Building a pool house costs $110,000 on average, but it can cost between $24,000 and $180,000 on average, depending on the size and scope of the project.
A pool house costs between $24,000 and $180,000 in most cases. A small detached pool house that is 150 square feet or smaller will sit at the lower end of that range, while a high-end pool house of 300 square feet or more and fitted with features like a shower, changing room, and storage can cost up to $240,000. A prefab structure of the same size can cost about $25,000.
The price range to build a pool house is so large because there are many different factors that can affect pricing. The size of the pool house depends on the design and the features of the house, all of which contribute to the total. And of course, much like with the cost to build a house, the more features your pool house has, the more expensive it will be.
There are a few different types of pool houses you can choose from, each of which serves a unique purpose and has a different price.
A storage shed is the simplest type of pool house you can have built, and it tends to be the most affordable at between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the size. Storage sheds provide space to house pool toys and pool equipment, and you can keep towels inside for easy access. Given the limited utility, some people don’t consider these true pool houses.
A cabana is a bit more involved than a shed in that it contains an outdoor bathroom, providing your friends and family with a convenient way to use the bathroom without having to dry off or track water through your home. Cabanas also typically have space for storage, but no area to relax. You can expect a cabana to cost between $25,000 and $45,000.
A guest house—sometimes called an in-law suite—is the most involved pool house build, as it contains space for storage and a bathroom as well as areas to relax and a place for guests to stay the night. Guests houses can range in price from around $40,000 up to $180,000, depending on the size, the features you want included, and the quality of the building materials and finishes.
Guest houses are the most expensive, but they also provide the most utility, including a private space for people to stay over, as well as an area for friends and family to relax right near the pool.
When you hire a local custom home builder to build a custom pool house, you control all aspects of the design and construction. The custom pool house is built completely on the site from foundation to roofing.
Custom-built pool houses cost between $26,600 and $180,000, or between $160 and $600 per square foot. Prices will tend to be toward the lower end of that range if you’re building a custom storage shed and push toward the higher end if you’re building a full-blown guest house with high-end finishes.
A prefab pool house is a pre-built portable construction made in a factory and ready to be installed in your yard. A prefab pool house starts at $5,000 to $6,000. The price can be as much as $25,000 or more for larger prefab pool houses. The cost of a prefab pool house will depend on size, material, and manufacturer.
While you might not be able to control the design of a prefab pool house, you'll save money and won't have to deal with a backyard construction project that takes months to complete. Instead, your pool house is delivered and installed in under a week, in most cases.
A pool house just isn’t the same without a pool, so if you don’t have a pool already but are planning on installing one, you can sometimes save money by having one company tackle both projects.
The cost to build a pool and a pool house at the same time is an average of $175,000, but your total can range from $29,000 up to $300,000.
The pool house will account for between $24,000 to $180,000, in most cases. Including an above ground pool installation will cost an additional $700 to $5,000, or an average of around $3,350 extra. Installing an inground pool will cost an additional $19,000 to $125,000, or an average of $60,000 extra.
The size of your pool house is always going to be a major factor in your total, as the price per square foot usually sits between $160 and $600. Every additional square foot you add will push your total installation cost up by an average of around $400. The table below includes some typical pricing for pool houses based on the square footage.
| Size of Pool House | Average Cost | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| 4-by-10 ft. | $16,000 | $6,400–$24,000 |
| 10-by-10 ft. | $40,000 | $16,000–$60,000 |
| 10-by-12 ft. | $48,000 | $19,200–$72,000 |
| 10-by-20 ft. | $80,000 | $32,000–$120,000 |
| 20-by-20 ft. | $160,000 | $64,000–$240,000 |
The cost for labor alone to build a pool house can average between $34,200 to $68,400, but it could sit as low as $12,000 or push as high as $90,000 or more, depending on how involved your build is.
A variety of different contractors work on pool houses. Here’s a look at the hourly rates charged by some of them:
Cost to hire a plumber: $45–$200 per hour
Cost to hire an electrician: $50–$100 per hour
Cost to hire an interior designer: $50–$200 per hour
Cost to hire an architect: $45–$250 per hour
Many details go into finishing the interior of your pool house. For something like a cabana, you might spend a minimal amount of money installing a rustic outdoor bathroom, but for a full guest house, you’ll spend as much finishing the interior as you would an area inside your main home.
