How Much Does a Fiberglass Pool Cost?

The purchase of a swimming pool is much like the purchase of a vehicle or even a home. With so many options available, price ranges can vary drastically. Just as a car can start around 20k with just a basic package, it can quickly cost over 40k once a shopper adds such items as power windows, CD player, all-leather interior, chrome finishes, extended cab, 4-wheel drive, 4 doors versus two, upgraded wheels, dual exhaust, spray-on bedliner, built-in GPS system, etc, etc. Considering that the average American sells or trades-in their vehicle within the first five years of purchase, why do so many people elect to get so many upgrades? The answer is because most people understand the importance of getting what they want the first time so as to not have any regrets down the road.

These same principles typically apply to most inground swimming pool shoppers. Understanding that they are going to have to see their pool everyday for as long as they live in their home, as well as the fact that picking the right pool with the right options the first time is critical as to ensure maximum enjoyment with minimum maintenance, most shoppers elect to get the pool that will make them happiest in the long-run. Unfortunately, some people only focus on the initial price of the pool with the only goal of finding the "cheapest" contractor, therefore sacrificing low-maintenance, quality, warranty, and aesthetics, which inevitably leads to regret, especially considering that unlike a vehicle, a swimming pool cannot be traded in if one is dissatisfied.

Now that you hopefully understand the vehicle analogy, I will list some of the most common "add-ons" found in the purchase of a swimming pool:

■Perimeter/waterline tile
■Colored pool surface finishes
■Fiber optic lighting/low voltage lighting
■Extra concrete decking
■Decorative concrete decking (stamped concrete, spray deck, colored broom finish, pavers etc.)
■Sliding boards
■Salt chlorine generators
■Safety covers
■Automatic covers
■Diving boards
■Handrails and ladders
■Water features
■Heaters
■Automatic vacuums
■Inground and above ground hot tubs
■Raised bond beams
■Retaining Walls

As you can see, there are many options available. We thoroughly explain each option in order to educate the homeowner on the option's benefits as to identify its overall importance to the success of the project.

When an inquiry is made as to how much our pools cost, extent of installation is also a key factor. What I mean by this is that as a company, we have four different packages we offer our customers. Unlike most pool companies, we will do as much or as little as our customers would have us do. This flexibility leads to less stress and more savings for the customer. The packages are as follows, with their corresponding price ranges:

1. Self Install: This package includes the pool shell, shipped to the homeowner's house, with all of the pool's equipment (ie. filter system, plumbing, etc). With a self-install, the homeowner is responsible for all labor involved with the project, including: excavation, setting of pool, backfilling, adding water, concrete prepping and forming, final grading, electrical, fencing, permits, etc, etc. Although the concept of installing a fiberglass pool is not very complex, it does require quite a bit of attention to detail and there is a small margin for error. I recommend self-installs to homeowners who are very skilled with excavation and construction knowledge, and have the needed equipment to facilitate the process. The average person spends between $12,000-$30,000 on a self install, based on the size of the pool and the options that come with it.

2. Pool Less Concrete Decking: This package includes pool shell, shipping, pool equipment, excavation, setting of pool, backfill, filling pool with water, installation and pool permit. The homeowner is responsible for concrete forming and prepping, final grading, cleaning of pool, electrical, and fencing. The price of this package typically ranges from $20,000-$45,000, again depending on the size and options.

3. Pool w/Concrete: Package #3 includes everything mentioned in #2, but it also includes the concrete decking, pool cleaning, and final grading. Most homeowners will spend on average $28,000-$50,000 for package #3.

4. Turn-Key: Understanding that many homeowners would rather just deal with one company instead of many, we offer our clients true 'turn-key' pool installations. In this package, all that is found in package #3, as well as electrical, are included. Most customers will spend $30,000 - $60,000 for a turn-key project.

As you can probably see, the price ranges vary quite a bit, just as they should considering everyone has different tastes, wants, and budgets when it comes to building a swimming pool.