Swimming Pool Costs: Hidden Fees in Package Deals & How to Avoid Them

Are Those Online Pool Prices Too Good to Be True? (They Usually Are)

You’re online researching pools, and suddenly—there it is: a shiny “package deal” with a price so low it stops you in your tracks. Is this the bargain you’ve been waiting for to transform your backyard?

But here’s the hard truth: Most of these “package prices” hide crucial details. They rarely tell you how your pool’s size, depth, equipment location, or your yard’s actual conditions will affect what you really pay. That low number? It’s often just a starting point. The result? Confusion, frustration, and shock when the real price lands in your hands.

At Shasta Pools, we’ve seen too many families fall for this trap, only to discover later that thousands of dollars in essential costs weren’t included. In this article, you’ll learn how these deals work, why they’re misleading, and how to protect yourself—regardless of which builder you choose.

How Pool Package Deals Can Be Misleading

Many builders use what’s called loss-leader pricing—they advertise a low “hook” price to get you in the door but exclude critical items that quickly drive up the final cost.

It’s like buying a used car that says $10,000 on the sticker but jumps to $14,000 after all the hidden fees. You wouldn’t stand for that at a dealership—why accept it with a pool?

A Real-World Example of Hidden Costs —

One company advertises its “Paradise Essentials” package at $36,995 + tax and permits. Sounds straightforward, right? But the fine print explicitly excludes the very permits it mentions.

Common Hidden Costs Include:

• Permit Fees & Taxes: These are essential, yet often excluded. While cities vary slightly, an average cost could easily be added upfront for transparency.

• Excavation Costs: “Standard excavation” sounds reasonable until you learn it requires a ten-ton dump truck to access your backyard—which is rarely possible. Most yards only accommodate a small bobcat (a machine two sizes smaller), adding $1,000 or more to your final price.
  
  

• Site Conditions: Factors like yard elevation or the desired pool depth can raise your project into the mid- to upper-$40,000 range—without changing the pool size. 

A trustworthy quote should clearly outline taxes, permits, and realistic site preparation costs—or at least encourage a conversation about them.

What Do These Package Features Really Mean?

Those fancy package lists can be attractive, but are they actually adding value?

Permits & Plans

• Marketing Gimmick: “Includes Building Permit & Engineered Plans.”

• Reality: Permits are still excluded in the fine print, and no pool can legally be built without them.

Excavation & Site Work

• Marketing Gimmick: “Standard Trackhoe Excavation Included.”

• Reality: Unless a dump truck can literally drive into your backyard, this doesn’t apply to you—and you’ll be charged extra for different equipment.

Structure & Finish

• Marketing Gimmick: “Steel Reinforced Shotcrete Shell.”

• Reality: Every concrete pool has steel and shotcrete. This isn’t an upgrade—it’s the basic foundation of a pool.

Plumbing & Circulation

• Marketing Gimmick: “Hydraulically Engineered Design… PVC System.”

• Reality: PVC plumbing is required in every pool. The package makes it sound like an upgrade when it’s a basic necessity.

Equipment Quality

Most packages list the smallest, entry-level pumps and filters.

Example Comparison:

Questions You Should Be Asking:

• Will this equipment handle all the features I want?

• How often will I need to clean this undersized filter?

• What’s the long-term cost on my utility bill?

Accessories & Safety— Are You Really Getting a Deal?

• Included “Bonuses” Like: Maintenance kits, start-up chemicals, and even “energy-saving” LED lights.

• Reality: These are standard handouts. Just like car dealers throw in floor mats, pool builders include these because you can’t use the product without them.

And if you hear the phrase “energy-saving LED light,” ask: Compared to what? No one installs outdated fiber-optic lights anymore—unless they’re still living in the ’90s (cue the dad joke: “The ’90s called and want their pool lights back…” Actually… maybe skip that one).

Why Buying a Pool Isn’t Like Buying a Car

Pools are permanent, expensive, and full of hidden complexities. You can’t trade them in if you don’t like them, and unlike cars, most homeowners don’t fully understand what’s “under the hood.”

A reputable company will:

• Show you how specific design changes affect price.

• Explain equipment options and energy costs.

• Provide full transparency about permits, taxes, and ownership costs.

If you don’t feel empowered to say no to an option upfront, you’re missing critical information.

How Shasta Pools Does It Differently

At Shasta Pools, we’ve been a family-owned business in Arizona since 1966. We don’t offer packages because we believe in empowering you with real options, not low-price hooks.

Our team:

• Provides free, on-site measurements — never a guess based on Google Maps.

• Explains every equipment option and why it may (or may not) be right for your lifestyle.

• Hosts a Learning Center with dozens of resources to help you understand all sanitation options—salt, chlorine, ozone, UV systems, even oxygenated nanobubble systems.

Even if we’re not the company you choose, we want you to feel confident and educated. That’s why our Learning Center is open to everyone—no obligation.

Empowering Questions to Ask Before You Sign

• “What exactly is included in the advertised price? What’s missing?”

• “What is the average final price your customers pay after upgrades and add-ons?”

• “Will you visit my property before quoting a final price?”

• “What equipment brands and models are included? Are they the smallest available?”

• "How will changes to pool size, depth, or materials affect my final price?

• “What warranties come with the equipment and shell?”

Get the Whole Story Before You Dive In

At the end of the day, no one likes discovering hidden costs—especially when it comes to a major investment like a swimming pool. You started this journey wanting to create a beautiful, relaxing space for your family. But now you know the potential pitfalls that could turn that dream into frustration.

Now that you’re equipped with the right questions and a better understanding of how online pool pricing works, it’s time to take the next step confidently. Remember: This is your backyard and your wallet. You deserve to make informed decisions without surprises.