Shopping for a swimming pool should be exciting, BUT it’s often frustrating due to a lack of simple information, confusing pricing, inaccurate measurements, and hidden fees. 

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the unknowns in pool pricing?  Do you wish there were a simpler way to understand what you’re actually paying for in a pool? 

Many shoppers accept the typical pool “buyer’s journey” as normal—until they are empowered with how it should be. Being an almost 60-year-old company, believe us, we have been guilty of causing some confusion and frustration at times. At Shasta, we have learned from the feedback and are taking a completely different approach. 

In this article, we’ll break down the hidden frustrations and offer you the knowledge you need to make a more informed, empowered decision when shopping for a new pool. This guide will equip you to navigate pool shopping with confidence and avoid unnecessary fees.

Why is it so Hard to Get Pricing?! – Understanding Pool Pricing 

Frustration: Have you ever visited a pool company’s website only to find vague pricing information? You may see a base price for a “package pool,” but there’s no clear explanation of how pricing changes based on pool size, equipment choices, or standard costs like permits and taxes. 

Instead, many pool companies rely on loss-leader ads(ads with a low price meant to attract you, often hiding unnecessary fees and additional costs) that draw you in with a low price, only to hit you with thousands of dollars in extra charges AFTER you meet face to face—just like a car dealership hiding fees until the final sale. You see a clear and specific price on the windshield but might feel like…

“WHY AND HOW DID THE #$%! PRICE JUMP A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS?!  I could afford the price on the windshield of the car in the lot but now after meeting with you Mr Used-Car Salesperson, I can’t afford it…thanks for wasting my time!”

What You Should Expect: A trustworthy pool company will provide transparent and complete pricing on their website, which includes an idea of tax and permit, breaking down how different equipment options and add-ons affect both the initial and long-term costs of your pool. This empowers you to make informed decisions before you ever meet with a salesperson. No hidden fees, no surprises. Here are some great examples of transparent information in the pool industry (J Designs and River Pools and Spas)

Why Do I Have to Come to the Swimming Pool Sales Office First?!

Frustration: Some pool companies ask potential customers to visit their sales office first without ever inspecting the home site. Instead, they rely on tools like Google Maps for measurements, which can be off by several feet. 

The worst part? If their estimates are wrong, you are responsible for the additional costs. It’s common to see contract language exactly like, “Final Measurement and Elevations to be determined. Extra runs and elevation changes to be paid by the homeowner.” 

This means any mistake made by the company ends up costing you AFTER the pool hole is dug…try getting out of the additional costs after the pool is excavated…yikes!

What You Should Expect: It’s reasonable to ask for an onsite visit to get precise measurements. A good pool company will visit your home to ensure accurate dimensions, avoid surprise costs for plumbing or utilities runs and identify the best placement for your pool. They will also consider the view from inside your home, ensuring the pool’s location enhances your space.

The Pool Designs Look so Similar, WHY ARE THE PRICES SO DIFFERENT?!

The design is incredibly important but if there is no discussion on the choices you have on the equipment, that means they are choosing it for you. Unfortunately, this can mean higher energy and, overall, higher ownership costs for you down the line and will most likely result in more maintenance time that you need to spend “enduring your pool” rather than “enjoying your pool”.

Frustration: Many pool companies offer attractive package deals, but the equipment included is often cheap or inefficient. The temptation, for the entire industry, is to offer smaller, lower-quality equipment to make the price look better on paper. The pool industry often will focus most, if not all, of the time with you on the look and design of the pool.  

What You Should Expect: You deserve an educational sales process that focuses on giving you THE POWER OF CHOICE. A reliable pool company will help you understand how different equipment choices impact both the upfront cost and long-term ownership costs, like utility bills and maintenance. You should be empowered to select the equipment that works best for your budget and lifestyle—not just what’s cheapest in the short term.  Remember, it’s your pool, not the pool companies’ pool.  You have to live it and you better love it because you can’t “drive it back to the lot and trade it in for a newer model”.

Frustrations vs. Expectations When Shopping for a Pool

How Can I Empower Myself into being a Smarter Swimming Pool Shopper?!

Here are some questions you can ask the companies that you are shopping:

• What is the average price of your pools with tax and permit included?
• How much more is the average customer spending above your advertised price?
• Do you come to get specific measurements of my yard before presenting me with a final price?
• What are all of the equipment options and how do they affect the initial price of the pool and long-term ownership cost of the pool?

You don’t have to settle for a confusing, frustrating pool shopping process. Take the guesswork out of pool shopping with Shasta’s  New Pool or Remodeling Pricing Calculators to get an instant price range and explore our blog for customer-focused insights on pool ownership.  Knowledge is power, and at Shasta, we believe in giving you that power!

Now that you know what to expect, you’re better equipped to make informed decisions in your pool shopping journey—whether you choose us or another pool company.