What Is the Cost of Closing a Pool for the Winter? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $175 - $300
Pool closing costs $250 on average, with most homeowners spending between $175 and $300.
On average, pool closing costs $250, but you could spend between $175 and $300. Prices depend on size, labor, and accessories. Much like winterizing your sprinkler system, it’s essential to winterize your pool once temperatures drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit to keep it in working condition for many years to come.
- Average
- $250
- Low end
- $150
- high end
- $400
Pool Closing Cost Factors
Pool closing—or winterizing your pool if you live in a cold climate—is an essential part of pool maintenance. Luckily, pool closing doesn’t have to break the bank. The average homeowner spends $250 on pool closing costs, but the total price depends on a few factors.
Aboveground vs. In-Ground Pools
The cost to winterize a pool largely depends on the type of pool. Expect to spend an average of $175 closing an aboveground pool and an average of $300 closing an in-ground pool.
Aboveground pools cost less than in-ground pools across the board—whether you’re building one or closing down for the season. This has to do with the fact that aboveground pools are usually smaller with less equipment and fewer accessories. In-ground pools tend to have add-ons that drive up cost, like hot tubs, water features, spa areas, and multiple heaters.
| Type of Pool | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Aboveground pool | $150–$200 |
| In-ground pool | $200–$400 |
Size
The volume of your pool matters. The larger your pool, the longer it’ll take to close, and the more it will cost. This is because it takes time to deep clean your pool and equipment. Larger pools don’t just have more surface area to clean; they often have more equipment and luxury add-ons like hot tubs or spa areas, which drives up labor costs.
Pool Closing Chemicals Cost
When you close down your pool, you’ll need to drain some of the water and add winterizing pool cleaning chemicals. Most pool professionals also shock the water, and each chemical comes with a different cost.
| Pool Cleaning Chemical | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Algaecide | $14–$60 |
| Chlorine | $15–$80 |
| Stabilizer | $20–$30 |
| Shock | $25–$50 |
| Bromine | $30–$50 |
Pool Cover Costs
Depending on the type of pool and the pool cover you choose, you can expect to pay an average price of $35 to $750 for an aboveground pool cover and $75 to $10,000 for an in-ground pool cover.
| Type of Pool | Average Cover Cost |
|---|---|
| Aboveground | $35–$750 |
| In-ground | $75–$10,000 |
Types of Pool Covers
Your overall cost will depend on the type of pool cover you choose, with solar covers costing the least and electric pool covers costing the most. Here’s what you can expect to spend on pool covers:
| Type of Pool Cover | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Solar | $30–$150 |
| Winter | $75–$250 |
| Walkable | $600–$2,280 |
| Net | $1,200–$3,000 |
| Solid safety | $1,800–$3,600 |
| Mesh safety | $1,200–$3,000 |
| Manual | $500–$5,000 |
| Electric | $7,000–$25,000 |
| Custom | $1,500–$6,000 |
Labor
Most pool contractors charge between $75 and $100 per hour to close your pool. Winterization involves a deep pool cleaning, balancing water and chemicals, and prepping the pool equipment so it’s not damaged by freezing water. The more tasks your contractor needs to complete, the longer it’s going to take, and the more it’s going to cost.
Extra Accessories
There are a few accessories that can protect your pool during the winter.
| Pool Accessory | Average Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Air pillow | $10–$30 | Supports weight or snow and ice build-up |
| Winter pill | $15–$25 | Reduces scaling and staining |
| Pool cover | $750–$2,550 | Protects pool |
Additional Pool Closing Projects
Consider adding the following costs to your pool closing budget.
| Additional Task | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Winterizing a hot tub | $50–$100 |
| Winterizing a cleaning system | $65–$75 |
| Winterizing a water feature or spa | $50–$60 each |
| Draining and lubricating extra equipment | $25–$35 each |
| Adding antifreeze to a solar heater | $25–$50 |
Winterize hot tub: This task includes cleaning the hot tub, lowering the water level in the hot tub, treating the remaining water, and securing a cover for winter.
