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What an inground pool costs in 2026, how much of the bill goes to excavation, shell and equipment, and why two quotes for the same backyard can differ by $40,000.
An inground pool typically costs $25,000 to $100,000 installed, with $62,500 the typical price, or about $80 to $250 per sq ft. Concrete, fiberglass and vinyl pools land in different parts of that range.
Installed inground pools run about $80 to $250 per square foot, which puts a typical 300 to 400 sq ft pool between $25,000 and $100,000. The national average is $62,500, with reported projects running from $16,000 to $200,000 depending on the material, the depth and how easy the yard is to dig. That price should cover excavation, the shell, plumbing, equipment startup, water delivery and cleanup.
Two bids for the same pool diverge on material, size and site conditions. Concrete and gunite pools run $50,000 to $120,000, fiberglass $45,000 to $100,000 and vinyl $25,000 to $65,000 before decking or fencing. Excavation alone can swing $1,000 to $5,000 on rock or slope, and a heater, cover or pool fence can add another five figures.
Installed price at the national range of $80 to $250 per sq ft. The sizes follow HomeGuide's published pool dimensions, from a 10 by 20 ft pool at 200 sq ft to a 20 by 40 ft pool at 800 sq ft. Rates assume a standard depth of 6 to 7 ft and a plaster finish.
HomeGuide lists 200 sq ft at $16,000 to $50,000 and 800 sq ft at $64,000 to $200,000, which matches this rate exactly. Deep ends over 8 ft and freeform shapes push a pool toward the high end.
National ranges, installed. Your city can run 10 to 20 percent either way, so check the local pages before you compare quotes.
HomeGuide inground pool, pool resurfacing and pool maintenance cost guides, compared Oct 2026.
Six things move a pool quote more than anything else. Ask every builder to price the same material, size and depth, so the numbers you compare describe the same pool.
Concrete and gunite pools run $50,000 to $120,000 installed, fiberglass $45,000 to $100,000 and vinyl $25,000 to $65,000. Material sets the upfront price and the upkeep for the next 20 years.
The average pool is 300 to 400 sq ft and 6 to 7 ft deep. Freeform shapes, a 9 ft diving end and beach entries add cost, while a plunge or semi-inground pool can land under $25,000.
Excavation alone runs $1,000 to $5,000, yard leveling $500 to $1,000 and tree removal $150 to $2,000. Rocky soil, a narrow gate or a steep slope can add thousands in hand digging and hauling.
A pump costs $300 to $1,600, a filter $300 to $1,700 and a heater $1,600 to $5,200 installed. Saltwater conversion adds $1,100 to $2,200, and pool lights $700 to $1,800 if added later.
Many cities require a barrier. Pool fencing costs $5,000 to $15,000, an enclosure $4,000 to $14,000, a cover $1,000 to $20,000, and pool landscaping $3,000 to $5,000.
A pool permit costs $100 to $300 and is often bundled. Vinyl pools take 2 to 3 weeks to install, concrete pools 6 to 8 weeks, and northern states pay more for the same build.
A pool bid splits into labor, excavation, equipment, water and permits, and every line is worth checking on its own. HomeGuide lists finishing labor at $45 to $110 per hour, excavation at $1,000 to $5,000 and water delivery at $400 to $2,400.
HomeGuide inground pool and pool maintenance cost guides, labor and equipment tables, Oct 2026.
Pool maintenance is the realistic DIY piece. Testing and balancing the water, brushing the walls and cleaning the baskets costs $30 to $95 a month in chemicals and supplies, against $80 to $150 a month for weekly service. Opening and closing the pool yourself saves another $300 to $500 a season, but it takes a few hours and the right cover.
Building an inground pool is not a DIY project. It needs excavation, a permit, plumbing, electrical work and a shell that holds water for decades. A homeowner-built pool usually fails inspection and voids the equipment warranty. Put your effort into comparing three itemized bids instead.
Resurfacing rates per square foot from HomeGuide's residential pool finish table, with totals based on a 1,000 sq ft pool. Paint is the cheap short-term fix, while pebble and tile last longest.
HomeGuide pool resurfacing cost guide, finish table, compared Oct 2026.
All three materials put a pool in your yard. The choice comes down to upfront spend, how long you plan to stay, and how much upkeep you will accept.
Concrete gives you any shape and the longest life, fiberglass is the easiest to own, and vinyl is the cheapest way in. Compare three bids on the same size and depth, then check the totals with our quote checker.
A pool build runs in a fixed order, and every step should appear in the contract. If a bid skips a step, that is where the savings came from.
The installer measures the yard, confirms setbacks and utility lines, and pulls the building permit, which typically costs $100 to $300.
An excavator digs to the depth and shape on the plan, spoil is hauled away and the site is graded so water runs away from the house.
Plumbing, skimmers, light niches and the bonding grid go in before the shell is finished, because none of it is easy to reach later.
Gunite is sprayed over steel, a fiberglass shell is set in gravel, or vinyl panel walls go in. Weather delays most often hit this step.
Plaster, quartz, pebble or tile is applied and left to cure. Finishing crews charge $45 to $110 per hour, and cure time decides when you can fill.
Equipment is set on a pad, wired, plumbed and pressure tested. A pump runs $300 to $1,600 and a filter $300 to $1,700.
The pool is filled, with water delivery costing $400 to $2,400, chemicals are balanced, and the installer walks you through the equipment and warranties.
Detailed cost guides for each job are being written; the tools above price every one of them today.
Checked against the official source on Oct 28, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pools & Spas work is regulated by permit, and by state license for some trades.
An inground pool costs $25,000 to $100,000 installed, with $62,500 the typical price, or $80 to $250 per sq ft. Concrete pools run $50,000 to $120,000, fiberglass $45,000 to $100,000 and vinyl $25,000 to $65,000. Most of the bill is excavation, shell, equipment and finish.
Plan on $80 to $250 per sq ft installed. A 10 by 20 ft pool at 200 sq ft lands between $16,000 and $50,000, while a 20 by 40 ft pool at 800 sq ft lands between $64,000 and $200,000.
A vinyl liner pool at $25,000 to $65,000, or a small plunge or semi-inground pool at $7,000 to $25,000. Vinyl has the lowest upfront cost and needs a new liner about every 10 years, which costs $3,000 to $7,500. Depth and shape drive the rest.
A vinyl pool takes 2 to 3 weeks and a concrete or gunite pool takes 6 to 8 weeks. Permits, weather, rock during excavation and finish cure time all move that schedule. Ask each bidder for a week-by-week plan that includes weather allowances.
Resurfacing a concrete pool costs $6,000 to $15,000, fiberglass $7,000 to $15,000, and a new vinyl liner $1,400 to $4,800. Paint is $1 to $2 per sq ft but lasts only 5 to 7 years, while pebble finishes last 15 to 20 years or more.
Maintenance runs $80 to $150 a month, or $960 to $1,800 a year, before repairs. Total ownership runs $3,000 to $6,000 a year. Basic weekly care yourself cuts that line.
HomeGuide reports pools raise home value 5% to 7% on average, depending on location. They also raise property taxes and insurance, which can add $17 to $25 a month. The lift depends on how common pools are locally.
Concrete pools last 50 years or more but need resurfacing every 10 to 15 years. Fiberglass lasts 25 to 30 years, and vinyl lasts 20 years or more with a new liner every 6 to 12 years.
Yes, most cities and counties require a building permit for an inground pool, typically $100 to $300. Many jurisdictions also require a fence and an electrical inspection. Ask the installer whether permits and inspections are in the price.