Fiberglass Pool Installation Costs: Understanding Your Options

Posted on March 17, 2025May 28, 2025 by kristin

If you are considering a fiberglass pool and are comparing costs, you may be interested in knowing that there are often options to meet different budgets. As the pool shell manufacturer, we do not sell our pools directly to the consumer; however, our vast network of independent dealers works directly with homeowners to meet their needs based on budget, aesthetics, and other factors. Like a new home build, fiberglass pool costs can vary significantly depending on where you live and the additional features you choose. From basic setups to more luxurious options with custom add-ons, let’s explore some fiberglass pool installation options your pool dealer may offer you.

Note: All cost estimates that follow are based on a medium-sized pool (around 14×35 feet). Many factors can affect your actual price, so it’s important to get written estimates from your pool dealer.

Basic Fiberglass Pool Installation

A Basic Installation is ideal for homeowners who do not need the pool installer to provide any landscaping. It covers the essentials to get your pool up and running but omits other features you may need to use the space. For example, you would be responsible for adding a deck around the pool area. You’ll likely be offered the following in this entry-level installation:

Fiberglass Pool Shell: a single one-piece structure
Handrail: a safety device for easy pool entry
Shipping: the pool shell is delivered by truck to your backyard
Pump and Filter System: the basic mechanicals needed to keep water clean and circulating
Building Permit: official government document giving the installer permission to build the pool on your property
Excavation and Backfill: digging the hole for the pool and filling the space left by the excavation with a material like gravel
Water Fill: water for the initial pool fill could come from a hose, water service truck, or fire hydrant
Rough Grading: leveling and smoothing the ground to establish the basic shape of the land
Basic Electrical Setup: for powering the pool equipment

Basic Installation Estimated Cost Range: $55,000 – $80,000

Your dealer’s costs for this package depend on many factors, including your location, the size of the pool shell, and specifics like excavation depth and soil makeup. However, if you’re looking for the essentials at a bare minimum, this package offers a budget-friendly entry point.

Turnkey Fiberglass Pool Installation

For homeowners wanting a more complete setup, a Turnkey Installation includes everything in the Basic Installation and more. It adds foundational elements to give the pool area a more polished, ready-to-use look. This installation type often includes:

All Basic Installation Features (listed above)
Maintenance and Cleaning Equipment
3-foot Concrete Decking around the pool perimeter
Additional Grading and Electrical Work for improved safety and appearance

Turnkey Installation Estimated Cost Range: $60,000 – $90,000

The concrete deck around the pool perimeter is a valuable addition, providing a neat boundary and space for poolside lounging. This turnkey package prepares your pool for immediate use with some amenities that enhance functionality and appearance.

Enhanced Installation with Add-Ons

Homeowners seeking a resort-like backyard experience may want to consider an Enhanced Installation with add-ons to elevate the aesthetics and functionality of their pool. This level of customization allows you to tailor the pool area to your tastes with features that add style and comfort. Some common add-ons and their typical costs include:

Waterline Pool Tiles: Adding decorative tiles along the waterline provides a luxury aesthetic. Tiles typically range between $2,500 and $7,500, depending on the tile style and pool size.
Water Features: Pool deck jets, costing between $500 to $1,200 each, create graceful arcs of water into the pool for a touch of elegance. Bubblers—small fountains placed on tanning ledges or beach entries—are around $1,000 each, adding a playful touch. Custom rock waterfalls bring the look and sounds of nature to your outdoor space and typically range from $2,000 to $8,800 or more.
Pool Heater: Extending your swimming season with a pool heater can be a worthwhile investment. Heater types include natural gas/propane, electric, heat pumps, and solar, typically ranging from $1,600 to $6,500.
Automatic Pool Covers: Pool covers offer safety, keep the water clear of debris, and help maintain water temperature. Automatic covers cost between $8,000 and $20,000 and add to your installation costs.
Landscaping: Enhancing the area around the pool with landscaping, like shrubs, pathways, or flower beds, helps your pool seamlessly blend with its natural surroundings. Professional landscaping around the pool typically costs between $3,000 and $5,000.

