How Much Does Pool Liner Replacement Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,219 - $3,839
The typical pool liner replacement costs around $2,465, but prices can fall anywhere from $1,219 to $3,839, on average.
The average cost to replace a pool liner is $2,465, and most homeowners pay between $1,219 and $3,839. Some projects cost as much as $5,764 or as little as $350, depending on the type of pool, size, liner type, and more. Pool liners keep water in your pool, prevent leaks, protect pools from interior damage, and keep mold and algae at bay—all while enhancing the visual appearance of your pool. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about what your pool liner replacement will cost.
- Average
- $2,465
- Low end
- $350
- high end
- $5,764
Pool Liner Cost by Pool Type
An aboveground pool liner costs between $500 to $900 to replace, while inground pool liners cost between $1,200 and $2,100.
Inground pool liner replacement costs will almost always be more expensive than replacing a liner for an aboveground pool. This is partly because inground pool liners require more labor to access, remove, and replace. They also tend to have steps that make liner replacement more challenging.
Inground pool liner replacement costs an average of $1,800, while aboveground pool liner replacement costs an average of $700.
| Pool Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Inground pool | $1,200–$2,100 |
| Aboveground pool | $500–$900 |
Cost by Liner Type
The type of liner you choose also affects the price of your new pool liner. There are three types of liners: overlap, beaded, and uni-bead liners. Overlap liners come in at the lowest end of the price range, but they have a lower lifespan than beaded and uni-bead liners.
The table below includes some average pricing for the three main types of pool liners. Keep in mind that these prices are for materials only and don’t include the labor cost to install them.
| Liner Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Beaded liner | $500 – $1,000 |
| Overlap liner | $200 – $600 |
| Uni-bead liner | $400 – $900 |
Overlap pool liners are draped over the top of a swimming pool, then clamped into place, so material and labor costs are lower than for the other types. Beaded liners have a groove that is attached to a track around the edge of the pool. Uni-bead liners create a seamless look, with a curved piece that hooks over the top of the pool. Unibead liners are the most versatile option.
Cost by Pool Size and Shape
The average cost of pool liner replacement is around $5 per square foot, so, for a pool that’s 10-by-20 feet, you’d pay $1,000 on average.
In addition to size, liner replacement in L-shaped or kidney-shaped pools is more expensive than a standard rectangle or oval pool. Custom pool shapes and depths also demand custom liners, which are significantly more expensive than buying and installing a prefabricated liner that’s made to fit standard pool sizes.
The table below includes some average costs for pool liner replacement based on pool size, but keep in mind that these can vary considerably depending on customization.
| Pool Size | Cost to Replace Liner |
|---|---|
| 6-by-8 ft. | $240 |
| 8-by-12 ft. | $480 |
| 8-by-20 ft. | $800 |
| 10-by-8 ft. | $400 |
| 12-by-20 ft. | $1,200 |
| 16-by-32 ft. | $2,560 |
| 18-by-36 ft. | $3,240 |
| 20-by-40 ft. | $4,000 |
Pool Liner Specialist Costs
A company that specializes in pool liner installation near you can help you replace the pool liner correctly and efficiently. The labor for installing an aboveground pool liner typically costs between $250 and $800, while an inground pool liner installation ranges anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500.
Note that not all pool pros work with both types of pools—some may only work with inground pools, for example. You may also have to pay more if you have a custom-shaped pool, custom steps, or other non-standard shapes and depths.
When you hire a pro to replace your pool liner, they will:
Drain the pool
Remove the old liner
Measure and order new liner
Install the new liner
Refill and clean up the pool
Additional Pool Liner Replacement Cost Factors
The cost to repair or replace a pool liner also varies based on the liner material, thickness, time of year, and more.
Materials
The material costs depend largely on the type of pool you have. A vinyl liner is the most budget-friendly and popular type of pool liner material. A replacement vinyl liner for an above ground pool will cost between $500 and $900, while an inground pool liner replacement cost ranges from $1,400 to $2,100.
Fiberglass pool liners are more durable (and repairable) than their vinyl counterparts, but they come with a steep price tag. Depending on the shape and size of your pool, expect to pay between $1,500 and $5,000 for a fiberglass liner, plus an additional $1,000 to $2,500 for the installation.
