Professional pool opening costs an average of $250 to $400 for an inground pool or $150 to $250 for an above-ground pool. Your actual cost will depend on where you live, how big your pool is, and the chemicals used.

Opening a pool means preparing it to swim in again after being shut down for the winter. This service usually includes:

• Removing the cover
• Cleaning the pool's interior
• Inspecting and reinstalling equipment
• Refilling the pool
• Balancing the water with chemicals

Most people open their pools in either May or June, depending on your location. You should always wait until outdoor temperatures are consistently above 65° F. This is when the threat of frost is usually over and algae will start to grow in water.

If you live in a warmer state like Florida or California, you might be able to keep your pool open all year-round instead of opening and closing it.

You need to wait at least 1 to 2 days after opening the pool to swim in it. Opening a pool includes “shocking” it with chemicals to bring the chlorine levels back up, which can be harmful to swim in.

If you can't or don't want to wait 2 days, you could monitor the pH and chlorine levels and swim as soon as they reach safe levels. The water is safe when the chlorine is under 4 ppm (parts per million) and the pH is between 7.2 and 7.8.

Opening a pool takes about 2 to 6 hours on average, depending on the pool type, liner material, and size. Above-ground pools almost always take less time to open than inground pools, especially if they use a vinyl or fiberglass liner instead of concrete.

You can find a great pool opening company by following these steps:

• Compare 3 or more bids from experienced, reputable pool contractors.
• Look for members of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP).
• Explore recent customer reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Avoid extremely low estimates, which can indicate poor-quality work.
• Get an itemized, written estimate or contract.
• Wait until they finish opening your pool to pay in full.

Ask these questions to find the best company possible for your pool opening:

• How long have you been opening pools like mine?
• Is your company licensed, bonded, and insured?
• Are there any services you haven't included in this price?
• Can you close my pool later this year? How much will that cost?
• Do you charge a flat rate or by the hour?
• How long will this opening take?
• Will you have to drain my pool to clean it?
• Will you fill my pool back up as well?
• Do you charge extra for vacuuming?
• Do you charge extra for pools that haven't been used in 2+ years?
• Do you have any deals or bundle prices?