Install Above Ground Pools questions, answered by experts
A fiberglass pool lasts up to 30 to 50 years with proper maintenance. For the longest possible lifespan, keep your pool water pH as close to seven as possible. Test your water levels regularly, run your pool filter daily, and avoid draining the pool. Once your pool is 20 to 30 years old, you can prolong the lifespan by refinishing the shell.
The total time to install an inground pool typically ranges from 8 weeks to 4 months. This timeline can be influenced by several factors, including permitting, site preparation, and the construction process itself.
Key phases and their typical durations include:
Permits: Obtaining necessary permits can take anywhere from two to six weeks.
Excavation and Site Preparation: This phase takes about a week but can be extended by problematic soil, unexpected ground conditions, or the need to move underground utility lines.
Construction: The actual build, including plumbing and electrical work, often takes one to two months. The pool material is a major factor here; a concrete pool needs about 30 days to cure, while installing a fiberglass or vinyl liner is much faster.
External factors can also cause significant delays:
Contractor Availability: Spring and summer are busy seasons, and high demand can lead to long waitlists, potentially adding months to your start date. It is often recommended to start planning and getting estimates up to a year in advance.
Other Delays: Weather, material shortages, complex designs, and other unforeseen challenges can extend the project timeline.
The average 12-by-24-foot in-ground pool costs $48,500, but depending on the features and materials, prices can trend even higher. You’ll spend less on a rectangular vinyl or fiberglass pool than on a concrete pool in an elevated style (think infinity pool or lagoon pool). Added features like heating, lighting, diving boards, or decking will increase your overall cost.
The disadvantages of container pools come down to flexibility and customization. Shipping containers come in standard sizes, so the sizes and shapes are limited. They also have a very distinctive look, which may not suit the aesthetic of your backyard.
Beyond that, while container pools are more affordable than in-ground pools, certain models can be more expensive. This includes the cost to heat your pool, since the metal walls have more heat transfer than other types of pools (which some brands circumvent with insulation).
It’s okay to leave a pool pump on 24-7. In fact, running it continuously has big upsides, including consistently distributing chemicals, keeping a steady pool temperature, preventing algae growth, and keeping pool water clean. However, there is a tradeoff—operating a pool pump around the clock increases energy costs and can take a toll on the pump’s longevity. If you want to run your pool pump all the time, invest in energy-saving equipment like a variable-speed pump.
The Argyle, MN homeowners’ guide to above ground pool installation services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Above ground pools are more affordable than inground pools, so can you put an above ground pool in the ground to save money? Learn when it’s safe to do so.
Can’t decide between an in-ground vs. above-ground pool? Explore the differences and find out which pool is the right fit for your property and budget.
