How to Build a Cheap Above-Ground Swimming Pool

A great deal of time and money is required to turn your backyard into a pool oasis. As an alternative, some homeowners may choose a less expensive above-ground pool rather than an in-ground pool.
If you’re considering adding an above ground pool to your yard, let’s dive into the steps you’ll need to take before you can spray.
detect location.
Buy a swimming pool.
Site preparation.
Connect the electricity.
Assemble the pool.
Install the filter.
Fill the pool.
But first, you have one more thing to decide: What kind of above ground pool do you want?
Types of above ground swimming pools
Above ground pools are available in several types, some cheaper than others. The cost varies of course. HomeAdvisor.com suggests that the cost of an above-ground pool ranges from $800 to $15,000, but the average purchase and installation price for one is $2,572. Most people spend between $794 and $4,438.
By comparison, the cost of an indoor pool can range from $20,000 to over $100,000, although you’ll likely pay anywhere between $39,000 to $70,000, according to HomeAdvisor.
You’ll want to think carefully before buying and installing any swimming pool, whether it’s above ground or in the ground.
“As a home improvement expert, I understand that a lot of people dream of having a swimming pool and I think the cheapest option is the above ground option. At first glance, it looks like a good plan but it can really turn into a financial pit,” says Jane Stark, Happy Founder. DIY Home.
“Hidden costs can be high — bills for chemicals, detergents, water and electricity, insurance, repairs, and decorating, to name a few,” says Stark. “Not to mention the hours you spend each week maintaining it.”
Male Stark Insurance. If you have an above ground pool, you should mention this to your insurance agent, and yes, it can drive up homeowners insurance rates.
But assuming you handle the costs well, you’ll need to choose the type of above-ground pool you want. There are four main types in general.
steel pools. As you would expect, steel pools are very strong. It’s actually the cheapest type of above ground swimming pool, but the downside is that it can rust. Considering you’re putting water in a pool of steel, that’s not really what you want to hear. On the other hand, it may take years – maybe 10 or 15, but maybe less – before a steel pool really starts to rust.
glue material. Above ground pool made of resin, a material made of plastic, is incredibly strong, and some people feel it has an advantage over steel pool parts because it doesn’t rust. These pools usually cost more than steel pools.
Hybrid swimming pools. They are usually made of steel and resin. The price may be less than an above-ground resin pool, or more, depending on the manufacturer.
Aluminum baths. Unlike steel, aluminum does not rust, although it can dent. These are generally the most expensive types of above-ground swimming pools.
Do you need a permit to build an above ground swimming pool?
Before you actually buy and install an above ground pool, find out if you need a permit for your pool.
It will depend on the state you live in and possibly your county or city, but there’s a good chance you’ll need a building permit or zoning compliance from a local government agency.
If you are buying a swimming pool from a store in your area, you can always ask the salespeople what permits you will need. If you are planning to hire a contractor to install the pool – which is not a bad idea at all – they will usually be able to apply for permits and walk you through any documentation you will need.
You may also need gas and electric permits to heat your pool. Yes, this little project of yours never got too small.
How to build an above ground swimming pool
Once you have purchased your swimming pool and navigated the permit issuance, you have some work to do.
1. Determine the location.
This is not as easy as it seems. Again, you’ll want to check with your municipality first; There may be regulations governing how close the pool is to your home.
Beyond that, avoid placing your pool under or too close to any tree, unless your idea of ​​having a good time is swimming among wet leaves and bird droppings.
You also probably don’t want the pool to be too far from your home. There will be a wire running from the house, albeit better buried in the ground, going from the so-called GFCI outlet to the pool pump.
You also, for obvious reasons, do not want your pool to be located under power lines.
2. Buy a swimming pool.
Sure, you could do that first, but it’s probably best to explore a site before investing in it. You’ll also want to think about whether you want to build a raised deck around the pool, so that it looks a bit like an in-ground pool, or whether it’s just going to be a pool in the middle of the lawn. Should you have a fence around the pool to keep out animals and neighborhood kids? Will the pool be round or oval? How deep will it be? Do you want a liner to protect your pool walls and floor?
