Building a natural pool costs $100,000 on average, but it can cost between $75,000 and $150,000 on average, depending on size, type, and specifics.
If you love to stick close to nature—and avoid chemicals when possible—natural pool costs may be worth it. Before diving in and committing to building one at your house, it’s best to consider all the cost factors first. The cost of building a natural pool usually ranges from $75,000 to $150,000, with an average of $100,000. Remember that while a natural pool has a high up-front cost, operating costs are minimal compared to traditional pools.
Natural pool costs can fall anywhere from $50 to $100 per square foot. Many factors can determine if your costs will lean toward the lower or higher end of the scale. Natural swimming pools will cost more on average than the price to put in a traditional pool due to their size, complex installation, and ongoing maintenance.
Unlike chlorinated pools, there are two sizes you need to consider for a natural pool: the total size and the swimming size. The total size accounts for the landscaping surrounding the swimming area, including the separate water purification area, if it has one. You can expect 50% to 70% of the water to be the swimming area, with the rest dedicated to purification.
Some natural pool builders install a built-in biological filtration system in the walls or floor of the pool area. However, even in these cases, the surrounding area is still fairly large and includes all the landscaping and water features.
The actual costs vary widely depending on the exact sizes, depth, and add-ons. For example, a natural pool with a total size of 1,000 square feet and a swimming area of 500 square feet costs $50,000 to $100,000.
Here are additional pool costs so you can understand what your project may require.
| Total Pool Size | Swimming Area | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq. ft. | 50–350 sq. ft. | $25,000–$50,000 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | 100–700 sq. ft. | $50,000–$100,000 |
| 1,400 sq. ft. | 170–1,330 sq. ft. | $75,000–$125,000 |
| 3,250 sq. ft. | 900–1,800 sq. ft. | $125,000–$150,000 |
Converting a traditional pool to a natural pool is not a straightforward task. In many cases, it can cost the same if not more than starting from scratch.
A natural pool requires far more space than a regular pool to accommodate both the swimming area and the purification area. It is also typically a much different shape. You may need to pay for the cost to remove the old pool for an average of $6,000.
The price to excavate for a new pool ranges from $8 to $25 per cubic yard. Because you already did some excavating to put in your old pool, you can save money in this area, but your contractor will still need to build the natural pool from the ground up.
When installing a pool, building permits cost anywhere from $250 to $2,000. Your contractor will need to investigate local laws regarding pool construction, deck size, and the best way to source water. In most cases, however, a natural pool will require similar if not the same permits as a traditional pool.
Location affects the cost of a natural pool in several ways. Hiring a pool contractor may be more complex and costlier in a remote area compared to a more populous area with an established backyard pool culture. The makeup of your landscape can also speed up or slow down the excavation process, which will affect prices. And lastly, the cost of living in your area will always sway material and labor prices.
Pool liner costs can range from $0.25 to $113 per square foot. Synthetic options include a traditional or fiberglass liner, or you can opt for a bentonite clay lining. Concrete is also a good option because it’s durable and highly customizable. On the other hand, gravel liners are usually used in the water purification area rather than in the swimming area. These liners are a bit different than the pool finishes for traditional pools, but the available options will also add to the balanced ecosystem.
| Natural Pool Material | Cost Range per Square Foot (Materials Only) | Average Cost per Square Foot (Materials Only) |
|---|---|---|
| Liner | $0.25 – $1.20 | $0.72 |
| Clay | $0.50 – $1.50 | $1.00 |
| Gravel | $1 – $2 | $1.50 |
| Concrete | $55 – $70 | $62.50 |
| Fiberglass | $100 – $113 | $106.50 |
The materials to build a natural pool from the ground up cost anywhere from $30,000 to $49,000.
| Material | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Liner | $0.25–$113 per sq. ft |
| Pump and hardware | $300–$1,200 |
| Skimmer | $10–$100 |
| Pool Sand | $15–$30 per ton |
| River rocks | $35–$800 per ton |
Unless you live in an area with moderate temperatures, it can be a great idea to install a pool heater to add months to your swim season.
If you want to go all-natural with the heater, just like with the pool, the best option is a solar heater for $4,500 to $9,500, including materials and labor. The great news with these heaters is the energy savings you’ll see, so the up-front costs can be well worth it.
Otherwise, gas and propane pool heaters cost $1,500 to $6,000, while heat pumps cost $2,500 to $7,500.
Before putting in a pool of any variety, it's important to imagine how it will blend with your property. Natural pool costs will always vary due to the many options homeowners have when designing them. Their size, shape, depth, and interaction with the surrounding landscape all determine the bottom line. Natural pools can weave through your backyard and include waterfalls, areas with fish, multi-tiered swimming areas, and a range of depths.
