15 DIY Inground Pool Projects: Do It Yourself Easily (2023)

FAQs

Can I build my own inground pool? ›

Yes. But just like the Visa commercials, having a pool our family can enjoy for many years to come: Priceless. While it is a lot of work, I would definitely explore the option of building your own pool. Not only are you able to have a hand in the entire process, but you also stand to save thousands of dollars.

Inground pool costs differ depending on the pool's material as well as its shape and size. According to HomeGuide, the total cost of an inground pool ranges from $28,000 to $55,000, or about $50 to $125 per square foot. That's an average cost of $35,000.

Are inground pool kits worth it? The initial cost of inground pool kits can save you money right off the bat, but in the long run you might end up spending a lot more money and experience more delays or setbacks than you would if you left it up to an experienced professional.

Overall, installing your own inground fiberglass pool can save you between 6 and 10 thousand dollars. However, if something goes wrong, you might end up spending a lot more trying to fix it. You may also experience more delays or setbacks than you would if you left it up to an experienced professional.

Total Time to Build a Pool: 8 to 12 Weeks on Average

After designing, acquiring permits, excavating, installing the shell or gunite, and finishing with a deck or patio, you can finally enjoy your backyard oasis!

To get the pool you want you may be able to achieve it with a vinyl liner pool. Concrete, plaster and fiberglass pools cost much more to design and install. Pools with vinyl liners will last more than 20 years, as long as the liner is replaced every 6-12 years.

Overall, vinyl liner pools are the cheapest inground swimming pools that money can buy. It's rare to find a pool builder who can build a concrete or fiberglass pool at a vinyl liner pool price.

What is the cheapest in ground pool to build? ›

Vinyl liner pools are generally the cheapest inground pools with regard to upfront costs; however, their costs can increase significantly based on a number of factors. A ballpark figure on the lower end for an inground 12' x 24' vinyl liner pool with installation is around $42,000.

Kidney shapes can be a smart choice for those on a budget. The curved design allows for more square footage of actual swimming area—but with lower perimeter footage, which costs more to build.

Remember that swimming pools are only deductible if they're only used for medical purposes. If they're used at all recreationally, they aren't tax deductible. Is a pool considered a home improvement for taxes? Yes, a pool is considered a capital improvement because it adds value to your home.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn't have an official age recommendation for when babies can go in pools, but most pediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is about 6 months old or can hold their head up well on their own (around 4 to 5 months).

If you plan to have a fun pool for lots of activities, then you'll want to consider a pool that is a minimum depth of 3 feet to accommodate both adults and children, and a maximum depth of 5 or 6 feet for safety.

If you're about to install an inground or above-ground pool on your property, then grounding and bonding must be done properly. You may already have a swimming pool, but you still need to check, because there's still the potential for shocks and electrocution if anything's been done improperly.

Concrete – Most Expensive and labor intensive construction of all. The pool finish can be abrasive on the bottom of the feet, especially once the swimmers feet become 'pruney' and extra soft.

Doing the Math

Real estate experts estimate that an average 14x28-foot inground concrete pool potentially adds 5 to 8 percent to the real estate value of your home. If your property is worth $400,000, you'll realize a boost to the value of your property of about $20,000 to $32,000.

A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.

What is the easiest inground pool to install? ›

Fiberglass pools are the simplest, and least expensive type of inground pool you can get. They're the easiest to install because the pool shell is made of fiberglass and is manufactured before installation.

Most pool projects take, on average, between 8 and 12 weeks, depending on the scope of the project. But many factors can affect your pool building timeline, including the time of year you plan to build among other things.

Digging. No matter what type of pool you want to install, digging is the first step of installation. Mark the area that needs digging, then start moving dirt with an excavator.

Wait about 20 minutes after adding balancing chemicals to your newly filled pool, and you should be good to swim. Calcium chloride – If you have hard water issues, it's advised to wait about 2-4 hours before swimming after adding calcium chloride to soften your pool's water—or until one filter cycle has been completed.

Generally, about 30 days, and a few rains or watering, will be sufficient time for the backfill to settle, before adding slabs of concrete on top. Pouring the deck too soon can result in an uneven or tilted pool deck.

