I build custom Gunite so you know I am going to biased. A couple of things I say to clients to help them make a decision is as follows:

1) If you would put vinyl siding on your house then you may want to consider a vinyl pool.

2. Bridges and buildings aren't made of vinyl or fiberglass. They are made of concrete and steel.

Don't get me wrong, each one has their place. If you just want to get wet then save the money today and plan on spending it tomorrow (ie when it is time to replace the liner or Fiberglass pool). If you are in it for the long haul go gunite and rest in the knowledge that it will probably outlast you.

Stains happen with all pools.

Concrete pools need the plaster finish to be cared for.
Liners need to be cared for.
Fiberglass gel coats need to be cared for.
The water needs to be cared for.
Is the pool to be decorative, functional or both?
All three have plusses and minuses.
Look at the galleries and see what you like and figure out what you can afford.
Never tell the salesman that number.

As a Vinyl Builder I can tell you this, I have built pools on houses with every type of construction there is. I'ts really up to you. I can make it any shape form or size you want in vinyl or I can give it the appearance of Gunite if that's what you prefer. Below is a link of some other pools. Best of luck with you project...

Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Pic

Stains happen with all pools.
Concrete pools need the plaster finish to be cared for.
Liners need to be cared for.
Fiberglass gel coats need to be cared for.
The water needs to be cared for.
Is the pool to be decorative, functional or both?
All three have plusses and minuses.
Look at the galleries and see what you like and figure out what you can afford.
Never tell the salesman that number.

Your right Scott let the salesmen design a few 70-80K designs before you tell him that the budget is 35K... LOL...

I am a fiberglass pool builder. I have built gunite pools and I have built a few vinyl liner pools. Each has their own place in the market. I don't judge my client by the type of siding they may or may not have on their house or if they have wheels on it and want to haul it to the next place they want to live. Everyone's money is the same color. I have built pools at sites that the land alone cost 5 or 6 million dollars and had those clients be the cheapest pain in the you-know-what and they make you fight for every dime they owe you and in the end never take proper care of the pool and somehow it's your fault. I have put pools in a yard that has a single wide trailer with trash all over the front porch and when you go on a sales call you think to yourself "like these people have any money to buy anything but a Walmart above ground pool" (if anyone out there has a Walmart pool please don't take offense at my example). They usually buy the biggest most expensive pool. If there are any potential customers out there: most of us on this site will build you a pool anytime and anywhere whether you live in a big house, little house , trailer house, or an outhouse. Finally, yes most buildings and bridges are made of concrete but when the ground starts moving or shaking that's the last thing I want to be near, something made out of concrete.

sceadu
I fully agree.... I won't start a design until I have an idea of a "project" budget... if a buyer says $50,000 with a tough yard with no fence, I back it out and show them that once they pay for what they "need" they only have $38K left.... can I build a pool for that... YES.. just not loaded.

It is important to have an open line of communication with the buyer... I'm not a used car salesman...

If someone won't tell me a budget and typically thank them for their time.. and leave with this question..

I can ask how long you've lived here?
3 years

This house is beautiful, how much did you purchase it for?
(reluctant) $550K

I can see picture very clear now.... Your where driving around with the realtor looking at 1.2-1.5 million dollar homes and the realtor took a wrong turn on this street, and you and the Mrs. said "STOP" this is the one, we love it...

Is that how it happened?
No..
Your right thats not right...

You had a budget and a limit and thats how you bought your home, why would buying a pool any different?

It kills me people expect builders to be honest yet they are not with the builder.

Alright builders, I owe you an apology. My comment about homeowners not stating their budget was dead wrong.

Dueley noted !! LOL

If you really liked vinyl before then stick with what you know, unless you can get more bank (bigger or more features) for your buck with fiberglass or gunite.

In my area no one does vinyl. I have no idea why, maybe the whole earthquake thing. When I lived in NJ we had vinyl and it was really nice. Here I have gunite with pebblesheen and really like it. No stubbing toes yet.

I think if you look at the pictures here you'll see beautiful pools of all types. I know I have!

Thanks for your great comments. We have crunched the numbers and decided that if we need to replace a pool liner every 12 years or so, the current savings is well worth it and will allow us to add great water features, landscaping and concrete. So, vinyl it is. We'll be back in a few months to seek additional assistance regarding equipment, etc. Thanks again!

