Pool comparisons

Fiberglass vs concrete. Concrete wins on shape freedom and structural longevity. Fiberglass wins on price and, decisively, on running cost — a ten-year gap of roughly $12,000 to $35,000 based on This Old House's figures. If you do not need a custom shape, that gap is hard to argue with.

Vinyl vs fiberglass. Vinyl is cheapest to build at $130–$240 per square foot but you buy a liner again every 5 to 15 years at $3,000–$7,500, per Thursday Pools, and ten-year upkeep is $11,000–$17,000 versus $5,000–$15,000 for fiberglass. Over a long ownership the two often converge.

Inground vs above-ground. Above-ground is dramatically cheaper up front and can be removed. It also, per Opendoor, rarely adds appraised value and is often treated as personal property. Note that CPSC's barrier guidance still applies: the ladder or steps must be securable, lockable or removable, or the access surrounded by a barrier.

Heating. Thursday Pools puts standard heaters at $1,200–$6,000 and solar or heat-pump systems at $2,000–$6,500. Heating is also the main reason a cold-climate pool costs more to run than a warm-climate one.

How to choose

Compare over ten years, not at signing

Every honest pool comparison is a total-cost comparison. Build price plus a decade of upkeep is the only fair basis.

Let your lot break ties

Access for a crane and a one-piece shell, soil type and water table can make one material impractical regardless of price. Have builders assess the site before quoting.

Ask what happens at year 12

Vinyl needs a liner, concrete needs resurfacing, fiberglass needs neither on a fixed schedule. Know which bill is coming.

Do not compare a bare quote to a complete one

Decking, fencing, electrical and permits can add tens of thousands. Normalize the scope before you rank bids.