The summer is here, and everyone is trying to stay cool. Maybe your neighbors have recently installed a pool. Or maybe you’re just thinking back to your own childhood and splashing around in the backyard.
Whatever the reason you’re considering an above ground pool, you’re probably wondering how much does an above ground pool cost? After all, price and budgeting are factors in most decisions. So let’s take a closer look at how much above ground pools cost, what affects the cost, and how you could potentially finance your new above ground pool.
What Is the Average Cost of an Above Ground Pool?
When it comes to any kind of construction or home improvement, it’s very difficult to assign an average cost.
That’s because there are so many variables involved in any kind of construction project, and above ground pools are no different. Your above ground pool cost will be determined by the type of above ground pool you choose, the size, where it’s being installed, and what kind of add-ons you choose.
However, in South Carolina, most above ground pools cost somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000. That’s assuming you want a quality unit that will give you years of trouble-free swimming.
Of course, the cost of your above ground pool could increase or decrease depending on the choices you make.
Things That Affect Above Ground Pool Costs
Now that we know the general range that you can expect an above ground pool to cost, let’s look at some of the things that affect above ground pool costs in a little more detail.
The Material It’s Made Out Of
The first thing that will affect the cost of your above ground pool is the material that it’s made of. Above Ground pools can be made of anything from fiberglass to steel to aluminum to precast concrete and several other materials and combinations of materials.
Each of those material choices will change the price tag of the above ground pool you have installed.
If you are working to a specific budget, ask your above ground pool company to recommend the most affordable material choices for your pool.
The cost of your above ground pool depends on the material the pool is made of
Size and Shape
The next big factor in above ground pool costs is size and shape.
Size, of course, affects how much material needs to be used to construct the pool itself. However, it will also affect costs like freight, equipment required to position the pool, and other elements of the installation. Usually, the larger the pool you have installed, the higher the cost will be.
The shape can also be a factor in above ground pool prices. Some shapes are harder to produce, and some can only be achieved with specific materials. So before you decide on a shape, be sure to ask what the cost implications will be.
Browse our Plunge pool range and our Relax pool range and choose the size to fit your space
Pool Equipment
An above ground pool, or any pool for that matter, is more than just a bowl that you fill with water. There are all kinds of equipment that go into making a functional swimming pool.
You will need pumps, filters, chlorinators, and other functional equipment.
You might also choose to have optional equipment like water jets. All that equipment must be factored into the cost of installing an above ground pool.
Your Backyard and Pool Location
The next thing that will affect above ground pool prices is your backyard and pool location itself.
If you have a sloped or uneven backyard, you may require landscaping, earthworks, or backfilling before installing your above ground pool. All of those things will increase above ground pool installation costs.
If there’s vegetation, retaining walls, or some other feature in your pool’s location, that will need to be removed before the pool can be placed. All of that demolition and removing the materials from the site will add to the cost of your above ground pool.
Permits, Plans, and Other Legal Requirements
The next thing that will affect the cost of your above ground pool is permits plans and other legal requirements.
Different cities and municipalities will charge different fees for planning permission for projects like above ground pools. However, in most cases, because above ground pools are premanufactured, the cost of permits and planning permission is significantly lower than constructing an inground pool.
Make sure you find out what the cost will be before you get started, though, and ask your pool company what they usually assist with. Some might offer design drawings and other items that can make the whole process a lot easier and less costly.
Optional Extras
They say no man is an island, and no pool is a standalone feature.
Most people who have an above ground pool installed also install optional extras. This could be anything from a custom deck to designer lighting or a pool safety fence or cover.
Even optional design elements like tiling can change above ground pool costs. So make sure you ask what’s included in the base model and what will be an extra cost. That way, you can make an informed decision about the final design of your pool and everything that goes with it.
This Little Pool has an acrylic window increasing its purchase price
Above Ground Pool Maintenance Costs
Most modern above ground pools are designed to be low maintenance. But low maintenance does not mean no maintenance, and that’s especially true when you’re talking about a swimming pool.
Whether you install an in-ground pool or an above ground pool, you will need to keep the water clean and sanitized. That means you will need pumps, filters, chlorinators, and other equipment. Each of those pieces of equipment will also require consumables in the form of chemicals, filters, and other items.
Pool equipment also requires electricity to run, and your pool will need to be refilled from time to time. So be sure to budget for an increase in utilities too.
If you decide not to do your pool maintenance yourself, there are companies that offer that service. However, of course, you will need to budget for the cost of those services.
Finally, there is the maintenance of the pool itself. Most modern above ground pools will give you years of trouble-free service. However, nothing last forever, and eventually, your above ground pool might require repairs, resurfacing, or other maintenance. It’s a good idea to set aside some savings over time to cover those costs.
While we’re on the topic of costs, be sure you’re choosing brand-name equipment from reputable suppliers that have a strong local presence. It might be tempting to choose lower-cost imported items, but if you ever need spare parts or repairs, they might be much more difficult to find!
