2022 pool build costs

[factotum44]

It’s taken me almost 4 months to get two pool builder quotes for an in ground vinyl liner pool: 18x36ft, swcg, heat pump, 3 lights, pump, sand filter, pool robot, 2 bubblers, tanning deck, 1500sqft concrete decking.

Both quotes are close together: 78-80K.
I expected, at most, 65K. I’m surprised. I live in the southeast.

Looking at other builds in the forum, I see members getting gunnite, fancier tile/decking, and water features at this price point.

It was hard just getting builders to return my calls and get a quote. Neither quote includes a detailed cost breakdown. I’m sure some of the extra cost is due to the amount of concrete decking.

1.) Are these quotes typical in today’s market?

2.). Should I wait and see if prices fall over the next two-three years?

3.) Should I adjust my expectations and just accept the price point as long as the component breakdown makes sense?

4.) I have one more pool builder meeting scheduled. How many quotes should I get?

 

[ajw22]

Mid-south is a large geography. If you are in a small market where there is not many pool builders they can more name their price if they are busy. In larger markets with more choices you may find a builder who has an open slot he wants to fill.

All depends if you believe interest rates rising and inflation will cause a recession. Then lots of people will pull back spending and Pool Builders will be hungry for work. If you are one of the fortunate who has money to spend you may get a good deal.

Are you a gambler?

And in waiting a few years your family will be that much older and will have missed out of the joy of a pool.

Get as many quotes as necessary for you to decide you like one to proceed or shelve your plans.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

You can only compare apples to apples. Pool building costs vary widely with location and region. Get three quotes minimum and if they’re all in the 75-80k range, that’s the prevailing market price in your area. You may also be experiencing the “Go Away Quote” phenomenon - builders are so crazy-busy and materials/equipment in such short supply that the contractor just wants you to go away.

I, personally, wouldn’t want to build a pool right now. I built one 10 years ago and spent what I thought was a lot of money on it. If I offered that same amount of money today, I think most pool builders would laugh at me and say no thanks.

 

[Mdragger88]

Where are u in the mid south? I’m sure costs have risen but a year or so ago in my area that type of build was regularly in the 40k-60k range. With the concrete being a large part of the cost. Those sound like gunnite #’s.

 

[joepaiii]

It’s taken me almost 4 months to get two pool builder quotes for an in ground vinyl liner pool: 18x36ft, swcg, heat pump, 3 lights, pump, sand filter, pool robot, 2 bubblers, tanning deck, 1500sqft concrete decking.

Both quotes are close together: 78-80K.
I expected, at most, 65K. I’m surprised. I live in the southeast.

Looking at other builds in the forum, I see members getting gunnite, fancier tile/decking, and water features at this price point.

It was hard just getting builders to return my calls and get a quote. Neither quote includes a detailed cost breakdown. I’m sure some of the extra cost is due to the amount of concrete decking.

1.) Are these quotes typical in today’s market?

2.). Should I wait and see if prices fall over the next two-three years?

3.) Should I adjust my expectations and just accept the price point as long as the component breakdown makes sense?

4.) I have one more pool builder meeting scheduled. How many quotes should I get?

1500 sqft of decking is quite a bit... a lot a generic quotes from pool vendors include ~400 sqft. Even at plain concrete cost an extra 500-1000 sqft is a bit of money and would buy some of the extra stuff you mention.

 

[Lanzz]

Any reason why you have chosen a vinyl pool in this case? Would seem for that money, you may want to consider fiberglass also. I think gunite starts at $100K right now, so prob wouldn't bother considering. I will say this - even if you overpay by $10K - that amount over the life of the pool isn't material - and as ajw said, the family fun begins immediately.

 

[pjt]

Mid-South

Can you update your profile with your city & state? Helps us help you.

 

[TFPNoobie]

Whatever you think it's going to cost, add at least 25% to that number. Below is a breakdown of past and upcoming transactions for our fiberglass pool build. The builder is charging us $52k for a package that includes lights, heater, salt water, and 3' of concrete but doesn't include permits or anything else. These costs below add up to about $83k and that includes me installing the retaining wall myself and doing my own landscaping when it's all complete. Hope this gives you a pretty good idea of what you can expect.

