Why 5 Pool Bids Can Have 5 Very Different Prices?

You collect five pool bids for what seems like the same project. The quotes come back with price differences that span $10,000, $15,000, or more. You're left wondering if these contractors even looked at the same backyard.

Not all pool bids are created equal: Imagine you collect five quotes for a new pool and the prices differ by thousands of dollars. You might assume those contractors looked at different backyards or “someone is trying to scam me”, while another company is being very “generous”. In reality, they looked at the same space—but they were not bidding on the same scope of work. One company includes premium equipment, top of the line structural reinforcement built to last; another uses entry‑level parts and cuts corners and others can be somewhere in between. Understanding these differences can help you invest wisely and reduce the risk on such a large, permanent investment instead of chasing the lowest number.

In this guide we’ll answer common homeowner questions in a radically transparent format. We’ll explain why equipment and construction standards—not the contractor’s reputation—drive most price variation, and we’ll share analogies to make these hidden, or “under the hood”, elements easy to grasp.1. Premium equipment and construction: the biggest initial price driver

Premium equipment and construction: the biggest initial price driver

The hidden “engine” of your pool

Two pools can look identical on the surface and even have the same gallonage of water but the equipment underneath and at the equipment pad area—the pump, filter, heater, automation, sanitation and cleaning system—determines how much you’ll spend on your monthly utility bills and chemicals, how often you’ll call for service, how often you’ll be spending doing maintenance vs floating in the water and whether your pool stays blue or turns green. A Shasta blog article explains that a pool’s initial price and ownership cost are most determined by “equipment, the guts of the pool, engineering and warranties "Why Two Pools That Look the Same Can Have Completely Different Price Tags?". In other words, what you don’t see matters more than the shape and, believe it or not, the size of the pool (pool size and depth matters but not as much as you think).

Consider the analogy of buying a car... not always a fun experience. Two sedans may have the same body style, but one has a “tricked out” engine, quality transmission and modern safety features, while the other uses sub‑standard parts. Both cars get you to work today, yet one will cost far more in repairs and fuel over time. They look the same on the outside and yet one might be priced thousands less, or worse, is the same price and can cost you thousands in the future. The same is true for pools: a premium variable‑speed pump and matched filter save energy and extend equipment life, while low cost, generic systems are less money up front but can lead to high utility bills and frequent maintenance.

Why best‑of‑breed equipment matters

Most pool builders use a single equipment brand because manufacturer incentives make it profitable. Why Most Pool Builders Only Use One Equipment Brand—and Why It Matters. However, no single company makes the best pump, best heater, best automation and best lighting system. A pool company should choose equipment based on the most efficient and highest quality options for you, the customer, and not based on the incentives they receive. 
Think of it like choosing appliances for a custom kitchen: you might select a Bosch dishwasher, a Wolf range and a Sub‑Zero refrigerator because each brand excels in its niche. Even when buying a new home, it probably wouldn’t shock you that the home builder you chose didn’t select the same brand for the hot water heater, the stove and the air conditioning unit. Buying a one‑brand bundle may cost less to the pool company, but it rarely provides the best combination of reliability, efficiency and long‑term value. Does it seem likely that one brand has perfected the best pool pump, the best filter, the best automation and cleaning equipment? That would be some amazing brand.

Premium construction standards – the “skeletal structure” of your pool
Equipment isn’t the only hidden component that drives cost. The way your pool is built—its structural “skeleton”—affects how long it lasts. Shotcrete, the part that looks sort of like a “skate park” when the project is halfway done, is applied carefully to form the shell.  A reputable builder performs quality control at every stage and will even include strengthening additives like fibermesh and fly ash to the dry-mix of the shotcrete shell. Reducing the rebar thickness or size or using thinner concrete lowers the bid but reduces structural integrity, leading to cracks or leaks years later.

Think of  building a home. A house built with quality lumber, proper footings and inspected framing costs more initially but can stand for decades. A cheaply built house might look fine on day one yet develop foundation problems or leaks within a few years. Investing in premium construction for your pool protects you from costly repairs and ensures that your pool remains safe and beautiful.

Materials, finishes and custom features

The shell material—concrete, fiberglass or vinyl—affects your initial and long‑term costs. Concrete (shotcrete) pools offer unlimited shape options and durability and can cost $40,000–$120,000+ and can require more maintenance. What’s The Cost Of An Inground Pool in 2025? Arizona Price Guide . Fiberglass pools can cost $45,000–$85,000+ and offer lower maintenance but come in pre‑molded shapes (the initial price on fiberglass tends to start at a higher price point because of transportation and there is a crane involved). A good fiberglass pool will never need its interior replaced though, a big long term cost of ownership advantage over a concrete pool. Vinyl pools are the cheapest ($25,000–$65,000) and have shorter lifespans and liners that require replacement. Luxury finishes such as all tile pool interiors, pebble or pebble with glass beads in the mix cost more up front but last can last 15–20 years and tend to hide imperfections.

Custom features—waterfalls, pergolas, firepits, LED lighting, heaters, automation, slides and automatic covers—add to your project cost. For example, simple bubblers may cost $1,000–$2,500 each, deck jets $1,000–$1,500 and automatic covers $12,000–$17,000. These features enhance your pool experience but should be balanced against your budget. Remember that some features (e.g., heaters) also affect ongoing energy costs.

