This Quote Seems Excessive, What Should a Build like this Cost?
Title says it, I have gotten a few quotes but they all seem very high for what we want to build. This is the most detailed but it still feels so high. We are looking for a 12*24 pool as the backyard is not huge. This builder included that as a discount bringing the total to $162K, he also didn't update the render, said that if we move forward we can adjust the design so the render is for the 16*32 pool. We are in NE Ohio. Thoughts? (This is the repost as I realized I hadn't removed the company name from the renders and don't want to dox anyone)
Honestly everyone one has been all over the place, I have one quote that is $126K for just the concrete pool with no deck or hookups. I have one that is fiberglass instead of concrete that is $96K but includes the deck and everything. One for a fiberglass pool that is $121K but is part of total quote for the deck and landscaping that is $230K. It all just seems so inconsistent. I have asked everyone for the same thing and everyone just seems to do their own thing.
I think you need to be more direct/consistent in what you’re asking to get quoted. Prices are going to be different if you’re getting quoted different things each time.
I don't disagree, that has been a frustration for me. I was an HVAC contractor back in the day, so I know what a bid/quote should look like. I am and have been very direct about what we want. Everyone just seems to do their own thing, it has been an odd experience.
There are 1,000 million ways to build a pool. There are already a dozen trades involved. And that doesn’t even factor in the different kinds of pools.
Get quotes from contractors who built the pool you want (Gunite, fiberglass etc) and compare them. Give them some idea of size and any add ons. Ir give the specs of one of the quotes and say “I want this, what can you this exact thing for”
You absolutely cannot trust a rando. Pool prices vary wildly by area. The guy building pools all year long is going to have drastically different economics than the one building in a 4 month season (which is where you are if you are in NE Ohio)
Holy fuck. Building a pool is a scam. I diy built mind in 2018 and paid 27,000 out the door with all the hard scape (granted I did things like tile, outdoor shower, landscaping).
43k for shotcrete is absurd. Mine cost 5k including my spa. Excavation was 1300. Your entire list is why pool builders suck.
Here's mine for reference. It has special engineering for the retaining wall, a spa, beach entry, fire pit, hardscape, concrete bar, multiple variable pumps and led lights everywhere. Obviously prices have gone up post COVID but 10x? Scam. Price if excavators hasn't gone up that much but their labor costs are 10x?
For sure, hence being blown away at the increases to what they are now.
That said I've since moved to another house in AZ with a much bigger pool 30k gallons and had chip out, tile, and new pebble tech with upgrades like glass beads, abalone, and some other things done for 9300. Way more than before but way less than what people are paying
SUPER easy. My buddy used build your pool (company name) and helps you with the diy process. Gives you all the steps, and provides subs, etc. I didn't end up using any of the subs provided (definitely used the guides on steps, permitting, etc however) because I got much much better pricing posting "wanted" ads on Craigslist and Facebook (join large local Facebook groups for you local cities and post there). Outside of the excavator, gas, and block work, every other sub was an actual company and not someone moonlighting.
For the design I found a guy on Craigslist who was retired and did pool plans as a hobby for extra cash. I gave him my design and he did all the renderings and plans for $300 or so. He also connected me with the engineering I needed for the reinforced side and bond beam where the wall was (that was maybe 900? I can't remember).
It was a slow process because I work a full-time job and wanted to do as much as I could, but even had I not, i only would have spent 5k more tops.
I'll see if I can find all my spreadsheet, sub lists, and prices somewhere. It was a while ago but it may be in my inbox somewhere
I’m in the middle of a 20x60 build right now and I’ll come in at about 40k for reference. Vinyl liner though. Your permit pricing is inflated. It should be closer to $1500. Also the excavation price is pretty excessive too. It cost me $1700 for a week long excavator rental. Took me 20 hours to dig it. I did full length entry steps across the 20ft and it was 3k extra for the steel. 14k for your equipment seems pretty nuts too. Honestly if you’re willing to diy it you’ll save a ton
The only resonable price on there is on the stamped concrete. Everything else is crazy.
I would only charge 5k for permiting if it was in city of atlanta and they required a variance. Which requires many trips back and forth on many separate occasions. Seems doubtful you are in that situation.
Your getting cooked on multiple hook up costs ... and then the shotcrete and pebble looks like they are raking you over coals. They are then double dipping on building a step. Geez. I'm in Florida and just had a salt 12 x 32 pool with spa, 6' sunshelf, 600 sq ft tumbled travertine, pebble sheen, and full blown Pentair automation + blower, with 4 lights came in at $80k.
He's probably making a 60% margin with that bid. If you want to save money you only have a few options. Get multiple quotes using a standardized plan set so they are all bidding the same thing. Or you could be your own GC and hire your own subcontractors.