10% Deposit	$ (5,025.00)
Retaining Wall/Caps/Lights (70' of wall about 20" high)	$ (5,238.30)
Permits	$ (1,902.55)
Survey	$ (2,200.00)
Permit Deposit / Stormwater Management Application	$ (550.00)
Retaining Wall Excavation (Charged by Pool Builder)	$ (1,630.00)
50% Upon Excavation	$ (26,175.00)
35% Upon Water Placement	$ (18,200.00)
Topsoil/Drainage Stone/Equipment Rental	$ (1,000.00)
5% Upon Deck Completion	$ (2,600.00)
Additional Concrete/Stamped (570 sq ft total)	$ (5,300.00)
Decorative Stone (1-3" River Rock) Around Pool and Patio	$ (500.00)
Fence Installation (270 linear feet w/ 3 5' gates and one 4' gate	$ (10,000.00)
25 Trees for Stormwater Management (Required by Municipality)	$ (2,000.00)
Tree Installation (Quoted $60 a Tree by a Landscaper)	$ (1,500.00)

 

[factotum44]

Where are u in the mid south? I’m sure costs have risen but a year or so ago in my area that type of build was regularly in the 40k-60k range. With the concrete being a large part of the cost. Those sound like gunnite #’s.

Jonesboro, AR. Not far from you. I looked into some pb’s in Memphis, but the top searches seem to be gunnite-only companies.

 

[factotum44]

Any reason why you have chosen a vinyl pool in this case? Would seem for that money, you may want to consider fiberglass also. I think gunite starts at $100K right now, so prob wouldn't bother considering. I will say this - even if you overpay by $10K - that amount over the life of the pool isn't material - and as ajw said, the family fun begins immediately.

Ease of cleaning off algae/maintaining color, texture on skin. I feel I can stomach the cost of a liner exchange every 5-7-10 yrs easier than a large replaster cost at 20yrs. And until now, lower upfront cost. Now ur

Any reason why you have chosen a vinyl pool in this case? Would seem for that money, you may want to consider fiberglass also. I think gunite starts at $100K right now, so prob wouldn't bother considering. I will say this - even if you overpay by $10K - that amount over the life of the pool isn't material - and as ajw said, the family fun begins immediately.

Ease of cleaning off algae/maintaining color, texture on skin. I feel I can stomach the cost of a liner exchange every 5-7-10 yrs easier than a large replaster cost at 20yrs. And lower upfront cost. This is all based on what I’ve read in pool school, I don’t know anyone who owns a pool.

 

[factotum44]

Whatever you think it's going to cost, add at least 25% to that number. Below is a breakdown of past and upcoming transactions for our fiberglass pool build. The builder is charging us $52k for a package that includes lights, heater, salt water, and 3' of concrete but doesn't include permits or anything else. These costs below add up to about $83k and that includes me installing the retaining wall myself and doing my own landscaping when it's all complete. Hope this gives you a pretty good idea of what you can expect.

10% Deposit	$ (5,025.00)
Retaining Wall/Caps/Lights (70' of wall about 20" high)	$ (5,238.30)
Permits	$ (1,902.55)
Survey	$ (2,200.00)
Permit Deposit / Stormwater Management Application	$ (550.00)
Retaining Wall Excavation (Charged by Pool Builder)	$ (1,630.00)
50% Upon Excavation	$ (26,175.00)
35% Upon Water Placement	$ (18,200.00)
Topsoil/Drainage Stone/Equipment Rental	$ (1,000.00)
5% Upon Deck Completion	$ (2,600.00)
Additional Concrete/Stamped (570 sq ft total)	$ (5,300.00)
Decorative Stone (1-3" River Rock) Around Pool and Patio	$ (500.00)
Fence Installation (270 linear feet w/ 3 5' gates and one 4' gate	$ (10,000.00)
25 Trees for Stormwater Management (Required by Municipality)	$ (2,000.00)
Tree Installation (Quoted $60 a Tree by a Landscaper)	$ (1,500.00)

Thank you for this. I anticipated extra costs but not 25% worth, I may need to wait a few months to save more cash to afford a yard fence after the pool build—unless I can find a lower quote.

 

[factotum44]

1500 sqft of decking is quite a bit... a lot a generic quotes from pool vendors include ~400 sqft. Even at plain concrete cost an extra 500-1000 sqft is a bit of money and would buy some of the extra stuff you mention.

Yeah, I’ll need to ask for the breakdown on that. I wanted extra decking to have a place to cookout on. I only have grass and a soon to be screened-in porch. I don’t really want to put in pavers or pour a slab myself. I might just need to wait and save up more.

 

[Mdragger88]

Jonesboro, AR. Not far from you. I looked into some pb’s in Memphis, but the top searches seem to be gunnite-only companies.

There’s several on this list that do liner pools - not sure how far they travel though

https://www.google.com/localservices/prolist