When you’re building a pool, one question always comes up first:
“How do you price a pool?”
At Southern Pool Designs, the answer is simple you get one flat, all-inclusive price. No hidden allowances, no cost-plus surprises, no nickel-and-diming halfway through the project.
We believe great design deserves great execution, and that starts with clarity.
What’s Included in That Single Number
Every quote we deliver already includes the full cost to complete your project the right way — no vague “allowances,” no fine print.
| Category | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Design & Engineering | 3-D renderings, structural calculations, permit drawings |
| Materials | Gunite, steel, plumbing, tile, coping, decking, finishes, automation, fire and water features |
| Labor & Project Management | Skilled craftsmen, on-site supervision, inspections, daily clean-up |
| Site Conditions | Excavation, haul-out, access challenges, elevation changes, specialty equipment |
| Permits & Inspections | City and county fees, utility locates, safety and structural inspections |
| Warranty Reserve | Dedicated funds so we can honor your warranty quickly and without excuses |
When you see our number, you’re seeing the true cost to build your pool with craftsmanship, not shortcuts.
Our “Costco Model” for Pool Pricing
Like Costco, we are obsessed with providing the most value possible.
Our mission is to give you premium quality at a fair, transparent margin and to surround you with a full, professional team that supports you from concept to completion.
Flat, Honest Markup
Costco applies a consistent, lean margin to every product. We apply the same principle: one fair markup that covers overhead and a reasonable profit. You’ll never see inflated change orders or hidden fees.
Buy Better, Not Cheaper
We source the best materials and hire the most skilled tradespeople, then use smart scheduling and logistics to maximize efficiency. You get luxury craftsmanship without luxury-brand inflation.
Value Over Volume
We don’t measure success by how many pools we build – we measure it by how happy our clients are years later.
A well-built, low-maintenance pool that performs flawlessly is the best marketing we could ever have.
A Full Team Behind You
Every client works with a dedicated designer, engineer, project manager, and warranty coordinator. You’ll always know who to call and what’s happening next. No voicemail black holes, no finger-pointing, just proactive communication from start to finish.
Continuous Reinvestment
Like Costco reinvesting in better stores and service, we reinvest in modern trucks, software, tools, and training. The result is smoother projects, stronger communication, and faster warranty support.
No Gimmicks
We don’t lure customers with low “starter bids.” Your proposal already includes everything required to do the job right the first time.
Why Our Price May Not Be the Lowest
If you see a much lower bid, it usually means one thing: someone’s cutting corners.
Here’s where that often happens:
| Shortcut | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Thinner Gunite & Less Steel | Weak structure, cracks, or shell movement years later |
| Undersized Plumbing | Poor circulation, noisy pumps, higher energy costs |
| Low-Grade Equipment | Shorter lifespan and constant repairs |
| No Waterproofing | Leaks and efflorescence that ruin finishes |
| Cheap Materials | Tiles pop, plaster fades, decking shifts |
| No Financial Reserves | Builder uses new deposits to fund old jobs |
| Weak Warranty | When issues appear, you’re on your own |
We never compromise on engineering, structure, or service. Our pools are built above code, designed for longevity, and backed by real financial strength.
Why We Don’t Do Markup or “Cost-Plus” Pricing
At Southern Pool Designs, we don’t believe in markup or cost-plus pricing models because they misalign incentives.
In a markup structure, the more your project costs, the more the builder earns. That creates an open invitation to “run up the bill” with change orders, upgrades, or inflated allowances.
Instead, we underwrite each project to a single-digit net profit target, then take on 100% of the execution risk to deliver your pool on budget and on time.
Our incentive is to finish efficiently, manage costs responsibly, and build with excellence not to increase your bill.
That structure keeps our interests aligned with yours.
When we perform well, we both win. When we control costs and deliver quality, you get more value, and our team shares in the success through our company-wide bonus program.
It’s simple: we price fairly, perform precisely, and stand behind our work so you never have to wonder where your money is going.
The Southern Pool Difference
Since 1997, we’ve built thousands of pools across Central Florida with one guiding principle:
Transparency builds trust, and trust builds legacies.