An aboveground pool should be level within 1 inch—and it starts to become unsafe after a couple of inches. Any slope will lead to an uneven distribution of water, which will put pressure on your pool’s structure, wearing down the pool liner. In certain cases, it could cause your pool to collapse. Even if you’re within a safe window, you may still notice that the water level is uneven.

A stock tank pool is far cheaper than an in-ground pool. Installing an inground pool costs $55,000 on average, while a stock tank pool costs around $945 to install.

It is generally not recommended to place a pool directly on grass. Doing so will kill the grass underneath, and the surrounding lawn may also be damaged by heavy foot traffic and splashes of chemically-treated water. For best results, create a clean, level surface by removing the grass and debris. You can then install a sturdier base using materials like sand, a concrete pad, or solid foam.

Rectangular pools are the most popular inground pool shape, due to their adaptability to different uses, from swimming laps to hosting parties. These pools can easily include other sought-after features, such as tanning ledges, waterfalls, sport nets, and more. Rectangular pools are also often easier to install and maintain, and prefabricated rectangular pools generally have a shorter installation time, so you can start enjoying your pool faster.