Fiberglass pools cost $47,000 on average, with most homeowners spending between $24,333 to $70,000. When you choose a fiberglass pool for your outdoor oasis, you’ll spend less money on maintenance, save on energy bills, and enjoy the pool for years to come.
The total cost to install a fiberglass swimming pool will vary depending on many factors, including the pool’s size and installation site. Owning a pool and keeping it in working condition will also accrue expenses over time.
Want extra amenities like a diving board or pool lighting? We’ve got those costs covered, too. Check out our pricing guide below to better estimate how much installing a fiberglass pool will cost you.
How Much Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost?
- Average National Cost: $47,000
- Typical Cost Range: $24,333 to $70,000
The average cost to build a fiberglass in-ground swimming pool is $47,000. The average price range is typically between $24,333 and $70,000.
Your total costs may vary depending on your specific pool project. Large pools that require extensive land preparation may cost above $70,000 to build. If you’re planning to add pool amenities, such as a deck, pool house, or privacy fence, then expect your total bill to increase.
Remember: You might also want to budget for the additional costs of owning a pool, such as routine pool maintenance, increased homeowner’s insurance, and increased property taxes.
Cost Estimator by Pool Design
A fiberglass swimming pool is a premade shell placed in an excavated hole made to fit the shell’s shape and size.
Because the manufacturer premakes the shell, your fiberglass pool’s shape and size are not customizable. When shopping for your pool, your design choice will be limited to what the manufacturer has available.
There are many pool designs to choose from, and prices will vary. A standard fiberglass shape is rectangular, though many manufacturers produce “freeform” styles, such as the kidney shape.
The size of your pool will have the most significant effect on costs. Larger pools require more materials and labor, raising your bill.
Small fiberglass pools are an ideal choice if you’re building a pool on a budget.
The bottom line: The bigger your pool, the more you can expect to pay for material and labor costs. Your pool’s shape might also increase overall costs, depending on the manufacturer and how the shape impacts land excavation.
Other Factors That Affect Cost
Your pool’s shape and size aren’t the only factors impacting your total spending. You’ll also need to take into account the costs of labor for installation and the long-term expenses of owning a pool:
- Location: Your pool’s location will determine how much land clearing and excavation need to take place. It will also determine how well the pool builders can access the site.
- Increased Property Taxes: A fiberglass pool is likely to improve your home’s value (which means your property taxes will go up).
- Increased Insurance: Owning a pool increases the risk of injury on your property.
- Permit: Before installing your pool, you may need to apply for an expensive permit.
- Packages: Your pool builder may offer various pool amenities at a reduced rate as part of a pool installation package.
- Pool Maintenance: To keep your pool in working condition, you’ll need to perform proper maintenance and upkeep.
Location
Before installing your new fiberglass pool, the pool building pros will need to excavate the land. In some cases, the pool’s location can have a significant impact on total labor costs.
Here are a few examples of how the location of your new pool can increase your bill:
- If the pool site is in a hard-to-reach area, pool installers may need to take a more challenging route to excavate the land and transport the fiberglass pool shell. These extra steps will likely require more expensive tools and increase total labor hours.
- Is your pool site located on a hill? If so, the workers likely will need to do some sloping and grading to get the land just right for your new pool, leading to higher costs.
- If existing landscaping is blocking the site, then the pros will have to clear the land. For instance, if a tree currently stands where you want your pool, expect to pay between $385 to $1,070 for tree removal.
- If the location’s soil is rocky, you can expect to see an additional fee on your bill. Why? Because excavating rocky soil can damage or dull the equipment your pros are using.
Increased Property Taxes
When estimating the costs to build your new pool, it’s important to remember a pool involves long-term expenses. Installing a fiberglass pool is likely to increase your home’s value, leading to higher property taxes.
Increased Insurance
Another long-term cost is homeowner’s insurance. Pools bring great fun and joy to the home, but they also increase the risk of someone getting hurt on your property. Because of the increased risk, adding a pool to your home will lead to higher insurance payments.
Permit
Before building your pool, you may need to acquire an expensive builder’s permit. Permit requirements vary by state, city, and county, and it’s your responsibility to determine whether you need to apply for a permit.
Permits can be expensive, typically ranging between $475 and $1,900.
Packages
Some pool building companies offer pool installation packages. These packages typically include various installation services in addition to building your pool.
