How Much Does An Inground Pool Cost?

Summer has arrived. We made it through the doldrums of winter and the showers of spring with visions of a relaxing summer in our heads and now it’s finally here. For many of us, that means spending as much time bathed in the sun and water as possible. And what better way to do that than with an inground pool in your very own backyard?

If visions of pool parties and quality family time are splashing around your head as we dive into summer, you may be wondering to yourself how much an inground pool costs.

Cost Of An Inground Pool

As you might imagine, there are several factors that can impact the cost of an inground pool, including the location, size of the pool, the materials used, the style of the pool and the cost of installation/labor. It’s all about combining what you want and what you are willing and able to spend. Understanding the specific factors that impact quality and price will put you in the best position to decide what inground pool is right for you.

Inground Pool Costs By Size

The size of your pool is a huge factor when it comes to price. The following table outlines costs* related to size, but also keep in mind that add-ons, such as tanning decks, lights and fiber optics will also increase the price tag.

Inground Pool Costs By Materials

Beyond size, the type of materials you select to construct your inground pool will have a large impact on the overall cost. The four main types of material most people choose for their pool are concrete, gunite, fiberglass and vinyl. There are a number of other materials that can be used, but these are the most common. Let’s take a look at each of these, including the pros and cons as well as how they will affect your inground pool cost.  

Concrete ($50,000 – $120,000)

Using concrete for an inground pool means that it will last for a long time (50 years or more) and be very durable. Appealing, right? That said, concrete is porous, which means moisture can seep into it and create an environment where algae can grow. This means that you will need to have your pool acid washed every 3 years or so, which can cost between $8,000 and $10,000. 

Gunite ($50,000 – $120,000)

Gunite is a specific type of concrete that mixes sand, water, and cement. This mixture is applied to a steel frame that can be in any shape you like. Gunite is a bit more durable than concrete, and its spray application allows for use when constructing pools of nearly any shape and size.  One drawback of gunite is that you will need to have your pool resurfaced every 10 years or so, which will cost between $6,000 and $15,000.

Fiberglass ($30,000 – $85,000)

Sick of hearing about algae growth in your inground pool? Consider going with fiberglass. In addition to being durable and flexible, fiberglass pools resist algae and mineral build up, unlike the other materials we have covered. They don’t last as long as concrete pools though, with a lifespan of about 25 years.

Vinyl ($25,000 – $65,000)

If you are lending toward cheaper costs and easy maintenance for your inground pool, vinyl might be the way to go. Vinyl is much less durable than other pool construction materials though, meaning that it can tear easily. This makes vinyl pools a less desirable option if you plan on having your pets partake in the pool fun. This also means that these types of pools are very susceptible to algae growth.

Inground Pool Costs By Style

Choosing your style of a pool usually boils down to choosing a shape and the extra features you want. You may have some pool design ideas floating around your head already, and the cost of your pool will vary greatly based on those designs. Looking for a simple standard sized rectangle? That cost is going to be relatively reasonable. Thinking of a pool in the shape of a swan? That’s going to be costly. Here are a few inground pool styles beyond the norm, the benefits they offer and what you can expect to spend to get them in your backyard.

Beach Entry Pool

Having a beach entry inground pool does not necessarily mean you are entering your pool from an actual beach. It just means you can enter the pool at the same level as the ground around it. That’s why these are sometimes referred to as zero entry pools. The bottom of the pool starts at the same level as the ground at one end and slowly slopes down into the deep end of the pool. On average, having a beach entry will cost you around $50 to $125 per square foot.

Resistance Pool/Endless Pool

A resistance pool (or endless pool) is a type of inground pool that comes with a propulsion system built in that creates a current you can swim against. This allows the footprint of the pool to be smaller while at the same time giving you the ability to swim as long as you want in the same direction. These types of pools typically cost $26,000 to $75,000.

Infinity Pool

An infinity pool gives the illusion that one of the edges is missing so the pool goes on forever, or to put it another way, to infinity. Many infinity pools will have a waterfall feature on the side with no rim or edge to accentuate the illusion. Yes, it looks as cool as it sounds. No, it’s not cheap. An infinity pool will set you back $55,000 to $130,000.

