DIY Pool Construction Costs

[Blinger]

My new home will finally be finished in August and I'm already turning to the idea of adding an in-ground pool. As most who live in today's new neighborhoods will acknowledge, the backyard isn't all that big. I'm thinking a small rectangle pool about 10' X 14' would be a perfect fit both for the backyard and my budget which has taken quite a hit with the upgrades to the new home.

I'm in KY and have called around to a couple of our friendly pool installers today. As I see it, I have three options (above ground need not apply): plastic liner (not my first choice), concrete (too much $$$), or fiberglass. I was quoted a price of $20K for a fiberglass install in this size that included 4 ft. of decking, pumps, starter kit, etc..

My questions are:

1. How much do the fiberglass shells typically cost in my size range?
2. What's involved with a fiberglass install? Just dig a big hole and drop the shell in it? Are the pumps located some distance from the pool?
3. How much could one expect to pay if they acted as GC on this job? I can hire the backhoe, hire the electrician, install the pumps, etc.. myself.
4. How does lighting work for a fiberglass shell? I assume you can't drill into the shell, but what do I know?


I'll stop there and wait for some replies. Thanks in advance...

Bb

[Jeffski]

Can't answer those because I'm still shopping too but in my opinion the liner looks just as good as fiberglass, costs a lot less, and comes with a 15 year warranty. If you have to replace it in 15 years it's only a couple grand.

I'm leaning liner unless someone wants to talk me out of that.

Good luck with your decision.

[Blinger]

I'm thinking against the liner mostly because the installation looks like a giant pain in the butt compared to a fiberglass shell installation. Of course, I have no idea all that's involved for fiberglass (which is why i started this thread) but I have seen the liner install and its a mess.

Bb

[mshumack]

As I see it, I have three options (above ground need not apply): plastic liner (not my first choice), concrete (too much $$$), or fiberglass. Bb

When I went through the decision process I found that the fiberglass was more expensive than concrete for the same size pool. I originally wanted fiberglass because it is supposed to use less chemicals and it has a smoother finish. I also heard the fiberglass fades where it is above the water line.
Anyway it turned out that I was able to do a larger pool in concrete. I was only looking at quality fiberglass pools such as San Juan. There may be cheaper pools available by smaller, less known, companies.
My main problem with going fiberglass is that it is limited in size to what can be shipped on a tractor-trailer. I think the max size was 18x36 (which is still plenty big but more $$$ than gunite).
If you go fiberglass I suggest you use the company that sells it to install it since a bad installation may lead to a cracked shell. If you do the install yourself and anything goes wrong your out of luck.
Good Luck

[cgc2]

When I went through the decision process I found that the fiberglass was more expensive than concrete for the same size pool. I originally wanted fiberglass because it is supposed to use less chemicals and it has a smoother finish. I also heard the fiberglass fades where it is above the water line.
Anyway it turned out that I was able to do a larger pool in concrete. I was only looking at quality fiberglass pools such as San Juan. There may be cheaper pools available by smaller, less known, companies.
My main problem with going fiberglass is that it is limited in size to what can be shipped on a tractor-trailer. I think the max size was 18x36 (which is still plenty big but more $$$ than gunite).
If you go fiberglass I suggest you use the company that sells it to install it since a bad installation may lead to a cracked shell. If you do the install yourself and anything goes wrong your out of luck.
Good Luck

Ditto what he said regarding cost of fiberglass vs. concrete pool. In my neck of the woods (central Calif.), fiberglass would have cost me more, for less pool.

I have no regrets.