Installing a semi-inground pool costs an average of $12,000, and it commonly costs between $7,000 and $20,000 on average, depending on the size and scope of the project.
Installing a semi-inground pool costs $12,000 on average, with a typical range of between $7,000 and $20,000. The price depends on a few cost factors, including the size of the pool and the materials it’s made of. Semi-inground pools are great for small yards, work on steep slopes, and can even save you money over installing a fully inground pool. Here’s how to get an accurate estimate for your semi-inground pool cost.
Semi-inground pools are the happy middle ground—pun intended—between above ground and inground pools. These pools are ideal for homeowners who are not ready to take the plunge for the cost of an inground pool and for those who simply prefer the aesthetic.
Of course, the larger your semi-inground pool, the more you'll pay for labor and materials. Standard pool sizes that come in prefabricated shapes will cost less on average than custom measurements. Overall, semi-inground pools will be between three and eight feet deep depending on your preferences.
When choosing your swimming pool design, size is critical. Let's look at the most common semi-inground pool sizes and their average costs.
| Pool Size (diameter) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 ft. | $7,000 |
| 12 ft. | $9,000 |
| 16 ft. | $14,000 |
| 20 ft. | $20,000 |
| 22 ft. | $22,000 |
| 24 ft. | $25,000 |
The material you choose for your semi-inground pool will play a major role in your total cost. You have six main options: vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete if you plan on building up the land around an inground pool, and steel, resin, and aluminum if you plan on partially sinking an above ground pool into the land.
| Pool Material | Average Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | $22,000 | Inground |
| Fiberglass | $15,800 | Inground |
| Vinyl (liner) | $7,000 | Inground |
| Aluminum | $4,000 | Aboveground |
| Resin | $4,000 | Aboveground |
| Steel | $3,000 | Aboveground |
Vinyl pool liners are flexible to fit a range of unique pool shapes and cost less to install than most other liner types. You'll pay an average of $21 per square foot for a semi-inground pool liner made of vinyl. However, you'll need to replace it every 10 to 15 years. The price to replace a vinyl liner costs an average of $2,300.
Fiberglass semi-inground pool liners cost between $35 and $66 per square foot. Fiberglass offers a lifespan of up to 25 years, allows you to spend less on maintenance, and provides a middle-of-the-road price for a semi-inground pool installation. You may encounter size and shape restrictions, so be prepared to pay extra for custom shapes.
While concrete pools have the longest lifespan—up to 75 years—they can be difficult and costly to maintain. You'll also pay between $55 and $72 per square foot for semi-inground pools made of concrete. However, you'll have more options to customize your pool’s look with tiles and stone.
An average-sized steel-framed pool will cost $800 to $3,000 for materials alone. Not only does this make it the most affordable, but steel is the strongest for semi-inground installation, even though they are prone to rust over time.
Resin will run you between $1,000 and $3,000 for semi-inground pool materials. The good news, however, is that it is resistant to rust, oxidation, and does not overheat like steel. However, it can crack and wear down more quickly.
For anywhere between $1,000 and $4,500, aluminum pools have the same rust-free perks of resin and even tougher strength against extreme temperatures.
You'll typically put about a third of the total cost of your semi-inground pool toward labor, or about $3,000 to $7,000. Hiring the right local pool installation company ensures a smooth process from start to finish.
Sinking an above ground pool into the ground a few feet will take less work than building an inground pool higher above ground level, so labor costs will increase if that’s your plan. Labor fees can also vary depending on additional plumbing, electrical alternatives, and design elements that require a mason or retaining wall specialist.
When you hire a pool installer, these are the tasks they’ll charge for:
Excavation: $800–$2,000
Pool construction: $$1,000–$3,000
Plumbing and electrical work: $500–$1,500
Liner installation: $500–$1,000
Filling the pool: $100–$200
In addition to size, materials, and labor, there are some other cost factors you’ll want to consider for your semi-inground pool budget.
Let's clear up some confusion. A semi-inground pool accounts for both:
Semi aboveground pool models sunk several feet into the ground.
Semi-inground pool raised several feet above the ground.
There are pros and cons to both scenarios. Sinking an aboveground pool provides a slightly more permanent appearance, offers deeper pool depths, and costs less on average. However, they are not as durable and long-lasting as inground pools raised and surrounded by a retaining wall. Raised inground pools offer more design options, last much longer, and blend better with your landscape.
Given the additional work involved in raising an inground pool partially above the ground, you can expect to pay more for this option.
Residential excavation costs typically range between $400 and $1,500 for an inground swimming pool. A semi-inground pool will cost less on average than a fully inground pool, but you may end up paying more to level the ground for your pool if you’re choosing a semi-above ground pool due to sloped land.
These pool designs are ideal for sloped lawns due to the wall's extreme stability, but you may need to call in a local specialist to ensure that the ground is sturdy and level enough to hold the water and structure.
Remember that your construction team will need to access the area with large equipment. If your lawn's slope is too extreme or if there are many obstacles in the way of reaching the site, you could pay more for the time and labor of your team to complete the excavation and pool installation manually rather than with heavy machinery.