After the concrete is sprayed on, it needs time to reach its full potential. It doesn't dry, per se. It hardens and strengthens in a long process called curing. For a pool shell, this takes about 28 days.

A fiberglass pool is not prone to growing algae, which is one of the main reasons why this pool is easier to maintain. Anyone who is looking for a pool that doesn't require a lot of maintenance may want to consider going with a fiberglass pool.

Often times, the most discounts and best deals are available in the winter. If a low price is your main concern, then the winter is the best time to build your dream pool. Manufacturers tend to increase prices for the New Year, so be sure to contact a builder sometime before January.

Fall/Winter

Fall and winter are undoubtedly the best times to install an inground pool as you can guarantee your pool will be ready for the next swim season. Another reason why booking in your pool build at this time is a great idea is because it can help you ensure your yard is in the right shape.

How often should inground pool water be changed? ›

Generally, pool water needs to be replaced once every five to seven years. This should be done during mild weather so that your pool surface is not at risk from strong sunlight and heat. Your pool maintenance company can recommend when it is time to drain your pool.

Using untreated pine lumber or cedar pallets is best, DIY expert Brock Jurgensen told Country Living, as they're naturally resistant to insects and rot. Depending on how many pallets you use, final results can range from single-person Japanese-style soaking tubs to nearly full-sized aboveground pools.

Building a DIY swimming pool would be a fun summer project. Traditional swimming pools require money and commitment. A DIY pool is a convenient option for those who want something cheaper that's also less maintenance. If you've never considered a swimming pool as a DIY endeavor, it's time to reconsider.

How small can an in-ground pool be? Most of the smallest in-ground pools across all pool types, on average, are around 12' by 24', 10' by 15', or even a 10' x 10' Spool/Cocktail pool! In-ground pools can be even smaller.

A pool can increase not only your social worth but also the value of your home. However, the increase is probably not as much as you think. According to HouseLogic, there's no real guarantee that you'll make your money back. In fact, adding a swimming pool may only increase your home's value by 7%.

In Texas, it's a legal requirement to have a permit for your pool, and this applies to both commercial and residential properties. Luckily for you, here at Claffey Pools, we're experts in all areas of swimming pool construction, installation and design.

The short answer is, absolutely! Plans are needed to build a swimming pool because whenever the nature of the work involved excavation of land, plumbing, draining and electricity supply, the Local authority has to be informed. There's no getting around it, so whatever you do, do it legally.

Vinyl liner pools are generally the cheapest inground pools with regard to upfront costs; however, their costs can increase significantly based on a number of factors. A ballpark figure on the lower end for an inground 12' x 24' vinyl liner pool with installation is around $42,000.

Pools with vinyl liners will last more than 20 years, as long as you replace your liner every 6-12 years. Concrete pools have exceptional longevity, but you need to resurface the concrete every 10 years or so. Fiberglass pools have the longest lifespans of any in-ground pool, often easily surpassing 30 years.

In fact, some species of snakes are actually attracted to salt water and will actively seek it out. Second, even if you don't have a problem with snakes getting into your pool, there's always the possibility that one could end up in there accidentally.

What are the risks for an inground pool? ›

If your state authorities do not allow putting up a pool without a permit, the chances are that you can be slapped with hefty fines. In case you have constructed one without a permit, you may even have to demolish the pool.

Every pool in Texas must be completely enclosed within a fence that is at least 48 inches tall. This fence must not be made from climbable material, like chain links for instance. A fence can only have climbable features, such as horizontal slats, if they are on the same side as the pool.

It's also important to note that pools cannot be in the front yard and can't be too close to the property line. So, how far does a pool have to be from the house in Texas? The rule is at least 5 feet away.

But hey, do you know that you can get the job done without digging? Well, yes, you can! Just think it to be a much more comfortable and cost-effective way to level your pool for the ultimate summer fun.

If you're about to install an inground or above-ground pool on your property, then grounding and bonding must be done properly.

A splash pad or spray pool is a recreation area, often in a public park, for water play that has little or no standing water. This is said to eliminate the need for lifeguards or other supervision, as there is little risk of drowning.