Calculator
Pool Cost Calculator
Estimate what an in-ground pool will cost, including decking, enclosure and equipment upgrades.
Model reviewed August 2026
Estimated total cost
$80,760 – $118,875
Turnkey, including permit allowance
- Pool surface area
- 450 sq ft
- Shell & excavation
- $47,250
- Decking
- $8,400
- Screen enclosure
- $23,100
- Approx. water volumeAt 5.5 ft average depth
- 18,513 gallons
Estimates only. Local pricing, site conditions and code requirements change the real number.
The formula
Cost = pool surface area x construction rate + deck area x deck rate + enclosure + features + permit
Gunite pools are priced largely by surface area and depth; fiberglass pools are priced by shell model plus installation.
Worked example
A 15 x 30 gunite pool with 600 sq ft of paver deck and an enclosure typically lands between $75,000 and $110,000.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an in-ground pool cost?
Most in-ground gunite pools run $55,000 to $115,000 in 2026 once decking and equipment are included. Fiberglass packages can start near $45,000, and site access, soil and required barriers move the number.
Does a pool need a fence?
Essentially every jurisdiction requires a pool barrier. The common baseline is a compliant four-foot barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates; some states accept an approved safety cover or door and window alarms instead. Confirm the requirement with your building department.
Sources
Sources & verification
- International Residential Code — decks and exterior structures (R507)
- ICPI segmental paving installation guidance
- International Code Council (IRC/IBC)
Model vintage August 2026. The links above are the issuing agencies' own pages — we publish them so you can confirm the current rule yourself, not as evidence that each fact on this page was re-checked with them today. Cost figures are modeled estimates based on national baselines adjusted for local labor and material pricing, not quotes. Permit rules change; confirm with the building department before starting work.