- Step 1: The Plan - Figuring Out Your Budget and Location
- Step 2: Choose Your Pool - The Top 3 Budget-Friendly Options
- Step 3: The Heart of the Pool - Picking a Pump and Filter
- Step 4: The Build - A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 5: The Finishing Touches - Landscaping on a Dime
- Step 6: The Smartest Upgrade - Powering Your Pump for Free
- Conclusion about Building a Pool
How to Build a Small Home Swimming Pool on a Budget
- Step 1: The Plan - Figuring Out Your Budget and Location
- Step 2: Choose Your Pool - The Top 3 Budget-Friendly Options
- Step 3: The Heart of the Pool - Picking a Pump and Filter
- Step 4: The Build - A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 5: The Finishing Touches - Landscaping on a Dime
- Step 6: The Smartest Upgrade - Powering Your Pump for Free
- Conclusion about Building a Pool
The dream of having a swimming pool in your own backyard often feels like it comes with a giant price tag. You imagine that cool, sparkling water, but then you see quotes for tens of thousands of dollars, and the dream fades. But what if you could get that refreshing oasis without having to empty your bank account? Building a small pool on a budget is totally possible, and it’s a fun project that can completely change your outdoor space.
This guide will walk you through the practical steps, smart choices, and money-saving tips to turn your backyard pool dream into a reality you can actually afford.
Step 1: The Plan - Figuring Out Your Budget and Location
Before you pick up a shovel, the most important work you'll do is with a pen and paper. A good plan is the key to keeping your project from becoming a money pit.
First, be realistic about your budget. A small DIY pool can cost anywhere from a few hundred bucks for a simple stock tank to several thousand for a more permanent setup. Pick a number you’re comfortable with, and then add about 10-15% extra for those "just in case" costs that always seem to pop up.
Next, you need to check with your local town or city about permits. Even for small pools, there are often rules about things like fences, depth, and electrical wiring. Getting the right permits first will save you from a lot of headaches later. This is also when you should pick the perfect spot. Find a level area in your yard that gets a good amount of sun and make sure there are no underground utility lines.
Step 2: Choose Your Pool - The Top 3 Budget-Friendly Options
The type of pool you choose will be the biggest factor in your total cost. We're not talking about custom concrete pools here. For a budget build, you’ll want to look at one of these three popular choices.
The Stock Tank Pool: Quick, Easy, and Trendy
You've probably seen these all over Instagram, and for good reason. Stock tank pools use the big metal tubs that are normally used for farm animals. They’re cheap, incredibly tough, and have a cool, rustic vibe. They are perfect for a small "plunge pool" to cool off in on a hot day. You can get one set up in a single weekend with a simple pump and filter.
The Above-Ground Pool Kit: The Classic Family Choice
This is the classic backyard pool we all know. Above-ground pool kits come with everything you need right in the box—the frame, the liner, and usually a pump. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, are pretty easy to put together with a few friends, and you don’t have to do any major digging. You can even build a nice deck around it to give it a more custom, high-end feel without the high-end price.
The In-Ground Vinyl Liner Pool: The Most Affordable Permanent Pool
If you really want an in-ground pool, a vinyl liner kit is the most affordable way to get there. This is a bigger job—you'll need to dig the hole (or hire someone to), assemble a wall kit, and then fit a vinyl liner inside. It’s a lot more work, but the payoff is a real in-ground pool experience for way less money than a concrete or fiberglass one.
Step 3: The Heart of the Pool - Picking a Pump and Filter
No matter what kind of pool you build, you need a pump and filter to keep the water clean. This is your pool's life support system, so you don't want to cheap out here. But you can be very smart about how you power it to save a ton of money.
The pump will be your biggest ongoing electricity cost. Normally, you'd have to hire an electrician to run a special outdoor power line, which can be expensive. A much smarter and modern way to do it is to run your pump with a powerful solar generator. This is a game-changer. It means no expensive electrical work, your pool will still circulate during a power outage, and best of all, you're running your pump on free, clean energy from the sun.
Step 4: The Build - A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
While every pool is a little different, the basic steps for a DIY build are pretty similar.
Getting the Ground Ready
This is the most important step for a pool that will last. You need a perfectly level and solid spot. For a stock tank or above-ground pool, this means clearing the area and putting down a flat layer of sand. For an in-ground pool, this is when the big digging happens. You can rent a mini-excavator for a day or convince some friends to help you dig it out by hand.
Putting the Pool Together
This is where you'll see it all start to take shape. For an above-ground pool, you'll put the frame and walls together. For an in-ground pool, you'll build the wall panels inside the hole. The most important thing here is to follow the instructions that came with your kit. Take your time and make sure everything is level before you move on.
Hooking Up the Pump and Filter
Once the pool structure is up, it's time to connect the pump and filter. This just involves installing the skimmer (where the water gets sucked out) and the return jet (where clean water comes back in) and running some pipes. It might sound complicated, but for a small pool, it's usually pretty straightforward. Using flexible PVC pipes can make this job a lot easier.
This is also when you'll set up your power. If you’re using a solar generator, this part is super simple. You just set up your solar panels where they'll get sun, plug them into the generator, and then plug your pump right into the generator. It’s a quiet and simple power source.
Step 5: The Finishing Touches - Landscaping on a Dime
The area around your pool is what makes it feel like a real oasis. You don’t need to spend a lot to make it look fantastic.
A few budget-friendly ideas:
- Use Pea Gravel or Mulch: Instead of expensive pavers, create a nice, clean border around your pool with some simple pea gravel or wood mulch.
- Plant Smart: Choose some low-maintenance plants or tall grasses to add color and life without needing a lot of work.
- DIY Privacy: You can build a simple and stylish privacy screen with some wood lattice from the hardware store, or grow some climbing plants on a trellis.
Step 6: The Smartest Upgrade - Powering Your Pump for Free
Your budget-friendly pool is built, but the savings don't have to end there. The biggest ongoing cost for any pool is the electricity for the pump. By choosing to run it with a portable power station, you're making a smart investment that will save you money every single month. You're no longer stuck paying whatever the power company wants to charge.
A versatile system like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Portable Power Station can easily handle a pool pump. Its 4000W output is more than enough power for the pumps that come with small pools, and its long-lasting LFP battery is designed for years of use, retaining 80% capacity even after 4000 cycles. This means you can count on it season after season. This setup doesn't just save you money; it gives you energy independence.
Best of all, a portable power station is silent and has no fumes, unlike a gas generator that would ruin the peaceful vibe of your new pool. And thanks to its portable design, you can easily use it for camping, RV trips, or home backup power in the off-season, making it a valuable tool for more than just the pool. It's the final piece of the puzzle for a modern and truly efficient backyard.
Conclusion about Building a Pool
Building a small swimming pool on a budget is a dream you can actually make happen. By choosing the right kind of pool, being clever with your landscaping, and using a modern power source, you can create an amazing backyard getaway. A portable power station like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 is the perfect partner for this project, offering a clean and free way to power your fun for years to come. It's a smart investment in your home that will lead to a lifetime of great summer memories.