Estimated Cost Range for Enhanced Installation: $85,000 – $150,000 (or more)

With these add-ons, you’re investing in a more complete outdoor living space that offers luxury, convenience, and visual appeal.

Help Choosing Your Fiberglass Pool Installation

Your fiberglass pool installation balances your desired features and budget for your outdoor space. From a simple basic installation to a fully customized backyard oasis, fiberglass pools offer options that fit most budgets and styles. Your pool dealers may even tailor your package, allowing you to start with a simple design and upgrade as your budget allows. Schedule a consultation to start costing your pool project and get the pool of your dreams without hidden surprises!

Everything You Need To Know About Fiberglass Pool Installation

What is a Pre-Construction Meeting for Installing a Fiberglass Pool?

Posted on July 31, 2024May 28, 2025 by hannacol

A pre-construction meeting isn’t always a part of every pool dealers’ fiberglass pool installation process, but proactive and prepared homeowners should always advocate for one. This meeting typically involves the homeowners, the dealer’s sales and design teams, and the construction superintendent to help align expectations and ensure a smooth construction process from the very beginning. An effective pre-construction meeting should reflect your pool builders’ commitment to excellence, transparency, and meticulous planning and organization.

Why Do You Need a Pre-Construction Meeting?

1. Preparation and Clarity: A pre-construction meeting allows you to get answers to critical questions, preparing you for what’s to come as your yard undergoes a facelift. This meeting is a time-saver, enhancing efficiency and establishing effective communication throughout the project.

Dealers and homeowners can hash out essential details, such as whether builders should move a fence or determine the source of the initial water fill. Even if your pool builder handles multiple roles and responsibilities for your project, a meeting approximately ten days before beginning construction ensures everyone is on the same page regarding the contract, design, and construction process.

2. Comprehensive Planning: This pre-construction meeting ensures all necessary checks are complete. In the pool industry, there can sometimes be considerable gaps between things being said, assumed, and actually done. The pre-construction meeting addresses common issues by discussing details such as pool elevation, electrical box type, and landscaping decisions. A structured approach helps ensure attention to every detail and paves the way for a seamless construction process.

What to Expect in a Pre-Construction Meeting

A well-planned and efficiently run pre-construction meeting typically lasts 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the complexity of your pool project. Here’s what you can expect:

On-Site Walkthrough: The pool builder will walk the yard with you, marking landmark pool locations and noting any underground utilities to avoid during construction. This thorough walkthrough ensures the construction team clearly understands the yard’s layout and potential obstacles during the build.

Visual Aids and Models: The dealer may use visual aids such as 3D models, video walkthroughs, or custom concept art sketches to help homeowners better understand the project scope and outcome. These tools can illustrate the pool’s placement, landscaping, and additional lighting or water features.

Timeline and Milestones: Setting a clear timeline and defining milestones is another crucial aspect of the pre-construction meeting. Knowing key dates and timelines for excavation, pool delivery, and other installation milestones helps homeowners and builders stay organized and manage expectations.

Elevation Setting: A benchmark is set so you can visualize the finished elevation of your pool. This step is crucial for understanding how the pool will integrate with your backyard’s existing landscape and managing water flow and drainage.

Review of Local Regulations: Understanding and complying with local regulations and permits related to backyard renovations and construction is essential. Your pool builder should outline any necessary licenses, permits, and regulatory requirements, ensuring that your project meets all legal standards.

Rainfall and Drainage Discussion: There should be a discussion about managing rainfall in and around your pool and decking. Proper drainage is vital to prevent water damage and maintain the integrity of your entire pool area.

Dig-Day Preparation: Your dealer will prepare you for the big dig day, providing insights into what to expect as heavy machinery begins excavating. Understanding this phase helps manage expectations and reduces stress on the day of the dig.

Contract Review: The pre-construction meeting usually includes a final review of the project contract, clarifying what it contains and what responsibilities fall to the homeowner or other parties. This review helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures all parties understand their obligations and expectations clearly.

Post-Construction Expectations: Finally, early discussion of post-construction pool maintenance and care responsibilities helps ensure homeowners are ready to keep their new pool in top condition. Fiberglass pools are relatively lower maintenance than other pool types, but maintenance and water chemistry are still necessary to protect your investment for year-round safety and enduring enjoyment.

