If you’re thinking about adding a pool to your property, you’ll likely face an age-old dilemma: install an above ground pool or an inground pool? Both have their pros and cons and the latter will add more value to your property over time. But if you’re working with a limited budget and you’re short on time, an above ground pool is always the best choice. These kinds of pools won’t last as long as the inground variety, and you’ll face some size and depth limitations, but you can get away with spending a fraction of the amount you’d need to install an inground pool. Start living the pool life for less and learn about the many cost benefits of choosing an above ground pool.
Cheaper Materials
Inground pools tend to be a permanent fixture on a person’s property. That’s because these kinds of pools are generally made with durable and more expensive materials like concrete, vinyl or fiberglass. These materials can cost you anywhere from $6,000 to as much as $22,000. While your inground pool will likely stand the test of time, usually lasting around 50 to 100 years or more, you’ll need to spend some money to get the project off the ground.
If you’re looking to save money, above ground pools cost a fraction of the total mentioned above. You can buy an above ground pool for as little as $800, which is fairly inexpensive considering all the fun you’re going to get out of this new addition to your property. Some above ground pools can go for as much as $3,000 or $4,000, but these tend to be much larger. If you’re looking for something small, you don’t need to spend a lot of money. These kinds of pools tend to be made with steel walls and plastic liners that are much cheaper than the gobs of fiberglass and concrete you’ll need to build an inground pool.
Faster Installation
You’ll save a lot of money on the installation process when you choose an above ground pool over an inground pool. Installing an above ground pool usually costs around $1,898, while installing an inground pool can get up to around $49,458. Installing an inground pool will also be much more time-consuming than above ground pools. You can have someone install an above ground pool on your property with little difficulty and the job is usually finished after a few days. These pools are well-suited to all kinds of homes, regardless of the local climate or surface area of your property.
Inground pools require a great deal of planning and preparation. You need to consider the fact that the crew will need to dig a hole in your yard and physically lower your pool into the ground. They’ll also need to wire the pool to your home’s electrical system for a seamless transition from the pool to the rest of your home. This isn’t usually a concern when you’re installing an above ground pool, as they’re usually separated from the rest of your home.
Less Landscaping
Depending on the vision you have for your above ground pool, you shouldn’t have to change your property too much to make room for the pool. You have lots of options in terms of where to install the pool, unlike inground pools that may come with certain zoning and permitting requirements. Once the pool has been installed, you can add some stones or gravel to create a transition from the grass to the pool area. All in all, this shouldn’t cost you too much. If you want to get more creative, you might have to spend a little more money, especially if you want to create a massive pool deck, but this is entirely optional.
Inground pools can drastically change the makeup of your property. You’ll need to have the crew dig a massive hole in your yard in order to install the pool, which can lead to some exorbitant landscaping bills down the line. You’ll need to tweak the area around your pool to make it feel natural. This may involve adding a stone wall or barrier along the edge of the pool, which can cost you another few hundred dollars or more.
Overall, if you want to set up a pool on your property quickly without spending a lot of money, the choice is clear. Above ground pools are affordable and can be just as much fun as inground pools. They won’t last as long as their counterparts, but you’ll get a lot of use out of them before they start to wear. Start enjoying the pool life and order an above ground pool kit today!