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—Building a new pool

What drives the cost of building a pool

Pools of identical size can end up priced far apart. The difference is in the decisions behind them, and most are yours to make.

The price of a pool reflects the work and materials it needs. Size and depth set the volume of excavation and concrete. Shape affects formwork and finishing time. Access decides whether machinery can be used. Ground conditions found during excavation may add work. Finishes vary widely, from plaster to glass mosaic, and so do coping and deck materials.

Construction guides follow a new pool from the first idea to the first swim, so each stage is easier to plan and to question.

Features add more: infinity edges with their catch basins, spas, water features and extra lighting. Equipment choices — variable-speed pumps, automation, salt chlorination, heating and cooling — add to the installation but may change running costs. Asking for quotes itemised by these elements makes it easier to see where the money goes and where there is room to adjust.

01Summary

What matters most here

  • Size is only the start

    Shape, access and finishes can matter as much as dimensions.

  • Features add stages

    Infinity edges, spas and water features each bring extra work.

  • Equipment has two costs

    What it costs to install and what it costs to run.

02Detail

The main factors

  • Excavation and access

    Machine digging with good access is simpler than hand digging through a narrow gate.

  • Shell and structure

    Depth, shape and ground conditions set the amount of steel and concrete.

  • Interior and surround

    Plaster, tile and glass mosaic differ widely; so do coping and deck materials.

  • Equipment

    Pumps, filtration, chlorination, lighting and automation.

  • Temperature control

    Heating, cooling or a combined heat and cool unit, plus the power supply it needs.

03Before you start

When comparing quotes

  • Ask for itemised prices

    Shell, finishes, equipment and features separately.

  • Check what is excluded

    Approvals, landscaping, electrics and spoil removal are common exclusions.

  • Compare equipment specifications

    Not just the total price.

—In practice

How to use this

List your decisions in order of their effect on cost: size and depth, shape, access, finishes, coping and deck, equipment and features. For each, ask designers to show a simpler and a more elaborate option, which makes the effect of every choice visible. Compare proposals on the same specification, and ask what each assumes about ground conditions, spoil removal and access.

Mistakes worth avoiding

Comparing totals instead of contents
Two prices may cover different finishes, equipment and exclusions. Comparing line by line shows what each total actually buys.
Saving on what cannot be changed later
Structure, waterproofing and pipework are hard to upgrade once built. Economise on finishes and features, which can be changed later.

04FAQ

Common questions about this

Is a smaller pool always cheaper?
Generally, but a small pool with complex features or difficult access can cost more than a larger simple one.
Do finishes change the price much?
Yes. Interior finishes, coping and decking vary considerably in material and labour.
Does a heat and cool unit add a lot?
It adds equipment, installation and electrical work, and running costs depend on how it is used.
Why do quotes differ so much?
They often include different scopes and equipment. An itemised comparison usually explains the gap.

05Read next

More pool guides on this

Filed under new pool construction. Every pool guide is listed on the pool guides page.

—NEXT

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