How Much Do Cowboy Pools Cost?

Published on July 18, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Educational content; not financial advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rates, fees, taxes, and terms with providers or official sources.

A cowboy pool is a galvanized or poly stock-tank repurposed for swimming. Owners praise the rustic look, quick setup, and small-yard fit. Demand spiked across Austin, Dallas, and Phoenix as families chased cool water without the expense of an in-ground build. Yet total value hinges on clear pricing details—tank size, pump rate, and freight charge each push the amount north or south. This guide explains the full breakdown so buyers match the right plan to their real-world budget.

A backyard cowboy pool starts at $875 for a rough-and-ready kit and climbs past $6,750 for a premium turnkey install. That spread covers every price, delivery fee, and upgrade a buyer faces before the first splash. The sections below track each cost item, so the budget stays solid from the first quote to the final payment.

Article Insights

• Entry DIY pumps cost $875; full “Honcho” kits reach $5,950.
• Average turnkey installs land between $3,900 and $4,300.
• Freight for out-of-state orders adds $300–$500.
• Monthly upkeep stays near $20–$50 for power and chemicals.
• A poly-lined tank upgrade costs $350–$500 but extends life.
• Electrical GFCI installation averages $320.
• DIY builders save up to 50 % of the total price with added labor.

How Much Do Cowboy Pools Cost?

Cowboy pools costs begin at $875 for entry kits (pump parts only), while a factory-packed “OG” package lists at $3,450. The larger “Honcho” installs with upgraded filter and 10-foot tank at $5,950 before shipping.

Each package shows how every tier layers charges. The DIY buyer brings the tank and keeps overhead low. Turnkey clients pay for assembly speed and warranty coverage.

According to HomeGuide, “The OG” package, which includes delivery and installation in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, ranges from $2,000 to $2,950. The more premium “Honcho” package, which can be shipped nationwide, costs between $3,450 and $5,950 (delivery and installation may be extra).

For those interested in a do-it-yourself approach, Cowboy Pools offers a DIY kit for $975 that includes shipping but not the tank itself. These prices reflect the cost of a complete pool package, including a filter pump system and basic maintenance supplies, but do not cover ongoing maintenance or repairs.

For those looking to save money, building a DIY cowboy pool from a stock tank and off-the-shelf supplies is possible for around $1,000 to $1,300. This price includes the tank (typically $250–$400), delivery, a pump/filter system, and basic setup materials. One DIYer reported a total project cost of just over $1,000 for a 6-foot tank, supplies, and labor. Similarly, Angi notes that stock tank pool installation averages $945, with most homeowners spending between $610 and $1,360 for a basic setup, or up to $2,500 for a larger, professionally installed pool.

Cowboy Pools and similar stock tank pools are significantly less expensive than traditional in-ground pools, which typically cost $28,000 to $66,500. They offer a budget-friendly, stylish way to cool off in the summer and are easy to install, move, or pack away for winter. In summary, expect to pay $2,000–$6,000 for a turnkey Cowboy Pool package, or around $1,000–$1,300 if you build your own with DIY supplies and labor.

Sample Pricing Scenarios

Austin install of an “OG.” The vendor billed $2,400 for the tank, pump, local delivery, and labor. A foam liner upgrade at $120 plus $80 sales tax set the total at $2,600. The owner placed a $500 deposit and cleared the balance a week later.

Out-of-state “Honcho.” A Denver customer paid the list price of $5,950 plus $470 LTL freight, $310 local setup, and a winter cover at $195. Final amount: $6,925. The seller split the payment into two equal invoices.

Full DIY build. One Reddit user sourced a Behlen 8-foot tank for $450 at Tractor Supply, bought the $875 pump kit, added $55 worth of PVC, and spent $15 on sand for a level base. Out-of-pocket spend stayed under $1,395.

These scenarios prove that shipping, labor, and small parts swing the real-world cost far beyond the headline price.

You might also like our articles on the cost of a container pool, disappearing pool, or infinity pool.

What’s Included in the Price

Most turnkey quotes list a 6-, 8-, or 10-foot steel tank as the core inclusion. Pumps rate at 1,600–2,200 gallons per hour and ship with hoses, filter media, and ball valves. Vendors roll a base pad, wall skimmer, and chlorine floater into the package so the first water test passes safely.

Local installs often bundle debris removal and a brief maintenance walk-through without extra fee. Out-of-state buyers receive only phone support and pay their own debris dump charge.

