NFT: Pool Installation Question

in (but I live in metro Boston).

And the pool itself will vary greatly depending on the type (steel (vinyl liner) vs gunite vs concrete, etc.) shape, size, determine the price.

I have a 20x40 vinyl linger salt inground pool rectangle shape with a siwmout.

Your price is probably high for just the pool. I'd say if you go Vinyl liner salt pool with a standard shape and not a ton of excavation it's more like 30k for the pool.

Fact is though, the pool deck, fence, shed, landscaping, etc. cost double what the pool did.

handled all the permits, just make sure to use their electrician if they offer. The electrician needs to make sure the pool is grounded and then if you get a concrete pool deck, that the deck is grounded too.

We choose a fiberglass pool which is cheaper and should hold up better over time than Gunite or pools with liners in the north east. The downside is they tend to be a little small (slightly) and you need access to the backyard via a huge crane.

My pool guys used blue Hawaiian pools and I couldn't be happier with it.
blue hawaiian catalog - ( New Window )

We did a 20x40 free form for about $50k, pool was about $25. Balance was fence, pavers, heater + gas line, diving board, landscaping.

A couple of comments:
Free form shapes will add to the cost of solar and winter covers over rectangular, and the solar cover can be a pain to easily get off.

Check the payment schedule. Some require the final payment when they BEGIN to fill the pool. This can take days and may have to be done in stages if a liner is involved. Plus you don't get a chance to have everything running before final payment. Pool companies are extremely busy at this time of the year and it helps to have an incentive. Try to get a a $2-3,000 holdback until the pool has been running for a couple of weeks.

Go for the safety cover and have it included in the price - you won't regret it, water bag covers are a PITA.


Depending on where the pool is in the yard, consider having an outlet run to a stake you can reach through the fence, and/or have a gate in the back fence there.

If you need to have a gas line run for a heater, consider having one run for a gas grill. If you already have a good propane grill, the apertures on the jets can be drilled out for NG.

Or, better yet, buy a boat (they're both money pits).

had several pool guys - dunrite, aquacade, you've probably heard of them - proceed w caution, they always highball a price. Finally went with my neighbor's installer, great guy. Give me your email if interested in details.

My pool is 20x40 steel wall w 2-ft concrete, will be vinyl but nowadays you can get many of the same features as gunite, such as a sundeck framed from concrete, and also gradual slope to deep end instead of in sections.

Variables include wether you need to set-up weep line when hitting groundwater, type of heater, distance of gas line to equipment, variable vs single speed pump, automation, etc.

The automatic cover is a nice luxury, but pool needs to be square/ rectangle otherwise things start getting very pricey. This is about $12-18K extra.

Some installers include a coping, need to ask. Some include plumber and electrician. May need to upgrade your gas service to accommodate a heater.

I'm paying $65K including plumbing and electrician, automatic cover, 6x8 spa w waterfall into pool and dedicated pumps.

Masonry around spa walls, copings, patio is all extra.

For all your input

Someone said use the pool company for everything. I wholeheartedly agree. Might be able to save a few bucks getting them all on your own but I found it a small price to pay since the pool guy's reputation is the one that's most on the line. Also helps in not having to juggle schedules.

DON'T DO IT! My kids were very active and after the 1st year they hardly swam in it. Put the $50 - 60K elsewhere.

That said, I did a bunch of work myself, including the fence and a large patio and it was worth it.

In comment 13329907 Ron Johnson 30 said:

Quote:

DON'T DO IT! My kids were very active and after the 1st year they hardly swam in it. Put the $50 - 60K elsewhere. That said, I did a bunch of work myself, including the fence and a large patio and it was worth it.

I will though!

In comment 13329907 Ron Johnson 30 said:

Quote:

DON'T DO IT! My kids were very active and after the 1st year they hardly swam in it. Put the $50 - 60K elsewhere. That said, I did a bunch of work myself, including the fence and a large patio and it was worth it.

I politely disagree. Best $40K I ever spent. There was a 6 year span that I didn't have to worry about my kids' and their friends being out on the street (easily 5+ nights a week). Admittedly a pain in the ass but well worth it.

I had friends tell me the same thing and I did it anyway. We enjoyed it a lot but it was frustrating seeing 2 weeks go by in July when no one swimming.

The other advice. I put in the traditional 20 x 40 with a deep end. I would skip that go with a volley ball pool, 3 feet that slopes to the center. It's a lot more useful and you only really swim in the top 3 feet.

In comment 13329926 Ron Johnson 30 said:

Quote:

I had friends tell me the same thing and I did it anyway. We enjoyed it a lot but it was frustrating seeing 2 weeks go by in July when no one swimming. The other advice. I put in the traditional 20 x 40 with a deep end. I would skip that go with a volley ball pool, 3 feet that slopes to the center. It's a lot more useful and you only really swim in the top 3 feet.

Agree on the Volley Ball. When I replaced my liner a couple of years ago the pool guy said "What did you do here, take a sledge hammer to this" Just Many a volleyball game

even a little. and with a salt pool it's practically maintenance free. Every three weeks or so I bring my water to be tested at the pool store.

I have strips to do it but their tester is more accurate and the pool store is right next door to the gun shop where I buy my ammo, and gun supplies, and a liquor store that has a great beer and scotch/bourbon selection, so I kind of look forward to making that trip every few weeks.

And most of the time they say my pool water is cleaner than tap water. and I do nothing. Sometimes I add some metal out, other times I add a different chemical - later in the summer to fight algae (once in 5 years).

I have zero trees in my yard so I only even vacuum every couple weeks and the pool remains spotless.

my kids are in there almost every day, their friends are here all the time, they are all born in the summer so we have their birthdays here, and Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, etc. usually have cookouts with family, neighbors, etc.

it was either a beach house or a pool, and the beach houses I could get in the areas we like using the money I spent on the pool as a down payment all needed work, and then I'd want to try and rent it when we didn't use, it, and have a mortgage payment, and it was just a big hassle, so pool it is.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Inground pool. If you don't plan on staying there long, don't do it. You will never get your money back. I know you're looking for a fixer upper, but try and find a house that already has the pool. Luckily my old place already had the pool so I didn't have to pay to put one in.