The cost of building permits ranges from $250 to $2,000 for outdoor projects like a semi-inground pool. Your pool installation contractor will likely include this in their fee and know how to seek out the local paperwork. However, if you're taking on the installation yourself, be sure to check your local town office for permit requirements and prices.
The added cost to your homeowner's insurance for a pool will widely vary. However, you will likely see an increase in your premium to protect the pool itself and anyone spending time by the water.
Professional pool maintenance costs an average of $50 to $100 an hour, though there are many tasks you can do on your own. Chemicals will cost about $15 a month if you balance them yourself.
Semi-inground pools will have slightly more maintenance over time compared to a fully inground model. You may need to care for the supporting wall around the pool, for example, no matter the type of model you choose. Repairs can cost an average of around $700 but can range from $250 up to $1,200 or more, depending on the type and severity of the damage.
Once you've chosen the best pool structure for your yard, start brainstorming all the fun ideas to make your poolscape unique. Here’s a look at some common upgrades that you may want to include in your budget.
Cost to lay sod: $1–$2 per square foot
Cost to build a patio: $5–$50 per square foot
Cost to install a walkway: $9 per square foot
Cost to build a retaining wall: $40–$360 per square foot
Cost to spread mulch: $30–$120 per cubic foot
Cost to plant flower beds: $800–$3,000
Cost to install a pool deck: $3,000–$12,000
Cost to install a pool fence: $1,100–$12,500
Cost to install pool lighting: $625–$1,700 per light
Cost to install a pool cover: $200–$4,300
Cost to install a pool heater: $300–$5,600
Cost to install a pool enclosure: $1,000–$29,000
Cost to install a pool house: $26,000–$225,000
Cost to install pool water features: $400–$15,000
Cutting out the labor cost for semi-ground pool installation will save an average of $5,000 from your bottom line. However, you must have experience operating excavation equipment to take on the project. Safely putting in the pool shell and pool equipment requires expertise to avoid costly mistakes.
If you have the skill and experience necessary to install the semi-inground pool yourself, the pool materials alone will range from $1,000 to $20,000, depending on the pool material, design, and size. DIY excavation costs will add around $2,200 per week to rent the equipment as well as the cost of obtaining local permits.
When you skip hiring a professional, you can run the risk of installing an unlevel or structurally unsound pool, which could lead to personal injury, an unsafe pool, and issues with the structural stability of the pool as well as the legality. We strongly recommend that you consult a professional if you plan to install a semi-inground pool. You can take on part of the process yourself to save some money, like building a surrounding patio or deck or taking care of the landscaping afterward.
The best way to reduce the cost of building a pool partially above ground is to opt for the sunken above ground pool option. While less permanent in nature and appearance, you will spend less on materials and installation.
You can also consider the following to save some money on your installation costs:
Limiting pool size. Larger pools will always cost more given a particular material and location, so think carefully about the depth and dimensions you need. Limit the size to save on a per-square-foot basis.
Choose your material carefully. You can keep upfront costs lower by choosing a material like a vinyl liner over concrete or tile. However, you should think about long-term costs as well, including the longevity of your liner and how expensive maintenance will be over time.
DIY later stages of the project. While we don’t recommend installing your semi-inground pool yourself, you can save by doing finishes yourself, including installing a deck, patio, flower beds, and other landscaping features.
Manage pool maintenance tasks yourself. Pool maintenance costs like cleaning, skimming, balancing chemicals, and repairing liners can add up quickly. Learn to do these tasks yourself to save hundreds or thousands over the life of your pool.
Invest in a pool cover to cut down the need for a heater. Pool covers cost an average of around $1,700, but they can help cut down on cleaning time, damage to your liner, and the need to run your heater if you invest in a solar cover.
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Semi-inground pools are worth it for prospective pool owners looking to bridge the gap between a large installation and a less-appealing above ground model. Not only will you cut costs during installation for excavation and the materials if you sink an above ground pool partially into the ground, but the cost to remove an above ground pool or partially above ground pool will be lower down the line if you change your mind.
The lifespan of a semi above ground pool will vary depending on the lining, but assume that it will last between seven and 15 years, on average. This is right in line with what you can expect from a standard above ground pool. In comparison, an inground pool can last up to 75 years with a well-maintained concrete liner.
Just like a traditional inground pool, semi-inground pools can be between three and eight feet deep. Lap pools, for example, are often an average of four-feet deep, while a traditional pool may have both a shallow and deep end. The depth of your semi-inground pool depends on the liner you purchase, as well as how much excavation you plan to do before the installation.
Yes, a semi-inground pool can be heated just like any above ground or inground pool. Keep in mind there are many ways to maintain the heat of your pool in addition to traditional heaters. Solar covers, proper insulation, and placement—in shade or full sun—will play large roles in keeping your pool toasty on those cooler days.
Your contractor will need several days to several weeks as far as a timeline to install your semi-inground pool goes. Adapting an above ground pool to be semi-inground by excavating and partially burying the liner, for example, will only take three to five days, while installing an inground pool with a poured concrete liner and building up the land around it will require several weeks. Keep in mind that the process of hiring a pool contractor and applying for permits can add several additional weeks to the total timeline.