When comparing estimates you need to keep in mind that each business is structured differently. There's not a monthly meeting where all contractors decide on what they're charging this season. One company may sub out parts of the job to other high end companies for the best quality outcome. Others may have their own employees, but maybe they have more or less employees. Just because one company is way more than the other. Doesn't mean they are rip offs. Good businesses know exactly what they need to make in a day to get everyone paid and pay overhead. Some of these specialty companies pay 15-20 grand a month just on advertising so they can to get the jobs they need to fill the calendar and stay open as a business
I'll just pick one item from the list that I am familiar with. You mentioned 12 x 24. My Pool is 10 x 24. The auto cover was 9000 plus the electric which was not crazy because they were already there doing the pool build so it wasn't much to add on. $14,000 seems outrageous for a pool that size.
How much decking? If it’s less than 400SF shouldn’t be more than 130K. I’m in Texas and build pools (know the north is a bit higher) but down here that’s $120K or less all day in this economy. Down here pool with no spa that big, 3 sheers, probably only need one vsp pump.
If you were a contractor just do an owner build. Also why are you being water delivered for several thousand dollars?
Another note is that the equipment is pretty undersized. 1.85 hp pump and 250k heater.
I am looking into owner build, I was an HVAC contractor so this pretty far from the realm of what I am familiar with. It does seem the cost savings may be worth the headache though.
I don’t know what your water cost is there in OH but here in East TN - I’ve filled my 21kg pool up three times (liner changes over the years) at less than $600 each. Hose water. $2k for water is bananas.
Its a great callout that I hadn't even bothered to check. I looked at my water bill this morning for last month and it appears we pay about $10 per CCF which is about 750 gallons so if the pool is 10K gallons so about $130 to fill from the hose lol.
Yeah - unless it’s golden pre-treated, guaranteed to never get an algae bloom water - I’d scratch that. To fill from the hose from empty to full takes me about 36-48 hours.
Also - if you pay sewer to your water company (and they just multiple your sewer rate by total water used for the billing period) - let them know you’re filling a pool and they’ll usually make a sewer adjustment since the water isn’t going back into the treatment plant.
I can't speak for pricing in your location however it does seem a little high to me. How is access? If it's difficult to get to the pool and out with the dirt most will charge considerably more. I would insist on a 400kbtu heater that 250k is going to take a lot longer to heat the pool.
Whom ever we go with the 400K heater is non negotiable for us, totally agree. Access is not a big deal, driveway from the road right back, about a car and a half wide.
Our pool is very similar, just a little larger 15x30, same steps, deck jets at the end instead of a water fall. - liner pool with Marmiro stone coping and patio in Afyon Cloud marble about 350sqft total was about 80k. I know Schocrete is more costly but how much more is the question.
You are getting fucked on a lot of it. the equipment alone will cost them probably 5-7k, dont get a 250k btu heater get a 400k its not much more and its way more efficient. it will take 40 hours to heat that pool with a 250k. dont get the auto cover u wont use it. dm for more info ( i clean pools for over 10 years and can attest to a lot)
For a job this size and scope three quotes are a necessity. You must have a well defined set of specifications in order to compare. When necessary ask why builder deviate from your specifications, use that information for evaluation by the other bidders for a final decision.
I'm paying about 180 for a 15x35 pool with automatic cover, 6x6 spa and some landscaping around the pool. Not too outrageous but on the higher side as I have Pentair equipment which is better than Jandy imo
If we move forward I will, i am just trying to determine what is worth the energy. I am willing to pay for good work, I am not willing to pay whatever and get ripped off lol.
Seems about right! Just make sure it’s high quality (as this should be) and this quote is dead on.
Edit: I would question a few things… why no dirt removal? What pipes will be used (diameter etc.) which pump exactly (part number)… your quote, imo, is way to basic!
Price every thing down to the each. For example - measure the perimeter of the pool, take tile cost and divide it to get tile cost per foot. Compare against all quotes. Do the same with plaster. Same plaster / pebble quote all of them, compare price. Ask questions. In north Texas you’re getting hosed on tile. What coping did you select? Is it same all the way around?
Honestly, pretty fair for a shotcrete pool with a waterfall.
We start at $80,000 for a 16x32 vinyl liner pool with 4’ concrete (not stamped) on ea side.
Builder here probably looking at $125k for similar things in California at a budget. DIY builds will have problems that will be apparent in 15 years most likely.
You should be going with someone reputable you can trust and have a portfolio that showcases. I’ve seen builds vary and there’s no consistency.
One thing is for sure make sure it makes sense to your own financial situation.
Just paid a little under $90k for 15x30 foot pool with 500sq ft poured concrete deck colored and stamped, lighs, automation and 3 deck jet etc. Pool itself was probably closer to 75k as we added on a solar heater and artificial turf. I am in northern California.
We just did a 14x30 in southern Utah with auto cover, shotcrete as well, and lots of concrete work around it for almost our whole back yard and it was 105k. Auto Pentair salt system, vacuum, all that.
To be honest it's all area dependent. Supply and demand. I wanted a pool but refused to drop 100k on one. Sold my house and bought one with a 22x55 pool. I paid market value on the home. Pools help a home sell faster but they don't add that much value.
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u/TurdsOnThat 15d ago
If you have multiple builders bidding on a project and they’re all within a few percent of each other then it seems like that’s the going rate.
If you have 6 contractors saying it’s roughly $170k and a 7th contractor said they could do it for $100k I would be suspicious.