The three pool types, compared
| Option | Fiberglass | Vinyl liner | Gunite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pool only, small to large (estimate) | $44,000–105,000 | $36,000–82,000 | $52,000–140,000 |
| Weeks on site (estimate) | Roughly 2–4 | Roughly 3–5 | Roughly 5–8, plus cure time |
| Shapes | Set factory models, up to about 16x40 | Rectangles and gentle curves | Anything: beach entry, shelf, raised spa |
| On a wet lot | Lightest shell, so most care when water is low | Liner can float if the pool is emptied | Heavy, but still wants a relief valve |
| Long-term upkeep | Lowest; smooth gelcoat | Liner swaps every several years | Re-plaster every decade or so (estimate) |
| Seen in 2025 county permits | Few firms say fiberglass outright | Gilbertson builds liner pools | Most volume builders |
These are our estimates for the shell or structure, pump, filter, coping and start-up. We built them from This Old House, River Pools and Fixr (2025–2026) and set them against Bay County pool-permit values from 2025. Checked November 2026. Decking, enclosure, fence and permits are priced on their own. A site visit sets the real number.
Setting a shell in Panhandle sand
Loose sand caves easily, so the crew cuts the hole a little oversize and works fast. If water seeps in, they dig a sump at the deep end, line it with stone and keep a pump running while they level the base (River Pools). The shell is filled with water as backfill goes in around it, so the weight inside always keeps pace with the sand outside.
Sizes and shapes
Models run from small plunge and spool pools to roughly 16 by 40 ft, which is about the most a truck can haul. Want a long beach entry, a big sun shelf or an odd footprint? That points to gunite.
Finding a fiberglass installer
Most firms on the 2025 county permit lists build in gunite, so ask each builder plainly whether they set fiberglass and which manufacturer they buy from. Then look up their CPC number on DBPR before any deposit.
Owning one
The gelcoat is smooth, so algae has less to hold on to, and there's no plaster to redo. Salt systems are gentle on it. Before lowering the water for any reason, talk to the installer first.
Sources & further reading
- This Old House: inground pool cost (Jun 2025). Type and size ranges; salt and deck
- River Pools: what a fiberglass pool really costs (Dec 2025). Heat pump and package items
- River Pools: hitting water during construction
- DBPR license search
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.