Swimming Pool Installation Cost

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Swimming Pool?

An above-ground pool in the UK is often the more affordable option, costing around £3,000 to £5,000.

Whereas below-the-ground swimming pools can range anywhere from £10,000 to £70,000 depending on the size, materials and design. The upper end of the scale reflects more luxurious or custom-built installations.

However, by comparing the two, the cost of installing a garden swimming pool is generally quite reasonable by comparison to that of an indoor pool.

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So, how much does outdoor swimming pool installation cost?

To give you some idea, the average cost for an outdoor swimming pool in the UK is around £10,000 to £70,000.

Swimming Pool Installation Prices

Below is a list of the costs that you can expect when it comes to installing a swimming pool in your garden:

Supply Cost to Build a Swimming Pool

If you are planning to install a DIY swimming pool, you will most likely need a DIY swimming pool kit. Below is a list of the costs of a DIY swimming pool kit:

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Labour Cost of Building a Swimming Pool & Timescales

The average cost to hire a pool installer is around £150 to £250 per day, depending on their expertise and your location in the UK.

Those based in and around the London area and South East can often expect to pay more in labour fees compared to the National average due to a higher cost of living.

It's important to keep in mind that you will most likely need to hire a team of around 2 to 4 pool specialists to carry out the work.

A simple above-ground swimming pool will usually take around a week to complete. However, a more extensive below-ground swimming pool could take up to around 4 to 5 weeks to complete depending on the size and the complexity of the job.

Some may take longer if there are obstacles in the way, such as trees that need to be removed before the work can start.

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Factors That Impact Swimming Pool Installation Costs

Several things can affect the overall cost of installing a garden swimming pool. Below is a list of the main cost-affecting factors for you to consider:

• What type of pool is it? There are several different types of garden swimming pools for you to choose from, and the type of pool that you choose can affect the cost of the job. For example, a small above-ground pool will cost considerably less than a fully tiled below-ground pool.
• What size is the pool? The size of the pool will also have a large effect on the overall cost. The larger the pool, the more materials you will need to complete the work. You also need to consider the additional labour hours that will be required for a larger pool. The extra days and weeks that it takes to install a larger pool can really add up when it comes to labour costs.
• Where is your property located? The location of your property can affect the overall cost of the job. Those based in and around the London area can expect to pay considerably more for the labour parts of the job than those based in the North or other parts of the UK.
• Do you need any additional groundwork? If the ground conditions are rocky, clay-based, or has poor natural drainage excavation costs can increase as soil conditions may require additional work.
• Is garden clearance included? Waste removal from the pool installation should be included within the quote, however it's likely you could have other garden rubbish that needs clearing at the same time.
• Are you having any additional heating? Due to the climate in the UK, most homeowners opt for extra heating such as gas, electric, or solar-powered systems. Along with installation, ongoing heating costs need to be taken into consideration.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Swimming Pool Installations

Planning Permission

In most cases, outdoor swimming pools don’t require planning permission, as they’re usually classed as permitted development. However, this may not apply if your property is in a conservation area, is a listed building, or is affected by restrictive covenants.

Building Regulations

Even if planning permission isn’t needed, your pool must still meet building regulations. These cover things like insulation, energy efficiency, and safe fuel use, especially for heated pools. There are also rules for electrical work, drainage, and plumbing. A professional installer should be familiar with these requirements and ensure everything is fully compliant. Always confirm this before the work begins.

Additional Swimming Pool Installation Costs

While you're getting your swimming pool installed, there are several additional costs that you may need to consider. Below is a list of those jobs that you may need to factor into the price:

Plumbing and Water Supply

Whether you need a, water supply pipe replacement or a plumber to help redirect the water to your new pool, it's an important cost to consider. The average plumber prices are between £25 to £60 (or more in London and the South East), although you will need to contact your water company especially if your pool holds over 10,000 litres.

Structural Engineer Cost

Another build cost is that of a structural engineer, a crucial part of design process to ensure there is structural integrity whether filled or empty. The average cost of between £300 and £500 per day can vary, depending on the extent of the project and if they're needed to attend for more than one visit, as well as your location.

Swimming Pool Maintenance Costs

Whether it's clearing out fallen leaves, preventing a build-up of bacteria and algae growth, or replacing the water, maintenance costs are an important part of looking after your swimming pool. Purchasing the chemicals required to keep the water clean, along with testing kits can amount to around £650 a year. As for monthly costs, cleaning the filters and general maintenance costs around £80 to £250 a month.

Types of Swimming Pools

There are several different types of swimming pools for you to choose from. Below is a list of the different types of swimming pools and the pros and cons of each type:

Above Ground Swimming Pool

An above-ground swimming pool is very simple and easy to install. It usually features a steel frame covered with a waterproof membrane to hold the water in.

These pools are quite cheap, but they are often unsightly and not very big. They're more suitable for a quick dip in the summer rather than for actual swimming.

Pros

• ✔ Quick and easy to install
• ✔ It can be packed away when not in use
• ✔ Cheap

Cons

• ✖ Considered not as aesthetically pleasing
• ✖ Only available in limited sizes
• ✖ Not ideal for swimming full lengths

Resin and Fibreglass Swimming Pools

These pools are easy to install as they are pre-moulded to the correct shape, and you simply drop the pool into the excavated hole and then work around it.

