two weeks to install with 40 hours of labor per week. This does not include having a deck or fence installed around the pool’s perimeter. The installation process includes excavation, pool framing, and liner installation.

Maintenance

A vinyl inground pool must be maintained by skimming off debris from the water using a handheld skimmer which averages $30-$75. The chemical balance of the chlorine ⁶ must be maintained for an average cost of $95 per month in chemicals.

If the liner should suffer a tear or puncture then the cost of a vinyl repair kit averages $35-$45. If the liner suffers a wrinkle then the pool must be drained and the wrinkle smoothed out. A bulging liner might need to be completely replaced.

Minimal damage from a flood may simply require that you clean the pool of any debris, run the filter, and increase the chlorine to 8 ppm (parts per million ⁷) to kill all bacteria and mosquito larva (this is also called “shocking”). Do not swim in the pool until the chlorine is a steady 1-2 ppm.

Pool maintenance performed by a pool professional averages $750 during the summer months.

Vinyl vs fiberglass swimming pool

When considering installing a pool, there are pros and cons to consider when thinking about either a vinyl or fiberglass swimming pool. The two most popular types of inground pools are vinyl and fiberglass. Both are similar in appearance but there are several key features that set them apart.

Vinyl pool vs above ground pool

Many people mistakenly believe that a vinyl pool and an above-ground pool are very similar because both feature a vinyl liner that forms the pool and holds the water. However, there are significant differences between a vinyl-lined inground pool and an above ground pool.

Enhancement and improvement costs

Water features

A waterfall flowing into your pool averages $450-$15,000 depending on size and features. The average 12 foot tall pool waterfall runs. $1,020. A fountain bubbler averages $50-$130.

Covers

A pool cover keeps debris out of the water and prevents evaporation. Traditional or thermal covers average $75-$225. Semi-automatic and automatic covers average from $5,000-$15,000. A security cover averages $1,200-$3,000.

Lights

Lights create a certain ambiance in a pool and allow you to swim at night. Lights average from $150-$300 depending on style. Floating lights are another option at a cost of $20-$100 per light. Colored built-in ⁸ LED lights average $750 each.

Heat pump

A pool water heater maintains the pool’s water temperature at around 78-82 degrees F. year round. The average cost to have a pool heater installed averages $400-$500 for labor. The cost of the pool heater averages $1,800-$2,400 depending on the size and type.

Pool vacuum

A pool vacuum effortlessly sucks up debris from the pool water. The price for a pool vacuum averages $50-$400.

Diving board

Diving boards are used to dive into the pool. The pool must be at least 8 feet deep to safely install a diving board and many vinyl lined pools are not that deep. Diving boards average $400

Pool enclosure

A pool enclosure keeps debris out of your pool and helps maintain safety. Enclosures are usually fabricated from mesh or are glass-walled. The average cost to install a pool enclosure ⁹ is $22,125.

Fence

Average cost to install a vinyl 4.5- to 5-foot pool fence with security gate averages $15-$19 per linear foot. A fence keeps children from accidently falling into the pool and also prevents pets or wildlife from stumbling into the pool.

Retaining wall

If your landscape is sloped then a retaining wall ¹⁰ must be installed to level ⁵ out the ground and create a transition so your vinyl-lined pool can be installed on level ground. There are several styles of retaining walls to fit any landscape. Average cost to install a  50 ft. long retaining wall that is 8 feet high averages $13,700.

Spa

A pool spa for sitting and soaking at a much higher temperature is typically affixed to the side of the pool. The average cost to install is about $3,500 for a spa that is 5'x6'x30'.

Salt-chlorine system

A salt-chlorine system requires only salt to keep the pool clean. A salt water generator averages $400-$1,800. The installation for a salt system averages $300-$500. The salt price averages $5 per 40-pound bag. Most pools require 400 to 1,000 pounds of salt when setting up the system. Overall a salt-chlorine system averages $750-$3,425, depending on the size.

Additional considerations and costs

• A contractor will assist with gathering all the necessary permits for the project. Permit rules vary by state, city, and county. Most permits cost from $75-$150. An electrical permit often costs $25-$50.
• The installation of a vinyl-lined pool can be a DIY project, but you should check with the pool’s manufacturer to make sure that installing it as a DIY does not nullify the warranty.
• You can purchase vinyl-lined pool kits for installation. The vinyl pool kit averages $25,000–$40,000.
• Most manufacturers offer a three-year guarantee on the vinyl.
• Vinyl liners tend to need to be replaced every 8-9 years due to natural aging. Replacement averages $4,500 depending on the size of the liner. Using too much chlorine can cause weak spots in the vinyl and require it to be replaced sooner. Also, punctures or tears must be repaired with a vinyl patch kit unless the damage is too extensive.
• During the summer months, it tends to be more expensive to install a pool, based on the fact that more people use a pool during the late spring and summer season. Sometimes you can save money by installing during the offseason (fall, winter, and early spring months).
• A vinyl liner is made of durable material. The thickness of the vinyl is measured in mils. A mil is 1/1000 of an inch thick. Vinyl pool liners come in variations of 20, 27, 28, and 30 mils. The vinyl can be embossed with a pattern or a simple, non-embossed (standard) color. They are available in a wide array of colors. Prices range from $700-$1,500, depending on the thickness and if the surface is embossed with a pattern.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Vinyl: A synthetic plastic made from ethylene and chlorine. Vinyl has many applications in the construction industry and it is widely used in sidings, window frames, roofing and gutters, among others

² Fiberglass: Plastic that is reinforced with glass fibers. The fibers may be mixed randomly throughout the plastic, or come in the form of a flat sheet, or be woven into a fabric

³ Liner: A covering, usually made of vinyl, for the walls and floor of a swimming pool, used to keep the water in and protect the pool's surface.

⁴ Metered: A device that measures the energy used by a home

⁸ Built-in: An item of furniture, such as a bookcase or set of cabinets, that is built directly into the structure of the room. Built-ins are therefore customized to the room and not detachable

⁹ Pool enclosure: Artificial barrier that completely encircles a pool, protecting it from dirt, dust, insects, leaves, and other debris and also serving as a safety feature preventing those outside of it from falling in and possibly drowning

¹⁰ Retaining wall: A structure used to support vertical slopes of earth or to hold back water