A pool installation package is similar to how a lawn care package plan works, in which you pay a flat fee for various services instead of paying a higher price for each service separately. In most cases, opting for a package plan means you’re paying for the included services at a reduced rate.
A small pool package plan will be less expensive than a large package plan, but it won’t include many amenities. Bigger pool installation packages may lead to higher costs, but they contain more installation services, such as building a deck or fence around the pool.
Talk to your pool building professional about how paying for all the services at once — bundling these services — can save on your costs.
Pool Maintenance
Fiberglass pools are among the easiest pool types to maintain.
On average, homeowners spend between $1,080 to $1,800 per year to maintain their swimming pools. Fiberglass pools have the lowest annual maintenance costs, typically averaging between $375 and $600.
Finishes
All fiberglass pools have a gel coat finish that the pros spray onto the pool shell’s surface. You can opt for a solid color finish or go with a multi-coat finish that contains various layers, tones, and colors.
Remember that multi-color finishes are more expensive than a solid finish and are more challenging to repair.
When you have a solid finish that needs fixing, it’s simple to match the new gel coat color with the old.
When a multi-coat gel finish needs repairing, it isn’t easy to match the new finish with the older layer of multiple colors.
Add-ons and Extra Services
We’ve reviewed the long-term and necessary expenses for your new fiberglass pool, but how much will adding attractive features to your oasis affect your spending?
From romantic pool lighting to a tropical landscape design, these bells and whistles will transform your pool into a backyard vacation spot (as long as you’ve got your checkbook ready).
- Pool Lighting: Helps ensure safety and keeps the pool party going after dark.
- Pool Decking: Pool decks, usually made of pavers or wood, provide an area to dry off and relax.
- Pool Fencing: Enhances privacy and helps protect children from entering the pool.
- Pool Tiling: Pool tiles add an extra layer of beauty to the pool.
- Landscaping: A tropical (or other visually and texturally rich) landscape makes your pool surroundings more inviting and appealing.
- Heater: Offers a more comfortable swim for more months of the year.
- Diving Board and Pool Slide: You’ll have the best pool parties on the block with a diving board and slide.
- Water Features: The sound of splashing water will put you at ease as you relax in the sun.
- Pool Cover: Pool covers keep out debris, retain heat, and help prevent drownings.
- Pool Enclosure: Pool enclosures offer many of the same benefits as an indoor pool. The biggest benefit, of course, being that the enclosure keeps the leaves from getting in your pool.
- Pool House: From extra storage space to a cozy guest room, a pool house can prove a useful feature.
- Saltwater Conversion: If swimming in harsh chemicals is a concern, you may like the swimming experience a saltwater system has to offer.
Pool Lighting
Pool lights typically range from $617 to $1,567. Smaller LED lights start around the low end of the scale, while fiber optics sell near the high end.
Why install pool lights? Lights in your fiberglass pool can:
- Help ensure safety when getting in and out of the pool after dark.
- Help you to clearly see the pool when walking near it at night.
- Set the mood for a romantic evening outdoors.
- Keep the fun pool parties going long after the sun goes down.
Pool Decking
A pool deck’s size and building materials will have the most significant impact on its total costs. On average, homeowners spend between $3,600 and $15,733 to install a deck around their pool.
A pool deck provides a sturdy foundation for outdoor entertainment, basking in the sun, and drying off without getting soil and grass stuck to your wet feet.
Pool Fencing
Pool fences help enhance privacy and keep pets and children from entering the pool area. If you’re laying out in the sun, a tall privacy fence can shield the eyes of curious neighbors.
Installing a pool fence costs between $1,700 and $8,133 on average, with self-latching gates costing $200 to $366 each.
Common pool fencing materials include:
- Ornamental designs
- Tempered glass
- Aluminum
- Plexiglass
- Chain-link
- Wood
- Mesh
Pool Tiling
Tiles made of glass, porcelain, or natural stone can make a beautiful finish for your pool. Tile prices start around $1.60 per square foot but can cost as much as $100 per square foot for high-end materials or handmade mosaics.
Pool tiles can get expensive, but they certainly can make your fiberglass pool one of a kind with their remarkable designs.
| TILE | AVERAGE COST |
| Porcelain | $2 to $50 Per Square Foot |
| Natural Stone | $5 to $30 Per Square Foot |
| Glass | $7 to $50 Per Square Foot |
Landscaping
If the surrounding area around your pool doesn’t make you feel like you’re on vacation, then your landscape may need a facelift. From swaying palm trees to boulder or faux-rock retaining walls, you can transform your landscape into the private island of your dreams.
