Buying an inground pool is a major purchase. They cost tens of thousands of dollars and can affect both the aesthetic of your outdoor space and the value of your home. This is a purchase that you should never take lightly.
You need to do a lot of research before buying one and make a lot of decisions.
If you leap in without doing your homework, you could overpay, purchase a pool that requires more maintenance than you prefer, or hire the wrong contractor.
Doing your research can help you make educated and informed decisions about the type of pool you buy and its features.
All in all, this helps ensure the pool not only looks amazing outside your house but has the features and functions that make sense for you and your family.
What to know before buying an inground pool
- What type of pool do you want?
- The costs of the different pool types (including hidden costs)
- The construction timeframe and process
- Size, shape, and design
- Landscaping
- How to find a good pool contractor
What are the different types of inground pools?
Deciding what type of pool you need or want is a big first decision. You have three options to consider: fiberglass, concrete, or vinyl liner. Each type has pros and cons, so your choice will depend on how they align with your needs.
Let's quickly compare the costs, customizability, and potential speed of installation of all three types of inground pools.
Customizability - Concrete pools and vinyl liner pools offer a lot of flexibility and customization, allowing you to create a pool of any size and shape to suit your preferences. On the other hand, fiberglass pools come in predetermined shapes and sizes. Typically, size options are 16’ x 40’ or smaller options.
Popular features like tanning ledges, benches, and seats are often upgrade options for concrete and vinyl pools, while these features are available at no extra cost for fiberglass pools.
Cost - A vinyl-liner pool usually has a lower initial cost, making it appealing to those who want a pool but are looking for a lower upfront cost. Concrete and fiberglass pools are fairly comparable in pricing these days.
In terms of lifetime costs, a concrete pool is typically the most expensive to maintain, followed by vinyl liner pools and fiberglass pools, which offer the least expensive ownership costs. You can read more about the cost of buying and owning a pool.
Speed of installation - There's no getting around the fact that pool construction is a messy process. This leads many pool buyers to strongly consider the speed of installation when making the decision of what type of pool to purchase. The question is, how much construction 'chaos' can you withstand?
Pool installers will tell you that fiberglass pools are the fastest type of pool to install. It's not uncommon for an entire project to be completed in 6+ weeks. Comparatively, vinyl liner pools typically require 6-8+ weeks of construction, and concrete pools may require 8-12+ weeks.
Regardless of the type of pool you choose, ask your independent pool installer for an installation timeline, as this will provide the most accurate estimate for your specific project.
Still trying to decide which type of pool you should get for your backyard? Take our Pool Type quiz! It's quick, easy, and totally free. Just click the button below to get your personalized results:
The Cost of Different Pool Types
Before you buy an inground pool, it’s important to look beyond just the sticker price. Between installation, landscaping, and long-term upkeep, the cost of an inground pool can vary widely, especially depending on the type of pool you choose.
In this section, we’ll walk you through the initial and long-term costs of the most popular inground pool types, so you can decide what fits your backyard and your budget. And if you're wondering about the best time to buy an inground pool, knowing the full cost picture is a great place to start.
Initial and Long Term Ownership Costs
As you decide which type of pool is ideal for you, you will want to compare the pricing of different pools.
Here are three of the most popular types of pools and the costs associated with them.
Fiberglass
On average, the cost to install a fiberglass pool ranges from $45,000 to over $100,000, depending on the size, design, and region.
A 25-foot fiberglass pool typically falls in the $60,000 to $85,000 range. If you’re including upgrades like decking, landscaping, or fencing, you could be looking at a total project cost between $150,000 and $200,000 or more.
In addition to the initial install costs, you need to consider the cost of owning the pool. The cost of maintaining a fiberglass pool for about 10 years will cost you around $3,750 to $5,000.
Concrete
A concrete pool is by far the most expensive type of pool to construct.
Depending on the size and shape of the pool, a concrete pool typically runs anywhere from $65,000 to $120,000.
Ongoing upkeep, including resurfacing, chemical treatments, and cleaning, can push your maintenance cost to $27,000 or more over a 10-year period.
