Above Ground Pool Installation: DYI or Professional Installer

As the weather warms up, thoughts of swimming pools and fun family recreation creep into our heads. We all need a place to relax and enjoy great times with friends and family. The smell of backyard BBQs and the sounds of children's laughing are summertime staples, and a swimming pool is often the center piece of many backyard gatherings. When it comes to acquiring a swimming pool for summertime activities, an above ground swimming pool is a very economical alternative to the skyrocketing price of the average concrete inground pool. The cost of an above ground is typically one tenth of the total price and can be completed and ready to use in as little as one day. These are huge advantages for the above ground pool and the primary reason they out number their in ground counterparts 2 to 1. If you are considering an above ground pool, there are some questions you need to answer before you decide whether you should pick up a shovel or pick up a telephone instead. For many the decision to do it yourself has already been made, and for other who know there limitations, having someone else do the work is a must. This blog is for the thousands of people who have both the tools and the drive to see this project through but want to know a little more before making the commitment to either one.

Where To Start

First off, most above ground pools are installed by the home owner or purchaser. This should make many of you feel good about your odds of doing this successfully yourself. Hearing that others regularly complete the task in a weekend is music to many ears. Besides, a little hard work is a small price to pay for decades of enjoyment that will follow. When it comes time to purchase a pool or gather the tools needed to install it, there are some things that can make the job easier. First off is the pool itself. If you have not purchased one yet, I highly recommend an quality American brand pool as they are of much better quality. American made pools last nearly twice as long as the imported pools. This is primarily because the metals are much better and thicker. They are also treated and are less likely to corrode. Higher quality stampings mean better fitting parts and easier installation. The price difference is none to little in most cases and well worth the investment.

Tools Required

The tools required are typical hand tools and consist of shovels, rake, tape measure, razor knife, duct tape, cordless drill, pliers, screwdrivers, level and spray paint. There may be other tools used but you get the idea of what is needed. Most of these tools you probably already have or could easily obtain. There are a couple of items which would make the job much easier and can be rented on a daily basis. These would be a transit for leveling the frame and a sod cutter for removing the grass. The sod cutter is highly recommended and will save much time and effort. A bobcat or tractor could be used to remove the grass, level the earth or dig a hole if the pool was being recessed into the ground.

Each swimming pool kit comes with a list of needed tools as well as directions and often a installation video making the job much easier. But be prepared to work hard and become frustrated at times. Depending on the size pool you are installing, you should see the end of construction in one to two days in most cases.

Professional Installer

The advantage of the professional installation is obvious. These guys come equipped and have everything needed to get the job done in record time. They know where best to put the pool and have the experience to overcome difficulties without issue. You will get professional results and a brief education on running and maintaining your new pool. The downside is that this come at a price. The average round pool installation runs about $700.00 and can go up or down depending on actual size and your geographical location. Oval above ground pools are much more money to install. This is due to the fact oval shaped pools have many more parts and take at least twice as long to install. The average installation price for an oval pool is roughly double, or $1400.00. If time is a factor or money not an issue, this may be the way for you to go. Other than expense, there is little to say bad about having someone with experience do the job for you.