Can I get an in ground pool for $50K or less + other questions

[Knodel]

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking and reading thread after thread, absorbing information. I've wanted a pool for about 5-7 years, but couldn't due to renting and then because of the extreme cost. Over the last year or so I've had the good fortune to make more money and do a lot of saving, and I think I would like to take the plunge (ha) and get an inground pool. I have so many questions about costs and options and I am hoping some of you can help.

1. Can I get an inground pool for $50K or less?
I am willing to do a winter install, etc which I have read can help with cost. I'm not looking for anything huge. I don't want anything geometric - in fact, I just want a plain rectangle as it will complement my modern house. Only need about 6 foot depth, maybe 12-14 feet wide and 30-32 feet long? I do NOT want a spa. The only "extras" I would want are a heater to keep the water warm (no chiller, I hate cold pool water), some LED lights for night swimming and maybe a small water feature/waterfall. I prefer fiberglass but if there are no significant cons I could do vinyl, not really interested in gunite.

2. Is it okay to keep my two massive Oaks?
Pool can be far away from them, but branches will hang over. Cost to remove them both is high, and I like the look. I'm worried about limbs falling in or on people while swimming though do people get a net/trellis or just have an annual arborist visit and trim?

3. Are there any other tips that can help lower the pool cost? Going with dealers in rural areas outside my city, install during holiday weeks/winter, etc?

Thanks so much!

 

[Mdragger88]

I dont know about where u are but here you can get a “kit” vinyl lined pool for under $50k for sure.
My neighbor got a quote for around $50k for a gunite pool w/ all kinds of bells & whistles to replace their current vinyl lined pool - i am assuming the low price was due to the fact most of the excavation is already done.
Your best bet is to get some local quotes now that are comparable as prices can really vary by region. This way u have a little time to mull them over, decide what’s important to u & get on the list (cuz i’m sure it’s long)

 

[JoyfulNoise]

$50k … Atlanta area … probably if you do an owner-build (GC the project yourself). Atlanta has been growing a lot over the years and I imagine construction costs there are generally on the high end given all the growth. Couple that with the absolutely insane prices of raw materials caused by the pandemic and shortages of equipment and you’re looking at a lousy time to build a pool on-the-cheap.

I’m not a fan of fiberglass and you might want to do more research on fiberglass surface issues as it relates to gel coat deterioration (fading and chalking) as well as the excavation and fill of a FG pool. Vinyl might be a better option to lower the cost.

Your biggest expense will be decking as concrete costs money. My suggestion would be to try to play around with the Pool Studio software to see what would work for your yard.

Trees … well, a pool builder will tell you, “Oh, no issues at all”. But they are not the ones that have to live with a tree constantly dumping debris your pool nor worry about roots growing out in search of water. Trees always cause problems, it’s only a matter of when and how much damage they will do. Chainsaws exist for a reason … consider heavy pruning or removal to be the best investment you can make in your sanity.

Good luck. Get quotes. Demand referrals.

 

[Knodel]

Thanks for the responses, so some followup questions: do all ballpark quotes require an in person look at the backyard or can I get something rough through call/email?

Second, could it possibly be cheaper to just get pavers instead of decking? I cannot imagine it costs as much to do this (below picture) versus pouring concrete:

In fact, this image is basically exactly what I want, minus the spa section.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Thanks for the responses, so some followup questions: do all ballpark quotes require an in person look at the backyard or can I get something rough through call/email?

Second, could it possibly be cheaper to just get pavers instead of decking? I cannot imagine it costs as much to do this (below picture) versus pouring concrete:

In fact, this image is basically exactly what I want, minus the spa section.

Mowing that grass layout around a pool would be a nightmare…. You will be cleaning grass clippings out of your pool for days.

No PB right now is going to give you a quote over the phone. The pool building industry is slammed right now. At the very least they’ll want to see the site. Work is backed up into next year for most areas.

 

[bmoreswim]

I get nervous when trying to keep it under a hard (and lowish) number. Usually because it involves compromises. Like keeping the oak trees and having grass near the pool. Both are pretty common no-no’s. GC’ing is not a compromise per se, but more aid a trade-off. Time and effort for money. Often that’s a trade that works.

Why don’t you want to have some folks out to quote? You will need to get invested to find out for sure.

 

[Headbanger783]

It’s different in every region. But usually once you have a budget you should add 10% for anything that may pop up. So $50k should really be $55k.

 

[jamjam]

your coping and patio work is going to be a significant cost - i had a pool installed last year - base price was $30k - with upgrades it was around $45k - that was without the coping or patio - I am sure in Atlanta you can come in around $50k - I saved a lot by doing the electrical myself and by doing the coping and patio myself.

 

[DorsalSpine]

If you like the large paver look consider decorative stone instead of the grass between the large paver sections. That will give you a modern no maintenance look. You can get the stone in many colors to contrast with the pool and the large pavers. Look up desert landscaping if you want to see some pictures.

