How Much Does Pool Closing Service Cost?

Last Updated on October 9, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

As the end of swimming season approaches with cooler weather, properly winterizing and closing your residential pool becomes essential to avoid thousands in preventable damage from freezing, contamination, and accelerated deterioration over the winter months. But what are the typical costs associated with professional pool closing services for homeowners?

This guide covers it all, including help deciding between DIY and pro closing.

How Much Does Pool Closing Service Cost?

On average, pool closing service are from $400 to $1200 to have an inground pool professionally closed for winter, with costs rising based on larger sizes, more complex features, and ancillary services needed. For simpler above-ground pool closing, costs typically range from $200 to $600 on the higher end.

However, note that considerable regional pricing differences can exist based on local labor rates, climate conditions, and company overhead and profit margins.

While exact costs vary regionally, nationally pool closing service for properly winterizing a residential pool average:

Inground pool closing service

• Professional pool company winterization service fees – $300 to $800 on average depending on pool size and complexity. Scales higher the larger and more elaborate the pool.
• Winter pool cover purchase and professional installation – $200 to $1000+ depending on type selected and overall footprint covered. Safety covers cost more but protect better.
• Specialty pool designs with added features incur higher overall closing costs.

Above-ground pool closing service

• Professional winterization fees to close properly – $150 to $400 on average depending on diameter and any accessories involved like filters and pumps.
• Winter cover purchase and installation – $100 to $300 generally assuming basic solid covers without safety enhancements.
• Smaller diameter size compared to inground equivalents equates to moderately lower closing costs.

Additional potential fees

• Initial cleaning or minor repairs – $200 to $1000 or more if years of neglect have left significant pre-closing preparation work needed.
• Pumping out excess water – $50 per 1000 gallons removed is a typical fee if the water level exceeds recommended lowered winter levels.

Always obtain an itemized written quote tailored specifically to the details of your unique pool rather than relying on these ballpark averages alone. Custom variables change costs.

According to HomeAdvisor, pool closing costs typically range from $150 to $400, with most homeowners spending around $250. The process involves winterizing the pool to prevent damage from freezing temperatures, which includes tasks like cleaning, lowering the water level, and adding chemicals.

Another source, HomeGuide, reports that the average cost for closing an in-ground pool is between $250 and $500, while closing an above-ground pool costs between $150 and $300. The differences in cost are attributed to the size and complexity of the pools, with in-ground pools generally requiring more extensive work.

A detailed overview on Angi states that most homeowners spend around $250 to close their pools, with typical costs ranging from $175 to $300. The article emphasizes that additional features, such as hot tubs or water features, can increase closing costs due to the extra labor and materials required.

According to a pricing guide from American Pool Service, Inc., the cost for closing a pool can vary significantly based on its size and features. For example, closing a pool without a cover costs about $349, while using a solid cover may raise the price to around $449. These prices reflect the additional work required for different types of closures.

Why Properly Closing a Pool Matters

Closing a residential pool completely and correctly before the onset of winter’s freezing temperatures is crucial to avoid:

• Pipes, pumps, filters, and other infrastructure rupturing from sustained frigid weather. Repairs often cost thousands.
• Pool water turning thick, green, and overrun with algae due to chemical imbalances left to fester all winter untended. Remediation and decontamination expenses add up.
• Gradual deterioration of concrete surfaces and vinyl liners from sustained direct winter exposure without protection.
• Rusting and even cracking of expensive pool equipment from moisture when improperly winterized and stored. Replacing damaged systems often tops $5000.
• Major safety risks and legal liabilities from unstable empty pools attracting trespassers, animals, and collecting rainwater.

The substantial investment in proper winterization pays dividends over time by keeping infrastructure intact, preventing aesthetic damage, and ensuring water remains pristine crystal clear for next season. The savings versus repairing frozen and critically neglected pools are exponential.

Factors That Impact Closing Costs

The total fees charged for closing a residential pool each winter can vary based on several major factors:

• Overall pool size – Larger pools naturally require greater volumes of chemicals, more labor hours, and increased materials to properly close compared to a smaller footprint pool. These supplies, time, and staffing directly impact service costs.
• Pool type and construction – Inground pools often cost significantly more to close than above-ground versions based on more elaborate infrastructure and mechanicals involved. Concrete also takes more care than vinyl.
• Accessibility challenges – Pools tucked into alcoves, surrounded by fences and gates, or far from equipment rooms demand extra labor to ferry supplies back and forth. No quick access raises costs.
• Special features – Complex additions like waterslides, fountains, spillways, fire bowls, attached spas, or heated areas present additional demands at closing beyond basic pools.
• Local market rates – Both material and hourly service rates charged by companies fluctuate substantially based on regional average wages, operational expenses, competitive saturation, and profit objectives. Pricing varies greatly by geography.

What Does Pool Closing Mean?

Closing services from a professional pool company typically include:

• Balancing chemicals and pH while filtering the water
• Adding algaecides, stain inhibitors, and chlorine
• Draining pipes, pumps, filters, and other equipment
• Detaching rails, ladders, and accessories
• Installing a winter cover custom-fitted to your pool
• Storing equipment and furniture that remains outdoors

Thorough winterization protects your investment. DIY closing risks complications if not done correctly.

