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Unfortunately, pool costs are VERY variable across the country. Ft. Lauderdale equipment wholesale is almost certainly lower than the wholesale on the same equipment in Raleigh. Concrete pool prices are much lower in Ft L, too, but you can't import their whole pool building market.

Because costs are so variable, you need to be careful in evaluating advice you receive here. There are a lot of people using PoolForum, but only a fraction of them post, and they are widely scattered. Good advice for Texas, may not be good advice for you.

I will caution you about going with the lowest priced builder. In my own market, I wouldn't send the 3 lowest priced builders to anyone but an enemy! The builders that consistently do a good job will be anywhere from 10% to 50% more expensive than the others . . . and a LOT Of that price difference is the builder's cost: there are a LOT of ways to cut corners on pools. And those cut corners mostly won't show up for for 3 years or more.

Just to give one example that I've personally worked with: it costs 10% - 20% more to do a concrete deck right, than it does to do it cheap. Ironically, the cheap deck may look BETTER the first season, because it's easier to finish excessively wet concrete. But, the first freezing wet spell will 'pop' tiny pinholes and flakes off, allowing more water into the concrete. After a few years, you end up with a flaking mess, like this:



You'll be much better off going with a good builder, and selecting a cheaper pool, than if you go with a low-price builder so you can afford a bigger or more elaborate one.

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