Ah, the dog days of summer. The heat may be driving you mad, but a dip in the pool can be wonderfully refreshing! Plus, having an above-ground pool is a great way to enjoy quality time with friends and family. Choosing an above-ground pool over an in-ground pool allows you to enjoy owning a pool without certain downsides that are specific to inground pools.
For example, you won’t have to dig a basin on your property and have to endure heavy equipment, noise, and work crews during installation. In contrast, an above-ground pool is relatively easy to install, has a basin that rests on the ground, and is typically supported by a resin or metal frame.
That sounds well and good, you say. But, how much does an above-ground pool cost? We’re glad you asked. Keep on reading for the answer below.
Standard above-ground pool costs
Inflatable pools are the cheapest. You could purchase a 42-inch deep, 15-foot diameter inflatable pool for as little as $350. Prices go up from there, with larger, higher-end inflatable pools going anywhere from $700 to $900. (Kiddie pools don’t count here. You can grab them for less than 50 bucks.)
The next step up is resin- and metal-framed pools. Because they have more materials and are more durable, you can expect to pay more too. Ordinary prices for a 48-inch deep, 15-foot diameter above-ground pool will range between $600 to $700. As with inflatable pools, the prices go up as the pool’s size increases. For a 52-inch deep, rectangular pool that measures 18-feet by 9-feet, you’re looking at paying between $1,200 and $1,400.
A slight upgrade from there involves rigid steel walls. Tack on another one hundred to two hundred dollars for it. Additional fees come with professional installation. If you don’t want to do it by yourself, you’ll likely pay up to $3,233 to have professionals install the pool for you.
With that said, understand that an above-ground swimming pool price will almost never be as high as an in-ground pool’s. In fact, in-ground pools are typically more than 25 times as expensive! Regular prices range between $37,000 and $67,000.
Therefore, even the most expensive above-ground pool is a bargain.
Maintenance and repair of your above-ground pool
Keep to a maintenance schedule and your above-ground swimming pool should be relatively easy to take care of. A regular schedule can provide you with the opportunity to catch and repair simple problems before they become major issues, which is a good thing since minor problems can rapidly escalate with above-ground pools.
When cleaning your pool, make sure never to use abrasives. Instead, stick with a mild soap solution to keep everything clean. Additionally, metal parts on the pool’s frame and walls might need a wax coating to keep them from rusting. You can also repair small slits and holes with a patch kit. However, here’s where things get dicey. You need to repair holes as soon as they’re discovered because if they get larger, they’ll rapidly become too big to handle without professional help.
Just like with in-ground pools, you’ll need to treat the water and ensure that it’s filtered with an electric skimmer/filter system.
Above-ground pool installation
As noted above, you can install an above-ground pool yourself or have professionals do it for you. Doing it yourself isn’t the hardest thing in the world, but you should have some DIY experience. Plus, you should have some time that you can set aside and dedicate to the pool’s installation. Typical installation times can be anywhere from a week to 10 days when putting the pool together by yourself.
You might want to get a jump start on building your pool and getting it ready for summer by starting construction in the spring. However, it’s best to build your above-ground pool when there isn’t going to be any harsh weather. So, no rain or wind. If you need to wait until summer starts in earnest, it’s probably a good idea to do so. If you don’t like the idea of taking almost two weeks to build the pool, professionals can do it for you in one or two days.
Finally, be sure to check with your local permitting office. You wouldn’t think so, but many communities demand that you apply for a permit before building an above-ground pool, which means you may have to tack on additional permit fees to the overall cost of purchase and installation.
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