Building a pool is exciting until you start researching prices. One builder quotes $60,000. Another quotes $90,000. Then you hear about upgrades, excavation costs, and equipment packages that can push the total even higher.
If you’re trying to figure out inground pool cost, the wide range of prices online can feel overwhelming. The truth is that no two pools are exactly alike, which means pricing can vary significantly from one project to the next.
If you’re considering a new pool in the South Fort Worth area, understanding what affects cost can help you set realistic expectations, compare quotes more confidently, and make informed decisions about your investment.
How Much Does an Inground Pool Cost in Texas?
Most custom inground pools in Texas cost between $50,000 and $100,000, with larger pools and custom features pushing the price higher. That wide range isn’t because builders are being vague. It’s because no two pools are exactly alike.
A basic gunite pool with standard finishes and equipment costs much less than a custom pool with a spa, tanning ledge, upgraded finish, and automation system. Both are inground pools, but the difference in cost can be significant.
What Factors Affect Inground Pool Cost?
Several factors affect the cost of an inground pool. Some matter more than others, but they all influence the final price.
Size and Shape
This one seems obvious, but many homeowners underestimate how much size affects cost. Going from a 12×24 pool to a 16×32 pool doesn’t just add more water. It also increases excavation, steel, gunite, plaster, decking, and equipment requirements.
Shape matters too. Freeform pools with curves and custom details typically require more labor than a simple rectangular design.
That doesn’t mean bigger or more complex is wrong. It just means it’s important to understand how those choices affect your overall inground pool cost.
Pool Construction Material
The three most common pool types are gunite, vinyl liner, and fiberglass. Each comes with different costs, benefits, and long-term maintenance needs.
Vinyl liner pools usually have a lower upfront cost, but the liner will need replacement over time. Fiberglass pools install quickly but come in predetermined shapes and sizes. Gunite pools cost more initially, but they offer complete design flexibility and can last for decades with proper care.
Many North Texas homeowners choose gunite because it’s durable and can be customized to fit different yards and design goals.
Soil Conditions and Excavation Costs
Excavation costs depend heavily on what crews encounter underground. Clay soil, caliche, tree roots, and rock can all increase labor and equipment requirements.
That’s one reason a site visit is so important before receiving an accurate quote.
It’s also worth asking about soil stabilization. Some builders take steps to help reduce future shifting and cracking. In areas with expansive North Texas clay soil, that extra preparation can help protect your investment over the long term.
Pool Features and Upgrades
This is where many pools start to feel truly custom. It’s also where budgets often grow.
Some of the most popular upgrades include:
- Spa: One of the most requested additions. A spa can extend how often you use your backyard and add year-round enjoyment.
- Water Features: Waterfalls, deck jets, and bubblers add movement and atmosphere.
- Tanning Ledge: A shallow lounging area that’s popular with families and anyone who enjoys relaxing in the water.
- Fire Features: Fire bowls and fire pits help make outdoor spaces more enjoyable during cooler Texas evenings.
None of these features are required, but they’re worth considering early in the design process. Adding them later is usually more expensive.
Pool Decking and Coping
The area around the pool is easy to overlook during planning, but it can have a major impact on both appearance and cost.
Broom-finished concrete is usually the most budget-friendly option. Stamped concrete, travertine, and natural stone offer a more upgraded look at a higher price point.
Kool Deck is especially popular in North Texas because it stays cooler underfoot during the summer.
Coping, which is the material that caps the edge of the pool, comes in options like stone, tile, and brick. It’s one of the finishing details that helps define the overall look of the pool.
Pool Finish Options
Standard plaster is the most affordable finish and remains a popular choice. Aggregate finishes such as PebbleTec cost more. But they offer improved durability and a more distinctive appearance. Quartz finishes often fall somewhere in the middle.
The right choice depends on your budget, maintenance preferences, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
Pool Equipment
Pool equipment has a bigger impact on long-term ownership costs than many homeowners realize.
Variable-speed pumps are quieter, more energy efficient, and less expensive to operate than older single-speed models. Quality filtration systems can make maintenance easier, while automation systems simplify daily operation.
Premium equipment costs more upfront. But it can improve performance, reduce maintenance, and lower operating costs over time.
Why Inground Pool Quotes Are Hard to Compare
One frustrating part of shopping for a pool is comparing estimates. One builder’s $65,000 quote may include permits, equipment, and startup service. Another’s may not.
A lower number on paper isn’t always the better value.
Before accepting a proposal, ask questions like:
- Are permits included?
- What equipment brands and models are being installed?
- What does the warranty cover?
- Who handles warranty claims?
- Is startup service included?
Getting answers to each of these questions makes it much easier to compare builders fairly.
How to Finance an Inground Pool
Many homeowners think pool financing works like a mortgage. But several financing options are available, including unsecured loans that don’t require home equity.
If paying cash isn’t the right fit, it may be worth exploring monthly payment options. Spreading the cost over time can make a custom pool more attainable than many people expect.
Inground Pool Cost vs. Inground Pool Value
Price matters, but so does what you’re getting for that price.
A pool is a permanent addition to your property. The quality of the construction, soil preparation, equipment, materials, and workmanship can all affect how well it performs for years to come.
The cheapest quote isn’t always the wrong choice. But before signing a contract, it’s important to understand exactly what’s included and how the pool is being built.
Understanding Inground Pool Cost
Inground pool cost depends on much more than the size of the pool itself. Materials, features, equipment, finishes, and site conditions can all affect the final price. Understanding these factors can help you compare estimates, prioritize the features that matter most, and make informed decisions about your investment.
If you’re in Burleson, Godley, Granbury, Cleburne, Joshua, Benbrook, Crowley, Grandview, Weatherford, or anywhere else in the South Fort Worth area, Lemaster Custom Pools offers free design consultations with no deposit required to get started.
Call 817-389-2688 or schedule your free consultation online to discuss your project, your budget, and what a custom pool could look like in your backyard.
