Swimming Pools

You've decided you want a pool....


.....here's what you need to know first.

Swimming pools are a symbol of the American Dream. Our desire to pursue this dream is fueled by visions of the children laughing, splashing and having fun or the tranquility of floating in the calming water. No wonder everyone dreams of having this constant source of recreation right in their own backyard. Most people don't have any idea about how to go about getting one installed. The following information was designed to answer the most common questions we are asked by people just beginning to investigate the possibility of installing a pool in their own backyard.

Types of Inground Pools and Costs
The first thing to decide is which type of inground pool will best meet your needs. There are three types of pools to choose from vinyl, fiberglass, and gunite. Each type has its pros and cons but the bottom line is that they are all FUN! Although we only install inground fiberglass and vinyl lined pools at this time, we are happy to provide you with the name of a reputable gunite pool builder in the Puget Sound area.

Vinyl-lined Inground Pools have a rigid polymer or steel wall, a sand or vermiculite floor, and are lined with vinyl. These pools are durable, easy to take care of, and beautiful. Liners are available in a wide variety of patterns and are available in several different shapes and sizes. The price of a basic vinyl lined pool typically starts around $35,000 - $40,000.

Fiberglass Pools are large fabricated units that are placed in the excavated area and plumbed. We looked long and hard before choosing an inground fiberglass pool to install. After much research, we have found a fiberglass manufacturer that meets our standards of quality. These pools usually start around $35,000 - $40,000.

Gunite or Plaster Pools have a rebar framework that is covered with shotcrete with a final layer of plaster to provide a smooth finish. Gunite pools typically start around $40,000 - $45,000. Gunite pools are more flexible in design and can be very elaborate. We have seen some residential gunite pools that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Your imagination and budget are the limiting factors when considering gunite.


We often hear people talk about being able to get a pool installed in Arizona or California at much lower prices. It's important to understand why this might be the case. It's actually very simple. The building season in Western Washington is fairly short, pools are less common but demand becomes very high during hot summer months, and there are very few qualified pool builders. When you limit the supply, have a demand that exceeds that supply AND throw in the fact that there are few ways to satisfy the demand--prices will be higher. Prices would naturally be lower in areas where there is a pool at almost every residence, the weather is great 12 months out of the year, and pool builders are a dime a dozen.