Pool Costs

The base shell: concrete vs fibreglass vs vinyl

The single largest cost driver is the type of pool you build. A concrete (shotcrete) pool is the premium option — fully customisable in shape, size and finish, and built to last decades. Concrete pools typically start from around $50,000 for a modest rectangular shell and can exceed $100,000 once finishes, features and landscaping are included.

Fibreglass pools are pre-formed shells delivered in one piece. They are faster to install and generally less expensive, but restrict you to the manufacturer's catalogue of shapes and sizes. Vinyl-liner pools are less common in Australia than in North America.

For a design-led project where shape and finish matter, concrete is almost always the right choice. The 3D studio is built around concrete construction, which allows the full range of shapes, depths and features covered in these guides.