How Much Does Building a Pool House Cost in 2024?

Average Pool House Cost

Pool House Cost Factors

Just like the pool that accompanies it, your pool house is a major investment in both your property value and your own enjoyment of your home. Here are a few common factors that might increase the cost of a new pool house project:

Site Prep and Project Planning

Before construction can begin on your new pool house, you’ll need to prepare the area for building. This might mean having your yard leveled or regraded, which can cost between $1,000 and $5,000 depending on the extent of the work and the size of the space. 

You’ll also need to plan the build itself. Pool house blueprint costs range from $800 to $2,700, depending on build complexity. Lastly, you’ll have to make sure you have the necessary permits to start building—building permits cost between $450 and $2,700. This price varies greatly by your location and the nature of your project.

Exterior Construction

The pool house’s structure itself will be one of the main factors in its final cost. Framing a structure costs between $11 and $30 per square foot, or $3,300 to $9,000 for a 300-square-foot pool house. 

Installing siding adds another $3 to $13 per square foot. You’ll also need to install windows, which cost between $450 and $1,500 per window. Of course, you’ll also need a roof, which will cost $3 to $6 per square foot to install. Lastly, your new pool house needs gutters, which cost another $5 to $15 per linear foot (downspouts included)

Finishing

Beyond the structure, the pool house needs extensive interior work to finish the project. These are some common finishing costs to consider:

• Plumbing: $4 to $5 per square foot, installed

• Wiring: $4 to $9 per square foot, plus $10 to $25 per linear foot to run a line to the pool house

• Floors: $4 to $15 per square foot

• Drywall: $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot

• HVAC System (Optional): $7,000 and $16,000

Size

The size of your pool house is arguably the main factor in the final cost since more square footage makes every other part of the project more expensive. Here are the cost ranges for the most common pool house sizes:

Pool House Costs by Type

Pool house costs can vary dramatically. Smaller, simple structures will cost less, while customized pool houses with all the bells and whistles will be more expensive.

Custom-Built

A custom-built pool house costs about $150 to $600 per square foot. A small, custom pool house, at 150 square feet, will cost $22,500 on the low end, although additional features like a bathroom or kitchen will increase the cost. A large pool house, over 300 square feet, can cost up to $180,000.

Prefab 

A prefab pool house costs between $7,500 and $45,000 (or higher depending on the add-ons you choose). Prefab pool houses are less expensive than custom-built pool houses, and they may be easier to install. However, prefab structures tend to be less durable and long-lasting, so you may need to repair or replace it down the line.

Shed

A pool house shed costs around $1,500. This price is for a smaller structure, around 100 square feet, and is best for storing towels, pool toys, cleaning solutions, maintenance tools, and other equipment. For larger or more deluxe pool sheds, you may pay as much as $15,000.

Labor Costs for Building a Pool House

Beyond the cost of your materials, you’ll need to consider the labor costs of building a new pool house. Depending on the type you choose to build, you may not need all of these professionals to get the job done (there’s no need for an architect when building a pool shed, for example). However, larger, custom projects will definitely require the help of an expert.

Architect

If you’re building a custom pool house, you’ll need the services of a local architect. They’ll be able to take your vision for the pool home and make it possible, drafting blueprints that your construction team will use to create the final product. Hiring an architect to draw plans for your pool house costs between $100 and $250 per hour or $2 to $15 per square foot.

Electrician

Electrical work is always best left to the professionals. Since you’ll likely need power running to the pool house, you’ll need to hire an electrician to wire the house and possibly supply power from elsewhere on your property. Electricians charge between $160 and $540 per hour.

General Contractor

For the building of the house itself, you may need to hire general contractors. Prices vary by location, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $50 and $150 per hour for their services.

Common Pool House Add-ons

A pool house can be completely customized to your needs. For many, a simple storage area is fine, but others may want amenities like a built-in bar, a kitchen, or a bathroom to keep family or guests from entering the house while dripping wet.

Bathroom

Installing a bathroom in a pool house adds $20,000 to $50,000 on average to the cost of your project. This price factors in most of the elements of a new bathroom, including required plumbing, electrical work, and adding fixtures like a toilet, sink, and shower. Adding a walk-in shower costs $750 to $6,850, and a new toilet costs around $375. 

Bar

Installing a bar in a pool house costs about $1,000 to $12,000 on average for a prefab bar, while a custom, built-in bar might cost as much as $30,000. Having a bar allows you to easily mix up drinks for guests to enjoy by the pool. 

• Sink: A new sink averages $430 for a basic model and professional installation.

• Fridge: A new fridge to keep beverages and snacks chilled will cost $675 to $2,500 depending on the size and model.

• Plumbing: Installing new pipes costs at least $1,500 if you plan to have a wet bar.

Full Kitchen 

Adding a full kitchen, complete with a fridge and oven, costs $7,000 to over $125,000 depending on the size and materials you want to include. Refrigerator installation costs range from $675 to $2,500 including labor, while a mini-fridge is usually between $100 and $400. An oven and stove costs $510 to $8,000. 

You’ll also need to factor in plumbing, at least $1,500, and installing new electrical wiring costs, which run about $1,900. Lights, tiles, flooring, and cabinets are additional factors to consider.

Outdoor Shower

An outdoor shower costs $1,050 to $8,000 or more for the unit and installation. Wall-mounted showers are the least expensive, while a standalone shower near the pool house costs more. The price depends on the materials you choose, such as the showerhead and knobs, as well as how easy or difficult it is to hook up to the property’s plumbing.

Other Add-Ons

Additional upgrades can add a lot to the pool house, making it more enjoyable to use while raising your property value at the same time. Here are a few other add-ons to consider:

• Pergola: These are ideal to add a shady lounge area outside of the pool house—they range from $10 to $65 per square foot.

• Furniture: Furnishing the outdoor area of your pool house costs $500 to $1,500 per furniture set.

• Bedding: Add a space-saving Murphy bed for $2,000 to $4,000—perfect for guests.

• Storage: Consider built-in cabinets ($250 to $600 per cabinet box), custom shelving ($400 to $8,000), or poolside storage boxes ($50 to $300 per box) for extra storage.

• Landscaping: Keep the pool house area looking pristine with landscaping—professional landscapers charge $50 to $100 per hour.

Does a Pool House Increase Home Value?

A pool house has about 5% to 8% ROI. While this isn’t a lot, you should consider a pool house if it suits your lifestyle. If you love entertaining, need a space to store pool toys and accessories, or are simply tired of mopping after kids come into the house dripping wet when they want snacks, building a pool house is a good option.

Budgeting for Building a Pool House

Pool houses can be an expensive addition to your home, but they can pay for themselves by significantly adding to your property value. Plus, they’re a luxurious place to relax, host guests, and enjoy your pool. Here are a few ways to make building a pool house more budget-friendly:

• Consider Prefab: Opting for a prefabricated pool house kit over building a custom one will significantly lower the cost. You won’t need an architect, and it will require far fewer labor hours to complete.

• Look at Existing Structures: If you already have a shed or another structure near the pool, consider converting it into a pool house versus building a new structure from scratch.

• Be Realistic About Your Needs: In many cases, a full-fledged guest house, complete with beds, a kitchen, and a bar, isn’t really necessary. Consider something simpler (e.g., a space for a bathroom, shower, and storage) to reduce the costs of this project.

• Limit Scale: The size of your pool house is one of the biggest factors for its final cost. Reduce the price of your pool house by limiting the size to what’s necessary, reducing costs for every step of the process. 

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.