Landscaping costs most homeowners between $4,000 and $20,317, though this will vary depending on the project and the design you want.
| LANDSCAPING PROJECT | AVERAGE COST |
| Sod Installation | $0.87 to $1.76 per square foot |
| Pathway Installation | $8 to $22 per square foot |
| Tree and Bush Planting | $25 to $3,000 |
| Flower Bed Planting | $650 to $3,000 |
| Pergola Installation | $2,216 to $8,959 |
| Retaining Wall Installation | $4,025 to $8,711 |
| Outdoor Kitchen Installation | $5,057 to $17,276 |
| Gazebo Installation | $5,364 to $9,027 |
Heater
Pool heaters make for a more comfortable swim on those chilly days. They can also lengthen your swimming season as outdoor temperatures begin to drop. On average, pool heaters cost between $1,833 and $6,483.
Diving Board and Pool Slide
Throw in an extra dose of fun with a diving board or pool slide. Installing a diving board starts at around $366, with high-end diving board projects costing as much as $5,000.
Pool slides vary in price, typically ranging between $883 and $16,000 to install.
Water Features
Need to wind down in your pool after a stressful day? The sound of water from waterfalls or fountains will calm you down.
Pool water features often start around $1,500, with elaborate custom designs costing as much as $21,666 to install.
Pool Cover
Adding a pool cover to your fiberglass pool will serve many benefits. Pool covers help to:
- Retain heat in the water
- Prevent drownings (these covers are known as safety covers)
- Keep debris and small animals from getting into the water
Pool cover prices typically range from $392 to $2,400. High-end automatic, retractable pool covers are on the expensive side, ranging between $4,600 and $13,666.
Pool Enclosure
Pool enclosures are usually made of wood, plastic, vinyl, or glass and can be screened-in. Pool owners typically spend $6,333 to $19,666 or as much as $200 per square foot to build a pool enclosure around their pool.
A pool enclosure offers many of the same benefits as an indoor pool:
- Protectsn against sun exposure.
- Keeps out insects and debris.
- Gives you control over swimming pool access to help ensure safety.
- Enables year-round swimming, depending on the design.
Pool House
A pool house is both a luxurious and practical feature for any pool, and a pool house can significantly enhance your swimming experience. Building a pool house costs most homeowners between $100 and $600 per square foot.
Here are seven ways to utilize your pool house:
- Changing Room: When changing out of your swimwear, you no longer have to worry about tracking mud and grass into the home. An accessible changing room outdoors means less cleaning up for you.
- Guest House: Transforming your pool house into a small guest house means you’ll have family and friends visiting every weekend. They’ll love having full access to the pool, and you’ll enjoy the added privacy.
- Bathroom: Nature is calling! Run to the convenient pool house bathroom so that you don’t miss out on the fun with a long trip back to the main house.
- Storage: With a new pool comes pool floaties, cleaning supplies, and water volleyball nets. A pool house can act as a roomy storage space.
- Sauna: You’ll be relaxing every weekend with a pool and sauna in the backyard. Keep in mind that a sauna should always be used safely, just like your pool.
- Outdoor Shower: Need a quick rinse before swimming in the pool? Wash up in the outdoor shower and jump right in!
- Outdoor Living Space: A pool house can provide shelter and shade for your outdoor entertainment areas, such as an outdoor kitchen, drink bar, or lounge.
Saltwater Conversion
Saltwater pools offer a much smoother swim than chlorinated pools. Salt is softer on the skin and won’t damage your hair and swimwear as much as chlorine will. Costs range between $908 and $2,393 to convert a freshwater pool to a saltwater system.
Fiberglass Pools Compared to Other Pool Types
Besides fiberglass, two other common pool types are vinyl liner and concrete. Fiberglass has many benefits, as do vinyl and concrete pools. Let’s take a look below at how these three types of pools compare:
| IN-GROUND POOL TYPE | AVERAGE COST |
| Vinyl Liner | $24,000 to $44,000 |
| Fiberglass | $24,333 to $70,000 |
| Concrete / Gunite / Shotcrete | $35,145 to $62,500 |
Vinyl Liner
Vinyl liners pools are typically the most affordable option for homeowners. On average, installing a vinyl liner pool costs between $24,000 and $44,000. Vinyl-lined pools have a smooth surface that’s gentle on the feet, and you can customize them into any shape you want.
