How Much Does Closing a Pool Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Pool closing costs range between $150 and $400, with an average cost of $250. Factors like your materials and pool type influence the cost, along with labor and equipment. Closing your pool is essential for protecting it during winter months, and hiring a professional ensures the job is done correctly, saving you money on costly future repairs.

Pool Closing Cost Factors

Winterizing your pool involves costs for both materials and labor. Most of the expense covers the professional's time and expertise as they perform essential steps to protect your pool. The cost also includes the chemicals used to prevent algae and bacteria growth during the off-season. These are the cost factors that impact the price of closing your pool for the winter.

Materials

Winterizing your pool requires specific chemicals to keep the water healthy throughout the winter and avoid costly issues when reopening in the spring. Your local pool maintenance service uses these chemicals as part of the service, and you'll only pay for the amount your pool needs. Common chemicals include algaecide, chlorine, stabilizers, shock, and bromine.

Labor

Most of the cost to close your pool comes from labor, ranging from $75 to $100 per hour. The pool technician uses their expertise to safely winterize your equipment, thoroughly clean the pool, and balance the water chemistry.

Cost to Close a Pool by Type

The cost of closing your pool depends on its type. Winterizing an in-ground pool takes longer and requires additional steps, making it more expensive. Closing an above-ground pool costs less because it’s a simpler and faster process. 

Above-Ground Pool

Closing an above-ground pool costs between $150 and $200, with an average cost of approximately $175. Generally, above-ground pools have less equipment and fewer accessories than in-ground types, making the covers easier to install and the closing cost more affordable.

In-Ground Pool

In-ground pool closing costs range between $200 and $400, with an average cost of approximately $300. Winterizing an in-ground pool takes longer and requires additional equipment and steps, making it more expensive than closing an above-ground pool.

Cost of Pool Closing Equipment

Because every pool setup is unique, your pool technician will have a range of costs for additional winterization accessories that keep your pool protected from the cold. These are some of the most common accessories used for winterizing a pool.

Air Pillow

Adding air pillows to your pool costs $10 to $30 per pillow. Air pillows sit below the pool cover and balance the weight of snow and ice buildup. This helps to prevent the pool walls from caving in under the weight of the snow and ice.

Winter Pill

Adding a winter pill costs $15 to $25. Winter pills aren't always necessary, but they're a good option if you've previously had issues with algae or bacteria over the winter. These floating devices slowly release chemicals into the water throughout the winter to inhibit bacterial and algal growth and reduce scaling and staining.

Pool Cover

Expect to pay between $35 and $750 for an above-ground pool cover, while an in-ground pool cover costs between $75 and $10,000. Cost variations also depend on the type of cover you choose, from a simple, low-cost solar cover to a high-end electric pool cover.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pool Closing Pro

While you could close your pool yourself, hiring a professional is worth the investment. The average cost to repair a pool is significantly higher than the cost to close it, and mistakes during DIY winterization can lead to costly damages. For example, draining too much water or improper protection can cause the pool walls to cave in or the liner to tear, leading to repair costs between $350 and $5,800. 

If you don't close your pool and you have plumbing lines with sitting water in them, the water will freeze and expand, where it can easily burst pipes and seals. Your pump, heater, and filter will take expensive and potentially irreparable damage, too. For example, installing a new pool heater costs $1,800 to $4,200. 

Hiring a professional pool service helps ensure your pool is properly winterized, saving you time and ensuring your investment is well-maintained. Contact a local pool closing professional to ensure your pool is properly winterized to best suit your needs.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.