How Much Does Pool Liner Replacement Cost in 2025?

Pool Liner Replacement Cost Factors

Several variables impact the cost of installing a pool liner, including size and shape, the type of pool, and the time of year.

Pool Size

The size of the pool is the single biggest determinant of any pool repair cost. The below chart of standard sizes can help you determine just how your pool can fit into this equation.

Liner Type

There are three main kinds of liners you can purchase: Overlap liners, unibead liners, and beaded liners. Each one has its own unique price point and features to consider

Thickness

A thicker, 28-millimeter pool liner costs around $200 to $400 more than a standard 20-millimeter pool liner. Thicker liners last longer and can withstand more exposure to harsh weather than typical liners. If you choose a thicker liner, it’ll last longer and won’t tear as easily, but it’ll cost you more and be harder to install.

Pool Shape

Your pool’s shape impacts the cost of your liner. Round pool liners are less expensive than similarly sized rectangular ones. If you have a custom pool with an irregular shape, you’ll need to get a custom-made liner, which can be much more expensive than a standard-shaped one.

In-Ground or Above-Ground

In-ground pool liners cost more than above-ground ones. For example, an oval, above-ground 12-by-24-foot pool liner costs $500 to $1,800, whereas a rectangular inground pool liner of the same size costs $1,450 to $3,000.

Liner Pattern or Design

If you choose a liner with a pattern or design, you will pay more than going with the classic blue liner. Keep in mind that darker pool liners are harder to repair and may cost you more down the road.

Location

Your pool’s location and its accessibility impact labor costs. If the pool is far away from where the contractor must park, the pathways are narrow, or there is limited room to get equipment to the site, then this increases the job’s difficulty and how much time it takes to complete. 

Time of Year

If you need pool liner replacement services in prime pool season—spring and summer—you will likely wait longer and pay more than if you took care of this issue in fall or winter. 

Additional Pool Liner Replacement Cost Factors

Labor

Above-ground pool liner installation will typically cost between $200 and $900, while in-ground liner installation generally costs more at a price point between $1,000 and $2,500.

Draining and Refilling

You’ll need to have your pool completely drained before you can have the liner repaired or replaced. Though you can do this yourself, some homeowners might prefer to leave it up to their local pool liner repair pro. In this case, draining the pool will cost $500 to $700. You’ll, of course, need to fill it up again, too—this costs $30 to $100 per 1,000 liters from a water delivery truck or $4 to $10 per 1,000 liters when using your home’s garden hose.

Warranty

Most in-ground pool liners have a 20 to 30-year warranty. It's important to remember, however, that most warranties only offer full protection for between two and five years. After this period, the value of the warranty is prorated. So, if you need a new pool liner after 10 years, the warranty may only cover 10% of the total price. Additionally, warranties often don't cover labor or necessary tasks like emptying or refilling the pool.

Vinyl Pool Liner Repair Costs

In some cases, it's more cost-effective to repair the liner rather than replace it. If the liner is comparatively new and is in reasonably good condition, and there's just a small tear, repairing is likely the better option, since you’ll only have to pay for pool maintenance costs rather than replacement. 

Patching Holes, Tears, and Snags

Patching holes in the liner can cost between $100 and $500 if you cannot identify the source of the leak. A DIY liner patch kit costs between $10 and $30.

Sun Damage

Sun damage costs around $530 for 150 linear feet. Damage from the sun—especially pronounced above the waterline—often requires replacement but can be prevented by covering the pool or installing a protective shield. Sun damage not only involves fading and discoloration, but the UV rays weaken the vinyl and cause significant cracking over time, so it's important to protect your pool liner. 

Wrinkles in the Liner

Professionals can fix wrinkles for around $100 to $250. Wrinkles can occur due to poor installation, water pressure, and weather conditions.

Popped-Out Beads

New beads cost about $130 to $300 each, not including installation. Beads around the pool's edge hold most vinyl liners in place. If you cannot pop the bead back into place, you will need to purchase a new one.

Bulged Liner

Water pressure and weather conditions can cause your liner to bulge. If it doesn't settle into wrinkles after the groundwater settles, you might have to replace the liner to get rid of the problem. The warranty usually covers this issue.

Leaks

Depending on the size of the leak, your cost can go up to $2,500, at which point you may consider replacement instead.

Floor Damage

Fixing holes in the floor of an above-ground pool is not simple. It requires draining your pool and determining whether the leak stems from the liner or the pool itself. Once you know the answer, the cost will fall into one of the above categories.

Pool Liner Replacement vs. Repair

Swimming pool liners usually last 15 to 20 years, though it's difficult to put an exact duration on the life of above-ground and in-ground liners. There are various reasons that lead to replacing the vinyl liner rather than trying to patch it.

Be sure to check for these signs ahead of time so you don't lose too much water or cause excess damage to your pool.

Otherwise, you might need to do repairs to the swimming pool in addition to replacing the pool liner:

• Age: As a liner grows older, it loses elasticity. Sun, weather conditions, and chemicals wear it down, which causes chunks of it to fall off.

• Improper installation: If vinyl pool liners are installed incorrectly, they won't touch the ground and pool walls like they're supposed to. This could lead to a void in the warranty because it damages the liner bead or rips the liner.

• Cuts by sharp objects: Since vinyl liners are soft, people, pets, and debris can easily cut them. It's not easy to patch cuts after such an accident, so it's better to replace your liner rather than try and patch it.

• Wrong pool chemicals: The wrong balance of pool chemicals can eat away at the pool liner faster. You need to be sure to use vinyl-safe chemicals or not install a vinyl liner around your pool.

Fiberglass pool costs are similar to vinyl, with an initial cost ranging between $25,000 and $49,000 compared to $25,000 to $65,000 for vinyl pools.

That said, the lifetime cost of a fiberglass pool may be worth the initial price. Unlike the sometimes expensive repair costs for vinyl liner pools mentioned above, these types of pools generally only need minor pool repairs that cost around $675 for most problems. You also won’t have to worry about replacing a liner when its lifespan has expired.

Does Pool Liner Replacement Increase Home Value?

When you look at the high cost of remodeling a pool or even relatively minor jobs like pool resurfacing, you may be wondering if pool liner replacement and other pool projects offer a worthwhile ROI. A pool in good condition definitely increases home value, meaning that a recently installed pool liner will almost always do the same. A new pool liner lets prospective buyers know that they won’t have to pay to replace or repair the liner for up to 10 to 15 years, making your home a much easier sell. You’ll see a higher ROI of a new pool liner in areas where pools are common.

Budgeting for Pool Liner Replacement

Pool liner replacement can become expensive quickly—here are a few ways to reduce the costs of this project:

• Choose a vinyl pool liner over other, more expensive materials for lower upfront costs.

• Opt for a standard liner color and pattern instead of a custom hue or design.

• Choose a standard thickness of 20 millimeters for your liner.

• Have your liner replaced in the off-season (fall or winter) for lower labor rates.

• Consider draining and refilling your pool yourself to save a few hundred dollars.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real 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.