Pool owners will need to replace the vinyl liner every 7 to 10 years, usually costing $3,000 to $4,200 per replacement.
Pros:
✓ Less expensive than fiberglass and concrete pools
✓ Takes about 2 to 5 weeks to install
✓ Smooth surface
✓ Moderate maintenance
✓ Customizable
✓ Difficult for algae to grow on the surface
Cons:
✗ Not as durable as concrete or fiberglass pools
✗ Not compatible with saltwater systems.
✗ Vinyl needs to be replaced every 7 to 10 years.
✗ Not as visually appealing as concrete or fiberglass pools.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass pools range from $24,333 to $70,000 on average. These pools are low maintenance, are not susceptible to algae growth, and require low electricity levels to run.
Most fiberglass pool owners won’t need to resurface the gel coat of their pool, but if the pool shell is low quality or you treat the pool with lots of chemicals, you may need to hire a pro to resurface it. Expect to pay between $3,500 to $10,000 to resurface a fiberglass pool.
Among the pros and cons of fiberglass pools are:
Pros:
✓ Resists algae growth
✓ Low maintenance
✓ Installation takes less than 2 weeks.
✓ Smooth surface
✓ Typically does not need to be resurfaced.
✓ Conserves heat better than vinyl-lined or concrete pools
✓ Compatible with saltwater systems
✓ No acid washing or liner replacement is required.
✓ Requires low amounts of electricity to run
✓Lasts for nearly 25 years.
Cons:
✗ Not customizable
✗ Surface can be slippery.
✗ Gel coat may need resurfacing depending on the shell’s quality and exposure to harsh chemicals.
Concrete / Gunite / Shotcrete
Concrete pools, also known as gunite or shotcrete pools, are the most expensive pool type. These pools cost most homeowners between $35,145 to $62,500 to install. Concrete pools will last for nearly a lifetime and are customizable.
Concrete pools are high maintenance. To prevent algae and mold from growing in your concrete pool, you’ll need to perform an acid wash every 3 to 5 years, usually costing between $290 and $400.
Concrete is also susceptible to cracking. Most concrete pools will need replastering every 10 to 15 years to correct any damage. Replastering a concrete pool typically starts around $2,500 and can cost as much as $13,000.
Pros:
✓ Can last for more than 50 years.
✓ Shape and size are customizable.
✓ Durable.
Cons:
✗ Usually the most expensive pool type to install.
✗ Requires high amounts of electricity and chemicals to stay clean and swimmable
✗ Susceptible to mold and algae
✗Has an abrasive surface that can make feet bleed. Children’s soft feet are especially vulnerable to the rough surface.
✗ High maintenance
✗ Not compatible with saltwater systems.
✗ Can take months to install
Cost of Fiberglass Pool Installation Across the U.S.
The costs listed in this pricing guide are all national averages. The price of a fiberglass pool and its labor costs will vary on a local scale. Depending on where you live, local pool companies and pool builders may adjust their rates according to the region’s market and demand for fiberglass pools.
Cost of DIY Fiberglass Pool Installation
Installing a fiberglass pool is not an ideal DIY project. Installing any type of in-ground pool should be left to a trained professional. Here’s why: Attempting to operate machinery that you have no experience with could lead to costly damages.
To ensure your safety, call a professional pool builder. Working with a professional also ensures professional results on such an expensive investment (as well as a warranty).
FAQ About Fiberglass Pools
A fiberglass pool will last around 25 years, depending on its quality and how well it’s maintained.
Depending on the location and the project’s complexity, fiberglass pool installation usually takes less than two weeks to complete.
Conclusion
Fiberglass pools offer the best bang for your buck –– they’re low maintenance, long-lasting, beautiful, and can help you save on long-term expenses. For professional results that make your investment worthwhile, hire a professional pool builder and skip the DIY pool project.
Want to improve the area around your pool with lighted pathways and colorful flower beds? Call a professional landscaper near you to help you design and install a relaxing or tropical landscape around your new pool.
On average, building a fiberglass pool costs $47,000, with most homeowners spending between $24,333 and $70,000.
Your total spending might fall below or above the typical range for many reasons, including how big you want your pool, where you plan to build it, and whether you install attractive features.
Main Photo Credit: Joey Parsons / Flickr / CC BY-ND 2.0
