Almost every inground pool without a concrete or fibreglass finish is a vinyl-liner pool, and the liner is a consumable.
Choosing a vinyl liner is mostly a decision about three things: how it attaches to the pool, how thick it is, and what colour and print you want. This page takes them in that order, with the published price differences, because thickness is the option homeowners overpay for most often.
| Job | Published 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Above-ground liner, full job | $700 - $2,500 |
| 16 x 32 inground liner | $2,100 - $3,000 |
| 20 x 40 inground liner | $3,000 - $5,500 |
| Refill water | $60 - $350 city, $400 - $900 trucked |
| Wall, floor and gasket repairs | $100 - $3,000 depending on scope |
| Type | Material price | Expected life | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overlap | $150 - $600 | 5 - 9 years | Most above-ground pools; folds show at the waterline |
| Beaded | $500 - $1,000 | 10 - 15 years | Required for most inground pools; snaps into a bead receiver |
| Unibead (J-hook) | $200 - $900 | Between the two | Pools whose configuration is uncertain, or where the receiver may be replaced |
The attachment system decides most of the lifespan difference. A beaded liner sits in a track and does not rely on the wall as a seal; an overlap liner does, which is why it fails sooner at the waterline.
Mil is a thousandth of an inch. Most liners are sold in 20, 27, 28 or 30 mil, and moving up a step adds $200 to $700 to the job.
Many builders prefer 20 mil for its stretch and fit, because a liner has to be pulled into corners, steps and ledges without bridging. A well-installed 20-mil liner outlasts a badly installed 30-mil liner, so treat thickness as a fit and durability decision rather than an automatic upgrade.
Where thicker pays: sharp-edged coping, heavy use, and pools with steps or tanning ledges where a 30-mil print holds its shape better.
What it should not include is a silent decision about repairs. Anything behind the liner is a separate, itemised line.
Wake County soil is clay-heavy, drains slowly and can shift over time. Around an older pool that means groundwater sitting against the shell after heavy rain, and movement that works on walls, floors and coping.
Raleigh Water supplies the city and also serves Wake Forest and Garner, so refill costs and any drought-stage restrictions come from the same utility across those towns.
No. Fit matters more than mil. A 20-mil liner that is installed properly and kept under balanced water will typically outlast a 30-mil liner that wrinkles or is chemically abused. Upgrade for the conditions, not by default.
Plan on 5 to 15 years for a vinyl liner generally, with overlap liners at the shorter end (5 to 9 years) and beaded liners at 10 to 15 years. Sun exposure, water chemistry and how well the liner was fitted all move that number.
No. The colour is part of the liner, so it is chosen at replacement. Dyeing or painting a vinyl liner is not a service you should accept.