Even with all the beautiful waterways we have here on Amelia Island, homeowners still want the privacy that having their own swimming pool provides. There are more good reasons to take the pool-ownership plunge: A pool can add value and visual appeal to a home, offer an easily accessible place to get a safe workout, and provide a perfect spot for entertaining friends and family. Most of all, swimming pools are just good, clean fun.

Whether you’re just starting your research or are shopping for a pool builder, there’s one important question to consider: How much does it cost to build an inground pool? Since there’s more than one answer, let’s take a look at the variables that factor into building an inground pool.

Types of Pools for Luxury Homes

You can choose from four main types of inground swimming pools. Here’s a quick overview of each kind and a few of the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Concrete

Although there are some excellent alternatives on the market today, concrete pools are the most popular. If you’re shopping for a luxury home, this is the type of swimming pool you’ll see at a high-end property.

One of the most attractive features of concrete pools is that there are almost no limits on their size or shape. You can have a modern rectangular design of any size, a narrow lap pool that spans your entire lot, a small cocktail pool, or a freeform pool that wraps around and through your landscape. You can also incorporate all types of custom features, such as tanning ledges or beach entries.

The pluses often outweigh the minuses for those who have their hearts set on concrete pools, but it’s important to consider these aspects:

• Concrete, even when it’s covered with a plaster finish, is porous, so it’s vulnerable to algae growth. Regular maintenance—at least on a weekly basis—is needed to keep algae in check.
• The water chemistry of a concrete pool needs to be monitored and adjusted frequently. Keeping the pH of pool water in an acceptable range requires regular doses of acid since alkaline-based concrete pushes pH up over time.
• There are more choices than ever for concrete pool finishes, but the surface can still be a bit rough.
• The construction process for concrete pools can take several months. If you choose to work with a very popular pool builder or have a lot of weather delays, it may take six months or more from start to finish.
• Concrete pools cost more. Although prices vary around the country, you can expect to spend at least $50,000 for a modestly sized pool with basic features. For a pool with elaborate design features or add-ons, such as a heater, you’ll need to budget well over $100,000. 

Vinyl

Vinyl pools are becoming more popular, thanks to being more affordable than concrete or fiberglass pools. Installation of a vinyl pool may run you from around $35,000 to $65,000 for a rectangular shape, which is the most common for this type of pool. Another advantage over concrete pools is that vinyl pools can be installed much more quickly.

The main disadvantage of vinyl pools is that their liners won’t last forever and will need to be replaced every five to 10 years. Liner replacement can cost a few thousand dollars when you factor in the expense of labor, water to refill the pool, and the liner itself. If you do decide to go with vinyl, make sure you understand all the details of the warranty and what it does and doesn’t cover. Vinyl pools can have algae problems along their seams or around the ladder but usually not as extensively as concrete pools.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass pools have non-porous, smooth surfaces, so there’s little chance for algae growth. The surfaces are also inert, which means they don’t constantly affect the pH of the water as concrete pools do. Over time, you’ll spend less on maintaining a fiberglass pool.

These types of pools are also the simplest and fastest to install. The shell is made at the manufacturer, then delivered in one piece to your property. That means you could be swimming in just a few days once your delivery is scheduled. Fiberglass is durable, so your pool will last for many years with no need to replace a liner or refinish it.

A downside is that fiberglass pools come at a higher price than vinyl, costing around $50,000 to $80,000. You also won’t have the option of a custom size, depth, or shape and will be limited to the selection that the seller offers. Keep in mind, too, that fiberglass pools may need to be installed with a crane that lowers them into place, so your property will have to be accessible to a crane and not have utility lines overhead.

Additional Pool Costs to Consider

A swimming pool can come with more costs than just the pool itself. If you’re going to the trouble and expense of adding a brand-new pool to your property, you’ll probably also want the grounds around it to be well-landscaped to show off your new home improvement project.

Depending on your local building codes, you’ll need to comply with safety regulations, such as fencing, child-proof locks, and alarms. You’ll also need to be aware of the price differences among the choices for the pool deck that will surround your pool, such as pavers, tile, or poured concrete.

Lastly, you’ll need to consider the cost of an ongoing pool-cleaning service unless you plan to take on that chore yourself.

Browse Our Amelia Island Luxury Homes for Sale

If your island lifestyle dream includes a luxury home with a swimming pool (or room for one), our agents can help make it come true. We have dozens of homes, villas, and homesites for sale on Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach and look forward to helping you find your perfect fit.

You can browse our luxury properties now or make an appointment with one of our experienced agents. We want to hear your vision for your home and bring it to life with a home or homesite with views of the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, or a golf course amid the verdant maritime forest and coastal dunes that make our corner of northeast Florida so unique.
Please call us at 904-277-5980 or get in touch with us online today.