ADVANTAGES: Lower Chlorine Levels: Saltwater pools utilise a salt chlorinator or salt cell to generate chlorine, but the chlorine level is typically lower than in traditional chlorine pools. This results in softer water that is often gentler on the skin and eyes, providing a more comfortable swimming experience. Reduced Maintenance: With a saltwater pool, there's no need to add chlorine regularly, as the salt cell produces chlorine as needed. This can lead to fewer fluctuations in chlorine levels, simplifying pool maintenance and reducing the need for frequent chemical adjustments. Cost-Effectiveness: Despite higher upfront costs for installation, saltwater pools can be more cost-effective in the long run. You'll save money over time as there's no need to continuously purchase, transport, or store chlorine, resulting in lower ongoing maintenance expenses. Minimal Chemical Usage: Saltwater pools generally require fewer additional chemicals such as algaecides or shock treatments, contributing to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable pool environment. DISADVANTAGES: Higher Initial Cost: The installation of a saltwater system can be more expensive compared to traditional chlorine systems due to the need for a salt chlorinator or salt cell. Increased Electrical Consumption: Salt cells require electricity to convert salt into chlorine, leading to additional electrical costs over time. Salt Corrosion: The presence of salt in the pool water can cause corrosion on certain pool fixtures, equipment, or types of stone decking, potentially requiring costly repairs or replacements. Complexity: Maintaining optimal salt levels and ensuring the proper functioning of the salt cell can be challenging. If the salt cell malfunctions or if salt levels are not adequately maintained, there may be insufficient chlorine production, leading to potential pool problems such as algae growth or water quality issues. Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential to address these challenges and ensure the effective operation of a saltwater pool.

ADVANTAGES: Lower Initial Cost: Traditional chlorine pools generally have a lower upfront cost compared to saltwater systems, making them more budget-friendly for initial setup. Simplicity: Many pool professionals and owners are more familiar with maintaining chlorine pools, as they have been the standard for many years. This familiarity can make troubleshooting and maintenance tasks more straightforward. Fast-Acting: Chlorine has the ability to act quickly to resolve water problems, such as algae growth or bacterial contamination, providing rapid and effective water treatment. DISADVANTAGES: Regular Maintenance: Chlorine levels in traditional pools need to be checked and adjusted more frequently to maintain optimal water quality. This requires regular testing and chemical additions, increasing the ongoing maintenance workload. Cost of Chlorine: Over the lifespan of the pool, continual purchases of chlorine are necessary to maintain appropriate chlorine levels. The cost of chlorine can accumulate over time, contributing to higher long-term maintenance expenses. Potential for Irritation: Higher chlorine levels in traditional pools can cause skin, eye, and hair irritation for some individuals, especially those with sensitive skin or allergies. This can result in discomfort or allergic reactions for swimmers. Odour and Taste: Chlorine pools can sometimes have a distinctive smell and taste, which some people may find unpleasant or off-putting. This odour and taste can be particularly noticeable in indoor pools or pools with inadequate ventilation.

ADVANTAGES: Chemical-Free Swimming Experience: Natural pools use biological filters and aquatic plants to keep the water clean, eliminating the need for chlorine or salt. This provides a more eco-friendly and chemical-free swimming experience, which can be beneficial for individuals with sensitivities or allergies to pool chemicals. Blends Seamlessly with Environment: Natural pools blend harmoniously with their surroundings, resembling natural bodies of water like ponds or lakes. They enhance the aesthetic appeal of outdoor spaces and create a tranquil and inviting atmosphere for swimmers and spectators alike. Low Maintenance: Once established, natural pools typically require lower maintenance compared to traditional chlorine or saltwater pools. The self-regulating ecosystem helps to maintain water quality naturally, reducing the need for frequent chemical adjustments and cleaning. DISADVANTAGES: Initial Cost: The initial installation cost of a natural pool can be higher than that of traditional saltwater or chlorine pools. Building a natural pool requires specialized construction techniques and materials to create the ecosystem, which can increase upfront expenses. Limited Temperature Control: Natural pools rely on natural processes for temperature regulation, which may result in cooler water temperatures compared to heated saltwater or chlorine pools. Swimmers who prefer warmer water may find natural pools less comfortable, especially in colder climates or during cooler seasons. Potential for Algae Growth: Without chemical treatments like chlorine or salt, natural pools may be more prone to algae growth under certain conditions. Maintaining the balance of the ecosystem and water chemistry is essential to prevent algae blooms and maintain water clarity. Complex Design and Maintenance: Designing and maintaining a natural pool requires specialised knowledge and expertise in aquatic ecology and landscaping. Proper planning and ongoing management are necessary to ensure the health and stability of the ecosystem, which may involve periodic adjustments and interventions to address issues such as algae growth or water clarity.

