Pool Cost Calculator / Illinois
Inground Pool Cost Calculator in Illinois (2026)
Start with a 400 sq ft pool in Illinois, compare materials, then adjust the calculator to your project. The regional model factor is 105% of the national baseline for the area-and-depth portion of the shell price; it is not a measured local labor rate. Residential electricity is approximately 18¢/kWh in the EIA-based data through April 2026.
A 400 sq ft gunite pool in Illinois
20 ft × 20 ft, 5 ft average depth, standard (flat) excavation, no add-ons. The calculator below starts with these same assumptions.
Not an all-in project quote. Decking, fencing, heating, covers and other add-ons are not selected. Permits, unusual site conditions, utility upgrades and yard restoration require separate confirmation with your contractor. The displayed range is a modeled ±15% band, not a statistical confidence interval or a survey of local bids.
Read the calculation methodology and pricing and energy source notes before comparing a contractor's scope with this estimate.
- Estimate for pre-qualification, not a quote; price varies by contractor, location, and season.
Last updated June 30, 2026
Gunite vs. fiberglass vs. vinyl in Illinois
Same 400 sq ft pool, priced three ways with the same Illinois regional model factor and flat excavation.
- Gunite (concrete)
- $43k – $58k
- Fiberglass
- $40k – $54k
- Vinyl liner
- $29k – $40k
Estimate your pool in Illinois
Site data & assumptions: U.S. EIA · OpenEI URDB · Google Solar · NREL PVWatts · DSIRE · IRS · ENERGY STAR · Ballpark Lab model assumptions — see all sources
Illinois permit and code checks before you sign
Illinois' Swimming Facility Act definition of a swimming pool does not include a pool at a private single-family residence intended only for the owner and guests. That is an exclusion from the state's public swimming-facility law, not a blanket exemption from residential permits or safety requirements.
The Illinois Capital Development Board says building-code questions are best confirmed with the city, village, or county code official and describes statewide baseline requirements effective January 1, 2025. Before accepting a quote, confirm the permit, barrier, electrical or bonding, and inspection scope that applies to your address.
Official sources checked September 21, 2026: Illinois General Assembly — 210 ILCS 125/3.01; Illinois Capital Development Board — Building Codes and Regulations.
Pool cost by size in Illinois
| Size / water surface | Gunite | Fiberglass | Vinyl liner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 × 24 ft / 288 sq ft | $37k – $50k | $36k – $48k | $26k – $35k |
| 15 × 30 ft / 450 sq ft | $45k – $61k | $42k – $56k | $31k – $42k |
| 16 × 32 ft / 512 sq ft | $49k – $66k | $44k – $59k | $33k – $45k |
The regional model factor applies to the area-and-depth portion of the shell price, not to every line item. Site conditions and the selected contractor can change the result. A lower modeled price does not establish which material is best for your site.
What to include in a Illinois pool quote
The figures above are a starting budget, not an all-in backyard project. Ask each contractor for the same written scope before comparing the total.
- Shell, equipment and installation scope
- Match dimensions, average depth, finish and specified equipment. Confirm what the installation allowance covers instead of treating the model as a specification.
- Site work and separate allowances
- Ask about access, soil and groundwater, spoil removal, utility work and restoration. The reference uses flat excavation; difficult ground is not priced individually.
- Extras and approvals
- Decking, fencing, heating, covers and other add-ons are excluded from these tables. Confirm permits, safety requirements and inspections with the authority for your address. This estimate does not price those approvals or certify compliance.
A separate annual running-cost budget in Illinois
For a 400 sq ft chlorine pool with partial service, the maintenance model estimates about $1,448 per year without heating or $2,424 with the model's heating allowance. These are two scenarios, not the low and high ends of a quote or a confidence interval.
The Illinois model uses a 8-month operating season as a planning assumption, not a forecast for your address. Confirm actual operating months and any opening, closing or repair charges separately. The heating allowance is not a temperature-specific heat-loss calculation.
Adjust the assumptions in the pool maintenance calculator and compare equipment with the pool heating calculator. Those tools have their own defaults; select your state and pool size there.
Already have a pool? Plan monthly maintenance and heating costs. Those calculators have separate defaults; select your location and size there. Or return to the national pool cost calculator.