Most people researching concrete pool costs are looking at one number: what a custom gunite or shotcrete pool will run them. And that number is real, somewhere between $50,000 and $120,000 for the pool itself, often $80,000 to $150,000+ by the time the project is done.
But there's a second type of concrete pool that doesn't get nearly as much attention in the US: precast. Manufactured in a factory, delivered on a truck, craned into your backyard in a single day. Same material. Same durability. Very different price and process.
Here's how both options break down so you can figure out which one makes sense for your project.
One important note before we get into the numbers: concrete pool pricing can vary by region.
|
Custom Concrete (Gunite/Shotcrete) |
Precast Concrete |
|
|
Pool shell |
$50,000 - $120,000+ |
$20,000 - $35,000 |
|
Total project cost (installed with fencing, equipment, decking) |
$80,000 - $150,000+ |
$40,000 - $54,000+ |
|
Build time |
6 - 16 weeks on-site |
Pool craned in within a day; full project around 2 weeks |
|
Design flexibility |
Fully custom shapes, sizes, depths |
Fixed sizes; in-ground, above-ground, or semi-recessed |
|
Interior finish |
Plaster, pebble, tile, or glass bead |
Factory-applied ecoFinish or raw concrete for on-site tiling |
|
Resurfacing |
Every 10 - 15 years ($8,000 - $10,000) |
Factory-applied finish; lower long-term maintenance |
|
Warranty |
Varies by builder |
Typically 10 year structural warranty |
These ranges reflect national averages and will shift depending on your region, property, pool size, and the finishes and features you choose. In some markets, the gap between custom and precast narrows considerably.
A custom concrete inground pool is built entirely on your property. The builder excavates, sets steel reinforcement, sprays gunite or shotcrete to form the shell, waits for it to cure (typically 28 days), then applies the interior finish and connects equipment. It's labour-intensive, and the price reflects that.
A 12' x 24' rectangular pool and a 20' x 40' freeform design with an integrated spa aren't even in the same pricing conversation. The difference can be $40,000 to $60,000 or more.
Every additional foot of length adds to the materials, excavation, steel reinforcement, and labor required. Once a pool reaches a certain size, the engineering requirements step up significantly, and the cost curve steepens rather than climbing gradually. Curved walls, infinity edges, tanning ledges, and built-in spas all require custom formwork, which means more time, more materials, and a longer crew presence on your property.
A flat lot with good access and stable soil is the most straightforward (and cheapest) scenario. These factors can push the price higher:
The finish determines how the water looks and how the pool surface feels. For custom concrete, the main options are:
Every inground swimming pool needs a pump, filter, and sanitizer at minimum. A basic setup costs $3,000 to $5,000. Variable speed pumps, automation systems, and salt chlorinators push that toward $7,000 to $12,000+.
Pool heating is separate. Heat pumps typically cost $3,000 to $6,000 for the unit plus installation. Gas heaters are another option, particularly in colder climates where faster heat-up times matter. Solar heating works well in southern states but is less effective in the northeast and midwest.
A precast concrete pool is manufactured off-site in a controlled factory environment. The shell is poured into a mold, cured under ideal conditions, finished, and then delivered to your property and craned into position. The on-site work is limited to excavation (or base preparation for above-ground installations), crane hire, plumbing, backfill, and connecting equipment.
Because so much of the build happens in the factory, the cost structure looks different.
Precast pools come in fixed sizes, which makes pricing more predictable. You're choosing from a set range rather than pricing a custom design. We, for example, offer four models in the US:
Because dimensions are fixed, you know the price before you commit. No mid-build scope creep, no "we hit rock" surprises that double the excavation cost.
Site conditions still matter for precast, but the impact is usually smaller. You're not excavating as deep or as wide, and you're not pouring concrete on-site, so the build is less sensitive to weather, soil type, and access issues.
Crane access is the one area where precast costs can vary. If the truck can position the pool directly from the street, that's standard pricing. If the pool needs to be lifted over a house or there's limited street access, a larger crane may be needed, adding $3,000 to $10,000 to the project.
Most precast concrete pools come with the interior finish already applied in the factory. We use ecoFinish, a high-performance coating available in six colors, included as standard. If you prefer a custom tile look, you can order the shell with a raw concrete interior and have it tiled on-site after installation.
The same equipment options apply to both pool types. Precast pool suppliers often offer equipment packages at set prices, which simplifies budgeting. We offer three tiers: a Base package to get swimming, an ECO package with a variable speed pump, and a Smart ECO package with wifi connectivity and automated chlorination.