 

[Knodel]

Thank you for all the responses all!

Good point about grass - maybe then pavers with decorative stone between as mentioned above? Surely that will be cheaper that a large area of poured concrete?

I am researching vinyl and would be open to it, I don't see any major red flags.

I am willing to have a builder out but just didn't know if I had to have an appt for each one to get a quote, it seems that's the norm hopefully I can get someone to come out soon. Would trying to call in fall/winter mean better deals?

 

[bmoreswim]

Looking at the market for pretty much anything these days, I’d say little to no difference on a winter build. Normally maybe something.

 

[Jgc88]

Where I am at in California, base prices are currently 39k-50k. Depending on builder. That usually covers a 15x30 gunite with 3ft of decking around. Most basic finishes and pumps (white plaster, brushed concrete). My PB was the last guy in the region doing vinyl and even he has stopped entirely. I've seen base prices in other parts of the country much higher so it definitely varies regionally. Here almost all builders I dealt with will give you a base price on the phone when you schedule a design consult, so you go into it with an idea. Obviously any upgrades really increase it.

 

[Headbanger783]

Everything is regional. We signed in August 2020 (still waiting on permits ugh) for a Latham Valencia model FG POOL (14.5 x 28) and our base price was 40k. That includes 3 feet of concrete around the pool. There were some extras, SWG $1,000. Variable Speed pump $700. Ladder $475. And any extra concrete was $8.75 sq ft.

We also have to have electrical run which for us is expensive as it’s about a 100ft run from the house to the pool. And the safety fence, which I’m doing myself.

Hope this helps!

 

[jamjam]

Where I am at in California, base prices are currently 39k-50k. Depending on builder. That usually covers a 15x30 gunite with 3ft of decking around. Most basic finishes and pumps (white plaster, brushed concrete). My PB was the last guy in the region doing vinyl and even he has stopped entirely. I've seen base prices in other parts of the country much higher so it definitely varies regionally. Here almost all builders I dealt with will give you a base price on the phone when you schedule a design consult, so you go into it with an idea. Obviously any upgrades really increase it.

crazy how regional it is - near me you can't get gunite for anything close to under $75-$100k

 

[trivetman]

Be careful about decorative stone between large pavers. They look great at first until dirt starts to settle in the cracks and weeds grow between. Then u have a maintenance nightmare next to the pool.

also any paver setup generally requires extensive prepwork to make a compact and level base. Otherwise you’ll likely have some extensive settling and unevenness to your deck and quickly. Labor costs to get the base right are I think where a large amount of the expense comes from. Theres no shortcuts which you won’t regret

 

[DIYLinerPool]

Thanks for the responses, so some followup questions: do all ballpark quotes require an in person look at the backyard or can I get something rough through call/email?

Second, could it possibly be cheaper to just get pavers instead of decking? I cannot imagine it costs as much to do this (below picture) versus pouring concrete:

In fact, this image is basically exactly what I want, minus the spa section.

Those are big stones, they are more expensive than you would think. On my install I extended my bluestone patio just under 100 sq ft

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking and reading thread after thread, absorbing information. I've wanted a pool for about 5-7 years, but couldn't due to renting and then because of the extreme cost. Over the last year or so I've had the good fortune to make more money and do a lot of saving, and I think I would like to take the plunge (ha) and get an inground pool. I have so many questions about costs and options and I am hoping some of you can help.

1. Can I get an inground pool for $50K or less?
I am willing to do a winter install, etc which I have read can help with cost. I'm not looking for anything huge. I don't want anything geometric - in fact, I just want a plain rectangle as it will complement my modern house. Only need about 6 foot depth, maybe 12-14 feet wide and 30-32 feet long? I do NOT want a spa. The only "extras" I would want are a heater to keep the water warm (no chiller, I hate cold pool water), some LED lights for night swimming and maybe a small water feature/waterfall. I prefer fiberglass but if there are no significant cons I could do vinyl, not really interested in gunite.

2. Is it okay to keep my two massive Oaks?
Pool can be far away from them, but branches will hang over. Cost to remove them both is high, and I like the look. I'm worried about limbs falling in or on people while swimming though do people get a net/trellis or just have an annual arborist visit and trim?

3. Are there any other tips that can help lower the pool cost? Going with dealers in rural areas outside my city, install during holiday weeks/winter, etc?

Thanks so much!

I DIY'ed my liner pool, you definitely could do it for under 50 if you did DIY. You can sub out a lot of the work, would just need some help and some handy people to help put together the steel walls and some other things. We didnt sub out much but a lot of it can be subbed out (excavating, electric, plumbing, concrete work, etc)

 

[Gladius Nova]

Those pavers may be poured concrete. If they are actual large pavers, like someone said above, there will be a lot of prep work to make the area beneath compact and even and secure so the pavers won't shift...which is probably inevitable down the road (unless they are poured concrete "pavers")