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.
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.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Affordable cost versus other pool types Quick construction The shape can be easily customized Smooth surface after installation Can be completed as a DIY project | Not as durable as concrete or fiberglass Requires liner replacements Metal walls are incompatible with saltwater systems Cannot be used in areas with a high water table Less visually appealing than other types of pools |
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.
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.
Part | Use | Cost |
---|---|---|
Coping | Stone or concrete material used around the rim of the pool | Included in the cost of the pool |
From waterfalls to fountain bubblers They make the pool more visually appealing | $50-$15,000 | |
Covers | Keeps debris out of the water Helps maintain the pool’s temperature There are different types: thermal, automatic, and security | $75-$15,000 |
A monthly application of chemicals is required to keep an optimal pH | $95 per month | |
Recycles the pool water through the filtration system There are four types: Single-, two-, or variable-speed and solar | $120-$5,500 | |
Filters impurities and debris There are three types: Sand, cartridge and diatomaceous earth | $150-$700 | |
Lighting | Lights up the pool There are different styles, from floating to built-inLED | $150-$750 |
To get in and out of the pool | $200-$600 | |
Liner | Liners can be either plain or embossed with a design | $700-$1,500 |
Slide | A fun option to enter the pool | $750-$14,000 |
Site preparation | $1,000 | |
Maintains the pool’s water at a certain temperature | $1,800-$2,400 |
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:
The overall cost of decking does vary depending on the size and shape of the deck, color, and material.
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.
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.
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.
Pool type | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Vinyl | Affordable Easy to install Smooth Surface | Needs frequent replacement Tears easily Suffers sun damage/color fading |
Fiberglass | Easy to maintain Permanent Made to last decades | Expensive Not customizable |
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.
Pool type | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Vinyl-lined pool | Permanent Inground Easy to install Boasts a smooth surface Can be formed into various sizes and shapes | Tears easily Liner requires replacement about every ten years Suffers sun damage Requires professional installation |
Above-ground pool | Affordable Does not require professional installation Comes as a complete kit | Lasts only about five years Sits above the ground Liner can tear easily Suffers sun damage |
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.
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 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.
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.
A pool vacuum effortlessly sucks up debris from the pool water. The price for a pool vacuum averages $50-$400.
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
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
To install a basic 12'x24' rectangular (288 sq.ft. of water surface area) in-ground vinyl-liner swimming pool averages $37,000.
The vinyl liner will usually need to be replaced every 8-9 years. The replacement cost averages $4,500 depending on the size of the pool.
The cost to install 12'x24' rectangular in-ground swimming pool that is made of fiberglass, vinyl-lined, or concrete averages $37,000-$50,000.
Fiberglass and concrete inground pools do not require liners, but a vinyl inground pool requires a vinyl liner.
An inground swimming pool can add value to a home. General estimates say that a pool increases your home’s value by about 7 percent.
An inground pool liner averages $4,500.
Cost to build an in-ground vinyl-lined swimming pool varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.