The average cost to maintain a pool is $235, and it ranges from $116 to $354, but your pool size and potential repairs may increase the cost.
You head to the pool, but the filters aren't running and the pool is full of leaves and critters—these are signs it’s time to invest in some maintenance. Swimming pool maintenance costs $235 on average, including the price of cleaning and utilities. Total costs can range from $55 for simple upkeep to $775 for standard maintenance, plus repairs.
With regular pool maintenance, you don’t have to worry about having your day off by the pool interrupted. So grab your sunscreen, and read on for factors to consider in your pool maintenance budget.
While it’s fun to soak up the sun and float in the pool, several factors must be considered when it comes to keeping your pool clean, safe, and in good working condition. The bigger the pool, the more you’ll spend on maintaining it.
And upkeep doesn’t just involve cleaning—you also need to open the pool for summer and close it before winter, and you want to consider the cost of water and electricity.
Your pool maintenance costs depend on the type of pool you have (think: in-ground, aboveground, outdoors, or indoors). Chlorinated and saltwater pools require different types of upkeep and have differing maintenance costs.
| Type of Pool | Average Maintenance Cost per Hour | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| Inground | $50–$100 | The larger the pool, the higher the cost |
| Above ground | $50–$100 | Rates may be lower because above ground pools are easier to access |
| Indoor | $25–$50 | Chemicals cost about $15 per month |
| Chlorine | $50–$100 | You’ll need to maintain chemical levels and test the pH every 1–2 weeks |
| Salt water | $80–$100 | You’ll spend about $100 per year on salt and chemicals, plus $800 every 3–7 years for a new salt cell |
While there’s no set price per square foot for swimming pool maintenance, you can expect to pay in the higher end of the range ($2,000 or more annually) if you have a pool larger than the standard 15,000- to 30,000-gallon swimming pool.
| Pool Size (Feet) | Average Maintenance Cost (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| 10x20 | $400–$900 |
| 14x28 | $600–$1,100 |
| 16x32 | $700–$1,200 |
| 20x40 | $1,000+ |
Most in-ground pools are made of concrete or fiberglass or are lined with vinyl. Each material has specific maintenance needs, with the size and design of the pool increasing or decreasing the cost of yearly maintenance. Concrete needs the most maintenance, including more chemicals and weekly scrubbing.
| Pool Material | Average Maintenance Cost |
|---|---|
| Fiberglass | $300–$550 |
| Vinyl | $350–$800 |
| Concrete | $450–$1,200 |
If your schedule is jam-packed, you might not have time to dedicate to pool maintenance tasks. In this case, you could opt for weekly services. But if you're a DIYer and enjoy doing what you can, you might only call in a pool pro a few times a year for major needs like opening and closing your pool. Whatever your situation, here are some costs you can expect by frequency.
| Frequency of Maintenance | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Weekly | $20–$50 |
| Monthly | $30–$260 |
| Annual | $960–$1,800 |
Pool upkeep costs about $20 to $50 per week. Your tech will check your chemical levels, balance the water, and do a shock or algaecide treatment as necessary. If you’re paying the higher end of the scale, it’s advantageous to negotiate a contract that includes pool opening and closing costs.
It’s a good idea to hire someone to take care of your pool weekly because the company can keep a close eye on your pool equipment and water quality so you can avoid costly issues or repairs.
Monthly pool maintenance costs about $30 to $260 per month. The price depends on the frequency and level of the service.
If you’re open to doing some maintenance yourself, like skimming the pool daily and brushing the walls weekly, you can opt for a basic monthly package that costs around $30 to $95 per month. These services include water testing and balancing, backwashing filters, cleaning the skimmer, and cleaning the pump baskets.
You can upgrade to $70 to $95 per month for the tech to check your equipment, maintain automatic pool cleaning systems, and brush your pool walls. They’ll visit your pool two to four times a month.
On the higher end, a service that costs $100 to $200 or more per month and includes everything listed above and more. The tech will conduct pool surface skimming, cleaning, and pool vacuuming. Pool opening and closing are often included as well.
Your average pool maintenance cost per year likely falls within the $960 to $1,800 range, depending on your pool type, size, and the services you require. If you’d like to pass along all pool maintenance tasks to a pro, you can expect to pay the higher end of the price range.
On the other hand, if you plan to DIY almost all of your pool maintenance and only call in a pro as needed, you’ll pay $150 to $200 for a single, comprehensive maintenance call.
