Cue the Tool Time intro!! (Tim Allen–Home Improvement reference for the younger readers).
Do you have a DIY Inground Pool idea in mind, but want to cut out the contractors like Tim and Al? Well we can certainly help you with that!
For 25 years Pool Warehouse has been helping customers cut out the middleman and achieve their DIY dreams. And in this article, we will outline the costs, types, and problems that can come with starting an Inground Pool Project.
DIY Inground Vinyl Liner Pool Kit
The bread and buttah! Vinyl Liner Inground kits have been around since the mid-1950’s! And for some of you, the installers you might encounter in your search for aid with your project, will probably tell you they’ve been around just as long! In those cases, it can be hit or miss. But, on a positive note, due to the length of time in which these pools have been around, there have been many before you that have tried and succeeded in this process–encountering every problem, miscommunication, and brick wall that can be encountered. So, in terms of available information for installing a DIY Inground Vinyl Liner Pool Kit, there is no short supply there. Don’t forget Pool Warehouse offers DIY pool installation videos to help with the process! Check out our YouTube page for detailed step by step diy pool kit installation videos.
How much will a DIY Inground Pool Kit cost?
The Average upfront cost for a DIY Vinyl Inground Kit is around 8k-10k for some of the smaller and more basic models. However, this is going to be the cost for the pool walls only–or structure. Installed and built projections are about 30k-40k. Any Inground kit, regardless of type, is going to have an add on cost due to the other items that buyers will want to add. For example, an Aqua Genie skimmer, Pool Krete (Vermiculite and Portland Cement for the floor of the pool), LED Lights, lighting systems, salt systems, more powerful pumps and filters, waterfalls, additional seating like benches (steel or polymer), and especially, customizations to the dig of the kit (Ex: 10’ depth style of pool as opposed to the industry standard 8’ Type 2 diving pool) will be considered add ons to the entire kit price. If you’re ready to start pricing your kit, quickly access Pool Shapes and size or read on to see if this project is right for you!
Tips and tricks of the trade: If potential customers decide to go with a steel wall pool kit and have a salt system, adding wall foam and adhesive spray to the order would be a wise decision. It protects the walls from any type of possible damage should the liner get punctured and water seam behind it!
Here is a small break down of what this process will cost overall:
- The rental cost for excavators and equipment is $2,000 per week (the installation process takes 4-8 weeks).
- Concrete hand tools cost between $100 and $300.
- Vermiculite or grout: Installation$2500-$3000.
- Other small equipment: $500 and up
DIY Fiberglass Inground Pool Kit
Next up on our list is the Fiberglass Inground Pool! These pools come pre-formed in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made from a gel-coated fiberglass material that is durable and easy to maintain. The price range for fiberglass pools starts from around $30,000 to $70,000. This cost includes the pool shell, delivery, installation, and basic equipment such as pump and filter, but not the cost of excavation and electric or plumbing connections. The process for delivery entails the pool being craned into the excavated hole and then backfilled with gravel and sand to provide a level base. Additionally, the fiberglass pool installation process is a bit complex, but one of the major advantages of the fiberglass pool is that it is installed in a day and does not require a coping and pool deck.
Important things to consider when installing a Fiberglass Pool:
- Obviously, you’re doing your own installation (all equipment rentals, and labor)
- Managing the dirt from the excavation on the dig site. (Typically, there is about 1.35 tons of dirt per cubic yard in a 3x3x3 range. So, unless you have space on your property where the dirt can be kept, be prepared to have it hauled away.)
- Installing the shell correctly. (One of the downsides to installing a Fiberglass Inground Pool, is the semi-fragile nature of the shell. If this shell is not leveled when installed with the crane, your pool shell can crack and what is called “Spider Cracks” can occur. It is fixable, but having any of the structural integrity compromised during this process can cost even more money–and depending on the severity of the damage, possibly starting over and buying a whole new pool.)
- Making sure to equalize the pressure from the water in the pool when backfilling. (When backfilling the Fiberglass Inground Pool, you want to make sure that the water inside the pool is filled near the top so that the outside pressure from the backfilling materials doesn’t crack the pool–again semi-fragile.)
- Choosing the right coping for your pool. (For Fiberglass Inground Pools, you can choose between Cantilever coping and paver coping. Depending on what kind of deck you want around the pool, this will choose your answer.)