Vinyl Liner
The cheapest option for pools is vinyl liner pools.
A vinyl liner pool can cost around $20,000 if you decide to do it yourself. It may cost anywhere from $35,000 to $80,000 when you hire a professional to do it for you.
While a vinyl liner pool has more affordable initial costs, it can be costly to maintain due to required liner replacements every 8 to 10 years. Over a 10-year period, this type of pool costs around $11,500 to maintain.
Hidden Costs for a Swimming Pool Project
In addition to the cost to install or build the pool and the cost to maintain the pool, there are some hidden costs for a swimming pool that you should be aware of.
When you are having a pool built, you may need to shell out extra money:
- retaining walls
- extra concrete
- dirt hauling
- landscaping
- electrical work
- a fence around your pool
As you get quotes to have a pool built, ask if these items are included in the quote. If they are not, ask for quotes on these items, as they can increase the cost of your project by thousands of dollars.
Want to start budgeting for your upcoming pool project? Our Design and Price tool can give you rough estimates for your costs to build a pool of any size, with any type of added features. Just click below to try it out!
Timeframe for Construction
If you're planning a new backyard pool, it's natural to wonder how long it may take. Understanding typical inground pool construction timelines can help you plan around your schedule, set realistic expectations, and choose the pool option that fits your needs best.
The exact duration of any inground pool construction depends on several factors, including the type and size of the pool, the experience and availability of the contractor, and weather conditions during the installation. Each of these elements plays a role in how quickly your pool can go from plan to finished product.
Here are a few of the rough estimates as to how long it will take to install each of these types of pools.
Fiberglass
A fiberglass pool is the fastest type of pool to install. Depending on the company you use, this type of pool may only take 3–6 weeks to install. You likely will have your pool in the ground and full of water within 2-5 days.
When you are looking to get a fiberglass pool installed, look for a company that offers fiberglass pools that are not only easy to install, but durable as well.
At River Pools, we use Cross-Lynx Composite Technology because it is both easy to install and durable.
Concrete
A concrete pool typically takes the longest to install. This is because the concrete has to be fully cured before construction can be completed.
Concrete takes at least 28 days to cure, under perfect circumstances. It can take longer in less than ideal weather.
As such, from start to finish, an inground concrete pool construction timeline can be anywhere from 3–6 months to complete.
Vinyl Liner
A vinyl liner is in the middle range for length of time to install. This type of pool takes anywhere from 4–8 weeks to install, depending on the size of the pool, the weather elements, and whether you are doing it yourself or hiring professionals.
What's involved in the construction process
When you are trying to determine how long it takes to install a pool, it helps to understand what the inground pool construction process actually involves. Each phase plays a role in the overall timeline.
Here’s a quick look at the typical steps that go into building a pool in your backyard:
Obtaining Permits
Before construction can begin, the right permits need to be pulled and obtained.
The permits needed vary based on the type of pool you are having installed and the county, city, and state you reside in. However, a great company will know what permits to pull and get them.
Preparing the Land
Once the permits are pulled, the land must be prepared for the pool to be installed. This includes excavating your property and performing rough grading for the pool, patio, and planting areas.
Once this step is done, you will see where your pool is going and where your landscaping, patios, and other items are flattened to make way for them.
Installation
Once the land is flattened, the installation process can begin. Typically the framing and plumbing is installed first.
Next, any concrete that is needed for a concrete shell or the floor for a liner is poured.
After that is poured, the pool masonry, tile and coping is done. Once all of that is dried and cured, the pump and filter systems are brought in.
Many contractors then install your pool patio, plantings, fencing and lighting before plastering the pool, but these items may be switched in order depending on the contractor and the weather.
Once the pool plaster is in, the pool can be filled with water and the chemical balances are established. A final inspection is done before the process is complete and your pool is ready.
When fiberglass pools are installed, there can be problems that emerge due to shifting or settling. This can cause leaks in the plumbing lines, separation between the pool and patio or bulges in the walls of the pool.
At River Pools, we use our advanced installation methodology to help eliminate these problems.