Total upkeep costs range from $116 to $354. This includes supplying your pool with water and electricity, regular cleaning, and common repairs like fixing clogged pumps or dirty filters.
| Type of Pool Maintenance | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Pool cleaning and water testing | $80–$150 per month |
| Closing pool for winter | $150–$300 |
| Opening pool | $150–$300 |
| Water delivery | $60–$120 |
| Electricity | $300 per year |
| Acid wash | $350–$500 |
| Brushing | $20–$100 |
| Chlorine washing | $300–$500 |
| Drain and filter cleaning | $60–$125 |
Most pool repairs cost an average of $250 to $1,200, depending on the type of repair needed. Replacing a pump motor or filter is expensive, while repairing a drain or skimmer is much less costly. Some other repairs you might need include fixing a pool leak, replacing lights, or replacing broken or loose tiles.
| Pool Repair | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pump replacement | $700–$1,300 |
| Leak repair | $10–$3,500 |
| Light replacement | $65–$150 per light |
| Filter replacement | $1,500–$2,000 |
| Heater repair | $160–$730 |
| Tile replacement | $20–$30 per tile |
You can hire a pool maintenance person for about $80 to $200 per week to help skim out debris from the water. For more detailed upkeep, like checking filters or opening a pool in the summer, expect to spend $75 to $100 per hour to hire a local pool cleaning pro.
Some pool maintenance tasks, like skimming the water daily and checking chemical levels weekly, should be done frequently. You may be able to do these on your own, but you can schedule a pool service pro to get the job done.
If you decide to hire a pro, schedule a professional to come out monthly or quarterly to inspect and clean the filters and check the other equipment, such as the pump. You can also schedule pool maintenance at the beginning and end of the season to ensure the pool is properly opened for the summer and closed for the winter.
You can save up to $1,000 annually by cleaning the pool yourself, but you may spend up to a few hours per day or several hours a week for DIY pool maintenance. While you’ll save money, you’ll be spending your time, which is something to keep in mind.
| Item | Description | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance kit | Includes a skimmer, brush, vacuum, and telescopic pool pole | $35–$50 |
| Test kits | You’ll need to test the water pH and chemical levels about once every week or two | $15 each |
| Chlorine | Comes in liquid or tablet form | $4 per gallon or $65 for 25 pounds of tablets |
| Bromine | A chlorine alternative | $50 for a 5-gallon container |
| Muriatic acid | Used to lower pH levels | $8 per gallon |
| Soda ash | Used to increase pH levels | $8 for a 6-pound container |
| Algaecide | Keeps algae from taking over your pool, should last about 16 weeks if you use 1 cup per week | $10 to $15 for a 128-ounce bottle |
| Filters | Removes dirt and debris from water | $10–$75 |
| Cover | Used to cover your pool in the offseason | $500–$600 |
Keep in mind that pools require regular upkeep plus seasonal tasks. If you want to look at your pool and think “relaxation” versus “a backbreaking afternoon of skimming, scrubbing, and chemical balancing,” you might prefer to spend the extra money on hiring a pool service professional near you.
No time to maintain your pool? Most pool contractors offer seasonal maintenance. Talk to your pro about scheduling check-ups to keep your pool healthy.
There are many ways to save money on swimming pool maintenance costs, whether you decide to handle all the upkeep yourself or just pitch in by skimming the pool daily. A maintenance kit will cost about $35 to $50 as a one-time cost, whereas hiring a cleaning service or pool service costs about $25 to $150 per hour.
To save money, you can do these maintenance tasks yourself:
Skim the water
Test the water
Balance chemicals
Brush the pool walls
Clear out and replace filters
Then, hire a professional to help you open and close the pool each year, which is more challenging to DIY.
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Skim your pool for debris and clean up the wall tiles every week. Test the pH once a week or every two weeks. The safe pH level for a pool is 7. Much higher and the alkaline water will lead to cloudy pool water that can irritate your eyes and skin. Any lower and the water becomes acidic, which can damage the pool liner and irritate your skin.
At least once a month, take the time to vacuum, inspect the equipment, empty the pump baskets, and check the filters. Some homeowners do this themselves, although you can hire someone to take care of it.
First, know the best time to buy a swimming pool to lower your initial investment (late summer or early fall). Regular maintenance is key to saving money, whether you go the DIY route or hire a local swimming pool service or cleaning professionals.
You can save money by tackling easier tasks like skimming the water and testing the pH levels yourself and then hiring someone to help you open or close the pool.
The life span of your pool depends on the pool type and liner. The longest-lasting pools are in-ground concrete pools, which have a life span of 50 years. Next up are fiberglass pools, which last over 30 years. On the other hand, vinyl pools last 20 years or more, although you need to replace the liner every six to 12 years. Aboveground pools have shorter life spans, lasting about eight to 15 years.
It’s not necessary to drain your pool every year. However, draining and refilling your pool every three to five years helps keep your pool water clean and flush out any built-up total dissolved solids. And even when you drain the pool, it’s not necessary to drain it completely.
If you don’t do this task properly, it’s possible to cause damage to your pool and the surrounding areas. It’s best to call a pro to handle this if you don’t have experience.