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For comparison shopping, you can find above-ground pools at home improvement chains such as Home Depot and Lowes and also at local pool supply stores.
You can also take the cheaper route. Contemporary cabinet basins made of galvanized metal. It’s about 2 feet deep and is meant to lie in the water (you can still add a filter and pump to keep it clean). You can choose an inflatable above ground swimming pool. Many nice things can be found for under $100. If you really want to do it right, you may still want to buy an inflatable pool filter pump system, which will likely cost the same as an inflatable pool.
3. Site preparation.
That is, prepare the ground for what is to come. After all, you don’t want to put your pool on rocks, sticks, or uneven ground.
“The rule has to be equal otherwise there will be integrity issues with the pool,” Stark says.
This is because gravity will bring the water to a minimum, and if the pool is named a little, eventually you can see the water overflowing over one side of the pool.
“Another common mistake is using sand to level the base,” Stark says. “The sand will shift and should only be used as a barrier between the base of the pond and the soil below.”
4. Connect the power.
You’ll want to turn off the power at the circuit breaker and, ideally, bury the wire two feet deep – rather than dropping it into the yard, where you might get stuck on top of it. But most people should hire a licensed professional electrician to do all of this.
Yes, you can find plenty of articles and videos on YouTube that teach you how to connect an above ground pool – but even many of those will suggest hiring a licensed electrician. You’ll do things like connect wires in a GFCI circuit breaker to an electrical panel and connect an 8-gauge wire to the metal posts of the pool, pump, and the metal plate on the skimmer (a tool at the edge of the pool that collects floating debris, like leaves and insects).
Stark also advises hiring a professional – for just about everything.
“Unless you have experience with ground management or have been involved in a successful setup previously, I always recommend bringing in a professional from the start. In the long run, this can save a significant amount of money,” Stark says.
5. Pond assembly.
Ah good. A step where you are likely not to accidentally electrocute yourself. However, you may want to get a professional for this as well.
Having said that, Derek Lindsay has some advice if you handle this on your own. Lenze, based in Surrey, British Columbia, runs Floating Authority, an educational site that provides advice on water equipment, such as kayaks, snorkeling gear, and pool floats. He is also the previous owner of an above ground swimming pool.
“How you build your pool will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but you usually want to build your base first, which starts with the bottom ring that serves as a support base,” says Lenze. “From there you install the wall and the liner and then the rails, covers and panels before filling the pool.”

People who do it themselves are advised to pay special attention to the instructions and not be afraid to ask for help.
“There are many online communities and forums for experienced above-ground pool experts who can help you,” says Lenze.
6. Install the filter.
You will attach the pool pump to your filter. In general, you will have to choose between a sand filter, a cartridge filter, or a D.E. Filter, diatomaceous earth filter. While the chlorine or salt content in the pool will kill the bacteria in the pool, it is the filter that removes bacteria and other leftover waste from the water.
7. Fill the pool.
This is the easy part. Hold a hose. However, you probably won’t want to stand there while it fills up. It will probably take a few hours or the better part of the day, depending on the size of the pool. While this water fills up, though, you can think of how awesome it would be when you and your family walked in. All this is worth it.
Of course, before everyone else jumps in, you still need to turn the filter on and make sure it’s working properly, and you’ll need to vacuum the bottom of the pool (while you’re collecting the pool, there will likely be debris you’ve already gotten in). You’ll want to check the chlorine too, making sure there’s enough inside to kill germs but not so much that it burns swimmers’ eyes.
So yes, there is a lot to owning an above ground pool, but some detail conscious and pool loving people may not mind the maintenance in the least.
But if you haven’t been doing it yourself, rarely spend a lot of time outdoors and hate the idea of ​​maintaining a pool, it may occur to you now that you don’t have to actually get into the water realizing you’re already way too deep.