Site conditions and complexity

Your backyard’s soil quality, slope and access play a major role in pricing. Standard excavation, meaning a bobcat tractor being able to squeeze into your backyard usually costs $3,000–$7,000, while preparing uneven terrain can add $1,000–$2,500. Narrow access points may require smaller equipment, increasing labor time in your backyard. Abnormal soil like caliche, rocky ground or high water tables or unexpected utility lines can significantly raise costs. Elevated pools built on hillsides or near water (we call them “man-made lakes” in Arizona) may require structural walls and bedrock anchoring. Discuss these challenges with each company well ahead of time and ensure their responses fit your situation and your budget. How a company approaches these matters can differ greatly here in Arizona. With some companies you may hear about it ahead of time and some, hopefully few and far between, you can find out about it after the dig has already started and you’ve already given a non-refundable deposit.

Hidden costs and incomplete bids

Many “bargain” quotes appear low because some companies omit essential services. These items can add thousands of dollars after construction begins. Dirt removal alone costs $300–$900, retaining walls “because of your yard condition” can range from a few thousand to $20,000 and electrical upgrades (including panel work) may exceed $6,000. You deserve to know about these potential costs before you’re ever asked to sign a contract. Permit fees range from $500 to $2,000 depending on location.

To avoid surprises, insist on an itemised bid that lists every cost. Ask direct questions such as: What is not included in this price? Have your past customers paid more than their original contract? Can the price change on me during construction? Does this quote cover all electrical connections for the equipment we discussed?. A reputable builder will provide transparent answers and put everything in writing.

Design, permits and project management

Creating detailed pool plans typically requires around eight hours of professional design work, not including the engineering plans that many pools need for permitting. Quality design prevents costly changes later; without it, construction problems can increase by 2.5 times. Permit costs vary from $100 to $2,000 and can take 2–4 weeks to obtain and you better believe that most municipalities charge permit revision costs if a permit needs to be resubmitted if the municipality permit review deems the plan “incomplete”. Full‑service companies handle scheduling of excavation, plumbing, electrical, concrete, tile and landscaping crews; they coordinate inspections with the city and resolve issues quickly. Hiring a company who manages the entire project may cost more but saves time, reduces stress and avoids miscommunication among multiple trades.

Important: A company that puts their company name on the permit is a company that is accepting full responsibility for the quality of construction and is submitting themselves to the authority of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors if there is ever a disagreement between you and the company for the finished quality of construction. IF the company puts your name on the permit, and many don’t know this, you accept full responsibility for the construction standards and quality of the pool build. 

How to compare bids fairly

Ask these 7 direct and revealing question:

1. "Can you show me the exact brands and models of every component on your equipment pad, and explain why you chose each one over its competitors?"
   
    A quality builder will proudly explain the why, not avoid the question.
   
   

2. "Is all your equipment from one brand, or do you choose the best product in each category (pump, filter, heater, automation, lighting)? What incentives do you receive for using a single brand?
   

   This exposes whether the bid is based on performance—or manufacturer kickbacks.

3. "Can you walk me through your rebar schedule, shotcrete thinness, and what strengthening additives you use?"
   
   Cheap bids fall apart here. Literally.
   
4. "What interior finish is included in your price, what is its expected lifespan, and what would it cost to replace it over 10-20 years?"
   
   This reveals true cost of ownership, not just day-on pricing.
   
   
5. "If you discover abnormal soil, caliche or access issues during excavation, what is your process in notifying me, do I get options to resolve it, do I have the power to end the contract if it's not in my budget or will I get change orders?”
   
   This question alone prevents thousands in surprises.
   
   
6. “Have any of your past customers paid more than their contract price? If so, why?”
   
   This exposes pattern behavior immediately.
   
   
7. “Will the permit be pulled in your company’s name or mine?”
   
   If your name is on the permit, YOU - not the builder - become legally responsible for construction standards in Arizona.

Focus on value, not just price

Receiving five different pool bids can be confusing, but the differences usually reflect real disparities in equipment quality, construction standards, materials, site conditions and included services. We get it, the pool shopping process can feel like you’re supposed to be a construction engineer when all you wanted to do was put a “family vacation” in your backyard. The contractor’s experience matters, but it is not the main reason bids vary. How a company approaches the design process, in how transparent and empowering they are toward you the buyer can make all the difference in the world in whether you enjoy your pool or endure your pool for years. What’s under the surface—the equipment that runs your pool and the way the shell is built—determines most of the cost and your long‑term satisfaction and the burden should be on the pool company to help you understand your options and the differences from one pool product or construction technique to the next.

When comparing quotes, think like an educated car buyer: lift the hood, look at the engine and ask hard questions. Choose a builder who offers transparent and detailed explanations; uses premium, best‑of‑breed equipment; follows premium construction standards with reinforced steel and high‑quality shotcrete; and stands behind their work with strong warranties. Investing more up front in quality equipment and construction saves money over decades of pool ownership and delivers the enjoyment you envisioned when you dreamed of your backyard oasis.

For personalized guidance, schedule a free consultation with a Shasta Pools design expert and ask us the tough questions. We’re committed to radical transparency and helping you make confident decisions for your home, even if we are not the right fit for you…you and this very permanent investment deserve at least that much.