Below are some costs that you might run into when finishing your space.
| Interior Finish | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | $5,000–$20,000 |
| Cooling system | $5,000–$12,500 |
| Drywall installation | $1.50–$3.00 per sq. ft. |
| Electrical work | $2–$4 per sq. ft. |
| Flooring | $2–$22 per sq. ft. |
| Heating system | $2,000–$10,000 |
| Installing trim | $0.50–$25 per linear ft. |
| Interior painting | $200–$4,000 |
| Plumbing | $2–$8 per linear ft. |
| Sliding glass doors | $1,100–$4,000 each |
| Windows | $200–$800 each |
From the sheathing to the gutter installation, a lot makes up the exterior finish of a pool house. The table below includes a look at some typical exterior finish costs for your pool house.
| Exterior Finish | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Gutter installation | $4–$30 per linear ft. |
| Landscaping | $200–$3,000 |
| Roofing | $4.35–$11 per sq. ft. |
| Siding | $2–$28 per sq. ft. |
Your pool house can be simple and understated, or it can be a luxurious area for entertaining, hosting overnight guests, and relaxing poolside with friends and family in decked-out recreation rooms. The features you choose to include in your pool house build will dramatically affect your pricing.
A pool house bathroom lets swimmers quickly and conveniently use the restroom without tracking water inside your home. Expect to pay as little as $5,000 to install a small bathroom with just a toilet and a sink, or up to around $15,000 for a higher-end bathroom that includes a small shower.
A bar with a sink, fridge, and beverage storage is a great way to entertain poolside guests.
The fridge costs $190–$3,250
The sink installation costs $220–$600
The bar costs $2,000–$4,000
The plumbing cost starts at $1,500 for a wet bar
An outdoor shower is a pleasant way to rinse off after swimming. Pool house shower installation costs about $1,000, with a walk-in shower ranging between $750 and $7,000.
Built-in storage shelves and cabinets in a pool house can organize towels, pool toys, and maintenance equipment. A simple storage solution might set you back as little as $150, while custom storage can cost as much as $5,000.
Changing rooms that feature partitions, curtains, and hooks eliminate the need for guests to enter your house. You could build these yourself for as little as $200 in materials once the structure is done by a professional, or you could have your pro do it for between $400 and $1,000.
If you really want to step up your relaxation game, put a lounging area with a TV for guests to take a break from the pool, and consider installing an outdoor fireplace and a pergola for the ultimate outdoor entertainment area. A lounge area could cost as little as $2,000, but you could spend $20,000 or more on a high-end space.
You may want to attach a pergola for a covered relaxation area. On average, a pergola costs between $100 to $9,000, depending on the size and design.
Building a new structure or house addition can be messy and time-consuming. Usually, it’s a complicated process for someone who doesn’t have the required skills, and many municipalities make it illegal to carry out a construction project without the proper licensing. Even a prefab pool house will still need foundation and finishing work, so expecting to build your pool house yourself is unrealistic in most cases.
If you do have the skills and licensing necessary to complete the build, you could save between $34,200 and $68,400 on labor, on average. However, from obtaining a building permit to framing walls and finishing the building, you usually can’t build your own pool house unless you are a licensed contractor.
While you have builders in your backyard building the pool house, you can save time and money by having some add-on projects completed at the same time. Below are some common add-ons that homeowners choose alongside their pool house build, along with average prices.
Professional landscaping cost: $200–$3,000
Pool enclosure cost: $1,000–$29,000
Patio installation cost: $800–$14,000
Outdoor lighting cost: $2,000–$6,000
Deck installation cost: $4,500–$12,500
Pergola installation cost: $2,000–$6,000
Pool retiling cost: $3,500, on average
Hot tub installation cost: $400–$35,000
Building a pool house can quickly get expensive, but there are some ways you can reduce the cost, including the following:
Choose a prefab house. Building a prefab pool house is much more affordable than building a custom pool house, and the project takes less time to complete.
Recycle an existing building. Do you have an old shed or garage? Recycle the old building instead of building a pool house from scratch. This saves you on the cost of the foundation and exterior building materials.
Opt for affordable materials. Using recycled or affordable building and finish materials will save you money on the total cost.
Choose the type of pool house carefully. A storage shed or simple cabana will always cost less than a custom guest house. Choose the type that suits you best and will continue serving you in the future.
Limit the size. Each additional square foot you add to your pool house will bump up your total by between $160 and $600. Limit the overall footprint to keep costs down.
Marwa Hasan contributed to this piece.
Guesthouse: A small lodge close to the primary home to accommodate overnight guests. It has to provide enough room, as well as a bathroom and possibly a kitchenette, for guests to live comfortably.
Standard pool house: Located near the pool to serve as storage, a lounging area, and a place for entertaining guests.
Shed: A small structure in the backyard used to store home equipment and garden tools, leaving the house and yard clean and uncluttered.
Yes, a pool house adds value to your home, making it an excellent long-term investment. The main purpose of a pool house is to provide a convenient space to take showers, use the bathroom, or change in and out of swimsuits without having to dry off or track water and mud through your main home. It also provides a place to relax and entertain friends or family.
