How much does a swimming pool cost? Advice on installation, heating and maintenance — plus the cheapest options

With UK summer temperatures sometimes surpassing that of Mediterranean climates, it makes sense that UK homeowners are curious about swimming pool costs.

Because of our climate, and the fact that pools are less popular here than abroad, the current UK swimming pool market doesn't achieve the same economic scale as those on the continent in terms of installation costs. Then there is the need for heating your pool, so energy costs need to be factored in, as well as ongoing maintenance.

We cover what you can expect from installation as well as ongoing costs, and expert tips for the most economical ways to add a pool to your home.

Swimming pool costs: Installation, maintenance and energy

"The cost of installing a swimming pool will depend on several factors but the two biggest elements which will influence costs are the size of the pool and the material that it’s made from," says Thomas Goodman, construction expert at My Job Quote.

How much does a swimming pool cost to install

"Costs will vary depending on the swimming pool type you want to install. At the higher end of the market, a retailer such as Origin Pools will install an in-ground outdoor pool from around £96,950 for a small pool (8m x 4m) up to £187,000 for a 15m x 6m pool," says Jason Orme, former Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating.

"This includes installation and an air source heat pump for use between May and September, but doesn't include the cost to take soil away or services. For those on a tighter budget, sliding dome covers offer the best of both worlds giving you an indoor pool that can be turned into an outdoor pool just like a convertible car."

Varying costs can be found below:

• Above ground pools: "These will cost less to install than an in-ground one, as there will be less groundwork necessary," explains energy expert David Hilton. "For smaller swimming pool ideas of around 4m x 2.5m you will be looking at around £6,000. Therefore (on the budget end of the scale) you could realistically have a pool installed with a counter flor pump and a fully insulated safety cover with change from £9,000".
• In-ground pools: If paying a professional to install, you'll need to consider the costs of excavation, soil away, building materials such as concrete and blockwork, and any specialist labour such as screeding. Costs of the labour will depend on where you are in the country but Dave Horne of Origin Pools estimates the cost to take soil away as between £5,000 and £8,000 including VAT. Most professional installations on a typical 11m x 4m pool, which includes all groundworks and materials with a good selection of renewable energy options, a good warranty and safety cover start from £50,000 with the average being around £80,000.
• Customised kits: At the lower end of the outdoor pool market, a customised in-ground liner kit installed by a professional starts at £25,000 and a mosaic-tiled concrete pool costs from around £45,000.
• Indoor pools: When it comes to indoor pools, prices vary greatly, from around £60,000 to £150,000 all-in (to include an environmental control system or air handling unit such as a dehumidifier), depending on the chosen pool. When budgeting for an indoor pool you also have to consider the cost of the building itself, very similar in cost to an extension. Typical costs range from £1,000/m² upward depending on the quality of the finishes and spec. Origin Pools offers indoor swimming pools including the building for guide prices of between £250,000-£414,250.
• Natural swimming pools: Prices for natural swimming pools are better measured per m2, as the cost decreases as the size does. This will range between £300 to £600/m2.

Shop above pools kits

Swimming pool maintenance costs

Construction expert Thomas Goodman explains that the cost of maintaining a swimming pool varies according to the size and type of pool. However, as an estimate, annual running costs can be anywhere from a couple of hundred pounds for an above-ground pool to £3,000-£4,000 for a larger in-ground pool.

"A large proportion of the cost will go to heating a swimming pool, a significant amount of which will be lost to evaporation so investing in a swimming pool cover is a good idea. The pool will still lose some heat so an efficient heater is needed to maintain a constant and comfortable temperature. The efficiency of the heater and the filtration system play a big role in the maintenance costs as the pool requires year-round care, not just when it’s in use," says Thomas.

"Regular maintenance is better and more cost-effective than allowing the swimming pool to become unbalanced and having to shock it back to a good pH level. Failing to properly winterise is a common swimming pool mistake as doing so helps hugely with maintenance costs as well as preventing damage from low temperatures over the colder months."

Swimming pool heating costs

"The cost to heat a pool depends on a number of variables including the size of the pool, i.e. the amount of water to be heated, the type of heater you use e.g. electric or heat pump and whether it is indoors or outdoors. An efficient heat pump for swimming pools will cost about 50 pence per hour to maintain a constant temperature in the pool," says Thomas Goodman.

"Even with a well-insulated pool which has a good cover, there will always be heat loss from the water. The primary work that your heater does is maintaining the temperature at which you have set the thermostat. Indoor pools don’t lose as much heat through evaporation and so don’t require as much energy to replenish the heat lost in this way," says Thomas.

Thomas Goodman

Thomas Goodman has worked as a property and construction expert for MyJobQuote for six years and has worked in the construction industry for more than 20 years. Thomas continues to work on building projects, while also providing expert construction and property advice to industry professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

How to save money on your swimming pool

Garden design expert, Marlene Lento, is experienced in designing pool and spa areas for UK gardens and landscapes. She shares her tips on the most economical way to design a pool.

• Partially above-ground pools are more economical than inground pools as they involve less excavation and spoil removal. This also goes for pools built into a slope where only one part of the pool is recessed into the ground, although this does depend on the terrain that needs to be retained and drainage requirements.
• Prefabricated shells that can get you from lawn to pool within a few days are the most predictable and the least headache, and can be great value.
• If it’s a bespoke pool, rectangular is the most economical size, and the closer to a square you are, the fewer linear metres of wall you need to build and line which impacts cost. Pool depth impacts the price for the same reason.
• If you have a large enough property to accommodate the excavated spoil, this will save the cost of removal, although this needs to be planned and landscaped with foresight.
• Freestanding covers are the most economical but do consider the aesthetics.
• Copings can be expensive so see what’s most economical that isn’t bespoke and make sure you coordinate your pool area paving so you don’t end up with a ‘not-quite-matched’ look, or a contrasting picture frame around the pool that doesn’t relate to anything else in your material palette.
• Pools with liners are the most economical, and pools tiled with large format tiles are the most expensive.

Marlene Lento

Marlene Lento designs bespoke gardens that encompass every aspect of today’s outdoor living space including outdoor entertainment areas, lighting and planting schemes, pools, and natural swimming ponds.

FAQs

Does a swimming pool add value UK?

Be aware that pools may not necessarily add value to your home as chartered surveyor Francesca Watson, co-founder of Otters Home Search tells us.

In her experience, this is mainly due to safety, cost and the environmental impact of heating them. "As a vendor – I’d say, please don’t expect it to add value to a property. As a buyer, I’d advise that you always ask for all maintenance history," says Francesca.

How much does a pool cost in the UK?

"You can install an above-ground pool for £3,000- £5,000 or a stainless steel in-ground pool for between £50,000-£85,000. These costs are inclusive of labour but don’t include the decking around the pool or other design features. Of course, you can spend much more than that depending on the finish, accessories etc," explains construction expert Thomas Goodman.

"As well as the size of the pool, its material and the surrounding garden deck area, other costs should be considered including access to the site, how level the ground is and removal of waste. Swimming pools are not as common in the UK as in other countries. As a result, companies here cannot achieve the same economies of scale that those in warmer countries can, making them more expensive here than abroad," says Thomas.

If you're seriously considering a swimming pool for your next landscaping or build project, have a look at our guide to swimming pool and planning regulations and take a dive into solar panels for swimming pools to see if you can install a renewable energy option to heat your pool.