Pools are quickly taking the top spot on the renovation wishlists of many homeowners across the country, but the first question that’s usually asked is ‘how much is it going to cost?’

And while the cost of an inground pool depends both on the size and the material that you choose, according to HomeAdvisor, the average installation costs $51,692.

Homeowners can expect to pay anywhere between $30,000 and $200,000 depending on the specification, however, it’s not unusual for the total cost of an upscale pool, let’s say, to cost over $100,000 (sometimes significantly more) in an expensive market such as California.

Going all out and investing in a luxury custom pool can cost $100,000 to $200,000 or more.

You need to remember that the costs for both labor and materials can vary wildly by location, making it all the more important to obtain and compare quotes from a number of contractors before considering whether it’s a project that you can afford and, if so, how you’re going to pay for it.

Types of Inground Pools and Their Costs

When planning an inground pool, you’ve got two main choices to make; the material and the size. These will both drastically affect the total cost, so let’s take a deeper look at how these different options stack up.

When it comes to the choice of material, you’ll be choosing between one of three main options. Here’s how the average cost of these breaks down:

• Concrete (Gunite or Shotcrete): $50,000 - $100,000
• Fiberglass: $45,000 - $80,000
• Vinyl Lined: $35,000 - $65,000

Concrete Pools

If you want a pool that’s going to last a lifetime, you’re going to want to go for concrete.

This is the most popular choice due to its flexibility, meaning it can be used to create a pool of pretty much any shape or size and allow for a number of different finishes to coordinate with the rest of your backyard, and if you want a truly custom pool, you’re going to want to choose concrete.

While a concrete pool might come out as the most expensive option, it’ll easily last 50 - 100 years and can be rebuilt, refinished, enlarged, or updated as required at a later date.

The construction of a concrete pool usually takes between three and 12 weeks and the average yearly cost of maintenance is somewhere between $2,700 and $4,000.

Fiberglass Pools

A great alternative to concrete is fiberglass; factory molded shells that are dropped into an excavated hole by crane.

And while the sizes are somewhat more limited than with concrete or vinyl-lined pools, they’re available in a number of different custom shapes and the appeal of this option is often the fast construction time.

These pools come in one piece and can be installed quickly, often as quickly as three days (so long as there is sufficient access and no overhead wires or power lines), and the smooth finish means that they require fewer chemicals for cleaning.

The average annual cost of maintenance of a fiberglass pool is between $500 and $1,500, a lower figure than both concrete and vinyl-lined alternatives.

Vinyl-Lined Pools

After concrete, vinyl-lined pools are quickly becoming a serious alternative for many homeowners, both as a result of their more affordable price point and their faster installation time.

In contrast to a concrete pool, the installation time for a vinyl-lined option is usually one to three weeks, rather than three to 12.

This type of inground pool is constructed from a one-piece vinyl liner that sits in an excavated hole and attached to a steel or aluminum framed wall. Most vinyl-lined pools are either rectangular or L-shaped, but it is possible to construct using a custom freeform liner.

A vinyl-lined pool is usually going to be your cheapest option, but it’s worth remembering that the liner will need to be replaced approximately every 10 years and can be ripped or punctured by sharp objects

That said, these are easy to maintain and easy to clean yourself.

A vinyl-lined pool will cost, on average, between $1,100 and $1,700 to maintain each year.

Inground Pool Sizes and Prices

Alongside choosing your pool’s material, you’ll need to decide on the size. On average, the size of an inground swimming pool is typically 14’ x 8’ and 6.5 feet deep. If you are more acrobatic and like to dive head-first, the Red Cross recommends at least a 9 foot depth.

Here’s what you can expect to pay, on average, for differently sized pools, according to HomeAdvisor:

While the size of your pool will often be dictated how much outdoor space you have available, it’s recommended that you obtain quotes before exploring pool financing options so that you’re able to consider your options properly.

Don’t forget to account for the other costs associated with the installation of a swimming pool, including waterfalls and water features, hot tubs, pool lighting, pool decks, heaters and fencing; all of which can increase the amount of money that you’ll need to borrow.

How to Pay for an Inground Pool

Now that you’re more aware of the cost of inground pools, you might be thinking about how you’re going to pay for one.

While many people prefer to save up cash, there are several different pool loan options that are worth looking into. Depending on your pool size, material, and financial situation - there are pros and cons to each.

RenoFi is a great place to start for financing your pool project. If you want to learn more about how you can use a RenoFi Loan to finance your pool, check out the RenoFi Loans page.

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