In-ground pools are
available in three types: concrete, vinyl, and fiberglass. They have similar
initial costs for a turn-key installation, but there are great differences in
the lifetime cost.
Concrete
Concrete is sometimes
called gunite. Gunite, however, is actually the method used to apply concrete
to form a pool shell. Concrete is very durable, but it can also become a haven
for mold and algae if not properly maintained. Every 3 to 5 years the pool
needs an acid wash to keep algae from forming and sticking. Because this will
strip a small layer away, the shell will have to be re-plastered at some point.
The initial cost of
installing a concrete pool is between $50,000.00 and $100,000.00. Because they
are usually larger than other types of pools, they require more electricity and
more chemicals to keep them clean and swimmable. Including the acid wash and
re-plastering, over a 10-year period, you can expect to pay an average of
$27,400.00.
Vinyl
Vinyl pools are
popular because of their versatility and ease of maintenance. They come in a
variety of shapes including custom designs, and the soft touch of vinyl means a
non-abrasive surface. They’re very easy to clean and many owners handle the
cleaning themselves. Because the vinyl surface tends not to allow algae to form
easily, the cost of chemicals is usually lower than that of concrete.
Installing a vinyl
pool has an initial cost of $35,000.00 to $50,000.00. With patience, talent,
and the right tools, a dedicated DIYer could possibly handle the job
themselves. Over a 10-year period, maintenance costs around $11,500.00.
Fiberglass
A fiberglass pool is
a preformed shell that gets put into a levelled hole pre-dug to the shape of
the pool. It lends itself well to the experienced DIYer, but most people prefer
the peace of mind of letting a professional handle the work. The shells usually
measure no more than 16 feet across in order to avoid breakage during shipping
and installation. They are possibly the easiest of the pool types to clean and
maintain, and there are no special requirements for the shell. No acid wash and
no liner replacement makes the size limitations an acceptable trade-off for
many people.
The initial cost of a
fiberglass pool is from $45,000.00 to $85,000.00. This includes delivery and
installation up to a basic deck. The maintenance cost of is the lowest of the
three types with an average of $3,750.00.
As you can see, there
isn’t much difference among the initial installation costs, all things
considered. The real difference lies with the maintenance costs. A concrete or
vinyl pool can be of many configurations, but the maintenance costs are
considerably higher. You should weigh your desired purpose of the pool against
what sort of maintenance you want to deal with.
Ready to install an ingroundpool? Hire a professional today.
Size and Location
The size and location
of your pool will also have a big impact on your cost. As a rule of thumb,
figure $50.00 per square foot of pool. The depth will also affect the cost to
varying degrees.
A small pool
generally measures about 10x20 feet and isn’t too deep, about 5 ½ feet. They
are used mostly just for cooling off on hot days, but many can be fitted with
swim jets for exercise. Using the above rule of thumb, the base cost for a
small pool is around $10,000.00.
An average size
swimming pool is around 14x28 feet with a typical depth of around 6 ½ feet, but
if you intend to do any head-first diving, the Red Cross recommends a depth of
at least 9 feet. Pools of this size start around the $20,000.00 range.
Pools are considered
large at around 18x36 feet. Many have deep ends of 9 to 12 feet. Often too
large for most suburban homes, large pools can start at about $35,000.00.
The location can
affect the cost depending on factors such as what’s beneath the ground (a layer
of rock will have to be blasted through), how far the crew has to travel to get
to your house, and the cost of living in your area.
If you decide on a
fiberglass pool but don’t have easy access to your backyard, a crane might be
necessary to lift it over your house.
Your landscaping may
dictate where your pool can go. However, if you have a sloping yard, you might
consider a semi-inground
pool cost. They can be built directly into slopes and a 12x24 foot
model costs from $8,000.00 to $10,000.00, less than an inground. Surrounded by
a deck and decorative plants, they are an attractive compromise.
Custom Pools and
Features
When it comes to
accessorizing your pool, the sky’s the limit. Many features are available to
give even the most common pool a customized look and feel.
Shape – The most
common pool shapes are rectangular or kidney bean. Custom shapes are limited
only by your imagination, but the cost of having one is limited by your budget.
In general, figure a base cost of $50.00 per square foot for your design.
Spas – A hot tub is a
popular feature for pools. A spa can add $5,000.00 to $8,000.00 to your base
price.
Slides – Pools built
with kids in mind will often have slides. Slides cost from a few hundred
dollars to a couple of thousand depending on design and manufacture as well as
features, such as water jets.
Rocks – The natural
look of stone around your pool makes for a relaxing escape. Available in
natural stone and artificial stone, the cost depends heavily on the type of
stone and the configuration you want.
Lighting – Lighting
can set the mood and provide some safety for your pool if you use it after
dark. Traditional incandescent light and energy-efficient LED lights are
available for a wide variety of prices depending on features such as light
color, floating or fixed, and output. They average $75.00 to $100.00 each for a
50-watt light, but higher wattage lights are available.
Waterfalls –
Waterfalls are attractive features on any pool, but the cost can be hard to
calculate until you talk to an installer. At the least, you can expect to add
around $1,000.00 to your cost for a simple waterfall.
Diving Boards – If
your pool is large enough and deep enough, a diving board will cost from
$300.00 to $600.00 for a fiberglass model to around $1,000.00 for a high end
aluminum one. The cost of installation depends on local codes and requirements,
so discuss this with an installer before you buy a board.
Decks – The deck
around your pool might be figured in as part of your quote. It will probably be
a basic concrete deck with only a basic design. The more elaborate your design,
and the materials used, will add to your pool cost to widely varying degrees.
Plants – Like
decking, the cost of plants around your pool will be determined by your own
tastes and choices. Keep in mind that leafy plants will drop their leaves,
which could blow into your pool. If you have landscaping that needs to be
changed, such as trees, boulders, or sloping, that will certainly add to the
cost by varying amounts.
Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.
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