How Much Does Pool Liner Replacement Cost?

Pool Liner Cost by Pool Type

An aboveground pool liner costs between $500 to $900 to replace, while in-ground pool liners cost between $1,200 and $2,100.

In-ground pool liner replacement costs will almost always be more expensive than replacing a liner for an aboveground pool. This is partly because in-ground pool liners require more labor to access, remove, and replace. They also tend to have steps that make liner replacement more challenging.

In-ground pool liner replacement costs an average of $1,800, while aboveground pool liner replacement costs an average of $700.

Cost by Liner Type

The type of liner you choose also affects the price of your new pool liner. There are three types of liners: overlap, beaded, and uni-bead liners. Overlap liners come in at the lowest end of the price range, but they have a lower lifespan than beaded and uni-bead liners.

The table below includes some average pricing for the three main types of pool liners. Keep in mind that these prices are for materials only and don’t include the labor cost to install them.

• Beaded liner: Beaded liners have a groove attached to a track around the edge of the pool. This secure attachment method creates a clean appearance and helps prevent the liner from slipping. That said, it’s important to have precise measurements and handle the track system with care. 

• Overlap liner: Overlap pool liners are draped over the top of a swimming pool and then clamped into place, so material and labor costs are lower than those for the other types. The design can leave visible folds at the top of the pool wall, but it’s still a good and easy-to-replace option for budget-conscious homeowners.

• Uni-bead liner: Uni-bead liners create a seamless look. They have a curved piece that hooks over the top of the pool, and they’re the most versatile and flexible option.

Cost by Pool Size and Shape

The average cost of pool liner replacement is around $5 per square foot, so, for a pool that’s 10-by-20 feet, you’d pay $1,000 on average.

In addition to size, liner replacement in L-shaped or kidney-shaped pools is more expensive than a standard rectangle or oval pool. Custom pool shapes and depths also demand custom liners, which are significantly more expensive than buying and installing a prefabricated liner that’s made to fit standard pool sizes.

The table below includes some average costs for pool liner replacement based on pool size, but keep in mind that these can vary considerably depending on customization.

Pool Liner Specialist Costs

A company that specializes in pool liner installation can help you replace the pool liner correctly and efficiently. The labor for installing an aboveground pool liner costs between $250 and $800, while an in-ground pool liner installation ranges from $1,000 to $2,500. 

Note that not all pool pros work with both types of pools—some may only work with in-ground pools, for example. You may also have to pay more if you have a custom-shaped pool, custom steps, or other non-standard shapes and depths.

When you hire a pro to replace your pool liner, they will:

• Drain the pool

• Remove the old liner

• Measure and order a new liner

• Install the new liner

• Refill and clean up the pool 

Additional Pool Liner Replacement Cost Factors

The cost to repair or replace a pool liner also varies with the liner material, thickness, time of year, and more.

Materials

The material costs depend largely on the type of pool you have. Vinyl is the most budget-friendly and popular type of pool liner material. A replacement vinyl liner for an aboveground pool costs between $500 and $900, while an in-ground pool liner replacement ranges from $1,400 to $2,100.

Fiberglass pool liners are more durable (and repairable) than their vinyl counterparts, but they come with a steep price tag. Depending on the shape and size of your pool, expect to pay between $1,500 and $5,000 for a fiberglass liner, plus an additional $1,000 to $2,500 for the installation.

Other liner materials vary even more in price because they require more labor to install and include more options for customization. The table below includes some average pricing based on liner material.

Liner Thickness and Design

The thicker the vinyl, the more durable the pool liner—but that also comes with a higher price tag. Most liners are 20 millimeters thick, but you can also choose a 25- or 28-millimeter option (usually reserved for in-ground pools) for a bit more money.

You can expect to pay around $300 to $500 more for the thicker liners. The pool liner cost also increases when choosing designs or patterns beyond the basic solid blue.

Draining and Refilling

Replacing a vinyl liner requires that you first drain the pool to access the interior. You can technically drain a pool yourself for free, but you should be careful since most residential pools aren't designed to be empty. Some municipalities also don’t allow you to drain pools to the sewers, so you’ll have to check local regulations before you get started.

Another option is to hire a pool contractor to drain it; most companies charge between $500 and $700 for this service.

Once the work is completed, the pool will need to be refilled. The cost to fill a pool with water runs between $60 and $300 if you use municipal water.

Time of Year

Spring and summer are the most expensive times to replace a pool liner since this is when pool liner companies are busiest. You can save some money by waiting until the fall when demand dips, but for the best results, you should replace a liner when the weather is warm.

Permits

In most cases, you won’t need a permit for pool projects that don’t involve structural changes, but some municipalities do require permits. You can check with your local building department or ask your pool repair professional if a permit is required. If it is, you should budget between $150 and $300 for the permit fee.

Disposal of the Old Liner

Your pool repair expert will most likely include removing and disposing of the old liner in the initial estimate, but always check your contract to make sure, as some companies charge extra for this. Disposal fees average between $75 and $150. You could save some money by agreeing to cut up the liner and dispose of it yourself, but this is less convenient.

