If you have been considering and researching getting your very own swimming pool installed in your property, you will quickly come to realise how complex the question of the cost is. Swimming pools have a huge variation in price depending on the size and shape, materials, and options you select.

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to which swimming pool is best. Each person will have different criteria in what they are looking for in a swimming pool and how much they are willing to spend. Moreover, a cheaper swimming pool does not necessarily mean inferior quality.

In this article we’ll break down some of the costs involved in buying, installing, and owning a swimming pool. In addition to the initial costs of getting a swimming pool, we will also cover some of the optional extras and on-going costs involved to make sure you are armed with the best possible information before you start your swimming pool journey.

The Cost of a Swimming Pool

The cost of a professionally installed in-ground or above-ground swimming pool varies from between $5,000 — $100,000 depending on the design, size, and options you select. In-ground swimming pools are slightly more expensive, starting at around $20,000 due to the additional work and technologies involved in their installation.

On top of the swimming pool installation cost, expect to pay around $3,000 — $15,000 for additional safety and landscape work such as legally mandated fencing, surrounding decking, patios areas etc. Optional extras such as heating and lighting may cost another $1,000 — $5,000 depending on the model and design.

Finally, maintenance and running costs (e.g. power for water pumps, heaters, lighting) will likely set you back $500 — $3,000 a year depending on usage.

Installation and Planning

When looking for a pool builder, choose a company that has experience in the type of pool you are looking for. Hiring a company skilled at concrete pool installations may not be the best idea if you are looking for a fibreglass swimming pool. A local company will be able to help reduce costs in the construction process with their knowledge of the local area—one of the main causes of additional construction costs in unexpected terrain during excavation.

Another element of pool building that people often forget is the licensing and planning permissions for your local council. These costs are relatively small in comparison to other factors (a few hundred dollars or so), but failing to get the appropriate permissions and permits before construction begins can increase costs significantly through fines and delays.

The Swimming Pool

The most important part of a swimming pool project is the pool shell itself. There are a few different types of pools available depending on the style, design and function you are after.

Fibreglass Pools

Fibreglass swimming pools are made from a precast mould, delivered complete, and inserted into the ground. They are fast and easy to install, but due to the prefabricated nature are only available in a select choice of designs. A professionally installed fibreglass swimming pool will cost between $20,000 and $40,000.

Concrete Pools

Concrete swimming pools are the most expensive option at between $30,000 and $50,000. These types of pools take months to construct as they are built completely on-site with no pre-fabrication.

Plunge and Laps Pools

These types of pools are defined by their design, shape, and size rather than the materials used. Plunge pools are perfect for a small space but are deeper than a traditional pool, great for relaxing. Lap pools are long and narrow, designed for swimming laps, but are not ideally suited to relaxation or play. These types of pools cost between $8,000 and $20,000 due to their smaller size.

Optional Extras

Optional extras are the various features that are not essential to the pool’s operation, but may increase its usability, and therefore your return on investment. Talk with your pool builder about each of these options as there will be both a one-off cost and monthly running costs—more expensive models may be more efficient saving money in the long run.

Pool Cleaning

Keeping your pool clean is essential for its continued usage; nobody wants to swim in dirty, algae infested water. Pool pumps, filtration, and cleaning systems help to keep the water filtered for contaminants.

Pool Lighting

Pool lighting isn’t required if you plan to use your pool only during daylight but is a must-have if you want to swim or relax in the evenings. Different lighting options are available from basic static lighting to colour changing LEDs.

Pool Heating

Keeping your pool warm is essential if you want to get year-round usage from it. The larger the swimming pool, the more expensive it will be to heat. Though monthly heating costs can be reduced somewhat through the use of solar heating.

The Surrounding Area

The final part of a new swimming pool, and a cost people often forget about, is any additional work that may be required or wanted in the surrounding area. Some additional features are legally mandated for safety, such as the construction of a secure fence separating the pool from the property to prevent people, especially small children and animals, from falling into the water. But in addition to the legally required features, you may wish to have other features or landscaping work done.

A swimming pool in an area to enjoy, have fun, relax, and possibly even host parties. While the centre of attention is on the pool itself, you may wish to create additional spaces surrounding the pool to complete the experience. At a base level, you may wish to have decking surrounding your pool to create a space to sit and relax or host people when not in the water. Moving up the pricing scale, you have full garden landscaping and water features. It’s hard to put a price on these extras as the options truly are endless, but talk with your pool builder to budget for your needs.

Conclusion

A large number of variables go into calculating the final cost you should expect to pay for a swimming pool in your own backyard. While extremes exist at both ends of the pricing scale, the total cost of a professionally installed swimming pool for the vast majority of people will likely be in the range of $30,000 — $60,000. You should also expect and budget for yearly maintenance and running costs of around $500 — $1,500 on average.