Add-Ons and Custom Features

There are six common add-ons that shift the budget:

• Heating systems. Electric immersion units start at $200; a 4-kW spa heater reaches $1,200.
• Covers. UV vinyl lids run $75–$175; marine-grade canvas sizes for 10-foot tanks hit $595.
• Decking. A cedar platform built by a local carpenter averages $3,000–$4,500, doubling the final expense.
• Shade sails. A 12×12-foot kit plus poles costs $260 and reduces water temp by 5°F.
• LED lighting. Submersible strips cost $90 and attach by magnetic mount, no labor fee.
• Baja shelf seat. Steel insert at $250 keeps toddlers above water line.

Each upgrade raises the total yet may boost resale value if the home lists within five years.

Factors That Influence Cowboy Pool Pricing

Size drives water volume, which drives pump strength, which lifts the rate. A 10-foot tank holds roughly 1,100 gallons, twice the 6-foot model’s volume. Poly-lined tanks resist rust and add $350–$500 to the base amount. Location matters: Texas freight often stays under $150, while shipping to the Midwest runs $300–$500. Installer scarcity in rural counties forces homeowners to pick DIY or hire a general handyman, adding labor markup above vendor pricing.

Long-Term Ownership Costs

Monthly chemicals and electricity average $20–$50. Expect to replace filter cartridges every season at $35 each and hoses every other year at $60. Winter drain-down in freezing zones needs a rugged cover at $155 plus five hours of homeowner labor (or a $180 closing fee from a local pool tech). Over ten years, routine supplies total roughly $800–$1,200—small compared to the upfront charge, yet worth tracking.

DIY vs Prebuilt: Cost Comparison

DIY work slashes budget by 40–60 %. Our team built a test pool for $1,450 all-in, yet the weekend ran to twelve hours of cutting, sealing, and leak checks. Prebuilt buyers pay the premium for zero-tool setup and a formal part warranty. A Cowboy Pools “Honcho” lists a one-year pump guarantee and a 30-day leak refund—value that offsets the higher price for owners without spare time or plumbing tools.

Cowboy Pools vs Other Pool Types

An above-ground 18-foot steel wall kit lands at $5,000–$7,500, installs in two days, and doubles water use versus a cowboy pool. In-ground vinyl builds start at $30,000, plus ongoing overhead. Inflatable options cost $120–$425 but last one or two summers and include no filtration. Cowboy pools sit squarely between: longer life, real pumps, and a mid-range spend.

Expert Tips

“Secure a level gravel base at least three inches deep. Fixing a tilted tank after fill costs triple,” says Zorion Hibbett, owner, LoneStar Installations.

Calanthe Sipes, product engineer at Behlen Tank Co., notes that poly-line coatings extend lifespan by two seasons and justify the $350 upgrade.

Maintenance coach Eldric Prowse of Poolzilla recommends a weekly $11 tablet floater to hold chlorine at 3 ppm, trimming algae treatment expense later.

Reddit user “RanchSplash” reported a $1,200 DIY build last July and claims the winter drain took one hour with a garden hose (typo—hose → pump).

Our test project found that pre-cut PVC unions saved $45 in parts and avoided one leak.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Electrical rules demand a GFCI outlet within ten feet; hiring an electrician averages $320. Some HOAs class a cowboy pool as a “structure” and apply a $75 review fee. A first fill runs 900–1,100 gallons; city water at $4.50 per thousand gallons adds $5 to the next utility bill, minor yet ongoing with every top-up. Keep a $150 contingency for surprise landscape repairs when removing grass or setting gravel.

Answers to Common Questions

Does a cowboy pool need a permit in most cities?

Many municipalities skip permits for tanks under 24 inches deep, yet some require a quick zoning check. Always call before purchase to avoid a fine.

How long does the galvanized finish resist rust?

With balanced pH and a winter cover, the zinc layer often lasts eight to ten seasons before small surface spots appear.

Can the pump run on solar power?

Yes. A 200-watt panel kit at $280 supports most 1,600 gph pumps during peak sun, trimming electric bills.

Is financing available for turnkey kits?

Cowboy Pools offers 12-month split payments with zero interest after a $500 deposit on orders above $3,000.

What is the water depth on an 8-foot tank?

Factory spec lists 24 inches, leaving about 22 inches after accounting for safe freeboard to prevent overflow during entry.