If you're comparing all your inground pool options, here's how the four main types stack up on cost and key characteristics:
|
Custom Concrete |
Precast Concrete |
Fiberglass |
Vinyl Liner |
|
|
Installed cost |
$80,000 - $150,000+ |
$40,000 - $75,000 |
$45,000 - $100,000 |
$35,000 - $80,000 |
|
Build time |
6 - 16 weeks |
~2 weeks |
2 - 4 weeks |
2 - 3 weeks |
|
Lifespan |
50+ years |
50+ years |
25 - 30 years |
20+ years (liner replaced every 7-10 years) |
|
Design flexibility |
Fully custom |
Fixed sizes, flexible install |
Pre-set molds |
Custom shapes via frame |
|
Long-term maintenance |
Highest (resurfacing, acid wash) |
Moderate |
Lowest |
Moderate (liner replacement) |
|
Durability |
Highest |
Highest (same material) |
High |
Moderate |
Custom concrete gives you total freedom but costs the most and takes the longest. Fiberglass pools install faster and require less maintenance but limit you to pre-manufactured shapes. Vinyl liner pools are the most affordable upfront but have the highest long-term replacement costs. Precast concrete offers the durability and look of concrete at a lower price point, with a faster installation than any custom build.
Whether you go custom or precast, there are project costs that sit outside the pool shell itself. These are often left out of the initial price you see advertised.
The area around the pool is where a big chunk of the budget goes. Plan for:
Pool fencing is required in most municipalities. It's almost never included in a pool builder's base price.
Most cities require a building permit for inground pool installation. Permit fees typically range from $450 to $1,800, depending on your location and the scope of the project. Some municipalities also charge for inspections at various stages of construction.
A licensed electrician is required to connect pool equipment (pump, filter, lights, heating). Budget $1,500 to $4,000+ depending on how far the equipment pad is from your electrical panel.
The installation price is the big number, but pool ownership has ongoing costs too:
Smaller pools cost less to run across the board because there's less water to heat, treat, and filter.
Custom concrete makes sense if you want a completely bespoke shape or size, need a pool longer than 20 feet, want an integrated spa or water features like waterfalls and deck jets, or have a specific design vision that only a fully custom build can deliver. You'll pay more and wait longer, but you get total design freedom. In some regions, custom concrete pricing is more competitive than the national averages suggest (it's worth getting local quotes to see where your market sits).
Precast concrete makes sense if you want the durability and premium look of a concrete pool at a lower total cost, you value a faster and more predictable build process, or your backyard suits one of the available sizes. You trade custom shapes for certainty on price, timeline, and quality.
Fiberglass makes sense if low maintenance is your top priority, you're happy with pre-set shapes, and you want a middle-ground option on both price and installation time.
Vinyl liner makes sense if you're working with a tighter budget and are comfortable with the ongoing cost of liner replacement every 7 to 10 years.
A custom concrete (gunite or shotcrete) pool typically costs $50,000 to $120,000 for the shell and basic installation, with total project costs (including fencing, decking, and equipment) often reaching $80,000 to $150,000+. Precast concrete pools have a lower total project cost, typically $40,000 to $75,000 fully installed.
Custom concrete pools take 6 to 16 weeks on-site, including the 28-day curing period for the concrete shell. Precast concrete pools are manufactured off-site and craned into position in a single day, with the full installation typically wrapped up in around two weeks.
Both are methods of applying concrete to form a pool shell on-site. Gunite uses a dry mix that's combined with water at the nozzle, while shotcrete uses a pre-mixed wet concrete. The end result is similar in terms of strength and durability. Most pool builders specialize in one method or the other based on regional preference.
The most common surprises are rock excavation, retaining walls on sloped lots, electrical connections, and landscaping. Always ask your pool builder for an itemized quote and budget an extra 10% to 15% as a contingency.
Yes. Precast concrete pools can be installed in-ground, semi-recessed, or fully above ground. This gives you more flexibility on sites where excavation is difficult or expensive. Above-ground installations with wood or stone cladding can become a design feature in their own right.
If you're weighing up your options, comparing our four pool models is a good starting point for precast pricing. For custom builds, get at least three itemized quotes from local pool builders and make sure each one includes everything beyond the shell: excavation, fencing, equipment, decking, and permits.
The right pool for your home is the one that fits your property, your lifestyle, and your budget, without a final bill full of surprises.