I'll add my .02

EVERY POOL IS A GOOD POOL.
This is true in every aspect from large -vs- small to concrete -vs- liner -vs fiberglass -vs- above ground.

Every pool owner serves an equal responsibility in maintaining proper water chemistry for their swimmers and for their particular type of pool construction materials.
It's no less important on a 2500 AG or a 250k concrete pool.

IMO, the budget is EVERYTHING. I'll never knock anybody's allowance for a pool. All I can do is point out the attributes of one over another and sincerely thank them for supporting the industry with their purchase even if they don't purchase from me.

ZUGGY 333, your pool purchase will reward the ENTIRE industry when you purchase a pool of any style. If you have anybody who ever may imply you have a lesser pool just smile and remind them that your swimming just as equally as any other pool owner with a much lesser investment on your part. Then add that we're not having any less Fun in the Sun.
I swim with a grandchild in an above ground pool that sparkles, and then enjoy cold beers on an awesome elevated wood deck, I promise you that I'd take the same setup in my own backyard if that's what my budget dictated.

See ya,
Kelly

Kelly...I remember your statement in a post when I was deciding on size/type and you said something to the effect of when you dive in whatever size pool it is, you get just as wet. Do what you can with what you have. I have a new (November 08) fiberglass pool and LOVE it. We have heated it a couple of times over the Mississippi winter to get in some early pool time, and will heat it again next week for spring break.

quote" and will heat it again next week for spring break. "quote

I'm incredibly jealous.
This is the first spring break in as long as I can remember that I haven't started heating a pool on the Thursday prior. I guess I'm getting old, I don't feel like a multiple Grandpa but I am, I don't feel like I'm old but my baby is 14, and she's the only one left out of all of them that's still at home.
The truth is that my wife says I'm the biggest kid of the bunch. My business and my hobbies keep me young at heart.
I still love the thrill of speed and racing kids right up until that millisecond before I hit the dirt, pavement, or the water, LOL!!! The morning after is when I feel my age, LMAO!!!

quote" you said something to the effect of when you dive in whatever size pool it is, you get just as wet. "quote

I don't remember the reply, but I'd feel reasonably certain that I probably followed it up with is that all you get in a larger pool is more elbow room.
I've told pool buyers wanting a big pool with a small pool budget this for decades. Having big pools is like having children, if you wait until you can afford it, you'll never do it.

Thanks for supporting the industry with your pool purchase. I'm sure the sweetness of pool ownership in Mississippi is AWESOME stuff. You guys enjoy the same great swim season we enjoy in SE Texas.

See ya,
Kelly

ziggy333 -- where in MI are you located? Did you decide definitely on vinyl? When can they start (how early in the season?).

We are in MI too and I'd like to hear about your experience.

Kelly -- you did say just that about the elbow room.
I put a skimmer sock in today (learned about it on this forum) for pollen. I'll probably wish I had done it last fall!
Sorry you won't be swimming during Spring Break this year. We are looking forward to it.

Zuggy333 - a lot of folks around here have vinyl and I can tell you, there is a company locally that builds a vinyl pool that even some PB's can't look at and tell is vinyl versus gunite. We had a friend that just finished one, and he had a PB come look at his neighbor's (which he kinda copied) and the PB actually had to touch the inside of it before he believed it was vinyl versus gunite. They have a house that cost over $1 million and that is a beautiful pool. My husband wouldn't consider it because of the repair/replacement guarantee... but I have seen plenty of beautiful ones.
And gunite is what you can see on here...the most versatile and design-friendly. Plenty of awesome pools.

We all just do what we can with what we have and enjoy that.

stir_fryi - we're in Sterling Heights. We were told that they can start as early as the first part of April. I believe we're scheduled for May, though. Good luck!

zuggy -- we are in western Wayne county. Planning on going to the Backyard Pool and Spa show at the Novi Expo (Rock Financial Showplace) at the end of the month.

Please keep posting about your vinyl pool build (how big, how$$$! ) would love to hear about it.

I will be at the Novi Pool and Spa Show!
Michigan Shotcrete.com We build vinyl and gunite/concrete pools. I also work with Legendary Escapes and they too will be at the Novi Show. We build all over.

Here is a link that might be useful: Website