Cost Transparency
Most pools cost more than they should. Here’s why.
The traditional pool industry thrives on markups, upsells, and vague estimates. Homeowners are often pushed into features they didn’t ask for and upgrades they don’t need. Final bills come in thousands higher than expected—and no one can explain why.
At Subs For Pools, we’ve built enough pools to know exactly where those costs originate. We cut them out.
Where Traditional Pool Costs Get Out of Control
Sales Commissions
The “design consultant” you meet is often just a salesperson working on commission. Their job is to upsell.
We control both the cost of the pool and the commissions the sales person earns.
Non-itemized bids
Many builders give one big number with no breakdown. You can’t tell where your money is going.
Markup on subcontractors
Most companies hire outside trades, then charge you 35% to 45% above what they pay those crews. Subs For Pools controls quality by utilizing experienced in-house crews along with a select group of trusted, carefully screened partners.
We control the quality and the price you pay—not the pool builder
How We Keep Your Budget in Your Hands
Options presented with transparent pricing. We believe this is how a pool should be purchased.
When you design a pool on the Subs For Pools website, you’ll see a clear cost for every feature—no surprises.
- Want a spa? See the price before you add it.
- Considering bubblers or a raised wall with water features? The cart updates as you choose.
- Thinking about automation or a raised spa? Pricing is shown up front.
You’re never locked in.
You can browse, build, and revise your pool plan without committing. Want to switch from a freeform to a geometric design? Done. Need to scale back features? No problem.
Pool companies include things into their builds as standard and don’t give you the option which ends up costing homeowners more money. When they get caught, they then start dropping their prices by $5,000, $10,000 etc. Why should you have to beat somebody up to get their best price? With Subs For Pools, homeowners control the budget, options and features.
We have already cut out all of these hidden expenses and given all control to the homeowner. Our pricing is fixed and non-negotiable. You have the flexibility to select the features that best suit your needs and choose only the upgrades that are most important to you.
Review, revise, get to the budget that is comfortable for you and your family.
Excavation and site prep (including fence removal and reinstallation if needed)
What’s Included in the Base Price
When you select a pool size, the price includes:
- Excavation with full size machine all dirt removed day of excavation
- Temp fence in access area
- Replace up to 2 sections of fence and 1 gate self-closing self-latching
- 4 - #4 bar box beam at 10” on centers and #3 rebar at 10” on centers
- Gunite to meet or exceed ISPSC 2024 guidelines
- All equipment pads are poured concrete
- VGB Compliant main drain with dedicated suction 2.5” pipe
- Pebble top dual main drains
- Skimmer
- Marine grade silicone between pool and skimmer throat to prevent leaks
- 6 pool returns with 2” pipe for even flow and 1.5” through structure of pool
- Water stops on all returns to prevent leaks
- Cartridge Filter
- Variable Speed Pump
- Speed Set controls for pump
- 100-watt transformer
- LED low voltage pool light + light switch
- All electrical hook ups with GFCI breakers for all pumps
- 360 degree #8 Bond wire
- White, Blue, Grey, or Verde pebble interior
- 6” waterline tile
- Microfiber-reinforced, polymer modified mortar that helps prevent efflorescence
- Grout after 28 days over 7,500 PSI also Grout is stain and water resistant, water repellent and highly flexible
- Coping
- In-line Chlorine Tablet Feeder
- 400 square feet of concrete decking with # 3 rebar and fiber mesh with deck coating
- Tanning shelf
- 6’ bench
- 150’ of area drains
- Start up and Pool School
- Pole, brush, net, thermometer, test strips, vacuum head & hose
- Sodium Tetraborates - prevents algae growth and stabilizes alkalinity
- We balance the pool water over the 90 days of free maintenance
In-ground Gunite swimming pool
Excavation with full size machine
Temp fence in access area
6’ bench
LED low voltage pool light + light switch
Skimmer
100-watt transformer
90-days free maintenance
VGB Compliant main drain
Variable Speed Pump
Pebble top dual main drains
Speed Set controls for pump
Water stops on all return to prevent leaks
6” waterline tile
Cartridge Filter
Start up and Pool School
White, blue, or grey pebble interior
150’ of area drains
6 pool returns
Travertine coping
In-line Chlorine Tablet Feeder
2.5” suction on main drains
360-degree ground wire
Tanning shelf
All equipment pads are poured concrete with #3 rebar on 18” centers with fiber mesh
Marine grade silicon between pool and skimmer throat to prevent leaks
450 square feet of concrete with #3 rebar on 18” centers with fiber mesh decking and deck coating
Microfiber-reinforced, polymer modified mortar that helps prevent efflorescence
Sodium Tetraborates - prevents algae growth and stabilizes alkalinity
Replace up to 2 sections of fence and 1 gate self-closing self-latching
All electrical hook ups with GFCI breakers for all pumps
You’ll see exactly what’s included before you move on to any extras.
Excavation and site prep (including fence removal and reinstallation if needed)
What’s Included in the Base Price
When you select a pool size, the price includes:
In-ground Gunite swimming pool
Excavation with full size machine
Temp fence in access area
Replace up to 2 sections of fence and 1 gate self-closing self-latching
LED low voltage pool light + light switch
All equipment pads are poured concrete with #3 rebar on 18” centers with fiber mesh
100-watt transformer
Cartridge Filter
VGB Compliant main drain
Skimmer
Marine grade silicon between pool and skimmer throat to prevent leaks
6 pool returns
Water stops on all return to prevent leaks
Variable Speed Pump
All electrical hook ups with GFCI breakers for all pumps
360-degree ground wire
White, blue, or grey pebble interior
6” waterline tile
Microfiber-reinforced, polymer modified mortar that helps prevent efflorescence
Travertine coping
In-line Chlorine Tablet Feeder
450 square feet of concrete with #3 rebar on 18” centers with fiber mesh decking and deck coating
Speed Set controls for pump
Tanning shelf
6’ bench
150’ of area drains
Start up and Pool School
Sodium Tetraborates - prevents algae growth and stabilizes alkalinity
90-days free maintenance
2.5” suction on main drains
Pebble top dual main drains
You’ll see exactly what’s included before you move on to any extras.
Total Visibility = Total Confidence
We built this process to eliminate doubt. You don’t have to wonder if you’re being overcharged. You don’t have to ask a builder to “sharpen their pencil.” You already have the real numbers.