Contact a Thursday Pools Dealer

If your dealer doesn’t offer a pre-construction meeting, ask for one. A professional approach to your pool installation should begin with it. This proactive step ensures your pool installation is efficient and smooth, setting the stage for a beautifully finished pool. Reach out to connect with an independent Thursday Pools dealer in your area today.

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How Geography Can Impact Your Fiberglass Pool Installation

Posted on October 10, 2019June 16, 2025 by cargo

When you make a significant purchase, it’s nice to have reassurance it’s in the best position to last for a long time. You want to be sure builders have your house on a solid foundation. The same goes for your pool. Among other factors, it’s important to understand how geography can impact your inground pool installation. The soil types and conditions in your backyard may make the pool installer’s job a breeze—or a big challenge. For homeowners, that means your overall fiberglass pool installation costs and timelines may vary. Let’s “dig in” and explore some common soil issues your pool builders may encounter during excavation.

Rock

Rock is notorious for causing problems early in the installation process. Underground rock, such as limestone, is more prevalent in some areas and can impact your inground pool installation. Excavating rock often requires specialized equipment to break the stone into manageable pieces so workers can remove and haul it away. Many swimming pool installation contracts include a “rock clause,” so carefully read the agreement with your local builder. Rock clauses usually state that the homeowner must pay to remove rocks from the project site.

Clay

Soils with a substantial clay content are “expansive soils,” meaning they have a high capacity to absorb moisture and can swell or contract based on how much moisture is in the ground. Clay-rich soils often cause basement leaks or home foundation problems. Too much clay in the soil surrounding your pool may increase the likelihood of higher groundwater pressure under the pool shell, possibly causing significant damage.

Sand

If your soil is sandy, pool installers should amend the soil to include some sturdier fill dirt. Sand tends to shift, and shifting soil under your pool will not provide a sufficient support system. Sand that liquifies outside a pool can upset the balance between the water inside and outside the pool. The liquified sand is heavier and can cause a bulge. The installer can eliminate these problems by amending the soil and using the appropriate backfill material.

Groundwater

It’s critical that your builder accounts for the groundwater table in your area and drainage options in your yard. High water tables can create hydrostatic pressure in the earth around your pool. Builders may need to reroute downspouts or find other drainage solutions to move groundwater away from the shell while maintaining the water level within the pool to prevent damage.

Patented Solutions

Will soil type and ground conditions impact the style or design of the pool you have your heart set on? Fortunately for homeowners with less-than-ideal soil, it doesn’t have to be a limiting factor! Many innovations within the fiberglass pool industry can help anchor your pool to the earth and give you peace of mind that your pool will last for decades of priceless memories, such as Thursday Pools’ Geo-Anchoring Pool Wall® System and the Backfill Eliminator®.

The Geo-Anchoring Pool Wall® helps secure fiberglass pools during installation and protects the shell against groundwater pressure. The system is revolutionary for installers by providing a solution that prevents wall movement or bulging. Thursday Pools infuses a specially formulated geotextile material into the pool wall during manufacturing. During installation, this material is rolled out into the backfill and covered, thus anchoring the pool to the earth. As a result, the fiberglass pool walls will resist movement or bulging.

The Backfill Eliminator® is another innovative installation technology that works with the Geo-Anchoring Pool Wall® for pools with built-in tanning ledges. The Backfill Eliminator® encases the tanning ledge on the pool’s underside, permitting free groundwater flow and providing access to plumbing and wiring. Most importantly, the Backfill Eliminator® provides lifetime structural support to the tanning ledge and one continuous slope for excavation, making installation more convenient.

The Bottom Line

A local pool builder should be familiar with the soil types in your area and can give you a good idea of what you might be up against even before they begin to dig. Be sure to ask about any additional costs that might crop up once the builder has had a chance to assess your soil and incorporate those into your pool finance budget as contingencies, just in case. If your project is a more straightforward dig, you can use that money for fun items like ledge loungers or other add-ons such as a water feature or specialty lighting.

Learn more about the soil conditions in your region and discuss your design possibilities with a local expert. Connect with an independent dealer near you today.