Are these things still like $150k+ ? Or has the craze slowed and somehow they're not 2.5x the cost pre-covid?

Unfortunately going through a renovation now to fix issues from a renovation we did 6 years ago, and its about double what we paid before.

Everything related to building and construction costs are through the roof.

YouBet said:

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Don't do it. We are moving to a house without a pool and I'm looking forward to that. Pools are boats. Nothing but a maintenance nightmare and massive hassle factor. And our second pool at this current house is just a cocktail pool. I'm still ready to move on from it.

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Sadly it may be marriage or no pool lol

Part of marrying someone who spent their entire childhood in a pool… so I'm told.

At least I don't need some covered building boondoggle and outdoor kitchen. Did that when we built the house.

Just a pool and hot tub.

We actually have three people in our neighborhood who have removed their pools and covered their backyard with dirt. It's actually a growing business.

Not with my current 2.5% mortgage and pre-COVID build price.

Same house built across the street 2 years later was 45% more.

We put in a COVID pool with Riverbend Sandler (signed up in July '20, they broke ground in October, and it was filled in January. It was $92K then for a fairly basic rectangular pool with spa, a no frills concrete deck, and pergola. Seeing reports from others that similar setups are $130-140K now.

The main thing to watch with all of these companies is the subs that they send out for various portions of the job. Luckily I was full WFH during construction and I caught a lot of shoddy crap that they would have tried to cover up had I not been going out there every day.

It's not so much the chemicals as it is when the equipment goes south, or you have a leak that you can't quite find. Once that **** starts you are ready to get rid of it.

drewser95 said:

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All one has to do to be convinced is check out each year's winter storm discussion here.

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That too.

Renovated our circa 1980 pool two years ago. Like everything it depends on who you go with and scope of the job. Ours was a full resurfacing, new coping and resurfacing of the deck. Came to right at $60K, so I could see that being north of $100K if you had to dig a hole and reinforce it. Overall we're pleased with it though, three young kids means our pool gets lots of action. The winter maintenance concerns are overblown in my opinion, just use common sense and you'll be fine.

As a recovering Realtor I was firmly anti-pool for many years until I realized I wasn't going to survive many more Texas summers without one. But to this point I love it, have figured out the best way to navigate the cold spells with 2 winters now, and the only issue we had post-build was very adequately addressed by our builder under warranty.

We signed a contract in late summer '24, so pretty much the peak, I would expect things may have softened but I still am seeing plenty of builds going in our neighborhood. My only advice is to read as many threads on "what do you wish you had included in your pool?" and also dont let a few $ keep you from getting all that you want, you're already spending a small fortune, might as well get everything you want.

East Dallas Ag said:

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As a recovering Realtor I was firmly anti-pool for many years until I realized I wasn't going to survive many more Texas summers without one. But to this point I love it, have figured out the best way to navigate the cold spells with 2 winters now, and the only issue we had post-build was very adequately addressed by our builder under warranty.

We signed a contract in late summer '24, so pretty much the peak, I would expect things may have softened but I still am seeing plenty of builds going in our neighborhood. My only advice is to read as many threads on "what do you wish you had included in your pool?" and also dont let a few $ keep you from getting all that you want, you're already spending a small fortune, might as well get everything you want.

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Who'd you build with?

I have friends that have done Hauk, Gold Medal, Riverbend Sandler, Foley, Prestige, and Shellback.

100k for a pool? Good god! HAHA You better be sure that is your forever house. You'll never get that money back, especially when competing with 500 other houses on the market that have a pool that was put in way cheaper than yours.

I'm glad I saw this! I'm either buying a house that already has one, or buying 1 I am ok with not ever having one.

Doubtful that the other houses in my market put them in cheaper but you're not wrong in that the ROI is maybe 25-35%.

Ya, completely lifestyle choice. It is pretty much the same as buying a boat, rv, or anything else similar to that. FTR, pool is probably the only splurge item my family has. People who have all the things, I don't know how they have money or time for that *****

Uncle put in a COVID pool in the ATX area and found out a couple years ago they didn't use the correct ash in the concrete. Developed something called 'concrete cancer'. He's been trying for over a year now to sue the company but he's basically being told there's nothing that can be done. Over 100k down the drain and a pool that's crumbling to dust...

Maybe. But that's the type of spending that credit cards don't get you.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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Maybe. But that's the type of spending that credit cards don't get you.

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Then he's mafia or cartel. Watch your six.

It's been a big problem in Central Texas caused by improperly mixing the concrete. Might be something unique to the geology down there -- haven't yet heard of any widespread issues in North Texas.

Swimming pools in Central Texas are cracking and draining because of 'concrete cancer'

There was a more in-depth piece about it in Texas Monthly I remember reading back in late 2024, but I'm not a subscriber.

Yeah, it's a real issue for the owners because a lot of them like my uncle are trying to get insurance to cover it, but insurance won't pay out due to it being the concrete subcontractor not the actual pool builder. Then the pool builder is being sued but can declare bankruptcy and not pay a dime and is not being prevented from starting another pool company under a different name. It's pretty despicable.

I think he actually works for Liberty mutal as some EVP. 5-600k salary with stock benefits and bonuses can buy a lot of toys when not divorced (his wife drives the red g-wagon)

Don't do a hot tub/heather. Seldom used in metroplex and not worth the money.

ChoppinDs40 said:

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Oh I disagree fully there. I'd probably use the hot tub more than the pool.

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You might, this is my second pool and I thought they same. At first we used it alot, over time not so much. Probably save 20-30k.

Maybe so but I'm a hot tub person. As in, I'd rather get a hot tub than a pool. Have even contemplated an above ground spa before putting in a pool. Better jets and layout anyways but they're sorta whiskey tango when not paired with a mountain house.

I build pools ion the west side of DFW, feel free to touch base with any questions you may have.

Karsten Burja
Northwest Swimming Pools
kb at nw-pools dot com

I'd be happy to chat on the phone as well.

We're not hot tub people, but from all the research/word-of-mouth we've heard, the kids absolutely love them so we're putting one in.

Get a pool, and definitely get a hot tub! We moved so that we didn't have to put a pool in our old house, but if I ever did put one in I would 100% put in a hot tub.

I've loved pools my whole life, and somehow didn't get one until I was in my late 30s. I regret every buying a house without a pool, and I don't think I'll ever buy a house without a pool again. Apparently I'm in the minority.


Not that you get your money back, but in DFW pools with hot tubs add more value to a home than just the pools.