Looking to buy a pool

I am in mid state PA and am looking to buy an inground pool. I have been looking at vinyl, fiberglass and gunite however depending on who you ask, they all have there pros and cons. Just like many people, my wife and I are on a fairly tight budget and I don't mind doing some of the work myself if it could save me some money.

I am not looking at anything complicated. Something roughly 16'x36' and would like to have a diving board. I don't really need fancy landscaping or a water feature. I already have a fence. I might put in a gas heater, but given the budget, that option might just have to wait another year or two. I guess I am looking to get the pool operational and put in the "nice to haves" later.

Also, it might be important to mention that I have 2 golden retrievers that might also be swimming in the pool in the future.

Any advice would really be appreciated.

If your dogs will be swimming, you might not want to have a vinyl liner. My sister used to have a vinyl pool and let her goldens swim and she was often patching holes. I also have goldens -- a 7 year old female and two female 7 week old puppies. Talk about cute!! But, my dogs don't get in my pool. They have a kiddie swimming pool that we fill up occasionally to splash around in when it is really hot.

On your heating issue, another option is to install some solar panels. Much cheaper than gas and they work great!

Welcome to the forum. Glad you found us!

If you go with Fiberglass, I liked my installer - Artistic Pools, south NJ. Great job and dogs shouldn't be a problem.

Check with your homeowners insurance company before adding a diving board. Only one "company" provides homeowners where I live and they said they flat out will not insure me if I have a diving board.