Outdoor swimming pool bordered by a red brick wall and surrounded by greenery in a private garden setting.

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Swimming Pool in 2026?

An in-depth guide to the cost of building and installing a swimming pool in 2026

Get in Touch

At Compass Pools, one of the most common questions that we are asked is: How much does it cost to build a swimming pool? We understand that cost is a huge consideration when it comes to buying a pool. There are so many different design options and choices to be made, so here you can get an idea of what it might cost.

Read on to see the different pool options and their associated costs. You can also call us on on 0333 4567 111 or email us at info@compass-pools.co.uk to find out more about our swimming pool costs.

Pool Installation Cost Calculator

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Pool Configuration

Pool Type

Pool Location

Your Region

Dimensions

Width 4m

Length 11m

Depth 1.5m

66m³ Volume

44m² Area

30m Perimeter

Cost Breakdown

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Groundwork

£0 ›

Starts from: £0 — you may already have groundwork arranged through your own contractor, or the site may be pre-excavated.
Premium: Full excavation by Compass, including soil removal by lorry and on-site soil handling. Cost increases for difficult ground conditions (clay, rock, or high water table).

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Installation

£0 ›

Starts from: Standard ABS fittings, short pipework run (up to 8m from plant room), no regional surcharge.
Premium: Stainless steel fittings, longer pipework run (15m+), and a regional zone surcharge that depends on your location. Indoor pools include a 42% complexity uplift for both.

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Delivery & Logistics

£0 ›

Starts from: Local delivery (South East) for your pool size.
Premium: Delivery to more remote regions (Devon, Cornwall, North, Scotland) plus mini-excavator transport and pool movement on site. Larger pools require a super low-loader with rear steer and a highways movement order.

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Pool Shell

£0 ›

Starts from: Shell in a standard colour (e.g. Nova Grey). Price per m² decreases for larger pools.
Premium: Adds a bespoke Bi-Luminite® colour upgrade (e.g. Nova Blue, Golden Pebble, Smokey Quartz) for enhanced water colour depth and luminosity.

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Filtration & Plant Room

£0 ›

Starts from: Standard filtration package with pump, media filter, and control board.
Premium: Adds FreshWater™ system upgrade with UV bacteria treatment, glass microparticle filtration, and super-low chemical levels (0.5ppm — same as tap water). Indoor pools use a larger open-front plant room system.

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Heating

£0 ›

Starts from: A titanium heat exchanger that connects to your existing boiler, ground-source, or air-source heating system — efficient if you already have one.
Premium: A standalone seasonal air-source heat pump dedicated to the pool — ideal when no existing heating source is nearby. Smaller pools can use a compact 3kW electric heater as a budget option.

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Accessories

£0 ›

Starts from: Manual cleaning kit, chemical starter pack, and white LED underwater lights.
Premium: Full automation — touchscreen auto-dosing for pH and chlorine, auto top-up to maintain water level, automatic filter backwash, AI pool monitoring (PoolCop), and full-spectrum colour LED lights. The number of lights scales with pool size.

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Copings

£0 ›

Starts from: Granite lip-over coping stones — a durable flamed finish with polished bullnose edges. Priced per metre of pool perimeter.
Premium: Sandstone lip-over copings — a natural sand-blasted finish with warm tones. Approximately 15% more than granite. You can also choose to supply your own porcelain or custom stone.

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Pool Cover

£0 ›

Starts from: A floating solar bubble cover with an aluminium winder reel — good for heat retention and keeping debris out.
Premium: An electronic motorised roller cover with PVC or polycarbonate slats, operated by key switch. Provides safety, insulation, and convenience. Slat cost scales with pool surface area. Larger pools may also choose a Beachline in-deck design.

Estimated Total (inc. VAT)

Starts from £0

Average £0

Premium £0

All prices include VAT at 20%

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Prices shown are indicative estimates only and exclude landscaping, fencing, planning permissions, or any work not listed. A free home visit from a Design Consultant is required for a firm, written quotation.

Types of Swimming Pool

Block and PVC liner pool

These are the most common types of pool found in the UK and are created using concrete blocks as the base with a vinyl liner. This is one of the cheapest ways of creating a permanent pool but it’s not without its drawbacks. Concrete is unforgiving of any ground movement so the base can crack. Liners also require replacing every five years or so, and can be fairly prone to punctures which can be difficult to find.