Size, Shape and Design
When you are buying an inground pool, you'll pick the size and shape and design that make the most sense for you and for the space in your yard.
So how can you determine what pool shape and size are ideal for you and your family?
Size
The size of the pool is important. It affects what activities can occur with the pool, and it affects the appearance of your outdoor space and what other elements you can incorporate into the space.
As you try to determine what size of pool you want, the first thing you will want to do is determine what the pool will be used for.
Will it be used for recreation, or will someone be swimming laps in the pool? A lap pool is longer than a recreational pool.
Once you have determined that, you need to figure out what else you want in your outdoor space. Some people want a pool, spa, and outdoor patio. You then have to determine how much space you have to construct these items.
Remember, you can't put a pool directly on your property line, so you'd have to take into account setbacks along the property line.
Finally, consider how many people will be using the pool both now and into the future. You may have five small kids now. But they may want friends over in their teenage years, and eventually, they may have families of their own. You may have five to ten swimmers now, but could easily have 20 in the future.
You can't alter the size of a pool once it's built, so base the size of the pool on what you need now and in the future.
Shape and Design
The next factor you have to consider is the shape and design of the pool.
Some people prefer pools with curves, while others prefer something linear.
When determining the shape of the pool, you have to take into account the size and shape of your yard. Sometimes a curved or straight line works best in your yard.
Next, consider what features you want in your pool. If you want a tanning ledge, infinity edge, open swim lane, or ample swim space, a straight pool may be better. If you want ample bench seating or an aesthetically pleasing pool, a curved pool may make sense for you.
We've built a Pool Shape quiz to help prospective pool buyers like you figure out what their perfect pool ought to look like. You can try it out by clicking the button below:
Landscaping
The landscaping around your pool can transform a pool in a backyard to a complete outdoor oasis. However, many people often are so concerned with getting a pool that they neglect to think about the landscaping.
You should think about the landscaping at the same time as the pool design and building. This helps ensure there is space in your yard for all of these features you want.
When you are thinking about landscaping around your pool, here is some information you want to keep in mind.
Patio
The first thing you want to keep in mind is patio space and how much patio space you actually need.
Not everyone uses a pool patio in the same manner or needs the same size patio. If you simply want space for a grill or a two-person seating set, you may only need a 6 ft. by 6 ft. patio space.
If you want an outdoor kitchen and seating area, you may need at least a 12 by 12 ft. area.
Make sure you get enough patio space upfront, but remember that you can design the space to let you add on later, too. The patio area does not only include what we traditionally think of as patio space. It involves all of the concrete around the pool.
Take all of this into account when designing the pool and the landscaping around the pool.
Plants and Grass
Once your patio is in place, the right landscaping can complete the look and feel of your backyard. Thoughtful choices with plants, grass, and lighting not only enhance the space visually but also make it more functional and inviting.
To soften the hardscape and add character, consider using potted plants or integrated planters. These are perfect for bringing color, texture, and life to the area, especially when placed strategically around the pool to break up large stretches of concrete.
For added privacy, incorporate larger plants such as tall hedges, ornamental grasses, or palm trees where space allows. These natural barriers help create a more secluded, relaxing atmosphere around your pool.
If you have kids or pets who need space to play, grass can be a great addition, but it’s best kept outside the immediate pool area. Grass near the pool tends to bring in dirt, bugs, and debris, which can lead to more maintenance. Unless you have a larger yard, it’s a good idea to keep grassy areas beyond the pool fencing.
Lastly, when you are thinking about your landscaping, consider outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting can enhance the look of the pool and your outdoor space, while also making the area safer for those who happen to be walking around your yard.
Finding a Reputable Pool Contractor
The last thing that you must know before you buy an inground pool is how to find a reputable pool contractor.
The pool contractor you select has a huge effect on the final outcome of your pool.
A great contractor can help get the pool finished in a timely manner, ensure the pool meets your needs, and build or install a pool with fewer issues. A poor contractor may install a pool that does not meet your needs, comes in over budget, or has issues in the future.
