Can You Install an Inground Pool by Yourself?
Thinking about a DIY inground pool? Do it yourself projects are trending as homeowners look for control over design, staged spending, and ways to lower labor costs. A self-installed vinyl liner or fiberglass shell can be a smart path, but it’s still a major construction project with permits, inspections, and technical steps that have to be done right the first time.
Below, we break down whether you should build your own inground pool, what kit types cost, how long it really takes, and the safest way to tackle the work.
Assessing If a DIY Inground Pool Is Right for You
Before comparing DIY inground pool kits, take an honest look at your skills, time, and property. Building an inground pool is a full construction project, not a quick backyard upgrade. It involves excavation, plumbing, electrical work, and code compliance.
- Project experience: Have you handled large outdoor projects, such as patios, sheds, or irrigation systems? Experience with concrete, plumbing, or electrical work will give you a major advantage. If not, plan to subcontract specific steps (for example, electrical hookup or shotcrete work) and focus your time on assembly, backfilling, and finishing.
- Time commitment: Installing your own inground pool takes dedication. Vinyl liner builds usually take 6–8 weeks to complete, depending on weather and inspection schedules. Fiberglass pools can be installed faster, but coordinating delivery, crane access, and setup still requires careful planning.
- Tools and access: Expect to use excavation machinery, a laser level or transit, plate compactor, concrete mixer, and standard carpentry and plumbing tools. If your backyard has narrow gates or limited clearance, you may need to rent smaller equipment or complete portions of the dig and grading by hand.
- Budget buffer: The price of a do it yourself inground pool kit covers only part of the total cost. Add line items for excavation, base materials, electrical and plumbing components, decking, fencing, and a 10–15% contingency fund for surprises like rock removal or permit revisions.
- Backyard suitability: Check your property for underground utilities, stable soil, and proper drainage. Flat, open spaces are ideal. If your yard slopes or has limited access, extra grading and retaining work could increase overall cost and time.
- Permitting and inspections: Every city has its own process. Expect to secure building, electrical, and often zoning or stormwater permits. Schedule inspections early as delays in sign-offs are one of the most common slowdowns in installing your own inground pool.
Curious what an inground pool installation really looks like? One of our customers documented every step of their build in a photo diary and turned it into a great video walkthrough. Watch below to follow along with their experience.
Types of DIY Inground Pool Kits
There are three common kit families: fiberglass, vinyl liner, and concrete. Each has tradeoffs in cost, speed, and flexibility.
Fiberglass DIY pool kits
A one-piece molded shell is delivered to your site, set in a prepared excavation, and backfilled.
- Why people choose it: Fastest path to a swim-ready pool and a smooth, non-porous surface that limits algae.
- What to watch: Many fiberglass manufacturers restrict shells to dealer installs; true “DIY kits” are uncommon. You’ll likely coordinate with a dealer for delivery and a crane.
- Typical spend: Shell pricing varies by size and region. Homeowners often land on a mid-to-upper budget once you include freight, crane, base, and decking.
- Best for: Straightforward access, predictable soil, and owners who value speed over custom shapes.
Vinyl Liner DIY Pool Kits
Panel walls (steel or polymer) are bolted together over a concrete footer, with a custom liner installed after plumbing and base prep.
- Why people choose it: Most affordable path to build your own inground pool and the broadest shape/size options. Liners can be refreshed every 8–12 years to change the look.
- What to watch: Wall plumbness and track alignment are critical before backfill. Protect the liner from sharp objects and manage water chemistry to extend life.
- Typical spend: Kits for common rectangular footprints (e.g., 16’ × 32’ or 18’ × 36’) are often in the mid four- to low five-figure range before site work.
- Best for: Budget-focused DIYers who want flexible designs and don’t mind periodic liner replacement.
Concrete DIY Pool Kits
Form-and-rebar structures finished with shotcrete or poured concrete, then plaster.
- Why people choose it: Maximum design freedom. Concrete allows for custom shapes, deep ends, beach entries, tanning ledges, and curves that other pool types can’t match.
- What to watch: This is the most labor- and skill-intensive DIY option. You’ll need specialized trades for shotcrete application and plaster finishing. Concrete also requires curing time.
- Typical spend: Material costs alone can rival a full vinyl pool project. If you hire professionals for key phases, total expenses often exceed other pool types.
- Best for: Experienced DIYers or those managing a hybrid build, where you act as general contractor and hire out technical work.
Pros and Cons of DIY Inground Pool Installation
Installing your own inground pool can save thousands, but it also comes with responsibilities that pros usually manage for you.
Pros
- Cost control: Avoid contractor markups on labor and complete the project in stages, adding extras like heaters, automation, or water features later as your budget allows.
- Full customization: Choose every detail—pool size, liner pattern, lighting, entry steps, benches, and decking—to match your vision and yard layout.
- Better system knowledge: Building it yourself means you’ll understand your plumbing, filtration, and electrical setup from day one, making troubleshooting and maintenance simpler.
Cons
- Time and complexity: A DIY build can stretch over several weeks or months. Inspections, weather delays, and minor mistakes in leveling or plumbing can extend timelines or add rework costs.
- Limited warranties: Many manufacturers cover parts but not labor for DIY inground pool kits. Read warranty terms carefully before starting.
