Inground pool cost is probably the first thing you want to know before any conversation about building one, and we think that’s completely reasonable. The honest answer is that it varies quite a bit depending on size, materials, features, and your specific yard. But rather than leave you with a shrug, we want to walk you through what actually drives the price so you can approach the process with clear expectations and no surprises.
The Base Cost: What You’re Really Paying For
A custom inground pool in the greater Midlothian area generally starts somewhere in the range of $50,000 to $70,000 for a straightforward gunite or concrete build with standard finishes. That range can move significantly in either direction depending on the factors we’ll cover below. What that base price includes matters a lot. With us, a turn-key build covers everything from excavation and plumbing to the pool shell, decking, and a quality filtration system. There’s no handing off between contractors and hoping everyone shows up; we manage the whole thing start to finish.
One thing homeowners sometimes forget is that the shell of the pool is just one piece of the puzzle. Labor, permits, site preparation, and equipment all fold into the total. In our area, soil conditions can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, and that occasionally affects excavation costs. It’s one reason we encourage homeowners in Mansfield, Waxahachie, Glenn Heights, and surrounding areas to get a real consultation rather than relying purely on online calculators.
The Features That Move the Number
This is where your backyard vision starts to shape the budget. Some of the most common additions that affect the final cost include:
- Waterfalls and fountains: These add real visual drama and a calming sound element, but they do add to the build cost depending on size and complexity.
- Lighting packages: LED and color-changing lighting transforms a pool at night and generally adds a modest amount to the overall investment.
- Saltwater systems: Many of the families we work with in Ovilla and throughout Ellis County prefer saltwater over traditional chlorine. It’s gentler on skin and eyes, and while there’s an upfront cost to the equipment, the long-term maintenance savings can offset that over time.
- Smart device controls: Being able to adjust your pool’s temperature, lighting, or pump schedule from your phone is genuinely convenient. We offer full smart-system integration, and it’s become one of our most popular upgrades.
- Green energy-efficient equipment: Variable-speed pumps and energy-efficient systems cost more upfront but lower your monthly operating expenses over the life of the pool.
Outdoor Living Spaces: Bundling Can Actually Save You
A lot of homeowners discover that bundling an outdoor kitchen, pergola, or covered patio into the same project makes sense financially and logistically. When contractors are already on-site and the design is already drawn up, adding living space elements is typically more efficient than coming back to do it separately later. If you’ve been dreaming about a full backyard retreat, it’s worth thinking about the whole picture from the start rather than phasing everything out over several years.
Seeing It Before You Build It
One thing we do that genuinely helps homeowners feel confident about their investment is provide 3D renderings before any ground is broken. You’re not approving a vague sketch or a verbal description; you’re seeing your actual yard, with your actual pool design, rendered in detail. That step alone eliminates a lot of second-guessing and helps everyone stay aligned on expectations throughout the build.
Financing: More Options Than You Might Expect
We work with multiple financial lenders, which means we can often help homeowners in Midlothian, Glenn Heights, Mansfield, and beyond find a payment structure that makes a pool feel much more accessible. Building your dream backyard doesn’t necessarily mean paying for everything out of pocket, and we’re happy to walk through what’s available during your consultation.
We’ll also say this: one of the things our customers consistently mention in reviews is that we deliver on time and on budget. For a project this size, that matters. One family even noted their pool was completed in three weeks. That kind of reliability is something Bill and Sharon take seriously, and it’s reflected in how we manage every build from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.
If you’re thinking about an inground pool and want a real number based on your specific yard and wish list, please give us a call or drop us an email. We’d love to sit down with you, talk through your ideas, and put together something that actually fits your life and your budget.
