Swimming Pool Buyer’s Guide
Pricing, Pool Types, Installation & FAQs
Our Commitment to Your Satisfaction
From Design to swim day, Aloha pools and Spas works tirelessly to bring you the best possible experience. We realize that communication is our biggest challenge and we work every day to get better at keeping you informed about your project and when plan to be there.
We’re dedicated to being honest about everything we say and do. We’ve added Project Managers to help ensure your project goes smoother and to help keep you informed of your product status. Once your pool is ready we will show you how to maintain your water, operate your equipment and protect your investment.
Your Complete Guide to Buying a Swimming Pool
Designing and building a swimming pool is one of the most exciting investments you can make in your home. Whether you’re exploring inground pools, looking for a more budget-friendly option like semi-inground or above ground pools, or trying to understand your long-term costs and maintenance, this page walks you through everything you need to know.
Using search trends, homeowner FAQs, and decades of experience, we’ve built this guide to help you understand pool types, pricing, timelines, features, maintenance, and more… so you can make the right decision for your family and your backyard.
Start With the Pool Cost Estimator
Aloha Pools USA Pool Cost Estimator
Choose Your Swimming Pool Type
INGROUND, SEMI-INGROUND & ABOVE GROUND POOLS EXPLAINED
Choosing the right pool type is the first major step in the buying journey. Each pool type offers unique benefits, costs, lifespans, and customization options. Below is a breakdown designed to help you compare your choices.
Inground Pools
Inground pools offer the highest level of customization and long-term durability, making them a permanent upgrade that enhances both lifestyle and property value. Built directly into the ground, they create a sleek, seamless look with endless design options. Homeowners choose inground pools for their flexibility, premium features, and lasting performance. You can select from gunite for full customization, fiberglass for smooth, low-maintenance comfort, or vinyl liners for adaptable shapes at a lower upfront cost.
Semi-Inground Pools
Semi-inground pools blend the strength of an inground build with the affordability of an above ground design, offering a versatile solution for many backyards. Their partially buried structure provides stability while allowing flexible placement, especially in yards with slopes or elevation challenges. These pools install faster than fully inground models and can be beautifully finished with decking, stonework, landscaping, or lighting. With customizable height and style options, they create a polished look at a more accessible price point.
Above Ground Pools
Above ground pools are the most budget-friendly and fastest to install, making them a popular choice for families who want a fun, refreshing backyard upgrade without extensive construction. They require minimal excavation, come in a wide range of sizes, and can often be fully set up within a day or two. Their modular design makes them easy to place, easy to maintain, and even possible to relocate. For homeowners seeking an affordable and flexible way to enjoy summer, above ground pools offer exceptional value.
How Much Does a Swimming Pool Cost?
Pool costs vary significantly based on the type of pool, size, soil conditions, labor costs, and features. Below is a general pricing overview to help guide your expectations. For the most accurate estimate, use the Pool Cost Estimator.
Inground pools offer the highest level of customization, which means their costs vary widely. Vinyl liner pools are the most affordable option, fiberglass pools fall in the mid-range with low maintenance needs, and gunite pools sit at the top due to their fully custom designs and premium finishes.
Semi-inground pools provide inground strength at a lower price point. Costs depend on the depth selected, wall height, liner pattern, steps or entry style, and how you choose to finish the space with decking or landscaping. They offer flexibility without the full expense of an inground build.
Above ground pools are the most budget-friendly choice and come in multiple sizes and materials to fit almost any backyard. Costs are influenced by the pool’s diameter, wall construction, liner type, and equipment package. They offer fast installation and excellent value.
Popular Pool Features & Upgrades
Custom features add personality, function, and beauty to your pool. Here are the most popular options.
Pool Slides
Pool slides are a fun, high-demand feature that families love, with options ranging from smooth curves to dramatic rock or grotto-style designs.
TANNING LEDGES
Tanning ledges create a shallow, relaxing space ideal for lounging, young children, pets, and in-water furniture that enhances comfort and style.
Water Features
Water features like bubblers, sheer descents, scuppers, and waterfalls add motion, soothing sound, and visual interest to elevate your pool’s design.
LED LIGHTING
LED lighting systems offer vibrant color options that illuminate your pool at night, enhance ambiance, and transform your backyard atmosphere.
Hot Tubs
Hot tubs bring the luxury of warm, soothing water and hydrotherapy jets, creating a year-round retreat for relaxation and stress relief.
Materials & Finishes
Pool finishes such as pebble, quartz, plaster, vinyl liners, and fiberglass colors define the look and feel of your pool with lasting beauty.
Pool Covers
Automatic covers increase safety, improve energy efficiency, and help maintain water quality with convenient, easy-to-use protective technology.
Smart Pool Automation
Smart automation lets you control lighting, pumps, temperature, spas, and water features from your phone, making pool care simple and modern.
Pool Water Systems
Different systems offer unique advantages. The best choice depends on your maintenance preferences, water feel, and long-term cost goals.
Chlorine Pools
Chlorine pools use a time-tested sanitation method that disinfects water by breaking down bacteria and contaminants. They’re affordable, widely available, and easy to maintain with routine chemical balancing, making them a dependable choice for many homeowners.
