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Original poster

Above ground swimming pools

33 replies

VenusClapTrap · 01/05/2026 15:29

Has anyone installed an above ground swimming pool? I was planning to buy one of those cheapo above ground kits; the kit is approx £3K, plus another £1K for a heating system. I was planning to install it on a flat area of lawn.

I’ve just had a quote from a trusted landscaper who I’ve used before, to level the ground and install a concrete and wooden sleeper perimeter for it to sit on. Quote was £4K!

This no longer feels like a cheapo pool option and I’m very disappointed. Just wondering if it might be cheaper or not much different to get a ‘proper’ one after all.

Anyone with above ground pool experience?

OP posts:
Tryingtokeepgoing · 05/05/2026 16:17

If you actually want to swim at home then I think you really need a proper sunken swimming pool, or one of those endless swimming pool things where you are swimming against the current and so never go anywhere. I suspect though that they are as much as a proper swimming pool!

Horsepoor · 05/05/2026 16:24

Go for a 41 x 21 doughboy and semi sink it.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 05/05/2026 16:27

Roaminginthegloaming · 05/05/2026 16:11

My in-laws have an above ground pool which was already installed when they bought their house.

They rarely use it; they find it a faff getting the right balance of chemicals in the pool. They have solar panels to heat the water and have a protective cover, but the water takes an age to heat up to their comfort level.

Worse…..they get rats in the garden (under the pool decking) and my in-laws think they are enjoying the warmth around the base of the pool, and are seriously considering having it taken out.

Charming re the rats, but then again they do love living in under decking.

Ciri · 05/05/2026 16:45

Tryingtokeepgoing · 05/05/2026 16:17

If you actually want to swim at home then I think you really need a proper sunken swimming pool, or one of those endless swimming pool things where you are swimming against the current and so never go anywhere. I suspect though that they are as much as a proper swimming pool!

youre looking at more like 100k for a proper sunken pool

Tryingtokeepgoing · 05/05/2026 17:22

Ciri · 05/05/2026 16:45

youre looking at more like 100k for a proper sunken pool

Show quote history

Yes - and I think a decent 'endless' one is around £80k in the UK, so not a huge saving, in the great scheme of things sadly. But, if one is pushed for space then the 'endless' ones have a place I am sure.

It does show how expensive building work is in the UK though - I was quoted €60k all-in for an 8m x 4m in-ground pool in Italy, plus €7k for a large stone terrace and paving round it, with solar / ground source heating for the non summer months. Or only €25k for a drop-in fibreglass one without heating!

sorryIdidntmeanto · 06/05/2026 22:48

We levelled an area of our garden ourselves. Lots of moving earth and adding sand. Took ages but worth it. Cost very little.
We have an 18' round pool and also do tethered swimming. We love our pool, and don't find the chemicals complicated.

elliejjtiny · 26/05/2026 22:21

Can I just ask what is tethered swimming and would it work with a lazy spa?

toastandegg · 27/05/2026 16:33

elliejjtiny · 26/05/2026 22:21

Can I just ask what is tethered swimming and would it work with a lazy spa?

It’s like a bungee cord that you tether to the side or in my case a fence post and wear around your waist so you effectively swim in place - the lazy spa would be too small, you need to be able to do a couple of complete strokes

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