- Project coordination: You’re the general contractor—responsible for permits, scheduling trades, ordering materials, and staying on top of safety codes.
Cost Breakdown: DIY vs. Professional Installation
Costs vary depending on soil conditions, site access, location, and features, but here’s a solid benchmark for a mid-size rectangular vinyl pool:
How to Install an Inground Pool Yourself
- Plan, permit, and locate utilities: Finalize your pool shape, depth profile, and equipment layout. Apply for building and electrical permits, and contact your local utility locate service before any digging begins.
- Layout and prepare access: Stake the pool outline and mark elevation benchmarks using a laser level. Plan access routes for machinery to avoid damaging structures, fencing, or landscaping.
- Excavate: Dig to engineered depth, allowing extra width (“over-dig”) for wall panels or shell placement. Maintain stable slopes and decide whether to haul away or reuse excavated soil.
- Set base and footer: Pour the concrete footer for panel walls and install the pool base; typically a vermiculite/cement mix for vinyl or a gravel bed for fiberglass. Precision matters: small level errors can create bigger issues later.
- Install walls or shell: Assemble steel or polymer wall panels with braces, or position the fiberglass shell using a crane. Ensure square, level, and correct radius before tightening hardware.
- Plumbing rough-in: Run PVC lines to the equipment pad for skimmers, returns, and main drains. Dry-fit all connections, glue securely, support lines on compacted base, and pressure-test before backfilling.
- Electrical rough-in: Install conduit and bond all required metallic components. Set junction boxes and prepare for GFCI-protected circuits in compliance with local electrical codes.
- Backfill and compact: Backfill in compacted lifts to reduce settling. Keep wall panels plumb using braces, and verify level continuously throughout the process.
- Interior finish: For vinyl pools, install and vacuum-set the liner. For concrete builds, schedule shotcrete or gunite, allow proper curing time, then apply the plaster finish.
- Equipment setup and start-up: Install the pump, filter, salt system or chlorinator, heater, and automation controls. Prime the plumbing system, fill the pool, and balance water chemistry.
- Decking and grading: Pour concrete or lay pavers, ensuring surfaces slope away from the pool for proper drainage. Restore landscaping and grade surrounding areas.
- Final inspection and system walkthrough: Close out all permits, complete required inspections, and document equipment models, serial numbers, and warranty registrations.
Pro Tip: Even if you’re not adding lighting or automation now, run empty conduit from the equipment pad to key features like steps, benches, or landscaping. It’s inexpensive to do now and saves you from future trenching.
Safety and Legal Considerations
Every homemade inground pool must meet local building codes and safety regulations—there are no shortcuts here. Pool projects are governed by national standards such as the International Swimming Pool & Spa Code (ISPSC) and local ordinances covering fencing, electrical work, and drainage. Failing to comply can lead to fines, halted projects, or even removal orders, so it’s best to verify all requirements before breaking ground.
Key areas to review include:
- Barriers and gates: Most regions require a 48” or taller barrier around the pool, with self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward. Check gate hardware and latch height requirements, as they can vary by jurisdiction.
- Electrical and bonding: Pools must include equipotential bonding, GFCI protection, and properly sized wiring. A continuous #8 AWG bare copper bonding grid is typically required around the perimeter to prevent electrical shock hazards. Hire a licensed electrician if you’re not experienced with pool wiring as it’s one of the most critical safety elements.
- Suction safety: Use compliant, anti-entrapment drain covers certified under the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (US). Many DIY builders opt for dual main drains or skip them entirely in favor of skimmers and returns designed to maintain safe water flow.
Beyond these essentials, verify setbacks from property lines, septic tanks, and overhead utilities, and review stormwater or easement rules that may affect your site. Always contact your local building department early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to install a DIY inground pool?
- Vinyl liner pools typically take 6–8 weeks to complete, while fiberglass pools can be ready in 3–4 weeks if delivery and inspections stay on track. Concrete builds take the longest, (often several months), because of curing time and additional trades.
What tools and equipment are needed for a homemade inground pool?
- You’ll need excavation equipment, a laser level, plate compactor, and basic plumbing and electrical tools. Renting a mini excavator or skid steer is common, and many DIYers hire licensed electricians or plumbers for specialized steps.
Are DIY inground pool kits safe and durable compared to professional installation?
- Yes, if properly installed. The materials are the same as professional pools, but correct leveling, bonding, and plumbing are essential for long-term durability and safety.
Can I finance a DIY pool project through Royal Swimming Pools?
- Yes. Royal Swimming Pools partners with financing providers like LightStream, Affirm, and HFS to offer flexible payment options for pool purchases. Financing is available for pool kits, equipment, and accessories, though terms may vary depending on the lender and project type.
What’s the cheapest way to build an inground pool?
- The most affordable approach is a smaller, rectangular vinyl liner pool using standard polymer or steel panels at common depths. Keep the design simple with a basic broom-finish concrete deck and skip extras like heaters, automation, or custom steps until later.
How do I maintain my new inground pool after installation?
- Test and balance the water weekly, brush walls, and clean filters regularly. Consistent upkeep and following manufacturer care guides for your liner or finish will keep your pool in great shape.
We hope you've found this guide helpful! If you still have questions or want to learn more, check out our other blogs below or give us a call at 901-372-1773.