Pool Building FAQ

In the greater Philadelphia region, a custom gunite inground pool typically ranges from $85,000 to $200,000+ depending on size, shape, finish, features, and site conditions. A basic 16x32 gunite pool with standard equipment and a simple deck starts around $85,000–$100,000. A fully custom pool with a spa, water features, automation, premium finish, and custom decking can exceed $200,000. The most important variable is what you're comparing — a complete turnkey project versus just the pool shell. See our full pool cost guide for a detailed breakdown.

Our quotes include excavation, gunite shell, plumbing, electrical, equipment (pump, filter, heater, automation), interior finish, coping, and a basic concrete deck. Items that are typically quoted separately include premium deck materials (travertine, pavers), water features, spas, fencing, landscaping, and pool enclosures. We are transparent about what is and isn't included so there are no surprises after you sign.

We do not offer in-house financing, but we work with clients who are financing through home equity loans, HELOCs, or third-party pool financing programs. Many of our clients use a HELOC to fund their pool project, which typically offers the lowest interest rate. We can provide detailed project documentation to support your financing application.

From signed contract to swimming, most custom gunite pools take 12 to 20 weeks. The permit process alone can take 4 to 8 weeks depending on the municipality. Actual construction — excavation through plaster — typically takes 6 to 10 weeks once permits are approved. Weather, material lead times, and inspection scheduling all affect the timeline. See our pool build timeline guide for a phase-by-phase breakdown.

Yes. In Pennsylvania, inground pools require a building permit from your local municipality. Most townships also require a zoning permit and a separate electrical permit. Some municipalities require a fence permit as well. We handle all permit applications on your behalf as part of the project. Permit timelines vary significantly — some townships turn permits around in 2 weeks, others take 8 weeks or more.

The best time to sign a contract is in the fall or early winter — October through January. This allows the permit process to run during the off-season so construction can begin as soon as the ground thaws in spring. Homeowners who sign in spring are often waiting until late summer to swim because the permit queue is backed up. Planning ahead by 6 months is the single best way to ensure you're swimming the following summer.

Gunite (concrete) pools are custom-built on-site and can be any shape or size. They are the most durable and longest-lasting option but also the most expensive and the longest to build. Fiberglass pools are pre-manufactured shells installed in one piece — faster to install and lower maintenance, but limited to manufacturer shapes and sizes. Vinyl liner pools have a steel or polymer frame with a vinyl liner — the least expensive upfront but require liner replacement every 8–12 years. Scott Payne Custom Pools specializes in gunite construction. See our pool types comparison for a full breakdown.

Yes, but there are practical and regulatory limits. Most municipalities require minimum setbacks from property lines, structures, and utilities — typically 5 to 10 feet. A plunge pool or cocktail pool (12x20 or smaller) can work in backyards that wouldn't accommodate a traditional pool. We assess every site before quoting to identify any constraints and design a pool that works within them.

The most important factors are: licensed and insured in your state, verifiable references from recent projects in your area, transparent pricing with a detailed written contract, and a clear communication process. Be cautious of builders who offer significantly lower quotes than competitors without a clear explanation of what's different, and builders who can't provide references from the past 12 months. Our how to buy a pool guide covers this in detail.

We provide a structural warranty on the gunite shell and a workmanship warranty on all installed components. Equipment warranties are provided by the respective manufacturers (Pentair, Jandy, Hayward) and typically range from 1 to 3 years. We stand behind our work — if something isn't right, we fix it.

A gunite pool requires weekly water chemistry testing and adjustment, regular brushing of the pool walls and floor, skimmer and pump basket cleaning, filter backwashing or cleaning, and annual opening and closing services. Salt chlorine generators reduce the chemical management burden significantly. Most homeowners spend 2–4 hours per week on pool maintenance during the swim season, or hire a pool service company to handle it for $150–$250 per month.

It depends on how you define "worth it." A pool rarely adds dollar-for-dollar value to a home sale, but it can add 5–10% to resale value in the right market. The real value is in how you use it — families who swim regularly, entertain outdoors, and spend summers at home rather than at the shore or a club often find the lifestyle value far exceeds the cost. See our full analysis on whether a pool is worth it.