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

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.

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

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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."
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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."
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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