Pool Contruction Cost (San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock: real estate market, broker, house)

[Halls1027]

I spoke to a couple of pool contractors this week and when i told them my budget was 50-60K for a pool and spa combo (no other details provided), they both stated that pool and spa projects "start" in the upper $60K's. Seems a bit high for the starting price. Is this in response to the booming Austin real estate market? I searched the forum for threads on this topic but all are old. Any feedback on recent experiences will be greatly appreciated.

[Localny]

I heard 30K, and then my broker was talking $40-50K. $60K does seem high. I would definitely shop around.

[Gorfml]

We paid 90k for a 20,000 gallon pool/spa, 1 water feature and limestone decking...i think with stamped concrete it was 7k less...Bid was mid range...

[riaelise]

Our house came with a pool. Constructed in 2004 it cost $40000, has a spa, two water sprayer things, pebble tech decking, slate surround.

[austin-steve]

I just sold a home in Lakeway with this pool. The owner paid $80K in 2012, including landscaping.

In-ground pools (not the prefab drop in kind) should cost $30K at the low end, and $100K+ at the high end, depending on water features and landscaping.

$50K should get a reasonably decent pool. Remember the landscaping is super important to create the "space" and "feel" that makes a pool wonderful to enjoy. Else it's just a hole in the ground full of hot water in July, in the direct sunlight, and ugly to boot.

[clarksvillemom]

I agree with the post above. We know 2 people who put pools in, but didn't budget for the damage to the yard/landscape or making it look "pretty." Maybe they were working with a low bid or something, but right now, until money is saved up, they really are just big holes with water in the ground.
Relatedly, I hear that salt water pools are "the thing" now. Are they better? cheaper to maintain?

[FalconheadWest]

It will all depend on where the property is. In the Lakeway and Bee Cave area, it's a lot more for a pool than in the Round Rock area because of soil conditions. I have a buyer who just closed on a house in Lakeway, and is getting a fairly simple pool with spa and it's mid $80's.

[Halls1027]

Thanks for the feedback. No landscaping work is needed since i will be doing it myself, and less 200 sqft of stained concrete decking is needed. I also already ran a dedicated gas line to the location where the pool equipment. This was done during the home construction so was much less expensive than paying the pool contractor to do it after construction was complete. Also, no rock features, just a 34 x 18' geometric pool design with a spa. I understand this cost more than a free form design, but figured my budget was suitable. Any recent recommendations for a pool builder would be great. Thanks.

[Halls1027]

Originally Posted by FalconheadWest

It will all depend on where the property is. In the Lakeway and Bee Cave area, it's a lot more for a pool than in the Round Rock area because of soil conditions. I have a buyer who just closed on a house in Lakeway, and is getting a fairly simple pool with spa and it's mid $80's.

The "starting out" price did not take into account my location as they did not know my location. I'm on the north shore of the lake. During home construction, our lot was cut 5 feet at one end using only a backhoe, no saw or hammer. Same when they installed the septic. Sounds like he is getting the Lakeway price... I lived there during my home construction so way to familiar with how that works.

[rynetwo]

We just put a pool in at our house in northern San Antonio and it was a full limestone dig that took a week.

The pool is 18X28 feet with a raised spa going in on a small incline with for deck jets. The right side of the decking is flush with the ground while the left side 3 feet above the ground. The total cost came right below $66,000.

Edit: No Landscaping was needed.