These pools are completely watertight and slightly flexible, so resistant to cracking. However, they are only made to standard sizes, which causes limitations if you're looking for something specific or more bespoke.

Pros

• ✔ Easy to install
• ✔ Fast installation time
• ✔ Completely watertight
• ✔ Resistant to cracking

Cons

• ✖ Only standard sizes are available

Overflow Swimming Pool

This type of pool features an overflow channel all around it, so the water level is the same height as the pool's edge, and the overflowed water flows freely into the outlet and through the filtration system.

These pools are not too expensive and are relatively fast to install.

Pros

• ✔ Popular pool choice
• ✔ Relatively fast installation times
• ✔ Not too expensive

Cons

• ✖ Not as aesthetically pleasing as some other pool types

Poured or Sprayed Concrete Pool

This type of pool involves pouring or spraying concrete to form the base and then layering the base with tiles. It is possible to form curved pools with this method, but they tend to be very expensive, so most are restricted to flat walls.

An advantage of these pools is that they aren't limited by sizing and can be in any shape you desire. They do, however, take a very long time to build and are quite expensive.

Pros

• ✔ Many tiling options are available
• ✔ Not limited on sizing
• ✔ The shape can be customised

Cons

• ✖ Difficult to install
• ✖ Quite expensive

Stainless Steel Swimming Pool

A stainless steel pool is made up of rust-proof stainless steel, and the parts are welded together. These pools are strong, watertight and leakproof.

They don't need a lot of maintenance and are safe against vandalism, weather conditions, UV damage and water damage. However, these pools take the longest to install and also cost more than other types of pools.

Pros

• ✔ Rust-proof
• ✔ Watertight
• ✔ Leakproof
• ✔ Easy to maintain
• ✔ Vandalism-proof
• ✔ Safe against weather and UV damage

Cons

• ✖ Very long installation time
• ✖ Difficult to install
• ✖ Very expensive

What's Involved in Building a Swimming Pool?

There are two main stages when you're installing a garden swimming pool, the planning stage and the actual installation, both of which are certainly not something recommended as a DIY project.

Attempting to install a garden swimming pool without proper knowledge and planning can lead to significantly higher costs. As an example, structural issues can result in cracking, leaks, or even cause the pool to collapse. Additionally, the likes of poor drainage and potential mistakes in plumbing or electrical work can lead to extensive and costly damage.

With this in mind, below is a brief (top-level) overview of both stage. However, what's physically involved is much more complicated - hence why it should always be left to the professionals:

Before the Job

• Permissions – If you need to get planning permission for your garden pool, this should be the first thing on your to-do list.
• Decide on the Design – Choose the shape, size, and location of the garden swimming pool you want. Make sure it fits your budget and suits your garden layout (e.g. level ground, away from tree roots).

During the Job

• Preparation – The garden pool area will need to be marked out and the site completely cleared.
• Excavation – The space for the pool will be dug out according to the plans. At this point, there will be soil waste to dispose of.
• Laying Base or Shell – This step will vary depending on what type of swimming pool installation you're undertaking. Essentially, this is the stage where the excavated site begins to look like a garden pool.
• Utility Installation – Any plumbing and electrics will be installed, depending on your specifications. Remember that any electrical works must be completed by a qualified electrician – this is not something you can DIY.

After the Job

• Final Touches – This may include filling in any gaps around the pool if needed or laying extra decking around the outside.
• Waste Removal – Any remaining waste or debris will be removed from the site, although check this is already included in the price.

These are guidelines on the process for installing garden swimming pools and the exact steps your tradesman will take depends on your pool type and what kind of finishing touches you'd like. It is therefore recommended to request quotes from more than one supplier, MyJobQuote can help find swimming pool installers near you.

Swimming Pool Removal Cost

If you have a pool in your garden that you no longer use, you may want to have it removed. Although this may seem like a simple job, it is actually quite a lot of work and can take a few weeks to complete.

The average cost of removing a swimming pool in the UK is around £4000-£10,000. The price will depend on the type of pool, the size of the pool, the difficulty of the job, and your location within the UK.

There are multiple stages to removing a swimming pool:

• Drain the pool.
• Remove all the external parts.
• Remove or destroy internal parts including the tiles and base.
• Ensure every piece of the pool has been removed.
• Fill the old swimming pool area with soil.
• Complete any landscaping over the top.

Removing a pool is difficult and very labour-intensive work, so it's a job that should be left to the professionals.

You may be able to reduce some of the costs of removing a pool by removing the external parts such as steps and diving boards and by draining the water. The rest of the work should be completed by professionals.

Checklist: Hiring Swimming Pool Installers in the UK

You will need to consider a few things before hiring contractors to install a garden swimming pool for you. Below is a list of some of the main things that you should consider when looking for the right contractors for the job:

• Does the contractor offer any guarantees with their work?
• How much is the work to complete? – Ask for a breakdown of costs so you can ensure you are paying a good price for each element of the job.
• Is the contractor experienced in installing the type of swimming pool that you are looking for?
• How many years' worth of experience does the contractor have in installing garden swimming pools?
• How many contractors will carry out the job?
• Will the contractor fix any issues that may arise?
• Will the contractor take care of any relevant waste removal?
• Do you need to hire any additional contractors for different parts of the work?
• Will the contractor follow all of the relevant building regulation guidelines?

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