Home Services
Pool Installation Cost
Published September 24, 2026 · Last updated October 1, 2026
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The short answer
An inground pool usually costs $25,000 to $100,000 installed, with a national average around $62,500, according to HomeGuide. That works out to about $80 to $250 per square foot. Small vinyl pools land near the low end. Large or custom concrete pools can reach $200,000.
The price tag is only part of it. Here's what each pool type costs, the extras people forget to budget for, and the safety rules to plan for from day one.
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Cost by pool type
| Type | Installed cost | How long it lasts | Upkeep to plan for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $35,000 to $80,000 | Liner every ~10 years | New liner: $3,000 to $7,500 |
| Fiberglass | $45,000 to $100,000 | 25+ years | Lowest upkeep of the three |
| Concrete (gunite) | $50,000 to $120,000 | 50+ years | Acid wash every 3 to 5 years ($300 to $1,000); resurfacing every 10 to 15 years ($8,000 to $10,000) |
| Above-ground | $1,800 to $5,000 | Shorter | Lowest upfront cost |
Not a quote or an offer. Your price comes from the pool builder. Source: HomeGuide, 2025 to 2026.
Which one fits?
- Vinyl has the lowest upfront cost for an inground pool, but plan for liner replacements.
- Fiberglass installs fast and needs less upkeep, but shapes and sizes are limited to what's made in the factory.
- Concrete can be any shape and lasts the longest, but costs the most to build and maintain.
Cost by size
The average inground pool is about 300 to 400 square feet and 6 to 7 feet deep at the deep end.
| Size (feet) | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| 10 x 20 | $16,000 to $50,000 |
| 12 x 24 | $23,000 to $72,000 |
| 16 x 32 | $41,000 to $128,000 |
| 20 x 40 | $64,000 to $200,000 |
A deep end for a diving board, usually 9 feet or more, adds cost.
Costs people forget to budget for
- A safety fence: often thousands of dollars, and many cities require one (see below)
- Decking and patio around the pool
- Excavation: about $1,000 to $5,000, more for rocky soil or tight access
- Permits: about $100 to $300, often included in the builder's price
- Water, filter, and pump: filling the pool and the equipment to run it
- Upkeep: about $80 to $150 a month for cleaning, chemicals, and seasonal opening and closing
- Heating, if you want to swim in spring and fall
- Higher property taxes and home insurance (more on insurance below)
- Landscaping to finish the yard
Plan for safety first
Pool safety isn't optional, and it's often the law. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 357 children under 15 died each year in pool or spa drownings from 2020 to 2022. For the youngest children, 85% of these incidents happened at homes, like backyard pools.
The CPSC's Pool Safely program recommends:
- A fence at least 4 feet high on all sides of the pool, that children can't climb
- A self-closing, self-latching gate
- A door alarm from the house to the pool area
- A pool cover kept in good working order
Many cities and counties have their own fence and gate rules. Your builder should know them, but confirm with your local building department before you sign. See fencing for fence costs.
Will a pool raise your home insurance?
It may. Insurers see a pool as a liability risk, because someone can get hurt. When you add a pool:
- Tell your insurer. Not reporting it could cause problems with a claim.
- Check your liability limit. Many pool owners raise it, and some add an umbrella policy for extra protection.
- Ask about fence requirements. Some insurers require a fence or a locking cover, and some may not insure certain features like diving boards or slides.
See homeowners insurance to compare options.
How to get good pool quotes
- Get at least three quotes with the same size, material, and features.
- Ask what's included: excavation, permits, decking, fencing, equipment, and the first fill of water.
- Ask about the warranty on the pool shell, liner, and equipment.
- Check the builder's license and insurance with your state or local licensing board.
- Get a written timeline and payment schedule. Avoid paying most of the price up front.
Keep reading
Finishing the backyard? See fencing, decks, and tree service.
More exterior projects: Roof replacement · Windows · Siding · Fencing · Decks · Driveways · Tree service · Chimney repair · All home projects
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