Winterize cleaning system: In-floor vacuums have a winterizing process that involves removing some of the equipment and draining and sealing off pool lines.
Winterize water feature: You’ll have to clean each add-on feature, drain some of the water, treat the remaining water, and securely cover it for the winter.
Drain and lubricate equipment: Any extra equipment you might have, like an additional water heater or pump, requires winterization.
Add antifreeze to a solar heater: You may need to add antifreeze to your solar heater to ensure the lines don’t freeze and crack.
Cost to Close a Pool Yourself
Some homeowners choose to close a pool themselves for the cost of cleaning equipment and pool chemicals. You’ll need to adjust the pH of the pool. If you leave water in the pipes, it can damage equipment beyond repair. If there’s too much or too little water in your pool, your pool walls could collapse when it freezes.
You may want to play it safe and hire a local pool closing service. Even if you end up closing your pool on your own, you can still enlist a pro to service your pool during the winter. This can help prevent broken parts and get your pool up and running faster when summer finally arrives.
Cost to Close a Pool Permanently
Some homeowners opt to permanently close their pools permanently—whether the pool has fallen into disrepair or they simply no longer enjoy pool ownership. Pool removal costs an average of $6,000, but the price is highly dependent on whether it’s aboveground or in-ground.
Aboveground pool: A pro can demolish an aboveground pool fairly easily. This costs $300 to $800, though you could spend up to $5,000 if you also need to remove a pool deck.
In-ground pool: In-ground pool removal is more involved. You’ll need to remove the existing materials and fill the pool with dirt. A partial pool fill-in costs $5,000, and a full pool fill-in costs $9,000 to $19,000.
There are different pros and cons to filling in a pool, though a complete fill is the safest (and most expensive) option.
Cost to Open a Pool
You can expect to pay between $250 and $400 for a swimming pool company near you to open your pool. If you DIY this project, you can expect to pay around $100—and many stores carry pool opening kits for about $40 to $85. Typically, aboveground pools cost less to open than in-ground pools—as larger pools require more time to clean and to balance the chemicals.
When opening a pool, you’ll need to take the following steps:
Use a sump pump to clean the pool cover
Remove winterization plugs and elements
Add more water
Hook up equipment
Clean the pool—vacuum, brush, and skim
Shock the pool
Run the pump for 24 hours
Balance the water chemistry
Perform repairs
Use Algaecide if necessary
How to Save Money Closing a Pool
Closing a pool comes with fixed costs, but there are still ways you can save money, including:
Book early and secure your pool-closing slot with a reputable pool closing company.
Get at least three quotes from pool closing companies near you.
Get your pool ready for closure by keeping it clean and free of algae and debris.
Prepare your winterizing materials.
Keep your pool water balanced throughout the season.
Regularly clean and maintain your pool equipment.
Purchase pool chemicals in bulk and at a discount price.
Run your pool pump during off-peak hours.
Close the pool before trees start to lose their leaves.
Have a spot on the lawn to spread out the pool cover—otherwise, a professional company will have to cancel your pool closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pool closing involves a few different steps. Your contractor will need to deep clean your pool, store pool accessories and removable equipment, drain the water to an appropriate level, and add pool shock and other chemicals to balance the water. They’ll also need to winterize your pool equipment, like the pump, filter, heater, and plumbing, so they aren’t damaged by freezing water.
The best time to close your pool depends on your local climate. September and October are ideal, but in the warmest parts of Florida or California, you may want to keep your pool open year-round. Most people close their pools when temperatures regularly drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, but you should always close your pool if there’s a chance of freezing.
The average cost to drain a pool is $175 to $225, but you shouldn’t drain your entire pool for closing. Most homeowners only drain their pool until the water level is a few inches to 2 feet below the skimmer. This helps protect the pool liner and prevent damage from harsh weather. It also keeps start-up costs down and ensures a simpler opening at the beginning of pool season.
On average, it takes about two hours to close an in-ground pool. It could take less time if you have a smaller pool or more time if you have a large pool or add-ons like a spa or hot tub. Some covers are simpler to install than others, so they’ll take less time.