Pools

How Much Does A Pool Cost in Minnesota?

September 22, 2023

After a long, cold Minnesota winter, making the most of the summer months becomes a top priority. One way to take advantage of Minnesota’s long summer days is enjoying your inground pool, but with warmer months limited, is building a pool in Minnesota worth the trouble? Are those long winter months a hindrance? What does an inground pool cost in Minnesota? Let’s dive into everything you should know about inground pool cost, Minnesota specifically, including:

Total Pool Installation Costs: What You Should Know

When it comes to calculating the inground pool cost, Minnesota has a few specifics you should know about. The first thing that comes to mind is Minnesota’s cold climate and weather patterns, including severe storms. Still, there are a few other things that affect your inground pool cost, Minnesota winters and weather notwithstanding.

The Factors Affecting Cost of Inground Pools in Minnesota

Quality of Materials

It stands to reason that the materials you use to build your pool will affect the overall cost of installing it. The higher the quality of materials usually, the more they will cost you. As with most home construction projects, though, this upfront cost usually needs to be weighed against the durability and longevity high-quality materials provide. Overall you are looking at using building materials that will give you a good return on your investment.

Pool Size

This is also a fairly straight-forward cost assessment–the bigger your pool, the more it will cost to install. Size will determine how much you will need to excavate, the amount of building materials required, and labor involved for installation. All of these things figure into the cost of your pool and all increase along with an increase in pool size.

Pool Shape

The shape or design of your pool is not necessarily the first thing you think of when calculating cost, but it does affect the price of your inground pool. Rectangular designs are the most common pool shape and usually cost less than a more complicated design, such as serpentine, oval or irregular shapes. These more complex designs do add an aesthetic touch to your backyard pool, but also require more labor and materials to construct, which translates to higher inground pool costs.

Pool Features

There are a lot of additional features you can add to your inground pool that can make it more fun, entertaining, and pleasing, such as waterfalls, lighting, or slides. There are also some more practical additions you cannot do without, such as pool covers and filtration systems. All of these additional features also add to the overall cost of your pool installation.

Landscaping Finishes

The process of installing your inground pool will inevitably dig up your yard and you certainly do not install an inground pool to have it surrounded by mounds of dirt. Landscaping around your pool and creating a poolside experience is a part of enjoying your new pool. This landscaping though is a part of your overall inground pool cost in Minnesota and elsewhere. The design and materials used will help determine the price of your landscaping.

Location and Climate

One of the things affecting your inground pool cost in Minnesota is the colder climate. You will want to add a heating feature to your pool so you can enjoy it even when the temperature dips on either side of the warmest summer months. This does add to the cost and can also add to your utility bills once the pool is up and running. Another cost associated with climate is the higher maintenance costs that accompany the seasonal opening and closing of your inground pool by a pool professional, since it is not usable year-round.

Building Permits

Installing an inground pool on your property is a home construction project that requires building permits. Acquiring and paying for these permits are a part of the cost of putting in an inground pool.

The Average Inground Pool Cost in Minnesota

Inground pool cost in Minnesota falls within a wide range, anywhere between $25,000 to over $100,000. On average, constructing an inground pool in your backyard in Minnesota costs about $35,000 to $60,000. This pricing includes construction materials, labor, and building permits. The list of factors already covered in this article will determine your actual inground pool cost in Minnesota. Contacting your local pool builder and getting a customized quote will help you calculate a more accurate cost estimate for installing the inground pool of your dreams.

Additional Costs

The thing with pools is that initial installation is not the end of their cost, even though it is the beginning of their enjoyment. Owning and maintaining your pool comes with additional costs, including:

  • Increased utility use associated with heating, cleaning and running your pool
  • Cleaning and maintaining your pool’s chemical balance
  • Opening and closing your pool for the season
  • Repairing your pool structure and equipment over time

Calculating these additional costs will help determine not only the cost of your initial investment but also what that investment will cost you over time.  inground pool cost in minnesota

Pool Prices: How Much Does an Inground Pool Cost?

Minnesota pool prices can vary within a standard range. Below are some of these price ranges for the materials, equipment, features and landscaping of an inground pool in Minnesota.

The Price of Materials in Minnesota

The materials used to build a pool fall into two categories: the pool shell and the pool equipment. The shell refers to the materials used to construct your pool. The equipment refers to what is installed to make your pool safe and usable.

Pool Shell Costs

There are basic materials used for pool shells and each comes with a price range that affects your overall inground pool cost in Minnesota.

  • Vinyl: $25,000 to $45,000 with an average life cycle of 10 years
  • Fiberglass: $30,000 to $70,000 with an average life cycle of 25 years
  • Concrete: $50,000 to $100,000 with an average life cycle of 75 years

Pool Equipment Costs

There are several pieces of equipment that you will need to keep your pool up and running, including a pump and filter. An inground pool pump costs between $500 to $2,900, while a filter costs between $250 to $2,000, depending on size and type of filter. A salt-water filtration system cost about $2,000. Funny enough, equipment costs also include the water you need to fill your pool. The cost of filling a pool ranges between $60 to $1,250.

Pool Feature Costs

There are several features you can add on to your inground backyard pool, but they can also have unexpected costs. Some of those features and price ranges include:

  • Pool decking between $3,000 to $12,000
  • Fencing between $1,500 to $10,000
  • Pool heaters $5,000 to $10,000
  • Pool covers $225 to $22,000, depending on the type of cover you choose
  • Pool lighting between $750 to $2000

Water features can add fun to your inground pool. Waterfalls cost about an extra $1500 to $5,000 to install. Other additions, such as slides, or diving boards can cost between $500 to more than $20,000. These additions can often only be installed with deeper pools, which also adds to the price.

Landscaping Costs

Completing your backyard oasis with a landscape design that blends into your property can include plants, stones or sodding, costing between $2,000 to $5,000.

Installation Cost of Inground Pool

The installation cost for your inground pool in Minnesota includes the labor involved in three basic stages:

  • Excavation, which is basically digging a large hole where you want your pool
  • Installing the pool shell and equipment
  • Landscaping to finish the area around your new pool

When it comes to labor costs, time is money. Installing a pool is a labor-intensive project. You can expect about a third of your overall inground pool cost in Minnesota to go to labor. The complexity of each installment stage will determine how long it will take to complete the job, dictating your installation costs. The more complex the installation, the longer it will take, and the more it will cost. Excavation can cost more, for example, if you have to level a sloped area or relocate underground plumbing. Costs can also be added at this stage if you need to demolish existing structures or remove trees. Labor costs will also vary depending on the pool installation contractor you hire. A more experienced and trusted contractor is more likely going to be worth the initial cost. On average, the cost of pool installation ranges between $25,000 to $75,000.

Final Thoughts

Inground pool costs can run high, but you are making an investment that not only adds value to your home but adds a fun and relaxing oasis to enjoy with family and friends. Understanding where costs are coming from and talking with a professional pool installer can help you make decisions about what you want to prioritize. Summer months in Minnesota are not to be wasted. Installing a pool on your property can be just the thing to take advantage of those long, hot summer days in the Minnesota sun.