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Durham · Liner replacement
Inground vinyl liner replacement in Ajax
Installed pricing, what the job actually involves, and the five questions that separate a proper liner fitter from a crew that will be back next summer.
1–2 day install 3–6 week lead time
What the price includes in Ajax
A liner replacement is a measured, manufactured product — not a sheet of vinyl cut on site. The installer templates your pool, the liner is welded to those dimensions, and the pool is drained, repaired and refilled around it. That is why quotes vary by thousands of dollars for what looks like the same job.
In Ajax and across Durham, most inground pools are 16×32 to 20×40 rectangles built between 1975 and 2005. Ajax pools sit close to the lake, so wind-blown debris and a high water table are the two recurring issues. A spring pump-out before the cover comes off is common, and sump discharge rules mean crews handle the water, not your driveway.
The ranges below are installed prices for a standard rectangle with normal site access. They include the liner, fitting labour, new gaskets and faceplates, and disposal of the old liner. They do not include wall or floor repairs, new coping, water hauling or a replacement safety cover.
Cost by pool size in Ajax
| Service | Typical low | Typical high |
|---|---|---|
| 12 × 24 ft (288 sq ft) | $4,150 | $7,200 |
| 16 × 32 ft (512 sq ft)Most common GTA size | $4,850 | $8,400 |
| 18 × 36 ft (648 sq ft) | $5,350 | $9,250 |
| 20 × 40 ft (800 sq ft) | $5,800 | $10,100 |
| Freeform or custom shapeMeasured on site | $6,300 | $10,900 |
Installed, before HST. Assumes standard 4–5 ft wall height and reasonable access.
20 mil vs 27 mil vinyl
Thickness is the second-biggest lever after size. Most GTA installers quote 20 mil as standard and 27 mil as an upgrade. On a 16×32 pool the upgrade usually adds $300–$700.
| Service | Typical low | Typical high |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mil — standard8–12 seasons, budget choice | $4,850 | $8,400 |
| 27 mil — upgraded10–15 seasons, family pools | $5,150 | $9,100 |
| 30 mil — premiumMarginal gain; prep matters more | $5,450 | $9,600 |
16 × 32 rectangle, installed. Thicker vinyl does not compensate for a poorly prepared wall or floor.
Ask what gauge the quoted liner actually is. A “heavy-duty” liner with no number on the quote is usually 20 mil. Thicker vinyl resists punctures and UV fade, but it does not fix a failing seam or a corroded wall panel — those are separate line items.
What pushes the price up
1. Shape, steps and benches
A rectangle with one ladder is the cheapest liner to make. Freeform shapes, Roman ends, sun shelves and moulded steps all add welding and fitting time. Expect a 10–30% premium over the equivalent rectangle, and ask whether the price includes new step gaskets.
2. Wall and floor condition
The old liner hides everything. Once it is out, corroded steel walls, soft floor panels or a failed cove show up. Panel replacement runs $600–$1,500 per section; a full floor repair can add $2,000. A quote that excludes “unforeseen repairs” is not dishonest — but ask for the day rate before you sign.
3. Coping, skimmers and lights
New aluminium or stone coping is $1,200–$3,500 depending on length. Replacing a cracked skimmer while the liner is out is far cheaper than doing it later: $350–$700 including the new faceplate.
4. Water
A 20,000-gallon pool takes four to five tanker loads. Hauling and fill is typically $450–$900 in Ajax, and startup chemicals add $80–$150. Confirm who arranges the water — a crew that leaves you to fill it with a garden hose will cost you days.
5. Access
Narrow side yards, fences, decks and steep grades slow the job. If the liner cannot be carried in, expect a hoist or crane charge of $400–$1,200. Mention access when you request quotes so the number you get is the number you pay.
The sequence
From measurement to swimming
Most of the elapsed time is manufacturing, not labour. Here is the realistic schedule for a Ajax replacement booked in season.
Still deciding whether to repair? Run the patch vs replace math before you spend on a liner.
- Week 0
Measure and template
Installer measures the pool, checks walls, floor and fittings, and orders the liner with a shop drawing you should receive.
- Weeks 1–4
Manufacture
The liner is welded to your dimensions. Ask for the delivery date in writing.
- Day 1
Drain and strip
Pool is drained, old liner cut out, walls and floor inspected and repairs quoted before proceeding.
- Day 1–2
Prepare and fit
Wall repairs, new gaskets, liner hung, vacuumed into place and fittings cut in.
- Day 2–3
Fill and balance
Water hauled in, chemistry balanced, pump restarted. Do not swim until chlorine and pH are stable.
How long a liner lasts in Ontario
A properly fitted liner lasts 8–15 years here. Freeze-thaw cycles, UV exposure and water chemistry all take a turn: unbalanced pH makes vinyl brittle, high chlorine fades it, and a low water level over winter lets the liner pull away from the wall.
Replace rather than patch when you see
- Three or more patches, or a patch that keeps lifting
- Seams separating in more than one place
- The liner floating off the wall or floor
- Wrinkles that will not flatten with temperature
- Water loss over an inch a day that a patch will not hold
- A liner older than 10 seasons with any of the above
A single clean puncture on a 6-year-old liner is a patch. A 12-year-old liner with seam failures is a replacement — patching it just moves the cost to next season and you will still need the liner.
Vetting a liner installer in Ajax
- Ask for a certificate of insurance showing $2M commercial liability.
- Confirm WSIB coverage — a subcontractor without it is your risk.
- Ask whether the install crew is in-house or subcontracted.
- Get the liner manufacturer, pattern name and warranty in writing.
- Require a written measurement drawing before the deposit.
- Confirm who pays for water hauling, disposal and any wall repairs found.
Two quotes for the same pool should be within 10–15% once inclusions match. A quote that is 30% cheaper usually excludes water, repairs or disposal — ask for the line items before you compare totals.
Liner crews covering Ajax
No liner-only shop lists Ajax directly; these local crews install liners or can refer a fitter.
Liner FAQ
Ajax replacement questions
How much does a vinyl liner replacement cost in Ajax?
Most Ajax inground pools land between $4,850 and $8,400 installed, including the liner, fitting, gaskets and disposal. A 16×32 rectangle is usually the midpoint. Wall repairs, new coping, water hauling and safety cover replacement push the total higher.
How long does the job take?
The install itself is one to two days once the liner arrives. Measurement to finished pool is typically three to six weeks, because the liner is manufactured to your pool's exact dimensions. In peak season, add a week for scheduling.
Can the liner be replaced without draining the pool?
No. The old liner has to come out, which means draining the pool and inspecting the walls and floor before the new one goes in. That inspection is the most valuable part of the job — hidden wall corrosion found now is far cheaper than a failure two seasons later.
Does home insurance cover a torn liner?
Rarely. Standard Ontario policies exclude wear and tear, and most failures are seam or age related. Sudden damage from a falling branch, vandalism or a fire is usually covered. Photograph the damage, keep the failed section if possible, and call your broker before authorizing work.
When is the best time to replace a liner in Ontario?
July through early September. Warm air keeps the vinyl flexible during fitting, and the pool refills before frost. Late-fall installs are possible but risk the liner shifting if water hauling is delayed. Spring installs compete with opening crews, so book in February.
Liner replacement in other cities
Compare Ajax liner quotes side by side.
One form, up to three local fitters, and a written measurement before anyone asks for a deposit.