When looking into fiberglass vs. concrete pools, you will notice a big price difference. A fiberglass pool costs $15,000 to $75,000, whereas a concrete pool costs $35,000 to $100,000. While concrete pools are customizable, fiberglass is faster to install and requires less maintenance. Additionally, you can expect to pay $25,000 to maintain a concrete pool over a ten-year span. On the other hand, a fiberglass pool only requires basic maintenance like testing water levels and cleaning.

The total time to install an inground pool typically ranges from 8 weeks to 4 months. This timeline can be influenced by several factors, including permitting, site preparation, and the construction process itself.

Key phases and their typical durations include:

• Permits: Obtaining necessary permits can take anywhere from two to six weeks.

• Excavation and Site Preparation: This phase takes about a week but can be extended by problematic soil, unexpected ground conditions, or the need to move underground utility lines.

• Construction: The actual build, including plumbing and electrical work, often takes one to two months. The pool material is a major factor here; a concrete pool needs about 30 days to cure, while installing a fiberglass or vinyl liner is much faster.

External factors can also cause significant delays:

• Contractor Availability: Spring and summer are busy seasons, and high demand can lead to long waitlists, potentially adding months to your start date. It is often recommended to start planning and getting estimates up to a year in advance.

• Other Delays: Weather, material shortages, complex designs, and other unforeseen challenges can extend the project timeline.

Whether a natural pool is worth it depends on several factors because they cost more than traditional pools. Many people opt for natural pools because they enjoy swimming in natural bodies of water such as lakes. Also, if you're environmentally conscious, a natural pool is going to be a much more attractive option than a traditional pool.

Moreover, for people with chemical sensitivities, a natural pool is a great solution since the water doesn’t contain chlorine.

Pool chemical levels should include a pH between 7.4 and 7.6, alkalinity between 80 to 120 ppm, and chlorine from 1 to 3 ppm. The size and type of your pool determine additional chemical levels, such as stabilizers and pool shock, but you can get to know these numbers using our pool maintenance 101 guide.