Semi Inground Pool Cost – [Installation & Maintenance Pricing]

Swimming pools are a commodity, and builder-owners realize that they add value to a home. One of the most popular options out there is semi-inground pools, and they highly sought after. With all of the appeal and popularity semi-inground pools boast, just how much do they cost?

Semi inground pools cost between $7,000 to $25,000. Many builders or owners spend closer to $13,000 and $16,000 on semi-inground pools but the larger ones can cost as high as $30,000. The price depends on the size, as well as the liner and the contractor that you choose to hire.

Semi-inground pools are much more expensive than above-ground pools, which typically cost $2,000-$7,000. Let’s take a close look at the costs of installing a semi-inground pool.

A semi-inground pool is a swimming pool that combines the design of an above ground pool and an inground pool. There is a pool wall that is reminiscent of a standard retaining wall that makes up the semi-inground part of the name.

Some semi-inground pools can be fully submerged underground, but others cannot. The benefit to semi-inground pools is that they actually add value to a home, unlike above ground pools.

Because there are more structural elements to a semi-inground pool, regular maintenance is required to keep it safe and functional.

The closest pool in cost to a semi-inground pool is a swim spa, but a semi-inground pool is often larger. Inground pools are quite expensive, so if you have your mind set on saving money, choose semi-inground over above ground.

Above ground pools do nothing to add value to a home, and the buyer may not want it left behind. A semi-inground pool, however, can sometimes add 50% of its value in value to the home when selling like a swim spa.

As with any home addition, labor makes up the lions share of the total cost. Anytime that you have to hire out, you are at the mercy of someone else’s hourly rate and timeline. However, it is well worth it when your semi-inground pool is professionally installed.

Labor can span between $2,500 and $8,000 for semi-inground pool installation. How much your labor bill comes out to be varies depending on pool size and how many workers were there. It generally takes between 2 and 5 days to install a semi-inground pool.

One major labor cost that may come up depending on the pool you get is excavation. Excavation will likely be required for the part of the pool that is inground. When all is said and done, excavation can cost roughly $500-$4,000, or even more if there are rough conditions.

Depending on where you live, you may have to winterize and close your semi-inground pool early fall. Leaving your pool running and uncovered during cold weather, especially in winter, can damage the pool.

It costs $150-$250 on average to close a pool for the year. Closing a pool is not as simple as popping the cover on it and shutting off the filter. Generally, a pool pro will pump out excess water and only live a little bit in the pool.

From there, they backwash and shock the water. Before closing the pool, they make sure that the water lines have no water. Otherwise, they could freeze and possibly break during the winter. You’ll spend roughly the same when it warms up and it’s ready to reopen.

Most people spend between $50 and $100 each month to run and maintain their pool. However, that is mostly for homeowners that choose to hire a service for monthly pool maintenance.

In fact, that is quite common, and consists of shocking the pool, skimming, vacuuming if necessary, and adding necessary chemicals. You can save some money by investing in bulk chlorine, shock, and water pH level test strips. Buying your own chemicals will cost you $450-$750 a year.

It is worth doing your own maintenance, because hiring a service can cost between as much as $1,200-$1,500 a year. However, it is still a wise idea to hire a service to open the pool, do the initial treatment, and close it as well.

Semi-inground pools and above ground pools share certain characteristics, but they are ultimately different. Of course, semi-inground pools are roughly $5,000-$18,000 more expensive than above ground pools.

Above ground pools are unique in that many of them are modular and portable. That is essentially the reason why above ground pools add no value to a home. However, semi-inground pools are looked at more as additions, similar to a swim spa.

Semi-inground pools are not quite as valuable as inground pools, but they are significantly more valuable than above ground pools.

Related Questions

How deep can a semi-inground pool be?

Semi-inground pools are typically between 4 and 4 ½ feet deep. You can’t create a sloped deep end with a semi-inground pool the way that you could with an in-ground option.

How much water can a semi-inground pool hold?

You need at least 3,000 to 5,000 gallons for a semi-inground pool measuring 576-720 square feet. It generally costs $8-$9 per 100 gallons of water. Initially filling a mid-sized semi-inground pool costs $240-$400, but you’ll need to refill it as long as it is open.

Are semi inground pools cheaper than inground pools?

As their name suggests, semi inground pools are not installed as deep into the ground as inground pools. As a result, they are generally cheaper to install than inground pools, but more expensive than their above ground counterparts.

Can fiberglass pools be semi inground?

Yes, fiberglass pools can be installed in virtually any way – inground, above ground, and even semi inground. However, a semi inground pool does have a few extra installation steps, but can be an option for you whether you live on uneven terrain or simply like the look of SIPs.

It costs $7,000-$25,000 to install a semi-inground pool. Labor runs you $2,500-$8,000, and excavations can also increase the cost. You may want to choose to handle chemicals and maintenance yourself and save up to $800 or more.

Semi-inground pools cost $5,000-$18,000 more than above ground pools, but they are worth the investment. They can add as much as 50% of the value of the pool to the value of the house when you sell it.

Try to do as much pool maintenance yourself as you can to save money. Consider a saltwater pool to save big on chemical costs, and the $150-$240 for opening and close each year won’t seem so bad.