Shipping container pools: cost, sizes and who sells them
By the Renology editorial team · Reviewed by Dror Gigi, Co-Founder · Facts checked
The short answer
A container pool is a steel shipping container cut, reinforced and lined as a pool, delivered with its pump, filter and often a heater already fitted. Published prices in October 2026 run from about $31,770 for an 8 x 20 ft pool to $81,500 and up for a 40 x 12 ft one. Delivery, a crane, a level pad, electrical and permits are extra. Warranties vary more than in any other type, from 1 year on the structure to lifetime.
Shipping container pools compared
Scored within this type on our published method. Prices checked October 2, 2026.
How we make money: Renology is paid by independent pool contractors in parts of California and Washington when we introduce them to homeowners. No pool maker pays us.
| Company | Score | Published price | Warranty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcopoolSalado, TX | 8.2 / 10 | $31,770–$65,455Pool and equipment, before installation | 3-year limited warranty | Clear per-size container prices, plus modular steel options |
| ModpoolsAbbotsford, BC | 8.1 / 10 | $32,500–$81,500+Pool and equipment, before installation | Not published on its website; ask for it in writing | The most-installed container pool, with a California program |
| Midwest Container PoolsLeavenworth, KS | 8.0 / 10 | $46,440–$68,790Pool and equipment, before installation | 5-year structural and 3-year equipment warranty | An insulated, fiberglass-lined container with exact prices |
| ReadyPoolTampa, FL | 8.0 / 10 | $36,995Pool and equipment, before installation | Lifetime warranty on the pool structure, 3 years on parts | One all-in price and a lifetime structure warranty |
| Trek PoolsNew Castle, IN | 8.0 / 10 | Mid $40,000s–$80,000sPool and equipment, before installation | 1 year, covering manufacturer defects | Custom-width container pools from an accredited seller |
| ContainUR PoolsNorth Las Vegas, NV | 7.8 / 10 | From $45,000Pool and equipment, before installation | 2 years on the container structure, 5 years on the fiberglass interior, 3 years on equipment | A fiberglass shell inside a container, shipped from Las Vegas |
How a container pool works
Sellers start with a new or one-trip steel container, cut it open, reinforce it, coat or line the inside (with a membrane, vinyl or fiberglass), and fit the equipment in a sealed end room. Standard sizes follow container sizes: 8 ft wide, 20 or 40 ft long, about 4 ft deep, with some sellers offering 12, 14 or 16 ft widths.
It arrives on a truck and is lifted onto a level pad, into a hole or onto a deck. Several sellers say the install itself takes hours to a few days once the site is ready.
What a container pool costs
Published prices with equipment run from $31,770 (Ecopool, 8 x 20 ft) and $36,995 (ReadyPool, 20 x 8 ft) up to $65,455 for a 16 x 40 ft Ecopool and $74,000 to $81,500 and up for Modpools' 40 x 12 ft Estate. Trek Pools lists ranges from the mid $40,000s to the mid $80,000s.
Then add freight, the crane, a concrete pad or excavation, electrical and permits. Midwest Container Pools prices a heat pump at $4,656 and a gas heater at $3,154 if one is not included.
Warranties: compare these first
Structural coverage ranges widely: Trek covers manufacturer defects for 1 year, ContainUR 2 years on the container (5 on its fiberglass interior), Ecopool 3 years, Midwest Container Pools 5 years and ReadyPool lifetime on the structure. Modpools does not publish its warranty on its website. Steel near water needs good coatings, so read the structural terms closely.
Above ground or in the ground
Many container pools sit fully or partly above ground, which saves digging and can count toward the barrier a pool needs, depending on local rules. In-ground installs need a hole, drainage and a way to reach the equipment room.
Permits and safety
Most areas require a permit, though Ecopool notes some rural areas do not. In California any water over 18 inches deep is a pool, and a new pool at a home needs at least two of seven drowning-prevention features. Check the setback and barrier rules with your building department before ordering.
Deposits and delivery dates
Container pools are often paid largely up front, months before delivery. Put the delivery window, the pool's weight and the warranty terms in the written contract, and pay in stages where you can. In California, a home-improvement contractor's down payment is capped at $1,000 or 10% of the contract, whichever is less.
Pros and cons of shipping container pools
What we like
- Published prices from most sellers
- Equipment fitted at the factory
- Fast installs, often above ground
- Lap-length 40 ft options
Worth knowing
- Narrow (8 ft) unless you pay for a wide model
- Warranties vary from 1 year to lifetime
- An industrial look not everyone wants
- Large deposits before delivery
The part a pool price leaves out
Get your yard checked by a local pool contractor
Crane access, excavation, the pad, electrical, fencing and permits decide most of the gap between a pool price and a finished backyard. In Southern California, the Bay Area and Greater Seattle, we can introduce you to 2 to 3 licensed pool contractors who can walk your yard and price that part.
Get quotes from pool contractorsHow we make money: Renology is paid by independent pool contractors in parts of California and Washington when we introduce them to homeowners. No pool maker pays us.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a container pool cost?
Published prices with equipment run from about $31,770 to $81,500 and up (October 2026). Freight, crane, pad, electrical and permits are extra.
Is a container pool worth it?
If you want a fast, lap-length or above-ground pool and like the look, it can be. Compare the structural warranty first, since it ranges from 1 year to lifetime between sellers.
How long does a shipping container pool last?
It depends on the coating or lining and on upkeep. Structural warranties run from 1 year to lifetime by seller, which is the best guide to how long a seller stands behind it.
Do you need a concrete slab for a container pool?
Sellers call for a level base: Midwest Container Pools lists a 3 inch concrete pad, footings or packed gravel. In-ground installs need excavation and drainage.
Compare the other types
Sources: Ecopool: container pools · Modpools: sizes · ReadyPool: pricing · Trek Pools: pricing · Midwest Container Pools: pricing · ContainUR Pools