The Season You Install It
The last thing that can affect above ground pool costs comes as a surprise to many people. That is the season you choose to install it.
Like many industries, the pool industry often has seasonal sales, usually during slower times of the year. So you can often get a discounted deal in the spring or fall instead of midsummer.
However, if you do plan to install your above ground pool outside of the summer season, be prepared to be flexible about the installation schedule. Adverse weather, including rain, snow, high winds, and others, can make installing an above ground pool difficult or impossible. This means that the pool company may need to postpone your installation until the weather is better.
However, with a little planning, you can take advantage of seasonal sales and still be ready to use your pool in the summer.
How to Save on Above Ground Pool Costs
Now that you know what the average cost of above ground pools is and what’s likely to affect the cost of your pool, you might be wondering if there’s any way to save on above ground pool costs. Fortunately, there are several ways that you could lower the upfront and long-term costs of your above ground pool. These include:
- Doing the site preparation yourself – whether it’s removing obstacles in the way of your pool installation, cutting back vegetation, or even taking out a section of your fence for easier access, a little site prep upfront can cut the cost of installing your above ground pool
- Ask the above ground pool companies you’re talking to whether there are cheaper shapes, colors, and materials that you could choose – all of these things are factors in the final price of your above ground pool, and even making small changes can have a big impact on the cost
- Cut back on add-ons – even if you want to put all the bells and whistles on your above ground pool now, there are many things that can be done over time, so choosing to phase your pool installation accordingly could cut costs upfront
- Choose your pool equipment carefully – different types of pool pumps, chlorinators, and other equipment come with different long-term costs – ask your above ground pool company which systems offer the lowest running costs
Many above ground pool companies are happy to advise you about small changes you can make to your pool plan that will make a big impact on the bottom line. So if money is a factor, there may be changes you can make to make your pool dreams a little more affordable.
How Much Does a Pool Increase Home Values?
One of the things that offset the cost of an above-ground swimming pool is the increase you will see in your home value.
According to most real estate experts, adding a pool to your backyard can increase the value of your home by up to 7%. While that might not fully cover the cost of your pool, it certainly does offset some of the investment.
Do Above Ground Pools Save You Money?
The next factor you need to consider when you’re wondering about above ground pool costs is how much it’s likely to save your family. If you have a large family and your kids regularly request visits to outdoor pools and water parks, then you might already be spending a lot of money on pools every summer.
While the average cost of an above ground pool is not negligible, over the years, they will save your family money and offer many hours of nearly free entertainment.
How Can You Finance an Above Ground Pool?
Now that you have some idea of above ground pool prices, you might be wondering how your family could finance one in the near future.
There are several options you could explore to finance an above ground pool. If you’ve already built up significant equity in your home, and provided you can access it, that might be one option to finance an above ground pool.
Personal loans are another option you might consider to finance an above ground pool. Your bank might even have loans that are specifically tailored to home improvement financing.
There are even some credit cards these days that are specifically designed for home improvement projects. So there are several options you could explore to lower your initial costs and spread your above ground pool costs over several months or years.
Are Above Ground Swimming Pools a Good Investment?
If you’re wondering whether above-ground swimming pools are a good investment, you only need to think back a few years. At the beginning of the pandemic, everything shut down, and we were all stuck at home with nothing to do.
None of us ever expected to experience something like that in our lifetimes, but now that we have, scientists are saying we should prepare for the next time. If for no other reason than having something to do the next time we’re all stuck at home, investing in a pool is a great idea.
Let’s face it if we’re ever going to be locked down in the backyard again; we’d all much rather do it at the pool with a long cool drink.
Not to mention that your kids and grandkids we’ll think of your backyard as their number one destination. So if you love having family and friends around, adding an above ground pool is a great choice. There’s nothing quite like a pool for bringing families together, and children of all ages (even moody teens!) will love to have the option of splashing around in the summer sun.
Get Above Ground Pool Quotes
Can give you advice about what the average cost of above ground pools is and some idea about what might affect your installation; the only way to be completely sure what your dream pool will cost is to get above ground pool quotes.
As you can see, many of the factors that contribute. to above ground pool cost are related to where your pool will be installed. The only way to be completely sure of what the location and site conditions in your specific backyard are is for a pool company to do a site inspection.
Make sure that any pool companies you contact for quotes come to your home, take proper measurements, and make notes about where your pool is going to be installed.
While this won’t eliminate absolutely every surprise cost that might arise, it is the single best way to ensure that you get an accurate above ground pool quote.
The Little Pool Co. is located in Low Country, South Carolina, and we’ve been serving residents of the area for many years. We’re always happy to discuss pricing and options and to schedule a personal visit, so we can be absolutely sure you get the pool you want and a price that is accurate and fair.
