Ways to Make Your Inground Pool More Affordable

Owning an inground pool is the dream of many homeowners, yet the cost of installation and maintenance can be a deterrent. If you’re on the fence about upgrading your outdoor space, we’re here to tell you that with proper planning and strategic decisions, affordable inground pools are a possibility. 

In this post, we’ll explore various methods you can employ to make your pool more cost-effective without compromising quality.

10 Ways To Make Your Inground Pool More Affordable

Before you throw away your plans to build a pool in your backyard, consider these ten ways you can achieve an affordable inground pool: 

Find a Perfect Time of Year to Build

Selecting an optimal time and season to build can have a dramatic effect on the final cost. Pool builders typically experience lower demand during cooler months, such as fall and winter. 

With this method, you can also speed up the turnaround time of your installation since most people install their pools in the summer. If it works for your schedule, taking advantage of this can yield significant savings. 

Consider Your Material Options

Your choice of material for an inground pool installation can also have a considerable effect on cost. Concrete pools tend to be the most costly choice, while fiberglass and vinyl liner pools typically cost less. 

Fiberglass pools, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular as a result of their durability, low maintenance requirements, and lower upfront installation fees. 

Decrease the Size 

Your pool’s size will also have an effect on its cost. Installing smaller pools requires less material and labor costs, making them more cost-effective options. 

While it might be tempting to build an expansive pool, scaling down can result in significant cost savings without affecting your swimming experience. Think carefully about the primary use of your pool before you get started.

For instance, if you have a big family or plan to have large get-togethers on a regular basis, it might make sense to build a bigger pool, and this tip might not work for you. On the other hand, if you don’t plan to spend much time outside or have many guests over, decreasing the size of your pool design is one small change that can make a huge difference in the bottom line. 

Keep Your Design Simple

Along with decreasing the overall size of your pool, the shape and design can be adjusted to shave a few thousand off of your project price. A more complex pool design means higher costs. 

To keep costs manageable, opt for an uncomplicated and straightforward design with basic shapes. Rectangular pools, for example, are one of the least expensive options for inground pools. Intricate geometric silhouettes and infinity pools are much more expensive to build as they require more materials and expertise. 

Unless you have a special design in mind for your pool that can’t be compromised, this is another easy way to keep your costs down for an affordable inground pool. 

Don’t Skimp on Quality

When building affordable inground pools, it’s essential not to cut corners in regard to quality. While it may be tempting to cut costs and use less-than-ideal materials, doing so could result in expensive repairs and maintenance down the line. 

Instead, opting for high-grade materials from experienced contractors could save money over time by eliminating frequent repairs and replacement costs. Be sure to interview the team you plan to work with before you hire them. The key things to look for include licenses, certifications, past experiences, and online reviews. 

Although it may seem counterintuitive and cost a little more upfront, you’ll be glad you put out the money to build a lasting relationship with a reliable pool contractor. 

Select Energy-Efficient Equipment

Operating an inground pool can be costly, but opting for energy-efficient equipment can significantly cut those expenses. Energy-efficient pool pumps and heaters can save hundreds of dollars off your energy bill each year. Along with cutting down materials and design costs where you can, it’s a good general rule to invest in quality equipment that will last you for years. 

If you want to further mitigate your energy bills, you can invest in solar-powered options for your pool equipment. 

Maintain Your Pool Regularly

Proper maintenance of an inground pool is crucial to making sure its costs remain affordable over the long term. Cleaning and regular inspection can extend equipment lifespan while helping avoid costly repairs in the future. 

You should have your pool cleaned at least once a week, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional company. Certain tasks should be done daily, such as cleaning the steps and ladders and running your pool pump. 

Here are some of the general maintenance tasks you should be doing to avoid costly repairs later on: 

Run pool pump every day (for 8-12 hours) 

Use a brush to clean steps, ladders, and walls daily 

Clean your filters when pressure exceeds ten psi 

It can be difficult to stay on top of maintenance tasks as a first-time pool owner, so we recommend establishing a relationship with a reputable company to help you keep your pool in tip-top shape. 

Select the Appropriate Location

Your pool’s installation location can have an enormous effect on its total costs. Generally, simple, rectangular designs on flat ground are the most affordable inground pools. When you install it on difficult terrains, such as on top of rocks or a hill, you will incur extra installation expenses. 

Many of these projects require additional time and expertise to get right, which comes with even more costs. Infinity pools, for instance, are usually installed over a ledge. They require careful planning and extra materials to get that seamless edge.  

The landscaping that surrounds your new pool can also make or break the final cost of your project. Incorporating trees can increase maintenance expenses due to debris falling into the pool. When you choose an open, flat location for your pool, you can decrease these expenses significantly. 

DIY Some of the Work

If you’re proficient with tools and possess some DIY experience, you could save money by handling some of the work yourself. For example, excavation work such as removing sod or digging the hole for your pool could be completed more economically without professional consultation. Just be sure to only undertake tasks you feel confident doing yourself. If any doubt arises throughout the process, seek guidance from a team of professional pool contractors. 

Consider Financing Options 

If the initial cost of building an inground pool is still too high, consider searching for financing options. Many pool builders provide financing packages that may make payments more manageable over time. In case you have trouble finding a flexible payment plan that works for you, you can also seek out a loan or borrow money to get your project completed now and pay it back later. 

Regardless of the option you choose to fund your project, be sure to shop around for the most favorable terms before committing to any loan agreement.

Make Your Affordable Inground Pool Dream a Reality 

Building affordable inground pools can be accomplished with careful planning and choices. Selecting cost-effective materials, keeping the design simple, investing in quality materials from experienced contractors, and regularly maintaining your pool can all help keep costs under control. 

Furthermore, selecting energy-efficient equipment, choosing an appropriate location, and DIY-ing some of the work yourself can all make owning an inground pool possible without breaking your bank account. Consider financing options if you’re not able to justify the costs, even after following some of our other tips. 

When you’re ready to get started designing and building an inground pool within your budget, contact us at Quality USA Pools for a consultation.