Pool Liner Repair vs. Replacement Costs 

Not all damaged pool liners need to be replaced. Vinyl pool liners can last anywhere from five to 20 years, so if your pool liner is relatively new, in good condition, or has only a cosmetic or minor tear, you might be able to repair the liner rather than replace it entirely. For example, if you know how to patch a pool liner, you may be able to repair a minor tear to your current liner with a DIY liner patch kit, which costs roughly between $20 and $50.

Leaks

While finding a leak in a pool can mean the end of your pool liner, that’s often not the case. Depending on the location and size of the damage, the leak may be fixable. You can patch a tear in a vinyl liner up to 3 inches long, provided it isn’t close to the pool’s filtration system. 

You can patch the leak yourself by purchasing a kit or hire a local pool repair service to do it. Professional pool leak repair costs $300 to $1,200 but can climb higher for more severe leaks.

While many vinyl patch kits are DIY-friendly, we suggest hiring a pro to fix a leaky fiberglass liner, as it can be difficult to get a good color match with the patch. Keep in mind that patches are unpredictable. Some can last for years, while others may fail in a matter of days. Monitor the patch at least once a week to make sure it’s in place and doing its job.

If your fiberglass pool liner is leaky, you’ll need to hire a professional to repair it. Expect to pay between $300 and $400 to repair a crack in a fiberglass pool, or up to $2,500 for more severe leaks.

Sun Damage

Even the best pool liners will eventually succumb to the powerful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Over time, the sun will cause the liner to fade, beginning with the areas near and above the waterline.

If the damage is purely cosmetic and confined to the parts of the pool liner near the waterline, you can install adhesive borders to freshen the look of your pool liner. This affordable repair option will only cost you about $2 per linear foot.

However, if the sun has dried out a portion of the liner, causing the vinyl to become hard and brittle, then you have no alternative but to replace it.

Wrinkles or Bulges 

Wrinkles and bulges are the result of a poor liner installation, erosion under the liner, or bad pool chemistry. In addition to their unsightly appearance, these anomalies can also make it more difficult to keep your pool clean by trapping dirt in their folds, creating a place for bacteria and algae to grow.

If you get to them early, you can hire a professional to smooth out your wrinkled liner for between $100 and $250. 

The bad news is the weight of the water hardens the wrinkles, making most wrinkled liners impossible to repair. There are no magic treatments to remove your pool liner’s wrinkles and bulges. The good news is your aging pool can live with these cosmetic flaws as long as you can. 

Floor Damage

Fixing floor damage can be a costly repair for aboveground pools. If you’re able to identify the leak yourself, you can fix it with a simple patch for about $20. If there’s damage to the pool structure, you’ll need to call in a pro. Plan on paying a professional between $300 and $600 to repair a damaged pool floor structure. 

Bead Replacement

The bead on your pool liner is responsible for keeping it locked in place around the rim of the pool. When it begins to wear out, the bead will cease to do its job, causing the liner to pull free from the rim. You can attempt to push a loose bead back into place. If this fails, you’ll need to replace it to preserve the liner. Such a job requires the expertise of a professional to avoid damaging your liner. Plan on paying between $130 and $300 for a bead replacement.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Replace a Pool Liner

You’ll pay around $30 to $50 per hour to have a pool pro repair an existing pool liner, so you’d save on those fees if you DIY. You’ll still have to pay for the liner itself, plus draining and refilling the pool, which will cost about $300 to $1,000 in total.

While you can do some minor repairs on an existing pool liner yourself, installing a new liner can prove to be more challenging. An improperly installed pool liner can wrinkle, become damaged along the bead tracks, or even rip. You might even void your pool liner warranty if you DIY the installation, as some companies won’t honor the warranty unless a professional installs it. 

For these reasons, leave the installation to the professionals unless you have experience installing pool liner replacements yourself. A pool liner installation company near you has the expertise to ensure your liner fits your pool correctly and lasts for many years. 

How to Save on Pool Liner Costs

Replacing a pool liner can be an unexpected expense if you haven’t budgeted for it. From draining your pool and refilling it to the materials' price, you might find yourself sweating at the thought of replacing the liner. Here are a few ways you can save money and still update your liner to protect your pool for future use:

• Avoid upgraded features: That stunning pattern or rich color you've been eyeing will inevitably cost more than a plain, traditional liner. Stick with a simple design to keep costs low.

• Replace during the slow season: While everyone else may jump to replace their liners in spring and early summer, you might get a discount if you wait until the end of summer or fall to have a pool company replace your pool liner due to lower demand.

• Maintain your pool: Routine pool maintenance ensures that your pool’s liner lasts as long as possible, ultimately saving you money on unnecessary replacements and repairs.

• Choose a high-quality pool liner: Though it might seem counterintuitive, a high-quality liner gives you more bang for your buck by lowering how frequently you need to replace or repair it.

• Clean your pool regularly: To protect your pool and the liner from deterioration, clean your pool filter once a month during the swim season and a few times during the offseason. This will remove algae, debris, dirt, sunscreen, and lotion residue from your pool.

• Repair over replace, if possible: Contact a pool professional to see if you can repair your liner rather than replace it. You’ll pay an average of $300 for a repair, while a full replacement averages $2,467.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.