How much does a natural pool cost?
How much does a natural pool cost?
$50 – $100 cost per square foot
$50,000 – $150,000 average total cost
Average natural swimming pool cost
A natural swimming pool costs $50 to $100 per square foot with installation or $50,000 to $150,000 total on average, depending on the size and whether you add a heater or other features. Natural swimming pools, or swimming ponds, use natural aquatic plant life to keep your water clear without chlorine.
| National Average Cost | $100,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $25,000 |
| Maximum Cost | $200,000 |
| Average Range | $50,000 to $150,000 |
What is a natural swimming pool?
A natural swimming pool is a pool that uses aquatic plants and biological filters instead of chemicals to keep the water clean. They're also called swimming ponds or green pools because they're more environmentally friendly than traditional pools.
Natural pools are gentler on your skin and cost less to maintain than traditional pools since they don't contain chlorine or other chemicals.
Natural pool cost by size
The table below shows the average cost to install natural pools of various sizes. Keep in mind that many natural pools contain decorative areas and plant matter, so not all of the pool's square footage is a swimmable area.
| Size (square feet) | Average installed cost |
|---|---|
| 500 | $25,000 – $50,000 |
| 800 | $40,000 – $80,000 |
| 1,000 | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| 1,200 | $60,000 – $120,000 |
| 1,500 | $75,000 – $150,000 |
| 1,800 | $90,000 – $180,000 |
| 2,000 | $100,000 – $200,000 |
If you already have a pool and want to convert it into a natural pool, you may end up paying $50,000 to $175,000, or about the same as starting from scratch.
Natural pool cost factors
The following factors influence the cost of building a natural pool:
Depth: Most swimming pools are around 6 to 7 feet deep. Anything deeper than that will require more materials and water.
Liner type: Natural pools may use a fiberglass, concrete, clay, or gravel as a liner. Concrete and fiberglass are more expensive. The purification area usually contains gravel, sand, river rocks, or a combination of those materials.
Location: Building a pool in northern states typically costs more than in warm southern states. You may also pay more if your home is hard to access or on a steep hill.
Heater: You can heat your natural pool just as you would a traditional pool. A gas or electric pool heater costs $1,200 to $6,000 installed, while a solar pool heater costs $2,500 to $6,500.
Permit: Building permits for pool installation cost $100 to $300. Most pool companies include permits in their price.
Repairs: Pool repair costs $500 to $1,500 to fix a leak or $50 to $650 to repair broken components.
Maintenance: Upkeep on a natural pool costs about $15 to $80 per month to pay someone to empty the leaf skimmer and prune the plants, or you can do it yourself. You won't need to pay to add or adjust any chemicals.
Labor
Building a natural pool is a complicated process that involves excavation, leveling, and adding in plant life afterwards. The table below shows some of the common costs associated with the project.
| Project | Average total cost |
|---|---|
| Excavation cost | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Yard leveling cost | $500 – $1,000 |
| Retaining wall cost | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Pool water delivery cost | $400 – $2,400 |
| Pool filter cost | $300 – $1,700 |
| Pool pump cost | $300 – $1,600 |
| Tree removal cost | $150 – $2,000 |
Upgrades
Adding custom pool upgrades or extra features will cost more and extend the installation timeline. Common upgrades include:
A pool waterfall costs $2,000 to $8,800 on average. Some natural pools also have a stream, bubblers, or jumping boulders.
Pool lights cost $500 to $1,700.
A pool deck costs $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the size and material.
Landscaping costs $3,000 to $5,000, or $4 to $12 per square foot.
Safety features
Installing a pool fence, enclosure, or cover can help prevent accidents by keeping pets and kids away from the water. Many states require pool owners to have a fence or cover.
A pool fence costs $10 to $45 per linear foot or $2,000 to $13,500 total, depending on the material. Putting a self-closing latch on the gate costs $200 to $250.
A pool cover costs $1,000 to $3,600 for a manual cover or $8,000 to $20,000 for an automatic system. Pool covers also help retain heat.
A pool enclosure costs $5 to $15 per square foot or $4,000 to $14,000 total. You can find enclosures made of mesh, glass, plastic, or vinyl. They keep insects, debris, and pollen out of the pool.
Natural pools vs. other pools
The average inground pool costs $25,000 to $100,000 with installation. Concrete or gunite pools cost the most but last longer than other materials. Vinyl liner pools cost less than gunite but are the least durable. Fiberglass pools are more durable than vinyl but not as strong as concrete.
| Pool type | Total cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Natural pool | $50,000 – $150,000 |
|
| Gunite pool cost | $50,000 – $120,000 |
|
| Fiberglass pool cost | $25,000 – $85,000 |
|
| Vinyl pool cost | $25,000 – $65,000 |
|
| Shipping container pool cost | $35,000 – $65,000 |
|
Natural pool FAQs
Are natural pools safe?
Yes, natural pools are generally safe since they don't use chlorine or other pH-balancing chemicals. The plants in natural pools sometimes attract wildlife like frogs or snakes, but they usually don't stay for long because the pool pump moves the water, which is clear enough to discourage hiding.
Are natural pools hard to maintain?
Natural pools are not hard to maintain—all you have to do is make sure the pump is working properly, clear out the leaf filter regularly, and prune back the plants as needed.
How long does it take to build a natural pool?
Installing a natural pool takes 4 to 6 weeks on average, depending on the pool size and how much site prep your yard needs.
Getting estimates from natural pool installers
When hiring an inground pool installation company near you, follow these important steps:
Compare 3+ estimates for similar pool sizes and styles.
Choose a licensed, insured, and bonded company with experience specifically installing natural swimming pools.
Look for members of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP).
Read reviews and look at pictures on HomeGuide and Google.
Request an itemized estimate in writing.
Follow a payment schedule instead of making any large payments upfront.
Questions to ask natural pool installers
Ask these questions to find the best natural swimming pool installer in your area:
How long have you been building natural pools?
Can I see pictures of similar pools you've done?
Are you a member of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals?
Can you also install a cover or pool heater?
What size would you recommend for my space?
Do you install streams, waterfalls, or step-in entries?
How long should the installation take from start to finish?
How much site prep will my property need?
What kind of plants do you recommend for this area?
How often will I need to prune the plants?
What happens if the plants start dying or need professional care?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.