Building a natural pool requires a lot of labor. The labor costs are usually built into the final cost of the pool but usually account for $8,000 to $10,000 of the total cost or more. The labor includes excavation, pool installation with plumbing and electrical work, installing water plants, and more.
Building a natural pool can take four to six weeks to complete from beginning to end. In addition to your pool designer, you may need to hire specialists such as pool electricians, landscapers, and excavation teams.
Natural pools require the most attention at the beginning, and once all the plants are flourishing and the water is naturally filtered, they’re easier to maintain than chlorinated pools. However, you should conduct regular and annual maintenance for the longevity of your pool.
Pool maintenance costs $150 to $260 monthly. Hire a company that’s familiar with natural pools so you can make sure you’re getting the right cleaning and maintenance done.
The operating costs of natural pools are quite low. Unlike chlorinated pools, you don’t have to spend money on chemicals to keep the water safe for swimming. You’ll just have to account for the cost of running your pump and heater.
You don’t have to invest in a pool cover, either, as your water will naturally freeze over in the winter if temperatures drop below freezing, and it won’t harm your pool.
Possible repairs may include maintenance or replacements for equipment like pumps and heaters. You may also need to repair natural elements like boulders or rocks if they sustain damage over time.
Installing a natural pool yourself is possible, but it’ll require a lot of knowledge and experience. You’ll have to properly construct the swimming area and install the water purification area correctly.
Otherwise, your pool isn’t going to have properly filtered water. Fixing a poorly made natural pool is likely to cost a lot, so unless you are extremely confident in your skills, it’s best to hire a pool installer near you.
If you decide to move forward with the DIY job, materials alone will run $30,000 to $49,000. However, it can cut down on costs if you have rocks and boulders you can use for your pool on your property. This cost estimate doesn’t account for renting heavy machinery, which you need a lot of experience to use safely. From excavation to leveling the ground to setting in large rocks and boulders if you choose to use them, you’ll need a variety of machines to get the job done.
Not to mention, you’ll need plumbing and electrical experience. If this all sounds too overwhelming, but you’re interested in DIYing parts of the job, the pool builder may be able to advise you on specific tasks that you can do yourself while they handle the bulk of the heavy lifting.
These special add-ons increase the cost of your pool but can increase your enjoyment of the swimming area exponentially:
Waterfalls cost $250 to $15,000, depending on the size and materials.
Adding lighting to your pool costs $450 to $1,200.
The cost of a swimming pool fence ranges from $1,100 and $12,000 on average.
Retaining walls both in and around your pool will cost between $20 and $100 per square foot.
Aquatic plants are crucial to many natural pools and cost between $10 and $100 per plant.
Pool enclosures, while not as common for natural pools, cost an average of $12,000.
Pool slides cost $1,000 to $15,000.
Pool decks cost $3,000 to $12,000, with the most affordable decks in the 300 to 600 square foot range and the most expensive decks spanning over 900 square feet.
Hot tub costs range from $2,000 to $35,000. The most affordable ones are above ground, while the more expensive hot tubs are inground.
You can add step-in pebble beaches, sculpted jumping boulders, and more to your natural pool. These add-ons usually drive up the cost of your pool from $75,000 to over $175,000, depending on the pool size and features you decide to add.
The best way to save money on natural pools is by opting for a smaller size without special features. After you build out the pool, you might decide to add more features to your budget for pool remodel costs down the road.
During this time, you could add features like bubblers, waterfalls, and more. This helps you save money up-front and gives you more time to invest in additional add-ons.
Another option is to find a pool builder who is open to collaborating with you. They may be willing to do the hardest part of the job, like excavation and liner installation, while leaving other tasks to you, like installing all of the necessary plants in the water purification area.
Mizuki Hisaka contributed to this piece.
Whether a natural pool is worth it depends on several factors because they cost more than traditional pools. Many people opt for natural pools because they enjoy swimming in natural bodies of water such as lakes. Also, if you're environmentally conscious, a natural pool is going to be a much more attractive option than a traditional pool.
Moreover, for people with chemical sensitivities, a natural pool is a great solution since the water doesn’t contain chlorine.
Although we often equate bodies of water with pesky mosquitoes, you don’t have to worry about them in your natural swimming pool. This is because mosquitoes are attracted to bodies of standing water. Your natural pool, on the other hand, has consistently moving water, thanks to the pump that runs all year long.
Natural pools don’t necessarily attract snakes, although there is a chance they could stop by for a quick visit. They’re not likely to stay, however, because there’s nothing for snakes to eat in a natural pool environment. A well-maintained natural pool has clear water, so you should be able to easily spot a snake before diving in.
