Fiberglass pools
A factory-built shell, set by crane and finished on site. Smooth to the touch, quick to build, easy to care for.
How we build it
A fiberglass pool is made in one piece at a factory, trucked to your street and lowered into place by crane. Because the shell arrives finished, the build is far shorter than gunite: most of our fiberglass pools are swimmable 4 to 7 weeks after the permit.
The trade-off is choice. Shells come in set shapes and sizes, and highway rules cap the width at about 16 feet. We carry a range of models and will tell you honestly if your yard or wish list needs gunite instead.
A good fit when
- Families who want to swim this season, not next
- Owners who want lower upkeep: the gelcoat surface resists algae
- Standard rectangular or gently curved designs up to about 16 x 40 ft
- Yards with crane access from the street or over the house
What is included
Every item below is a line in your written contract.
- Shell selection at our studio, with shell samples you can touch
- Site plan, permit drawings and crane planning
- Excavation, gravel base, plumbing and backfill
- Crane set and leveling, by our own crew
- Concrete bond beam, coping and a concrete deck to the contract size
- Variable-speed pump, filter, salt system and app control
- Permits, inspections, barrier plan, start-up and pool school
Drawn to scale for your family
The pool in section
Depth decides how a pool gets used: lounging, games, laps or jumping in. We draw it before we dig, so everyone agrees where the shallow end ends.
What it costs
Real ranges from our recent Austin-area projects. Your proposal turns them into one written number.
- Mid-size shell, installed $58,000–$78,000 About 13 x 27 ft with concrete deck and standard equipment
- Large shell, installed $72,000–$95,000 About 16 x 40 ft, the widest a shell can travel by road
- Plunge or cocktail pool $45,000–$60,000 About 8 x 16 ft, often with jets and a heater
- Tile line and paver coping +$5,000–$10,000 Dresses up the edge of the shell
- Crane over the house +$1,500–$4,000 When the shell cannot come in from the side
Shell prices change with the factory and freight. We lock the shell price at signing. Rock, slope and tight access are priced the same way as for gunite, in writing.
Questions about fiberglass
Will a fiberglass pool float or pop out?
A properly set shell sits on a compacted gravel base with backfill and a concrete bond beam. The risk comes from draining a shell when groundwater is high. We show you how to drain safely and ask you to call us first.
Can I add a spa to a fiberglass pool?
Yes. Many models have a matching spa shell, or we build a raised gunite spa next to the pool. Ask about it at your consult.
Does the color fade?
Modern gelcoats hold color well. Strong sun and poor water chemistry can dull them over many years. Keeping the water balanced is the best care.
Often built together
- Gunite poolsMost finished projects $75,000 to $160,000
- Pool design and 3DDesign consult free; 3D package $950, credited when you build
- Spas and hot tubsAttached spas $18,000 to $32,000
- Pool remodelingRefinishes from $9,000; full remodels $35,000 to $85,000
- Outdoor livingPergolas from $12,000; kitchens from $18,000
Ready to talk about your fiberglass pool?
Book a free design consult. We measure, track the sun and give you an honest first range in writing within a week.
Sunpath Pool Studio
Prefer to talk? (512) 555-0143