I put a smaller, 16x38 rectangle with a deepend gunite pool in ct 13 years ago. With fencing, electric upgrades. only two feet of concrete( not stamped that cost more) surround, landscaping( we did ourselves) and heater it cost well over 100k then. I think your quotes are right if not even low for the size you are looking at. Liner and fiberglass are a bit cheaper.

Thank you both for your input! I just wanted to make sure we were in the ballpark, so hard to find numbers on pool installations in our area. We have done a ton of renovating and this is proving to be the most difficult To compare quotes. I really appreciate the feedback!

I think with us being in the north east there is very little competition and thus our prices are higher and with out volume the companies who do gunite need to charge a premium to stay in business. Good luck.

Wow, if you are experienced with renovations, building a pool is actually very similar! It's all about labor, materials, choice of upgrades, must haves vs really cool, save in one area to splurge in another. Choosing the finish, plaster or pebble, making sure that drainage is properly installed. How will your pool and deck handle huge amounts of rain etc.

Keep in mind that most pool builders know that homeowners will get a quotes from different builders. Translation: out of x amount of quotes, they may only get one actual job. So it makes financial sense for them to put together the quickest fastest quote (usually based upon the most popular requested features) instead of highly individualizing each situation. Once they know you are committing to hiring them, they can adjust and change anything you like. So you cannot choose a pool builder strictly based upon their initial quote price! They should be reputable and experienced and able to work with you to suggest the best possible scenario for your budget.

Fencing and decking is typically separated out budget wise to keep the actual pool build costs known. (Out here, if the yard is over 3 acres a fence is not required, and some folks choose to have very little decking at all usually due to budget but how miserable to enjoy a pool).

I'd suggest choose the best builder, then work with them and ask questions how to align the budget. You may have to save up more before starting the project. Good luck!

Honestly, simple gunite small pools with plain white plaster start over your budget without fencing, patio and landscaping and for your geographical area and desired size quotes under 100k are low. In addition to the initial cost between up keep, replastering and replacement pumps etc expect to pay out another 30 k in about 15 years as well. Rather than wasting everyone's time trying to nickel and dime the companies you have quotes from maybe look into other types of pools that may be more in line to what you can afford.

I only went with gunite because it was the only type of pool my yard could support with out a structurally engineered seven ft retaining wall. The wall would have cost more than the pool. But if I had a level yard I would have gone with a cheaper vinyl liner or fiberglass pool.

I'm also in the Northeast, Hudson valley area, and looking to do a 20x 50 gunite pool. I want a a simple rectangle with a tanning shelf. No fancy spillovers or spitters or any funky like that. I'm getting prices now that are right around 100k without the patio. The patio area which I'm thinking will buy 8 feet out on the long sides and 12 on the ends will be around 30k. And then the auto cover is like 15k. Insane

I'm unfortunately going to have to switch gears and head in the vinyl liner direction. I am worried about the liner because my dog will be swimming as much as I do. And just the over all stress of thinking about the liner all the time. I liked the strength of gunite, even they it will have to be re-plastered in 15 years.

And for added pleasure I'm doing this at the worst possible time,because if I'm lucky we will be installed and ready to swim right around first frost.

Thanks Taconichills, glad to know I am not alone with these quotes. We could sacrifice our home improvement budget and do the more expensive pool, but because there is no ROI on a pool in MA, it’s just a tough pill to swallow. We have friends and family with vinyl lined pools who really enjoy them, that might be my next step too. Good luck with your project!

Taco what are your shower walls made of and the source to get them?