Getting a pool quote can initially feel a little like opening a hospital bill. You brace yourself, scan the numbers, and then think, “Wait, what’s THAT charge for?” We’ve all been there with a medical bill that includes a fee for a blanket you didn’t even ask for. The good news? A pool quote doesn’t have to feel like that, as long as you know what to expect before you sign anything.

So, what is included in the pool quote? More importantly, what’s not? Aloha Pools and Spas does not want our pool owners to drown in bills. For over 57 years, we’ve prioritized keeping customers afloat when it comes to pricing- especially when unexpected costs come to the surface. We want you to swim through the process with your eyes wide open, not squinting through the murky, unclear waters of your pool quote.

You should always budget some money beyond your quote: this article tells you why.

What’s typically included in your pool quote

Your base quote usually covers the pool itself: excavation, the shell or liner, standard plumbing, filtration equipment, and the labor to install and start it up. If you want the full walkthrough of what construction day-to-day actually looks like, we’ve broken that down in our article on what happens during pool construction.

What’s NOT included in your pool quote

Accidentals

Sometimes, the ground has… other plans. Hitting rock during excavation, running into unexpectedly high water tables, or discovering unstable soil can come up once digging starts, and none of it is something we can see coming before the shovel hits the dirt. We call these accidentals, and while they don’t happen on every job, they can add cost when they do. The good news is we let you know as soon as we know, so you’re never left guessing.

Extra hauling

Every yard is different. A flat, open lot might need only a handful of dirt loads hauled away (and pretty much none for an above-ground), while a tighter or oddly shaped yard can require much more work to get materials in and dirt out. That hauling difference can affect your final cost, and we walk through it with you based on your specific yard.

Geographic differences

Where you live affects your pool quote more than you might think. A pool built in a packed neighborhood with multiple required permits and inspections turns into a completely different project than the same pool built on an open lot in the country. 

Ground conditions in the Mid-South vary widely. Tennessee and Mississippi backyards often have dense clay, which holds water and can slow excavation. In Illinois or Missouri, you’re more likely to encounter a higher water table- specifically near the river. This requires more pumping, more time, and sometimes more cost before the pool ever starts taking shape.

To learn more about how location and other factors affect your final number, check out this article on what actually drives pool prices.

What happens if we hit an unmarked line?

Before we start digging, we call the 811 service to have underground utility lines marked (required by law). But every once in a while, an unmarked line still turns up. Rural areas are most likely to have lines that aren’t marked correctly. When that happens, our first move isn’t to relocate the utility; it’s to repair it, then look at the project itself to see if we can work around it instead. It’s a safer, often simpler fix than digging into a utility relocation altogether.

Accessories and upgrades

Most homeowners end up wanting more than the basics their initial pool quote offers: upgraded ladders, lighting, covers, and other accessories that make a pool feel truly yours. Those upgrades aren’t included in the initial price. We’ve got a whole rundown of the options worth considering in our pool features article.

How much do I budget beyond my quote?

Typically, we recommend that you budget an additional 15% – 30% beyond your quote, depending on how much decking, landscaping, and accessory purchasing you plan to do.

Above-ground pool customers who don’t plan to add decking can stay near the lower end of these percentages, since digging is much more minimal.

We’re not your insurance company.

Fortunately, most pool companies won’t leave you with a bill three months later for something you had no idea was even on the table. That’s not how we’d want to be treated- so that’s not how we operate. Unlike healthcare or insurance, we tell you about unexpected issues as soon as we know about them ourselves. We want a buying process that’s honest and collaborative, never leaving you treading alone through mystery fees and surprise line items.

We’re not your insurance, and we’re definitely not hospital billing. We’re your fun makers, and we want your backyard to feel like a vacation you never have to pack for (your staycation, if you will). This starts with being as clear as the water we help you enjoy, and as fair as we can be.

Let’s talk numbers!

Ready to take the plunge? Reach out to an Aloha sales rep today. We’ll walk you through exactly what’s included, what might come up, and how to plan for it all before a single paper is even signed.

For even more information about pool costs, what to splurge on, and how to be a great pool owner, check out our Deep Dive Podcast on YouTube.