Cost Breakdown for Fiberglass Pool Installation process:
- The rental cost for excavators and equipment is $2,000 per week.
- Crane lift is about $1000. (Depending on area)
- Backfill Materials range between $1000 and $2000.
- Plumbing Materials are in the range of $400-$600.
- Other small equipment: $500 and up.
DIY Concrete Inground Pool Kit
And, last, but certainly not least is the DIY Concrete Inground Pool! These pools are the most expensive option, with prices starting at $50,000 and going up to $100,000 or more, but they are also the most customizable and long-lasting option. Concrete pools can be built in any shape or size, and the finish can be customized with tiles or other materials. One major disadvantage of a concrete pool is that it takes more time to build, and also it requires a lot of knowledge about the construction industry–meaning you are building this structure from the ground up!
For this type of pool construction, we recommend that customers hire a professional installer to perform this job due to the high amount of concrete work and much needed professional insight. More often than not, concrete pools’ longevity can be greatly diminished if the person installing them (your average homeowner) doesn’t have a good amount of years of experience in construction and concrete work. That being said, we highly recommend homeowners hire a professional pool installers to build a concrete inground pool for the reasons listed above.
Obviously the homeowners insight into this project is paramount, but without the pairing of a professional construction guide, the project could suffer.
DIY Pool Problems
1. Lacking Insight
DIYing any type of project entails that there will be a certain amount of guesswork. However, in attempting a DIY Inground Pool Kit project, there needs to be as little guesswork as possible. Luckily for our customers that elect to engage in such a process, we have a full YouTube channel dedicated to walking customers through the installation process–even including specific installs like tanning ledges and polymer wall set up and backfilling process.
2. Install Timeline
The average lead time for receiving one of our Inground Pool Kits is about 3-4 weeks–compared to the national average of 5-6 weeks. Additionally, the install process will be about 2-4 weeks (depending on whether or not all equipment is available and ready to use). The biggest concern for new pool owners here will be making sure that they have everything lined up and ready to go for this project to get completed in a timely manner. Inground Pool Kit projects can develop many issues if the project gets paused for a long amount of time (a couple of weeks or months). Unfortunately, these types of projects are not ones that customers can start and stop multiple times for convenience. Once the project has started, pool owners will have to make sure they are ready and that resources are available so as to avoid major complications with time and funds.
3. Warranties
Once a customer purchases an Inground Pool Kit from Pool Warehouse, they will have a manufacturer’s warranty attached to the kit. This warranty will have a lifetime guarantee – meaning if there is anything wrong with the craftsmanship of the actual pool materials (panels, bolts, etc.) then they can contact the manufacturer to have it resolved and replaced. However, if the issue with the pool is one caused by incorrect installation, then it would not be covered under warranty.
This can cause some worry for first time pool owners/installers. For this reason, we highly recommend that new customers access all of our installation videos on PoolWarehouse.com and call our offices for advice and instruction about our kits. To reiterate, Pool Warehouse recommends that new customers or first time installers, contact us immediately if there are any questions regarding the kit or installation. We would be more than happy to help make your dream a reality!
Regardless of the type of pool you choose, there are several important factors to consider when planning a DIY inground pool project. One of the most important is obtaining all necessary permits and inspections, as well as following local building codes. In addition, you’ll need to consider the size and shape of the pool, as well as the type of equipment and materials you’ll need. In addition to the cost of the pool itself, you’ll need to budget for excavation, plumbing, electrical, and other related expenses. Additionally, you’ll need to consider the ongoing costs of maintaining and operating the pool, such as electricity, chemicals, and pool maintenance. Lastly, it’s important to consider the experience and skills required to do the installation. Installing an inground pool is not a small project, it requires a lot of experience, knowledge, and skills in construction, plumbing, and electrical work.
Overall, a DIY inground pool can be a cost-effective solution for those who are handy and have some experience with construction. However, it’s important to weigh the costs, types, and potential problems before deciding to take on such a project. It is also essential to work with professionals and experts to have the required safety and quality standards.
For discussions regarding starting the DIY Inground Pool Kit process, please reach out to [email protected], visit our website poolwarehouse.com, or call our offices at 800-515-1747–which are open M-F 9 a.m EST-6 p.m EST.
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