How much do fiberglass pools cost?
That's the million-dollar question, friends. This will always be one of the first questions any pool shopper will ask when researching their fiberglass pool options, and for good reasons.
We get it. Price matters (it’s not the only consideration, but it’s pretty important).
Price often dictates what type of pool, and any pool options and accessories, you might get. You need to develop an initial budget and plan for any long-term ownership costs, and that's true for any pool, at any size, in any configuration you might want.
It's tough to answer this question right off the bat. Because swimming pools have so many variables and options, it's often tough to know the price until you've figured out exactly what you want and have had skilled professionals assess your yard to figure out if it might need any special approaches or non-standard installation work.
Throughout our years of experience, we have provided answers to this question countless times. Our goal is to educate every potential buyer, even if it means guiding them towards a different pool option. We'll do our level best to offer some realistic price ranges, based on real-world installation and accessory cost estimates. To help us do this, we turned to many installers from around the country to get a sense for what these estimates might be as of 2023.
Please keep in mind that all prices, whether for fiberglass pool installations, accessories, or anything else, are only estimates based on our own industry knowledge and experience, and feedback from installers around the country. Prices listed throughout this article may be higher than others you see as you scour the interwebs for information. We’ve seen a lot of those numbers, too, and feel that often they aren’t factoring in all of the intricacies of a fiberglass pool project. So we wanted to bring you a range of numbers that we feel may better reflect what you’ll likely pay if you choose a fiberglass pool for your backyard. Prices can (and often) vary drastically based on the product(s) you choose, where you live, your chosen installer, and many other factors.
Now, with all that out of the way, let’s get into the good stuff.
How much does a fiberglass pool cost?
Based on what we’re seeing around the industry these days, most fiberglass pools seem to be around $ to $ on average in 2023 -- this price is for what we’d call a “turn-key” project. Basically it includes the pool installation, installation of a surrounding patio, some basic accessories, the installer hiring contractors on your behalf, getting bids, and scheduling/overseeing their work.
As with any major home improvement project, this price range can increase as you add more options and more elaborate designs, which might include water features, natural stone hardscaping, multiple accessories, and so on. We can also provide more precise estimates when you use our Design and Price tool, which you can find below.
Want to see about how much that cost will be with all your favorite pool accessories?
Use our Design and Price Tool to walk through your options and approximate price!
Basic install
Although this isn't intended to be an all-inclusive list, you might expect to see the following included with a basic installation, or a “base package”:
- Shell
- Shipping of the pool shell to your backyard
- Pump/filter system
- Building Permit
- Excavation
- Backfill
- Filling the pool with water
- Maintenance and cleaning equipment
- Potentially some rough grading where your patio is expected to go
Most basic pool packages don't include other options or patio work. But remember, my friend, base packages can differ depending on the installer, so be sure to ask what their base package covers when you inquire with them.
From what we’ve seen and heard, average prices for a base package install can range from $55,000 to $100,000. This is a pretty big range, but there is a pretty wide range of potential pool shells you might install, and different sizes and shapes come with their own considerations, regardless of any add-ons you may want.
Basic Installation plus concrete
Many pool installers will offer these types of packages, which would likely include everything listed in the previous section, plus the installation of a modest concrete patio around the pool.
With that amount of concrete patio in mind, a typical fiberglass pool installation may cost between $ and $.
Turnkey installations
A turnkey fiberglass pool installation includes everything we've already covered -- the shell, the patio, and perhaps some basic accessories -- these figures will likely also include electrical costs.
Again, we turned to our many installer friends in the industry who tell us that many homeowners, as of 2023, choose to invest between $ and $ in their projects.
Is this range a guarantee for your project? Heck no! BUT, it does give you a starting point to begin assembling the budget for your project.
So, what's the lowest cost we've heard of recently for a turnkey fiberglass pool project? Well, not much lower than $70,000.
And what's the highest cost we've heard of recently? We've heard of some elaborate jobs that are upwards of $300K. At this end of the price range you might expect to see high-end finish materials, several options and accessories for the pool itself, outdoor living spaces that may include full kitchens, eating areas, or outdoor movie viewing.
If you're planning to watch movies from the comfort of your pool, we'd recommend Jaws for the first watch party, naturally.
Want to see about how much that cost will be with all your favorite pool accessories?
Use our Design and Price Tool to walk through your options and approximate price!
Prices for other options
Remember how we mentioned add-ons in an earlier section? Though it may sound like a base package covers a lot, we’ve often found that many pool shoppers choose to increase their budgets to include popular options. Let’s compare purchasing a fiberglass pool to building a home. There are many opportunities for those options, or upgrades that will make the home feel like, well, home.
Fiberglass pools are often the same - folks really love those add-on features that they feel take their backyard to the next level for them. We’ll touch on some of those potential add-ons below.
Again we checked in with many installers from around the country to get a sense for popular add-ons and a general cost range as of 2023.
Automatic pool covers usually cost $14,000–$21,000.
Salt chlorine generators usually cost $2,100–$2,300.
Pool security covers cost $3,100–$4,700 in most cases.
Most heat pumps cost $6,500 to $8,000, not including the costs for electrical hookup.
Most pool dealers charge $2,800–$5,000 to tile a fiberglass swimming pool on the waterline/perimeter.
Retaining walls can get very expensive. Depending on the size, they can obviously vary a huge degree. Most walls cost between $7,500 and $20,000, but larger and more elaborate retaining walls sometimes cost upwards of $35,000+.
The price of pool water features can vary drastically, especially when it comes to custom waterfalls.
Most pool LED lights will cost between $900 and $1,200 -- each.
Not to sound like a broken record, but again, everything here is simply an estimate, and your final price may look much different. We hope you've developed a better feel for the potential costs of installing a fiberglass pool in your backyard, including the overall fiberglass pool pricing range, and what to expect when you start going through the pool buying process.
We're happy to help you get an actual price for your dream pool. You can get a quote today from an independent installer near you. Just click the button below!
Up Next:
A Guide to Inground Swimming Pool Size, Costs, and Prices: Everything You Should Know
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5 Fiberglass Pool Problems and Solutions
Editor's note: This article was originally written by Marcus Sheridan and was updated on November 17 2024, with current information. River Pools is a brand of inground fiberglass pools produced in a manufacturing facility in Fortville, IN. While our expertise is in manufacturing fiberglass pools, we have access to a network of installers with expertise relating to project design, installation, and pool service. We often tap into this knowledge base and share information freely with homeowners, just like you, considering installing a swimming pool in your backyard.
