Shipping container pools offer a cost-effective, durable alternative to traditional backyard pools.
You can build a pool yourself (DIY) for $10,000–$15,000, or choose a professional conversion costing $20,000–$100,000+ depending on size and customisation.
Core design choices include above-ground, in-ground, semi-in-ground and viewing pools with windows.
Important factors: waterproofing, plumbing, insulating, site prep, permits and durable finishes.
Whether DIY or pro-built, a container pool adds flexibility and uniqueness to your outdoor space.
Shipping containers are a blank canvas that can form the foundation of a tiny home, storage unit, site office or market stall. With a bit of waterproofing they can even become a swimming pool.
Shipping containers are affordable, readily available, built to last, and the ideal size for a compact backyard pool. It’s a combination that has seen the popularity of container pools grow significantly in recent years.
There are now a wealth of ready-made shipping container pools for sale in QLD, NSW and Victoria. If you’re handy, you can even tackle a DIY shipping container pool project.
In this guide we’ll explore the costs and practical considerations of shipping container pools, to help you understand whether this is a worthwhile investment, and if it is, how to secure yours.
What is a shipping container pool?
A shipping container pool is a shipping container that has been modified into a backyard swimming pool.
The top of the container is cut off, a waterproof lining is installed, plumbing and accessories are added, and the container pool is installed above-ground, in-ground or somewhere in between.
At around 2.5m wide and deep, shipping container pools are essentially lap pools that you can dive into.
A wealth of other sizes – 8ft/10ft/48ft long, high cube, double wides – are available too.
The simplicity of shipping containers gives you design flexibility. You can customise your pool in a wealth of ways, to create an organic, functional and eye-catching addition to your property.
How much does a shipping container pool cost?
Standardised, readily available and easy to transport, shipping containers are one of the most cost-effective backyard pools.
What is the cost of a shipping container pool in Australia? The annoying answer: it depends. A large, customised, professionally built pool will naturally be more expensive than a small DIY pool made from prefab parts.
As a general guide, here is a comparison of container pool conversion costs based on a 20ft pool:
Type
Typical price range
Features
Best for
DIY
$10,000-$15,000
Basic design, minimal customisation, simple pool accessories
Professional tradies, handy homeowners
Professional (standard/prefab)
$20,000-$50,000
Complete installation, quality pool accessories, limited customisation
Most homes
Professional (custom)
$50,000-$100,000+
Custom designed pool with high-end features: glass walls, heating, decks, lighting
Luxury homes, boutique hotels
Note that these figures may not cover costs like delivery, installation, site prep, permits, decking, landscaping and any necessary equipment hire.
DIY vs professional shipping container pools
One obvious way to save money on your container pool is to build it yourself: cargo worthy 40ft containers can be secured for less than $3000.
But before you choose this route, It’s important that you know what you’re getting into. DIY conversions take time and require a good level of knowledge and skill. Here’s how the basic process plays out:
Design and approval: Decide size, type and placement; gain council approval.
Buy the container: Find and secure a container in good condition.
Prepare the site: Excavate, level, compact, add drainage and a stable base.
Cut and reinforce: Remove the top, create openings for plumbing/windows.
Waterproof: Insulate then line with fibreglass, PVC liner or epoxy.
Plumbing and filtration: Install skimmers, return lines, pump, filter and heater.
Finish and fill: Add decking/cladding, fill the pool, chemically balance the water.
Ultimately this is a task for tradespeople or those who are particularly handy. For most people the investment in a professional build is more than worthwhile.
Container pool design options
What will your container pool look like? Short answer: whatever you want. A few common design options include:
Above-ground: For the quickest, cheapest and easiest installation.
In-ground: To make the pool an organic addition to your landscaping.
Semi in-ground: A way to surround your pool with a deck.
Indoor: Enjoy protection from the elements, great for comfort and pool longevity.
Viewing pool: Windows in the walls of the container add a touch of class.
A container pool is a unique addition to an outdoor space, so you might choose an industrial, above-ground design that highlights the fact that your pool used to be used for ocean transport.
If the main allure of a container pool is cost-effectiveness, you can choose an in-ground design that completely conceals it.
All in all, a shipping container offers a unique, cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional swimming pool builds.
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Andreas Atrott is the founder of shipping-containers.com.au, operated by Containerbase Pty Ltd (Hemmant, Queensland, Australia). He combines long-standing industry expertise with a hands-on approach to container sales, modifications, and custom solutions. He also conducts applied field research on the thermal and humidity behaviour of shipping containers in subtropical climates, publishing open datasets and reports under the Container Performance Research Series. His research dataset is available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21466036 (ORCID: 0009-0007-9305-8058). His goal is to make buying and using shipping containers straightforward, reliable, and tailored to customer needs.
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