Saltwater Pools
Saltwater pools generate chlorine naturally through a salt cell, creating softer-feeling water that’s gentler on skin, eyes, and swimsuits. They require fewer chemical adjustments and offer a more comfortable swimming experience with less day-to-day maintenance.
Mineral Systems
Mineral systems use copper, silver, or other natural ions to sanitize the water, allowing the pool to operate with significantly lower chlorine levels. This approach produces smoother, softer water and reduces the harshness sometimes associated with traditional chlorine pools.
Other Systems
Advanced oxidation systems combine ultraviolet light, ozone, or hydroxyl radicals to neutralize contaminants at a molecular level. These technologies improve water clarity, reduce chemical use, and lower routine maintenance, creating one of the cleanest, clearest pool environments available.
Swimming Pool Maintenance Basics
Keeping your pool well-maintained is the key to clear water, efficient equipment, and trouble-free swimming. While every pool is a little different, all pools require a mix of simple weekly habits and a few seasonal tasks throughout the year.
On a weekly basis, you’ll check and adjust your water chemistry to keep it safe and comfortable, skim leaves or debris from the surface, and brush or wipe the pool walls to prevent buildup. You’ll also keep an eye on pump pressure and water levels to be sure your equipment is operating the way it should.
Seasonally, your pool will need a deeper level of care. This includes opening it properly in the spring, cleaning or backwashing your filter, and closing the pool before temperatures drop. These steps protect your investment and help your equipment last longer.
If you ever need support, Aloha Pools & Spas offers professional maintenance, equipment repairs, water testing, and ongoing service to help keep your pool clean, efficient, and ready to enjoy.
Pool Renovation & Liner Replacement
A pool doesn’t have to be replaced to feel brand new. Many homeowners are surprised to learn how much can be updated, improved, or redesigned through a renovation. Whether your pool is showing its age, needs repairs, or simply no longer matches your style, renovating allows you to transform it without starting over.
Common renovation options include updating the tile and coping for a fresh, modern look, replacing an older vinyl liner, or resurfacing the interior with new plaster or pebble finishes. You can also upgrade your equipment to improve efficiency, add new lighting or water features for a dramatic effect, or enhance the surrounding space with updated decking and landscaping.
If your pool is ready for a refresh, our Refurbished Pools page offers more details on how we can help revitalize your backyard.
The Step by Step Swimming Pool Buying Journey
Step 1: Start With the Pool Cost Estimator
Begin your pool project by exploring our new Pool Cost Estimator. This interactive tool lets you design your dream pool… choose your shape, size, features, tanning ledges, water features, decking, lighting, equipment upgrades, and more. As you build, the estimator updates your projected cost so you know exactly what to expect before you speak with a designer.
Step 2: Customize Your Pool & Review Your Estimate
Once you’ve added the features and options that matter most, you’ll receive a detailed estimate for your project. The estimator provides a realistic investment range based on your selections, so you can make confident, informed decisions right from the start.
Step 3: Place Your Deposit Online
Ready to move forward? You can secure your spot instantly by placing your deposit online. This deposit does not lock you into specific design choices… it simply reserves your place in our production queue and signals our team to begin the next steps.
Step 4: Enter the Production Queue
Once your deposit is received, you’re officially on our production schedule. This ensures your project is prioritized and allows us to begin reserving materials, planning manpower, and preparing for the design and construction phases.
Step 5: Schedule Your At-Home Consultation
Our team will schedule a visit to your home. During this consultation, we will:
- Take detailed measurements of your yard
- Assess access points and site conditions
- Review your selections from the estimator
- Talk through design styles, features, and options
- Make recommendations to match your lifestyle and space
This appointment ensures your pool is customized specifically for your home.
Step 6: Finalize Your Pool Design
After your consultation, we’ll finalize your custom pool design. This may include detailed drawings, 3D renderings, or design boards depending on your project. You’ll review and approve the final layout, features, and finishes before construction begins.
Step 7: Material Selection & Equipment Planning
Your project manager will help you choose:
- Tile, coping, and interior finish
- Liner (for vinyl pools) or color finish (for fiberglass/gunite)
- LED lighting
- Water features
- Decking and hardscapes
- Pump, filter, heater, automation, and sanitation systems
We’ll guide you through every selection to ensure you get the perfect blend of beauty, function, and long-term performance.
Step 8: Permits, Engineering & Scheduling
Our team handles all the behind-the-scenes logistics… including engineering, permits, utility checks, inspections, and material ordering. We’ll also give you a projected timeline so you know what to expect each step of the way.
Step 9: Construction Begins
Once approvals are complete and materials are ready, construction officially begins. Depending on your pool type, this may include:
- Excavation
- Wall or shell installation
- Plumbing and electrical
- Equipment setup
- Surface finishing
- Decking and hardscapes
Your project manager will keep you updated throughout every phase.
Step 10: Final Walkthrough & Orientation
When construction is finished, we’ll walk you through your new pool, explain every feature, and teach you how to operate your equipment. From water care to automation settings, we make sure you feel confident and excited about your new backyard oasis.
Step 11: Enjoy Your New Pool
Fill your pool, grab your floats, and jump in! You’re ready to enjoy years of relaxation, fun, and unforgettable moments with your family.