Is It Cheaper To Build Your Own Inground Pool?

Cooling off in a beautiful inground pool during hot summer days sounds like a tempting prospect – swimming pools are, after all, ideal for relaxation, playing, and sports activities. They also increase the value of the real estate, making them a wise investment, so if you’re thinking about building one, you may find yourself faced with the question, “Is it cheaper to build my own inground pool?”.

It is almost 50% cheaper to build your own inground pool. When you build your pool by yourself, you cut down on the labor costs you would need to pay for when having one professionally installed. However, if any of your DIY work isn’t expertly done, it can cost you a lot more in the long run.

Is It Cheaper To Build Your Own Inground Pool?

In this article, I’ll demonstrate the benefits of building your own pool vs. the benefits of using a professional crew. Let’s start!

Building Your Own Inground Pool – Advantages and Disadvantages

This may seem like a simple process, but in reality, it takes a lot of technical and construction know-how.

Advantages

  • It is a lot cheaper. The cost of an inground pool built by a professional crew ranges from $36,750 to $66,500, with the labor making 25% to 50% of the total cost. When you do the work yourself, there are no workers to pay. Depending on your needs and wants, The cost of an average DIY inground pool is around $12,000 for a 10 feet (3 m) pool.
  • The pool will be customized to your wishes. Everything will be exactly as you want it because you are the architect. This way, you’ll never find yourself trying to enjoy a nice swim and thinking, “I wish the steps were closer to the garden.”.
  • There is plenty of information to help you in your endeavor. Today, it’s easy to find many instructional videos, which makes your job a bit easier. This way, you can find great tips and find out the problems others have encountered, preventing you from having to deal with them yourself.
  • Building your own pool brings a sense of pride. Being able to enjoy something you built with your own two hands brings a tremendous sense of fulfillment. Knowing your time and sweat were poured into the construction makes an afternoon swim that much sweeter.

Disadvantages

  • Obtaining the permits can be a real pain. Although time-consuming, this is something you can’t skip because your pool needs to be inspected before you can have a swim. If you make any mistakes, you have to redo all the paperwork and go through the whole process again. Also, many states don’t allow you to build the pool on your own but require a licensed builder to supervise the construction.
  • Having no warranty or a limited one (when building with pool kits). If any major problems happen during the use or the process of building your swimming pool, you are the one responsible for the repair costs.
  • You need to rent all the equipment you don’t already have. And that often means most of it. Since you probably don’t have a digger in your shed, these are costs you can’t avoid.
  • Timelines tend to change – a lot. With all the other responsibilities you probably have, it’s sometimes hard to invest the time needed for pool construction. The longer your project keeps dragging on, the bigger the chance you’ll encounter problems, and don’t forget, there’s also the cost of the rental equipment!
  • You will encounter technical problems. Since you’ll be doing the work yourself, you’ll need to do all the construction, plumbing, and electrical work. From picking the correct location in regards to light and trees around it to pouring the concrete and ensuring the floor is level, or making sure the bedding material underneath your pool has been properly drained, you might find yourself in over your head in no time.
  • Excavation may prove difficult. Even if you disregard the removal of large rocks that sometimes require blasting, the biggest problem may come from the large pile of dirt sitting in your backyard.

Having a Professional Crew Build Your Inground Pool – Advantages and Disadvantages

An easier option for pool building is to hire a professional construction crew and just watch the work go on while sipping a cool soda in the shade.

Advantages

  • They will take care of all of your building permits. They’ll also make sure the pool is up to code and do all the heavy lifting. You only need to consult in the planning stage and make sure to explain all of your wants and needs.
  • They will provide needed insight. Seasoned professionals can help with suggestions since they can see and anticipate potential problems you cannot.
  • Getting a full warranty. If the builders make any mistakes during the construction process, they are responsible for it. Industry standards for most pool equipment offer a one-year warranty, although some companies provide an additional three-year warranty.
  • They provide all the equipment and materials. They also take care of removing the dirt after excavation and can even use it for the landscaping element of your pool if you choose to do so.
  • The process is much, much faster. A well-oiled crew works quickly and effectively and can finish up your pool in an average of two weeks. That, of course, depends on the additions you want for your pool, such as wooden decks, movable deck cover, lighting, counter-current swim machines, or a hydromassage jet system.

Disadvantages

  • It will cost more. A fully customized pool can cost up to $100,000.

Conclusion

Building your own pool might seem like an easy task, but it most often isn’t.

You might have the technical know-how, and the stars might align, making building your pool a piece of cake, but this rarely happens.

Your best bet is to hire a professional crew – even though the cost is high, it will prove to be the cheaper option in the long run.

If you’ve already made up your mind and are ready to throw yourself into this DIY project, I suggest at least consulting with experts to make your job easier and more high-quality.

Cheers, tools owners!

Hi there! My name is Jack and I write for ToolsOwner. I have a passion for everything related to tools and DIY projects around the house. You often find me in my workshop working on new projects.