You might also like our articles about the cost of an endless pool, a pool house, or pool cleaning.

Should You DIY Pool Closing?

Benefits of DIY closing:

• Lower upfront costs with winterization kits starting around $150 to $300
• Avoid service appointment scheduling
• Tailor preparations to your exact needs

Downsides of DIY closing:

• Substantial time investment – Typically 8-12 hours for thorough closing
• Physical labor involved like pumping water and moving equipment
• Risk of issues like water imbalances if chemicals applied improperly

Evaluate your ability to properly handle winterization. Pros deliver specialized expertise.

Professional Pool Closing Costs

• Labor – Pool techs typically charge hourly service rates ranging $70 to $150 per hour for residential closing, with higher pricing near upper limits for expertise in complex pools with water features, etc. Most closings require 2-5 hours depending on pool specifics.
• Professional winterizing chemicals – These average $100 to $400 per closing depending on the volume of water being treated based on pool size and whether it’s partially drained. Proper chemical balancing is vital.
• Cover installation – Basic solid winter pool covers start around $200 to $500 installed while premium mesh safety covers often run $800 to $2000+ depending on design intricacies. Covers are crucial.
• Service discounts – Booking closings early before providers get jammed up with demand and combining fall closing with spring opening services on a bundled annual service package may earn 10-30% discounts on retail rates.

Avoid unexpected charges by requesting a detailed quote encompassing all foreseen tasks and expenses.

Closing Different Pool Types

Prices vary depending on your pool:

Standard inground pool closing service

• Small to medium-sized in-ground – $400 to $800 for most closings
• Large or intricately shaped custom designed in-ground pools – $800 to $1500+ involving substantial chemicals and labor

Above-ground pool closing service

• Small to medium diameter above-ground pool – $200 to $500 on average
• Oversized diameter or involved multi-level above-ground pools – $500 to $1000 depending on unique characteristics

Saltwater pool closing specialized service

• Salt chlorine generator winterization – $100 to $300
• Requires additional steps compared to traditional chlorine pools – $500 to $1000+ in total

Hot tub or spa closing service

• Standalone hot tub prep averages around – $150 to $350 depending on size
• When combined with pool closing – $100 to $200 in additional fees

Know your pool’s specifications when requesting quotes for the most accurate estimates.

Saving On Pool Closing Costs

You can save on winterization through strategies like:

• Scheduling service before peak late fall demand
• Supplying your own pool chemicals purchased in bulk
• Combining closing with spring opening services for a discounted bundled package from providers
• Completing basic tasks like cleaning the pool and patio furniture yourself ahead of time
• Investing in a winter cover you can reuse annually instead of disposable plastic sheets
• Shopping group deals on social media community boards for discounts

A little research goes a long way toward keeping your pool winterized on a budget.

Homeowner Spending Ranges

Based on all the pricing factors covered, homeowners commonly report investing:

• $200 to $600 for basic above-ground pool closing – This covers average chemical, cover, and service technician fees for proper closing.
• $600 to $1500 for detailed inground pool winterization – Mid-range costs encompass needed supplies and expertise for safe dormancy of most common inground pools.
• $1000 to $3000+ for intricate backyard pool and water feature winterization – On the high-end, substantial multi-day labor and thousands in materials may be required on luxury installations.

Of course, costs rise proportionally the larger and more complex your pool. But with careful comparison shopping and utilizing available discounts, quality winterization can make financial sense for many homeowners.

Final Words

The substantial expense of properly closing your backyard pool each winter brings immense long-term value by preventing pipe ruptures, equipment damage, water clarity issues, and unsafe conditions leading to major repair bills and permanent damage come springtime.

But with prudent planning like bulk chemical purchases, bundled multi-season service packages, and researching to find the best local rates on materials and labor, these winterizing costs remain reasonable for most homeowners relative to protecting pool investments that enhance home values and provide full summers of enjoyment. Discover savings through preventative care and diligent relationship-building with pool service professionals. That makes spring pool openings smooth and worry-free.

Answers to Common Questions

What is included in a pool closing?

Typical closing entails chemicals, cleaning, equipment storage, accessory detachment and storage, cover fitting and securing, plumbing winterization, and inspecting operating systems. Quality vendors follow a closing checklist.

What to do to prepare for pool closing?

Clear away debris with initial skimming and vacuum, run filtration cycles, check chemical levels and balance as needed, and organize accessories to be removed and stored offsite so workers can efficiently complete winterization steps.

Do I have to put chemicals in my pool when I close it?

Yes, properly dosing your pool with winterizing chemicals like chlorine, algaecides, pH balancers, and corrosion inhibitors during the closing process is vital to keep water sanitary and infrastructure intact throughout cold shutdown months.

How far should you drain your pool when closing it?

Most experts recommend only draining pool water to below the skimmer opening mark rather than fully emptying. Maintaining some water helps avoid underground liner damage from freeze-thaw cycles. Fully draining increases infrastructure stress.