Average cost: £30,000 to £90,000

Fibreglass and polyester pool

These are built using the same principals as the Compass ceramic pools – they are delivered in one piece and are craned directly into an excavated hole. This means that they are quick to install and require little maintenance when compared to concrete pools with a PVC liner. Unfortunately due to the nature of the material they are prone to osmosis: having ground water pass through the shell and into the pool, which can cause staining and ultimately even the failure of the shell. They are also limited to a temperature of 28 degrees due to the material.

Average cost: £30,000 to £75,000

Compass ceramic pools

Ceramic pools are lifted into an excavated hole, allowing for quick and easy installation and benefit from all of the advantages of one piece fibreglass and polyester pools, but without the temperature restrictions or the risk of osmosis. They require far less maintenance and are far less fragile than almost any other option.

Average cost: £60,000 to £200,000

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Concrete swimming pool with tiles

Concrete pools have the advantage that they can be built into virtually any shape or size – however they do have risks associated with them. Firstly, they can be extremely costly and time-consuming to install; the weather can play havoc with your installation, as well as any ground movement in areas with sandy or clay soil. These types of pool are also much more expensive to heat.

Average cost: £75,000 to £250,000+

Indoor or outdoor?

For indoor pools, you have a more complex range of factors in the cost including extending or altering your home in order to hold the pool, as well as paying for the pool itself. Generally, the building and alteration costs to your home will cost anywhere from £800 to £2,000 per square metre, while the cost of the pool will be around £1,500 to £3,000 per square metre.

You’ll also need to consider issues such as air handling within the pool room and the pool cover. A medium spec pool around the size of 40 square metres inside a building could cost somewhere in region of £180,000.

There are a broader variety of options for outside pools, although you don’t need to factor in building costs, so it can be much cheaper. At Compass Pools, we specialise in ceramic pools, but we have attempted to give a full overview in this guide of all of the types available and the kind of costs you can expect.

Swimming pool cost calculator

Take a look at our price breakdown table below to get an approximate idea to the cost of installing a Compass Ceramic Pool at your home.

Please note that these costs are only for guidance purposes and may not exactly represent the actual cost to install your specific Compass swimming pool. Various factors will influence the final cost to install a swimming pool at your home. Therefore, please contact our friendly sales team to discuss your specific requirements.

PRICE BREAKDOWN (INC VAT)
	Low	Average	High
Ground	£0	£4,290	£10,725
Solid	£0	£4,950	£5,940
Pool	£29,800	£35,760	£42,912
Shell	£9,845	£13,145	£21,032
Filtration	£3,792	£4,930	£8,380
Accessories	£0	£3,000	£15,000
Coping	£0	£3,800	£7,600
Cover	£1,380	£11,040	£16,560
PRICE TOTALS (INC VAT)
Pool	£44,817	£80,915	£128,149

You can email us at info@compass-pools.co.uk or give us a call now on 0333 4567 111 to find out more about our swimming pool costs.

Understand choosing the perfect pool

Watch our video to learn more:

Testimonials

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Jane Styslinger – Hampshire
"We couldn't be happier with the service we received from all the team. Right from Sheila in sales on day 1 through to John and Glenn on site. Now we have a pool the boys are in it in all weather and it gets them off the Xbox! They have used the pool every day since May-be it after school or early in the morning and we both use it to exercise whenever we have a spare half an hour.That alone makes it more than worth it."
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David Clifford – Wales
"There are two aspects to the company, the people and the product. I can't fault either of them. The people are friendly, expert and very helpful. Theirs is a premium product but worth it. The build quality is first rate and the operating system options can give you a package as sophisticated as you wish."
03
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Sophie Bardrick
"Compass provided an excellent sales service with James Poore giving a full explanation of the pool construction and installation process. Compass delivered each stage on time and installed the pool quickly and efficiently under the direction of Alex. All team members were knowledgable and professional. Would highly recommend Compass Pools to anyone thinking of getting a pool."
04
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Tim Wilkinson
"Compass were a dream to deal with. They visited and prepared a very detailed quote with full details/breakdown. A start date was agreed on, they turned up on the agreed day and finished the install ahead of schedule. The install team were a pleasure to work with and had a good eye for detail / getting things right / keeping the site tidy. I would not hesitate to recommend Compass."

20 Year Warranty

Supported by the best guarantees in the industry, Compass Pools Carbon Ceramic Shells have a 20 Year Warranty
Green Swimming

Compass Pools are the most energy-efficient pool construction type, with ceramic insulators and variable speed pumps
Carbon Ceramic Technology

Compass Pools are constructed using Carbon Fibre & Ceramic for Stength and Insulation