A small pool can cost anywhere from $2,500 for a compact above-ground pool to $130,000+ for a small custom concrete pool — which is exactly the point of this guide. “Small pool” isn’t one product, it’s a size constraint that cuts across nearly every pool type, and the type you choose matters far more to your budget than the size reduction itself.
This page compares small-pool pricing across every major type, then covers something most cost guides skip entirely: why going smaller saves a lot less money than people expect once you’re in inground territory.
How Much Does a Small Pool Cost by Type?
For this guide, “small” means roughly 10’x20′ to 12’x24′ inground, or compact above-ground/alternative options under about 15 feet. (If you’re after an even more compact soaking-style pool, see Cost to Install a Plunge Pool instead.)
| Pool Type | Approx. Size | Typical Installed Cost |
| Above-ground | 10’–15′ round | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Swim spa | 12’–17′ long | $20,000 – $55,000 |
| Plunge pool | Under ~150 sq ft | $20,000 – $45,000 |
| Semi-inground | 10’–14′ | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| Vinyl liner inground | 10’x20′ – 12’x24′ | $50,000 – $70,000 |
| Fibreglass inground (compact shell) | Under 26 ft | $75,000 – $90,000 |
| Concrete inground | 12’x24′ | $90,000 – $130,000 |
The range here is enormous — nearly 50x between the cheapest and most expensive small pool. That’s why “what’s the cheapest small pool” and “what’s the cheapest small inground pool” are genuinely different questions with different answers.
Why Going Small Saves Less Than You’d Expect (on Inground Pools)
Here’s the counterintuitive part: a small inground pool often costs more per square foot than a larger one of the same material. Using our own pricing data as an example:
- A 12’x24′ vinyl pool (288 sq ft) runs roughly $174–$243 per sq ft
- An 18’x36′ vinyl pool (648 sq ft) runs roughly $131–$170 per sq ft
The same pattern holds for fibreglass and concrete. The reason is simple: several of the biggest costs in an inground pool project don’t scale down with size.
- Permits are typically a flat fee, regardless of whether the pool is 200 or 800 square feet.
- Mobilization and excavation setup — getting equipment and crew on site — costs roughly the same whether they’re digging a small hole or a large one.
- Equipment minimums: a pump, filter, and heater all have a baseline size and cost; a smaller pool doesn’t need a proportionally smaller (or cheaper) pump.
- Decking and fencing are often driven more by yard layout and code requirements than by the pool’s footprint.
The upshot: if budget is your main driver, a small inground pool might not save you as much as you’d hope compared to a standard-size one. The real savings come from changing type, not just shrinking the footprint within the same material.
Small Pool Types, Compared
Small Inground (Vinyl, Fibreglass, or Concrete)
Still a full inground project — excavation, permits, engineering — just at a smaller footprint. This is the right call if you want a “real” pool experience (diving, swimming a few strokes, hosting) on a tight lot, and you’re prepared for inground-level pricing even at a reduced size. See Cost to Install a Vinyl Pool, Cost to Install a Fibreglass Pool, or Cost to Install a Concrete Pool for material-specific detail.
Swim Spas
A swim spa combines a small footprint (typically 12–17 feet) with a built-in current you swim against, plus hot tub-style seating — usable year-round thanks to integrated heating. Unit cost typically runs $15,000–$50,000, with most Canadian buyers landing in the $25,000–$40,000 range for a quality model, plus $7,000–$13,000 for a concrete pad and electrical hookup. All-in, that’s roughly 30–40% of the cost of an inground pool for a genuinely usable, low-maintenance, year-round option. Most Ontario municipalities don’t require a building permit for an above-ground swim spa, though an electrical (ESA) permit is required and your local pool enclosure bylaw may still apply — confirm with your municipality before installing.
Plunge Pools
Built for soaking and cooling off rather than swimming laps, plunge pools fit the smallest urban lots and typically cost $20,000–$45,000. Full guide: Cost to Install a Plunge Pool.
Semi-Inground
Part of the structure sits above grade, which can suit a sloped or compact lot at a lower cost than full inground. Small semi-inground installs typically run $20,000–$35,000.
Compact Above-Ground
The lowest-cost entry point by far, typically $2,500–$8,000 installed for a 10–15 ft round pool. See Cost to Install an Above-Ground Pool for the full size breakdown.
Budget Factors Specific to Small Pools
- Lot access advantage: smaller pools and equipment are more likely to fit through narrow side-yard access without specialized (and costly) equipment or crane work.
- Equipment right-sizing: make sure your contractor is quoting equipment sized for your actual pool volume, not a default mid-size package — oversized equipment is a common way small-pool budgets creep up unnecessarily.
- Decking proportion: on a small pool, the deck or patio around it often ends up costing as much as (or more than) the pool itself, since usable space matters more on a small footprint.
- Feature restraint: a small pool with a built-in tanning ledge, spa, or water feature can quickly approach the cost of a standard-size pool without those extras — features don’t shrink in cost just because the pool did.
When a Small Pool Makes the Most Sense
Small pools are the right call on tight urban lots — common across much of Toronto — where a standard 16’x32′ simply won’t fit, or where the budget realistically points toward a swim spa or plunge pool rather than a scaled-down inground build. For design ideas suited to compact yards, see Small Backyard Pool Designs Toronto and Small Yard Pool Installation.
Smart Budgeting Tips
- Decide on type before size. Comparing a small inground pool to a swim spa or plunge pool is a much more useful exercise than comparing a 12’x24′ to a 14’x28′ within the same material.
- Ask your contractor to break out fixed costs vs. size-driven costs. This tells you exactly how much going smaller actually saves on your specific project — and how much is locked in regardless of footprint.
- Budget the deck or patio as its own line item. On a small pool, it’s often the larger of the two costs.
- If budget is the primary driver, get a swim spa or plunge pool quote alongside your inground quote. The gap may be bigger than you expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a small pool cost?
It depends heavily on type: $2,500–$8,000 for a small above-ground pool, $20,000–$55,000 for a swim spa or plunge pool, and $50,000–$130,000+ for a small inground vinyl, fibreglass, or concrete pool.
Is a small inground pool much cheaper than a standard-size one?
Less than most people expect. Permits, mobilization, and equipment minimums don’t scale down with size, so small inground pools often cost more per square foot than standard ones.
What’s the cheapest type of small pool?
A compact above-ground pool, typically $2,500–$8,000 installed. If you want more of a “real pool” feel without inground pricing, a swim spa or semi-inground pool is the next step up.
What’s the difference between a small pool and a plunge pool?
A small pool (as covered here) is generally a scaled-down version of a swimmable pool, roughly 10’x20′ to 12’x24′. A plunge pool is built specifically for soaking and cooling off, usually smaller and deeper, without lap-swimming space.
Does a smaller pool cost less per square foot?
No — it’s typically the opposite. Fixed costs like permits, mobilization, and equipment minimums get spread over less pool area, which usually makes small pools more expensive per square foot than standard or large ones.
Get a Type-Specific Quote
Because “small pool” covers such a wide range of products, the most useful next step is comparing quotes across types, not just sizes. The most accurate way to budget is a site visit and an itemized quote for the options that actually fit your yard and goals.
Contact Easy Pools for a free, no-obligation quote on your small pool project.