Learning what to look for in a reputable pool contractor will help you find the right one for you.
Here are some of the things you need to know in order to find a reputable pool contractor:
What Does a Swimming Pool Contractor Do?
A swimming pool contractor designs, builds, installs, and repairs swimming pools.
If any of the work is outsourced, such as concrete pouring, they hire the professionals to pour the concrete and oversee the entire process. Basically, a swimming pool contractor ensures your pool is exactly what you specify you want it to be.
What Questions Should You Ask a Contractor?
There are many questions you should ask a pool contractor before you hire them. Some of the questions include:
- What is your experience with building pools?
- What is the experience of the people you hire within your company?
- Do you have customer reviews?
- What products do you use when building or installing pools and why?
- Do you offer a workmanship warranty?
- Will you work with me to design the pool that is best for me?
- What are your installation practices?
- What is the price to build or install the pool I want?
- Can I read over a sample contract?
- Can I talk to references of people who have used you in the past?
What You Need to Know About Getting References
When you're looking to hire a pool contractor, it's important to get references from them. These are people who have used the contractor to build their pools.
Talking to references is a great way to learn firsthand how the contractor is to work with and what the quality of their work is. As you interview contractors, ask them for references and then actually talk to those references.
Here are a few of the questions you should ask when talking to their references:
- Would you recommend this pool builder?
- Would you use this pool builder again?
- What did you enjoy about the experience?
- What didn't you enjoy about the experience?
- What type of pool, options, and accessories did you choose?
- Would you do anything differently?
- Was your project completed on time?
- Was your project completed on budget?
- Have you had any problems with the pool?
- How did the pool contractor handle any challenges when they arose?
- Were the builders courteous, and did they show up on time?
What's Not So Important When Hiring a Contractor?
When choosing a pool contractor, it’s easy to get caught up in details that don’t really matter. Here are a few things that shouldn't be dealbreakers:
Don’t assume a smaller company can’t handle your project. Great pool builders have companies of all sizes.
It’s also okay if the contractor uses subcontractors. Quality pool companies often partner with trusted specialists to ensure each part of the job is done right. In fact, that willingness to bring in experts is a good sign.
And finally, don’t be swayed by flashy marketing. A great website or a glossy brochure doesn’t always equal great work. Focus on customer reviews, referrals, and project outcomes.
Should I buy an inground pool?
There’s a lot to consider before you buy an inground pool, and we know it can feel like a lot. But taking the time to do your research now will help you avoid costly mistakes and make sure the pool you choose is the perfect fit for your family and your backyard.
As you weigh your options, be sure to think through:
- Whether you want a fiberglass pool or not
- The price of pools
- The time frame for construction
- The size, shape and design of the pool
- Landscaping around the pool
- How to find a reputable pool contractor
If you still need additional information, our ebook can help you learn what you need to know when buying an inground pool. This will help ensure you are prepared when the time comes for you to buy your pool.
From the Author: Jason Hughes
Hi, I’m Jason Hughes, Partner at River Pools® Virginia. I’ve spent over 20 years in the fiberglass pool industry, on the job site, in the trenches, and working alongside homeowners to bring their backyard dreams to life.
I wrote this article because I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re looking into buying a pool. With so many choices around cost, construction, and contractors, it’s easy to feel stuck or unsure about the right path forward. My goal is to give you clear, straightforward information so you can make confident decisions and invest in a pool that truly fits your family, your lifestyle, and your budget.
Message from the River Pools Manufacturing Team:
When it comes to buying an inground pool, there are a lot of steps to go through, and staying informed is the most important one you can take. Researching costs, construction timelines, pool types, and contractors before you start ensures that your investment pays off for years to come.
At River Pools, we manufacture high-quality fiberglass pools that are installed by independently owned and operated companies across the country. Over the years, we’ve seen how homeowners who take the time to research their options end up with a pool they love.
If you’re exploring your options, check out our pool models or use our Design and Price tool to get a clearer idea of what your project might look like. And when you’re ready, we’ll connect you with a trusted independent installer who can help bring your vision to life.
Ready to start the conversation?
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