Other liner materials vary even more in price because they require more labor to install and include more options for customization. The table below includes some average pricing based on liner material.
| Liner Material | Replacement Cost |
|---|---|
| Vinyl | $300–$4,000 |
| Waterproofing plaster | $500–$1,000 |
| Fiberglass | $1,000–$8,000 |
| Tile | $2,000–$70,000 |
Liner Thickness and Design
The thicker the vinyl, the more durable the pool liner—but that also comes with a higher price tag. Most liners are 20 millimeters thick, but you can also choose a 25 millimeter option or a 28 millimeter option (usually reserved for inground pools) for a bit more money.
You can expect to pay around $300 to $500 more for the thicker liners. The pool liner cost also increases when choosing designs or patterns beyond the basic solid blue.
Draining and Refilling
Replacing a vinyl liner requires that you first drain the pool to access the interior. You can technically drain a pool yourself for free, but you should be careful since most residential pools aren't designed to be empty. Some municipalities also don’t allow you to drain pools to the sewers, so you’ll have to check local regulations before you get started.
Another option is to hire a pool contractor to drain it; most companies charge between $500 and $700 for this service.
Once the work is completed, the pool will need to be refilled. The cost to fill a pool with water runs between $60 and $120 if you use municipal water.
Time of Year
Spring and summer are the most expensive times to replace a pool liner since this is when local pool liner companies are busiest. You can save some money by waiting until the fall, when demand usually dips, but for best results, you should replace a liner when the weather is warm.
Permits
In most cases, you won’t need a permit for pool projects that don’t involve structural changes, but some municipalities do require permits. You can check with your local building department or ask your pool repair professional if a permit is required. If it is, you should budget between $150 and $300 for the permit fee.
Disposal of the Old Liner
Your pool repair expert will usually include removing the old liner and disposing of it in the initial estimate, but you should always check your contract to make sure, as some companies charge extra for this. Disposal fees aren’t usually terribly high, averaging between $75 and $150, but it’s something to be aware of before moving forward. You could save some money by agreeing to cut up the liner and dispose of it yourself, but this is, of course, less convenient.
Pool Liner Repair vs. Replacement Costs
Not all damaged pool liners need to be replaced. Vinyl pool liners can last anywhere from five to 20 years, so if your pool liner is relatively new, in good condition, or has only a cosmetic or minor tear, you might be able to repair the liner rather than replace it entirely. For example, if you know how to patch a pool liner, you may be able to repair a minor tear to your current liner with a DIY liner patch kit, which costs roughly between $20 and $50.
| Repair Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Leaks | $100 – $2,500 |
| Wrinkles or bulges | $100 – $250 |
| Floor damage | $300 – $600 |
| Bead replacement | $130 – $300 |
| Sun damage | $2 per linear foot |
Leaks
While finding a leak in a pool may sometimes mean the end of your pool liner, that’s often not the case. Depending on the location and size of the damage, that leak may be fixable. You can patch a tear in a vinyl liner up to 3 inches long, provided it isn’t close to the pool’s filtration system. You can patch the leak yourself by purchasing a kit or hire a pool repair service near you to do it. Professional pool leak repair costs average around $300 but can climb much higher for more severe leaks.
While many vinyl patch kits are DIY friendly, we suggest hiring a pro to fix a leaky fiberglass liner as it can be very difficult to get a good color match with the patch. Keep in mind that patches are unpredictable. Some can last for years while others may fail in a matter of days. Monitor the patch at least once a week to make sure it’s in place and doing its job.
If you have a leaky fiberglass pool liner, you’ll need to hire a professional to repair it. Expect to pay between $300 and $400 to repair a crack in a fiberglass pool, or up to $2,500 for more severe leaks.
Sun Damage
Even the best pool liners will eventually succumb to the powerful ultraviolet rays of the sun. Over time, the sun will cause the liner to fade, usually beginning with the areas near and above the waterline.
If the damage is purely cosmetic and confined to the parts of the pool liner near the waterline, you can install adhesive borders to freshen the look of your pool liner. This affordable repair option will only cost you about $2 per linear foot.
However, if the sun has dried out a portion of the liner, causing the vinyl to become hard and brittle, then you have no alternative but to replace it.
Wrinkles or Bulges
Wrinkles and bulges are the result of a poor liner installation, erosion under the liner, or bad pool chemistry. In addition to their unsightly appearance, these anomalies can also make it more difficult to keep your pool clean by trapping dirt in their folds, creating a place for bacteria and algae to grow.
If you get to them early, you can hire a professional to smooth out your wrinkled liner for between $100 and $250.
The bad news is the weight of the water typically hardens wrinkles, making most wrinkled liners impossible to repair. There are no magic treatments to remove your pool liner’s wrinkles and bulges. The good news is your aging pool can live with these cosmetic flaws as long as you can.