Lap Pool

This type of inground pool isn't the best if you want lots of room to splash and play. It’s narrow and longer than a traditional pool. This design makes it great for … you guessed it … swimming laps. This rectangular shaped style of pool is usually 6 to 9 feet in depth and costs between $40,000 and $70,000.

Financing The Cost Of An Inground Pool

If you are ready to take the plunge and get a new pool installed for summer, that’s exciting! Backyard barbecue, pool volleyball, floating around with your favorite drink, the possibilities are endless. However, you don’t want your pool to drown you financially, so to speak. Make sure you can comfortably afford it before you start construction.

Many of us don’t have the cash to throw down on such a significant purchase, but you still might be able to get your backyard oasis. Here are a few financial tools to consider.

Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan is also referred to as a second mortgage because you are borrowing against the equity in your home. The equity you have in your home is the amount of money it is currently worth, minus what you owe on your mortgage. With a home equity loan, you get a lump sum of cash that is paid back with a fixed rate in a set number of years (usually 10 or 20). Just like your first mortgage, a home equity loan uses your house as collateral. 

Personal Loan

Another option for funding your new inground pool might be a personal loan. This is an individualized loan that has a specific interest rate and fixed monthly payment that you pay off over time. The amount, interest rate, length of the loan and collateral are all specific to your unique financial situation.

Home Equity Line Of Credit (HELOC)

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a revolving line of credit (like a credit card) that allows you to borrow against the equity in your home. Once you apply and get approved for the HELOC, you get a large sum of money that you can spend on whatever you want. A pool, perhaps? One nice feature of a HELOC is that you can pay it down, borrow against it again, pay it down again, and so on. Keep in mind though, that your home is the collateral for this type of loan.

Cash-Out Refinance

HELOCs and home equity loans are secondary loans to your original mortgage. A cash-out refinance, however, is a restructuring of your current mortgage. Depending on how much equity you have in your home, your credit score and a variety of other factors, you may be able to refinance your current mortgage and out enough cash for your inground pool by using a cash-out refinance loan.

With all these loans, keep in mind that you may be adding value to your home by installing an inground pool. Pools will be attractive to some buyers and could make your house their dream home when it’s time for you to sell. So, you are not only building a pool, you’re also potentially building more equity in your home.

FAQs: Inground Pools

Hopefully you are feeling informed about inground pools by now, but just in case some questions remain, here are a few FAQs.

What is the most expensive part of getting an inground pool?

That depends on what you choose. If you are looking to build with high priced materials and add a lot of features like a zero entry, waterfalls, unique pool shape, fancy lighting, a pool heater, etc., then the materials might be your biggest cost. If you are selecting cost-effective materials and going with a basic design and not many extras, then labor might be your biggest cost. Afterall, digging a massive hole in the ground and turning it into a pool takes a lot of work.

How can I afford an inground pool?

Working on a tight budget? Consider selecting lower priced materials like vinyl instead of concrete or gunite. Stay away from the extras like a propulsion motor, a water slide, a heater or other additional items that will increase the overall price tag. In addition, talk to your lender about a home equity loan, personal loan or cash-out refinance to help cover the cost of your new pool.

What is the most affordable inground pool option?

Keep it simple. Standard shaped, vinyl pools are the most cost effective. They won’t last as long as pools built from other materials, but they are certainly the most affordable.

How much should I budget for an inground pool?

It really depends on the type of pool you are looking for. The low end is around $16,000 but the cost of outfitting your property with a high end inground pool can be upward of $200,000. Don’t forget about maintenance costs as well. Cleaning, resurfacing, maintaining the pool mechanicals and winterizing are a few things to consider up front. With any project like this, it’s a good idea to start with a home renovation budget.

The Bottom Line

An inground pool can be the perfect summer gathering place. Whether you want to focus on fitness, outdoor fun or relaxing in the sun, a pool might be just the thing you and your family are looking for. Ready to get started and thinking of financing your inground pool installation? See your refinancing options and start the approval process today with Rocket Mortgage^®.