Published 2026 figures put a full liner job at about $5 per sq ft installed, or $7 in premium markets. This page breaks that down the way a quote does: material, labour, then the extras that are real but easy to leave off.
At a glance
| Pool | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Above-ground, full job | $700 - $2,500 |
| 12 x 24 inground (288 sq ft) | $1,300 - $2,300 |
| 16 x 32 inground (512 sq ft) | $2,100 - $3,000 |
| 18 x 36 inground (648 sq ft) | $2,400 - $3,700 |
| 20 x 40 inground (800 sq ft) | $3,000 - $5,500 |
| Standard rectangular, with refill water | $4,000 - $6,500 |
| Large or custom with steps and ledges | $6,500 - $9,000 and up |
The national average is about $2,590, and most homeowners pay between $1,244 and $3,977.
Material and labour, separated
Splitting the two is the fastest way to see whether a quote is reasonable:
| Component | Above-ground | Inground |
|---|---|---|
| Liner material | $500 - $900 | $1,200 - $2,100 standard; up to $4,000 for premium 30-mil |
| Labour | $250 - $800 | $1,000 - $2,500 (about 40% of the job) |
Thickness upgrades add $200 to $700. Custom fabrication adds $500 to $1,500 over a standard liner.
The extras to budget for
- Refill water: $60 to $350 on city supply, $400 to $900 trucked in
- Startup chemicals and balancing: $80 to $200
- Old liner disposal: $75 to $200
- Skimmer, return and light gaskets: $100 to $400
- Floor patching or vermiculite repair: $150 to $3,000
- Wall or spot repairs: $150 to $600
- Rush liner order: $200 to $500
Repairs discovered after drain-down commonly add $400 to $2,000. A quote that has no line for them is not cheaper, it is incomplete.
Timing and where you can save
Spring and early summer are peak season, with longer waits and higher prices. Booking in late autumn for spring work can save $500 to $700 on a typical $3,500 job. Off-peak scheduling is the single largest controllable saving in this trade.
The other legitimate saving is choosing the liner type and thickness that fits the pool instead of upgrading by default. A thicker liner is not automatically a better liner.
How to read a liner quote
- Is the measurement included and who is responsible if the liner does not fit?
- Which liner type, mil thickness and bead system?
- Is wall and floor repair itemised, with areas and photographs?
- Are water, chemicals and disposal included or excluded?
- What is the workmanship warranty, and what is the manufacturer's liner warranty?
Frequently asked questions
What is the average pool liner replacement cost?
About $2,590 nationally, with most homeowners paying between $1,244 and $3,977, and a full job at roughly $5 per sq ft installed.
Why is my quote higher than the online average?
Check for pool size, shape complexity, refill water, and repairs found after drain-down. A 20 x 40 custom pool with steps is a different job from a 12 x 24 rectangle.
Is liner replacement cheaper than resurfacing?
Yes, substantially. A concrete or fibreglass resurface can reach $10,000 to $30,000, while a standard inground liner replacement is $2,100 to $5,500.
How much of the cost is labour?
About 40%: $1,000 to $2,500 for an inground pool, $250 to $800 for an above-ground pool.