Floor Damage
Fixing floor damage can be a costly repair for above ground pools. If you’re able to identify the leak yourself, you can fix it with a simple patch for about $20. If there’s damage to the pool structure, you’ll need to call in a pro. Plan on paying a professional between $300 and $600 to repair a damaged pool floor structure.
Bead Replacement
The bead on your pool liner is responsible for keeping it locked in place around the rim of the pool. When it begins to wear out, the bead will cease to do its job, causing the liner to pull free from the rim. You can attempt to push a loose bead back into place. If this fails, you’ll need to replace it to preserve the liner. Such a job requires the expertise of a professional to avoid damaging your liner. Plan on paying between $130 and $300 for a bead replacement.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Replace Pool Liner
You’ll pay around $30 to $50 per hour to have a pool pro repair an existing pool liner, so you’d save on those fees if you DIY. You’ll still have to pay for the liner itself, plus draining and refilling the pool, which will cost about $300 to $1,000 in total.
While you can do some minor repairs on an existing pool liner yourself, installing a new liner can prove to be more challenging. An improperly installed pool liner can wrinkle, become damaged along the bead tracks, or even rip. You might even void your pool liner warranty if you DIY the installation, as some companies won’t honor the warranty unless a professional installs it.
For these reasons, leave the installation to the professionals unless you have experience installing pool liner replacements yourself. A pool liner installation company near you has the expertise to ensure your liner fits your pool correctly so that you can have a liner that lasts for many years.
How to Save on Pool Liner Costs
Replacing a pool liner can be an unexpected expense if you haven’t budgeted for it. From draining your pool and refilling it to the materials' price, you might find yourself sweating at the thought of replacing the liner. Here are a few ways you can save money and still update your liner to protect your pool for future use:
Avoid upgraded features: That stunning pattern or rich color you have your eyes on will inevitably cost more than a plain, traditional liner. Stick with a simple design to keep costs low.
Replace in the slow season: While everyone else may jump to replace their liners in spring and early summer, you might get a discount if you wait until the end of summer or fall to have a pool company replace your pool liner due to lower demand.
Maintain your pool: Routine pool maintenance ensures that your pool’s liner lasts as long as possible, which will ultimately save you money on unnecessary replacements and repairs.
Choose a high-quality pool liner: Though it might seem counterintuitive, a high-quality liner gives you more bang for your buck by lowering how frequently you need to replace or repair it.
Clean your pool regularly: Keep algae, debris, dirt, sunscreen, and lotion residue out of your pool by cleaning your pool filter once a month during the swim season and a few times during the offseason to protect your pool and the liner from deterioration.
Vet your installation company: Always reach out to multiple pool companies to get at least three quotes when replacing a pool liner. This will help you compare installation costs and choose the best price.
Repair over replace, if possible. Contact a pool professional to see if you can repair your liner rather than replace it. You’ll pay an average of around $300 for a repair, while a full replacement averages around
$2,465.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, you should replace a pool liner every 10 to 15 years, though it varies depending on the quality of the pool liner, how well you maintain your pool, and the climate in your area. If your liner becomes heavily damaged, you’ll need to have a pro inspect it to determine if it’s best to replace or repair it.
You shouldn’t install a new vinyl pool liner on top of an old liner. Installing a new pool liner on top of an old one will cause problems. For instance, once you drain your pool to install the new liner, the existing liner dries out and becomes brittle. This can lead to deterioration that affects the condition of the new liner. Other types of pool liners can sometimes go directly over old liners safely, but you should always defer to a professional for the best course of action.
On average, your pool liner replacement project takes anywhere from one to four days from start to finish. But a few factors, like your pool design and total square footage, can affect the time it takes. Also, the installation can take longer if you have unexpected weather conditions that cause a pro to pause the job.
While you can perform some repairs to a pool liner without draining the pool, you’ll need to empty it to remove the old liner and install a new one. Since most pools don’t have a main drain, you’ll need to use a submersible pump or pool cover pump to drain the water. If you are installing a new liner, be sure to assess and repair the pool walls and floor to ensure a good installation for the new liner.
How long a pool liner lasts depends on the type of pool. Most inground pool liners will last between six and 12 years, while above ground pool liners last anywhere from six to 10 years. You can extend the life of your pool liner by maintaining proper pool chemistry, adding chemicals individually to avoid staining the liner, using a pool cover to protect it from the sun, and keeping sharp objects away from it.