How Much Does a Pond Liner Cost in 2025?
How much a pond liner costs varies, but you can expect an average of $1,000
Materials, pond size, and other factors influence how much a pond liner costs.
Expect to pay an average of $640 to $3,980.
Comparing materials, from basic plastic to fiberglass, can help you budget effectively.
Pond liners prevent erosion, and hiring a professional ensures correct installation and optimal long-term performance.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
How much a pond liner costs depends on several factors, but installation averages $1,000. Installation ranges from $280 to $6,950, though most homeowners pay between $640 and $3,980. Per-square-foot pricing ranges from $0.40 to $120. Plan your budget carefully, and consider hiring a pro to ensure proper installation and longevity.
Pond Liner Cost Factors
Pond liners come in a variety of materials at different price points. The average cost to install any type of material for a 12×12 pond is $1,000, including the expenses of material and labor. The lowest price would be $280, while the highest can exceed $6,950 for fiberglass.
Pond Liner Size
Hardware and garden stores carry liners. Many swimming pool retailers also sell them in smaller sizes that work well for ponds. The easiest way to measure is by figuring out the length, width, and depth of the body of water in terms of square feet, yards, or acres. Property owners should also know how many gallons of water are needed to fill the pond and should again know the length, width, and depth.
Homeowners can figure out the size of their liner using this formula with all measurement units: (Length + (2 × Depth + 1)) by (Width + (2 × Depth + 1)). Use the guide below to measure for your pond liner.
Per Square Foot
Most ponds measure by square footage and have standard lengths, widths, and depths.
| Measurements | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 10x10 at 3 ft. deep | 960 |
| 12x12 at 5 ft. deep | 1,370 |
| 24x24 at 10 ft. deep | 2,025 |
| 56x46 at 12 ft. deep | 5,750 |
Large Pond or Lake Costs per Acre
Liners for large lakes cost more simply because an acre contains a large number of square feet. The chart below shows the average cost at a discounted rate of $0.25 per square foot.
| Acreage | Square Feet | Expense |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 10,890 | $2,720 |
| 1/2 | 21,780 | $5,445 |
| 1 | 43,560 | $10,890 |
| 3 | 130,680 | $32,670 |
By Gallon
There are 7.5 gallons of water in one cubic foot, calculated by multiplying the pond’s length, width, and depth. So, for a body of water that is 100 cubic feet, you need 750 gallons of water. Purchasing a pond liner by this measurement is difficult since gallons need to be turned into cubic feet and then square feet for accuracy. To do this, divide the total number of cubic feet by the depth of the body of water. The result is how many square feet the pond is.
Example: Cubic feet ÷ depth = square feet
Example: Total gallons converted to cubic feet helps determine surface area.
Soil Type and Land Conditions
The soil type and land conditions around the pond can affect the type of liner needed. A few methods exist to figure out what homeowners have in their yard. A simple soil test costs $10 to $20 at a home-improvement store, while a professional test that pinpoints soil quality and density costs $400. Landscapers charge $40 to $150 an hour but also have the experience to tell if the soil will slide into the pond site or is too dense for work.
The liner helps prevent seepage or the soil from leaking into the water and ruining the shape and environment of the structure. Some solid materials, such as fiberglass, last a long time and hold their shape for decades.
Clay: Can be one of the worst soil types to have because it is difficult to dig and doesn’t hold water.
Grass or soft ground: Simple surrounding land conditions like grass or soft ground are the easiest to line because they don’t move much or have materials that can puncture. Homeowners with this kind of property can get away with less durable liners.
Difficult conditions: Homeowners with rocky soil, tree roots, or other obstacles should plan on a thicker liner to prevent punctures.
Liner Thickness
Many synthetic rolls have thicknesses measured by thousandths of an inch so homeowners can understand their strength and flexibility. A lower mil rating means a less robust liner. The most popular option, 30 mil rolls offer standard thickness and can resist tears and withstand regular exposure to the elements. Thicker rolls are 45 mil and cost more, while thinner 15 mil products offer a lower upfront cost but less durability.
