You’ve probably been searching “semi-inground pool cost” for a while now, and you keep landing on numbers that don’t match up. You’re starting to wonder if anyone actually knows the answer, or if you’re just supposed to guess and hope.
Quick answer: semi-inground pools in the Jonesboro area typically cost $16,000 to $58,000+, depending on size, materials, and customization.
Here’s the truth: there isn’t one number, because there isn’t one pool type. A semi-inground pool can be a simple 12×24 tucked into a slope, or a fully custom, stone-wrapped centerpiece with a tanning ledge and a built-in bar. Both are semi-inground pools. Both cost very different amounts.
Aloha Pools & Spas has been building pools across the Mid-South since 1969, and our Jonesboro store has helped many Northeast Arkansas families answer this question. This article breaks down what a semi-inground pool costs in the Jonesboro area, what pushes that price up or down, and why the range is so wide.
The Range for Jonesboro
For our Jonesboro customers, semi-inground pools typically run $16,000-$58,000+, depending on size, materials, and how much customization you add.
We know that’s a wide window. Keep reading, and it’ll make a lot more sense by the end.
What Makes Jonesboro Different
Jonesboro and the surrounding Craighead County area sit on flat delta land, which generally works in your favor during pool construction. Flat lots mean less excavation and hauling, and fewer surprises once digging starts.
The soil around Jonesboro tends to run sandier than what you’ll find farther east, a result of centuries of river deposits shaping this part of Northeast Arkansas. Sandy soil drains quickly, which is good news for keeping water away from your pool structure, but it also shifts more easily during excavation than clay does. That means retaining wall work on a semi-inground build may require extra compaction or reinforcement, depending on your specific lot.
Jonesboro also sits closer to the core of the New Madrid Seismic Zone than most of our other markets, since the fault system runs right through Northeast Arkansas. This shouldn’t keep you up at night, but our engineers factor it into retaining wall and structural planning, especially on larger semi-inground builds where more earth is being held back.
Permitting in Jonesboro
Jonesboro and Craighead County require a building permit for pool construction, along with a site plan, verified setbacks, and a fence or approved barrier around the finished pool, per state code. Depending on your property, you may also need to show your pool won’t encroach on utility easements or a septic system.
Why the Price Range Is So Wide
The answer is simple: customization. A semi-inground pool is one of the most flexible products we build, and flexibility means options, and options mean price swings.
A basic semi-inground pool with a simple retaining wall and standard equipment sits at the lower end of our range. But most homeowners don’t stop there. Once people see what’s possible, they start adding things, and every addition changes the number.
Brick and Stone Perimeters
This is the single most popular upgrade we see on semi-inground pools, and once you see one finished, you’ll understand why. Wrap a semi-inground pool in a brick or stone perimeter, and it no longer looks like a pool tucked into a hillside. It looks like the most glorious in-ground fire pit you’ve ever seen, the kind you want to cannonball straight into instead of roasting marshmallows next to. It’s a striking look, and it’s the upgrade most semi-inground owners in our area choose. Depending on the material and how much of the pool you wrap, this typically adds a few thousand dollars, up to $10,000 or more, to your total project.
Decking
Wood and composite decking are the next most common add-on, giving you a real space to set up chairs, a grill, and everything else that makes a backyard feel finished. Decking costs vary quite a bit based on size and material, so this is one to talk through with an independent contractor for a number specific to your yard.
Other Popular Additions
Tanning ledges, extra steps, lighting packages, and water features all show up regularly on semi-inground builds. None of these are required, but they’re worth knowing about while you’re budgeting, since most customers add at least one.
What This Means for Your Budget
If you want the simplest version of a semi-inground pool, you’re likely looking at the lower half of our range. If you’re picturing the brick-wrapped, fully decked, tanning-ledge version, plan for the upper half, or beyond it. Most of our Jonesboro customers land somewhere in the middle, once they’ve picked their must-haves and skipped the rest.
Aloha Has Been Doing This a Long Time
Aloha has been a family-run pool business since 1969, and we’re still one today. Our construction crews include builders with more than a decade of hands-on experience, and every pool we build, semi-inground included, comes with our 5-year warranty.
We know Northeast Arkansas soil, weather, and yards because we’ve been building in them for years, backed by over 57 years of company-wide experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a semi-inground pool cost in Jonesboro, AR?
Semi-inground pools in the Jonesboro area typically run $16,000 to $58,000 or more, depending on size, materials, and customization.
Every yard is different, and the only way to get a real number is to have one of our reps take a look at yours. If you’re ready to see what a semi-inground pool could look like in your backyard, reach out to our Jonesboro team or stop by and see us. We’d love to help you figure out what fits.
Why is the price range for semi-inground pools so wide?
Semi-inground pools are highly customizable. A basic build with a simple retaining wall sits at the lower end, while upgrades like brick perimeters, decking, and tanning ledges push the price toward the higher end.
Do I need a permit for a semi-inground pool in Jonesboro?
Yes. Jonesboro and Craighead County require a building permit, a site plan with verified setbacks, and an approved fence or barrier around the pool.
Does Jonesboro’s soil affect semi-inground pool pricing?
Yes. The area’s sandy, river-deposited soil drains well but can shift more easily during excavation than clay, sometimes requiring extra compaction or reinforcement for retaining walls.
Let’s Talk About Your Yard
Every yard is different, and the only way to get a real number is to have one of our reps take a look at yours. If you’re ready to see what a semi-inground pool could look like in your backyard, reach out to our team or stop by and see us. We’d love to help you figure out what fits.
Come on in. The water’s fine!
