How Much Does Pool Liner Replacement Cost?

Average Pool Liner Replacement Cost

The average cost to replace a pool liner is $2,504, and most homeowners pay between $1,242 and $3,871. Some projects cost as much as $5,930 or as little as $352, depending on the type and size of the pool, liner type, and other factors. 

Pool liners are essential for maintaining water in your pool, preventing leaks, protecting pools from interior damage, and keeping mold and algae at bay—all while enhancing the visual appearance of your pool. 

Liner Cost by Pool Type

In-ground pool liner replacement is almost always more expensive than replacing a liner for an aboveground pool:

• Aboveground pool liners: $500–$900

• In-ground pool liners: $1,200–$2,100

In-ground pool liners require more labor to access, remove, and replace. They also tend to have steps that make liner replacement more challenging, which leads to the higher price tag.

Cost by Liner Type

The type of pool liner affects its price, with options ranging from as little as $200 to as much as $1,000. There are three types of liners: overlap, beaded, and uni-bead liners. Here are the average cost ranges for each of them:

• Beaded liner: $500–$1,000

• Overlap liner: $200–$600

• Uni-bead liner: $400–$900

Cost by Pool Size and Shape

The average cost of pool liner replacement is $5 per square foot, meaning that prices rise for larger pools. What’s more, liner replacement in L-shaped or kidney-shaped pools is more expensive than standard rectangular or oval pools. Custom pool shapes and depths also require custom liners, which are more expensive than prefabricated options.

Here’s the average cost of pool liner replacement based on pool size: 

Pool Liner Specialist Costs

Labor costs for installing an aboveground pool liner range from $250 to $800, while in-ground pool liner installation costs between $1,000 and $2,500. You may have to pay more if you have a custom-shaped pool, custom steps, or other non-standard shapes and depths.

When you hire a pro to replace your pool liner, they will:

• Drain the pool

• Remove the old liner

• Measure and order a new liner

• Install the new liner

• Refill and clean up the pool 

Additional Pool Liner Cost Factors

Other factors can affect pool liner replacement costs, including material, liner thickness, and more. Here’s what you can expect: 

• Liner material: $300–$4,000 for vinyl, $500–$1,000 for waterproofing plaster, $1,000–$8,000 for fiberglass, $2,000–$70,000 for tile

• Liner thickness: $300–$500 more expensive for thicker liners 

• Draining a pool: $500–$700

• Filling a pool with water: $90–$270

• Permits: $150–$300, if required

• Disposal of the old liner: $75–$150

Pool Liner Repair vs. Replacement Costs 

Pool liner replacement is more expensive than repairs:

• Pool liner repair costs: $100–$500 (though the price might extend to $2,500, depending on the damage)

• Average cost to replace a pool liner: $2,504

Here’s when you might repair a pool liner:

• The liner is relatively new (under 5–7 years old).

• You have small tears or punctures (less than 2–3 inches long), and they’re not close to seams, corners, or the filtration system.

• Minor wrinkles aren’t affecting the structure or causing leaks.

• Sun damage is cosmetic and limited to areas near the waterline.

• You have slow, localized leaks that can be patched.

• There are small areas of floor damage that haven’t affected the liner’s integrity.

• The liner’s bead is slipping out of the track.

• It’s in good condition otherwise.

You should replace the pool liner in the following situations: 

• The liner is over 8 to 12 years old.

• The liner has a major tear, especially if it’s close to the filtration system, corners, or seams.

• Sun exposure has caused the vinyl to become dry, brittle, or cracked.

• Your pool liner has major wrinkles and bulges.

• It’s pulling away from the corners, walls, or track.

• There are multiple patches, suggesting the liner is deteriorating.

• The bead won’t stay in the track, even with a liner lock.

• There's floor damage underneath (like washed-out sand, vermiculite collapse, or ground movement).

• The liner has extensive staining, mold, or algae growth.

• You're doing a major pool renovation.

If you choose to repair the liner, you can attempt some jobs yourself. Otherwise, hire a local pool repair service to do it for you; they can also advise on whether a replacement is needed instead. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Replace a Pool Liner

You’ll pay around $30 to $50 per hour in labor costs for pool liner replacement, so you’d save on those fees if you DIY. You’ll still have to pay for the liner itself, as well as the cost of draining and refilling the pool, which will total about $300 to $1,000. 

That said, it's always recommended to hire a pro. Here’s why:

• Installing a new liner can be a challenging task.

• The liner should be custom-manufactured to fit the exact shape and slope of your pool floor.

• An improperly installed pool liner can wrinkle, become damaged along the bead tracks, or even rip. 

• You may void your pool liner warranty if you attempt to install it yourself, as some companies won’t honor the warranty unless a professional is responsible for the installation. 

You might consider a DIY job if you have experience installing pool liners, but a pool liner installation company near you has the expertise to ensure your liner fits your pool correctly and lasts for years to come. 

How to Save on Pool Liner Costs

Here are a few ways you can save money when replacing your pool liner:

1. Avoid upgraded features: That stunning pattern or rich color you've been eyeing will inevitably cost more than a plain, traditional liner. Stick with a simple design to reduce costs by $300 to $700.

2. Replace during the slow season: While everyone else may jump to replace their liners in spring and early summer, you might get a 5% to 20% discount if you wait until the end of summer or fall to have a pool company replace your pool liner due to lower demand.

3. Maintain your pool: Routine pool maintenance ensures that your pool’s liner lasts as long as possible, ultimately saving you money on unnecessary replacements and repairs, which can cost $300 to $1,000+.

4. Choose a high-quality pool liner: Though it might seem counterintuitive, a high-quality liner gives you more bang for your buck by lowering how frequently you need to replace or repair it. 

5. Clean your pool regularly: To protect your pool and liner from deterioration, clean your pool filter at least once a month during the swimming season and a few times during the offseason. This will remove algae, debris, dirt, sunscreen, and lotion residue from your pool.

6. Repair over replace, if possible: Contact a pool professional to determine if your liner can be repaired rather than replaced. You’ll pay an average of $300 for a repair, while a full replacement averages $2,504.