Pond Liner Costs by Material
The average costs of general liner products like vinyl and rubber range from as little as $0.40 per square foot to as much as $120 per square foot. Note that the low prices for rubber and plastic come from the ability of homeowners to buy large liners over 10,000 square feet. Smaller products tend to be more expensive per square foot because they don't have discount rates.
| Pond Liner Material | Cost Range per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Concrete | $60–$120 |
| Fiberglass | $3–$6.50 |
| EDPM rubber | $0.70–$2.30 |
| RPE | $0.90–$2 |
| HDPE | $0.40–$1.30 |
| PVC | $0.50–$1.50 |
Concrete
Concrete pond liners are durable and customizable, making them suitable for large or uniquely shaped ponds. However, they are also the most expensive option due to labor-intensive installation and the need for curing time and reinforcement.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass pond liners come as pre-formed shells, which simplifies installation and provides a smooth, long-lasting surface. They tend to be more expensive than flexible liners but offer lower maintenance and better resistance to punctures or UV damage.
Rubber
Flexible rubber costs $0.50 per square foot on average, making it one of the most affordable options. It is easy to install and works well in small ponds. It tears easily and might degrade from sunlight. Options include:
Ethylene propylene (EDPM)
Reinforced polypropylene (RPE)
Butyl
HDPE
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a type of plastic liner available in both flexible and rigid forms. Rigid plastic is used on only small liners and is inexpensive at $0.75 per square foot. Rigid plastic liners are most common in small, pre-formed garden or koi ponds.
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) forms a synthetic liner that stays flexible at most natural temperatures and is safe for aquatic life, making it popular in fishing and natural swimming bodies of water. It only costs $0.65 per square foot.
DIY Pond Liner Installation vs. Hiring a Pro
For small ponds, a DIY liner installation can lower labor costs and free up budget for plants or additional water-feature elements. Only tackle this project if you feel confident in your ability to install it correctly; poorly installed liners can result in dramatic drops in your water level (think over the course of a few days). If you have a large pond, it’s best to leave that to a local pond installer.
Budgeting Tips to Save on Pond Liner Costs
Make your pond liner installation more cost-effective with these tips:
Compare multiple quotes from local pond service pros to get the best value for your services.
Choose the material that makes the most sense for your project to ensure longevity.
Keep up with maintenance requirements to minimize wear and avoid repair costs.
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.
Yes, pond liners are strongly recommended to keep water from leaking through your pond base or directly into the ground. If you don’t install a liner for your pond, you risk the following:
Your local soil absorbing too much of your water (or just turning your pond into a big mud pit).
Water slowly eroding into your pond’s edge, increasing the potential for walls to collapse.
Water leaking out of the pond, resulting in water loss and potential for pond wildlife to suffer.
Still, if you want a natural pond floor, you can forgo a liner, but you’ll need to consult a local pond installer to ensure you have the proper soil type that can be impacted enough to reduce the potential for leaks.
A high-quality pond liner made from EPDM can last upwards of 30 years. Some liners even come with a lifetime guarantee. If your pond liner shows dramatic signs of aging after just a few years, it’s likely the material was lower quality to begin with, or proper installation wasn’t followed.
Tips for getting the most out of your pond liner include:
Buying a high quality liner meant specifically for outdoor ponds.
Properly installing a liner with an underlay.
Not installing your liner too taut, which can increase the chances of tearing.
Protecting from outside wildlife, like birds with sharp claws, that could puncture the liner.
Quickly repairing a tear with a kit when they appear.
While you can opt for concrete or fiberglass ponds instead of a liner, it’s much more expensive. Most owners use woven rubber or plastic sheets that can last for decades and cover a large surface area. The average cost for liners of this type is between $1,000 and $5,000 for a single layer of 1,000 square feet.
Calculating the full size of the pond is different from figuring out the amount of liner needed. To do so, follow these steps.
Measure the pond's length, width, and depth.
Place the numbers into this formula: (Length + (2 x Depth + 1)) by (Width + (2 x Depth + 1)).
It looks complicated but just remember to include all the parentheses.
Figure out the number for each of the two parts of the formula.
Ex: Length: 3, Width: 4, Depth: 2 = (3 + (2 x 2 +1)) by (4 + (2 x 2 +1)).
(3 + (2 x 2 + 1)) = (3+5) = 8
(4 + (2 x 2 + 1)) = (4+5) = 9
Multiply the two numbers to find the liner size. This would be 8 by 9 feet—72 square feet.
The cheapest liner available to any homeowner depends on the size of the pond. However, many people can buy inexpensive plastic or rubber options from hardware or garden stores. Some of the cheapest types available are small liners made from reused and repurposed rubber at $25 to $30.
All ponds need a liner to prevent seepage or drainage along the sides and bank. There are a few factors any owner needs to consider, but the best way to pick a liner is to talk to a professional. Several aspects of the body of water such as the surrounding land density, the material permeability, and general liner density can affect the type of product needed. Most professionals won't take too long to examine the pond and surrounding area and find a liner right for the homeowners.
