By Thiago Machado
There’s a moment that happens in almost every first consultation.
The homeowner sits down at their kitchen table — or sometimes out on the lanai, looking at the stretch of grass they’re imagining transformed — and they ask the question with a mixture of hope and dread: “So… what’s this going to cost?”
It’s never just about money. Not really.
What they’re actually asking is: Can I afford the life I’m picturing? The Saturday mornings with coffee by the water? The summer evenings when the kids don’t want to go inside? The dinner parties that spill out onto the deck, where everyone lingers just a little longer because the pool is so appealing?
In Orlando, where the climate practically begs for outdoor living and the real estate market hums with transplants from colder states who’ve had enough of shoveling snow, the custom pool conversation isn’t just common — it’s practically a rite of passage. And in 2025, with material costs stabilizing after years of volatility and labor markets finding their rhythm again, the numbers are finally becoming predictable.
But predictable doesn’t mean simple.
The Real Story Behind Pool Prices (And Why Yours Will Be Different)
Here’s what makes pool pricing so slippery: no two projects are identical. Not even close.
Your neighbor might tell you their pool cost forty-five thousand dollars, and you’ll think, Perfect, that’s my budget. Then you meet with a builder and suddenly you’re looking at seventy thousand, and you feel like you’ve been handed a different script entirely.
But here’s the thing — your neighbor probably has a basic gunite pool with minimal decking, standard tile, and a single-speed pump. Maybe they skipped the heater. Maybe their lot was flat and easy to excavate. Maybe they went with the builder’s standard package and didn’t customize a single detail.
And maybe that’s perfect for them.
But if you’re imagining something different — a spa integrated into the deep end, a sheer descent waterfall, travertine pavers that stay cool underfoot, smart controls you can operate from your phone while you’re still at work — well, that’s a different conversation. A different investment. A different experience.
In Orlando specifically, custom pool projects in 2025 typically range from $50,000 to $150,000+, with the median landing somewhere around $75,000 to $90,000 for a well-appointed family pool with quality finishes and thoughtful design.
But let’s break that down, because averages are only useful if you understand what’s inside them.
The Anatomy of Cost: What You're Actually Paying For
Think of a pool project like building a small house. There’s foundation work, plumbing, electrical, finishes, and all the decisions that transform a functional space into something that feels like yours.
Size and Shape: The Foundation of Everything
A basic rectangular pool — let’s say 14 feet by 28 feet — is the most cost-effective shape to build. Straightforward excavation, minimal steel requirements, simple plumbing runs. In Orlando, you’re looking at roughly $50,000 to $65,000 for this style, depending on finishes and equipment.
But the moment you introduce curves, you’re adding complexity. Freeform pools require more precise excavation, more rebar, more labor hours to get the shell right. Not dramatically more
expensive — maybe an additional 10 to 15 percent — but enough that it matters in the final tally.
Size is the more obvious factor. A cocktail pool (sometimes called a plunge pool) might be just 10 by 15 feet, perfect for a townhouse courtyard or a corner of a larger yard. These smaller
builds can start around $35,000 to $45,000, making them accessible for homeowners who want the experience without the acreage.
On the other end of the spectrum, true resort-style pools — the kind with swim-up bars, tanning ledges, attached spas, and maybe even a lazy river feature — can easily climb past $150,000 and into the $200,000+ range when you’re talking custom tile mosaics, vanishing edges, and
integrated fire features.
Construction Material: The Shell That Holds Everything
In Central Florida, gunite (a mixture of concrete, sand, and water sprayed onto a rebar frame) remains the gold standard for custom pools. It’s durable, infinitely customizable, and built to last decades. Most mid-to-high-end builds use gunite, and the cost reflects that quality.
Fiberglass pools, which arrive as a pre-formed shell and get dropped into an excavated hole, can be faster to install and sometimes slightly less expensive upfront — typically $45,000 to $70,000 depending on size and features. But customization is limited to whatever shell designs the manufacturer offers. If you’re someone who wants every curve and bench and entry step designed specifically for your family, fiberglass might feel confining.
Vinyl-liner pools are the budget option, often starting around $30,000 to $40,000, but they require liner replacement every 7 to 10 years, and they lack the structural permanence that Orlando’s year-round use demands. Most luxury builders won’t even offer them.
Finishes: Where Personality Meets Durability
The interior surface of your pool isn’t just aesthetic — it affects how the water looks, how the surface feels, and how long the pool lasts before needing resurfacing.
Standard plaster (often white or light blue) is the baseline. It looks clean and classic, and it’s been used for decades. Expect this to add roughly $5,000 to $8,000 to the project.
But if you’ve ever seen a pool with that deep, shimmering quality — where the water looks almost jewel-toned depending on the light — that’s likely a pebble finish or an exposed aggregate. These finishes incorporate small stones or glass beads, creating texture and color depth that standard plaster simply can’t match. They’re also more durable. Cost: $8,000 to $15,000+, depending on the product and the size of your pool.
For those who want something truly custom — think intricate tile mosaics, handcrafted medallions at the pool floor, or imported glass tile that catches sunlight like scattered diamonds
— budget accordingly. High-end tile work can add $10,000 to $30,000+, but it also turns a pool into a work of art.
Equipment and Automation: The Invisible Infrastructure
This is where a lot of homeowners underestimate cost, because the equipment lives out of sight in a locked enclosure or tucked behind landscaping.
But it’s the heart of the system.
A quality variable-speed pump (which can reduce energy costs by up to 70 percent compared to older single-speed models) runs about $1,500 to $2,500. A salt-water chlorine generator, which many Orlando families prefer for its softer water feel and lower maintenance, adds another $1,500 to $2,000.
Heating is a significant decision. A gas heater (fast heat-up, ideal for spas) costs $2,500 to $4,000. A heat pump (more energy-efficient over time, perfect for extending the swim season) runs $3,500 to $6,000. Solar heating is a popular choice in Florida, with installation ranging from $4,000 to $8,000 depending on roof space and panel quality.
And then there’s automation. If you want to control your pool’s temperature, lighting, waterfall features, and cleaning cycles from your phone — adjusting everything before you even pull into the driveway — you’re looking at smart automation systems that add $2,000 to $5,000.
It sounds like a luxury, but ask anyone who has it: there’s something quietly transformative about being able to heat the spa from bed on a cool February morning, knowing it’ll be perfect by the time you’ve had breakfast.
The Features That Change Everything
Some upgrades are purely aesthetic. Others fundamentally change how you use the space.
Water Features: Movement and Sound
A simple spillover spa might add $8,000 to $15,000 to the build. But the return — both emotional and resale — is significant. There’s a reason spa additions are one of the most requested features in Orlando pools.
Waterfalls range wildly. A basic rock waterfall might add $3,000 to $7,000. A custom grottos-style waterfall with integrated lighting and natural stone? You’re looking at $15,000 to $30,000+.
Sheer descents (those sleek, sheet-like waterfalls that cascade from a raised wall) are hugely popular right now, especially in modern designs. They add about $2,500 to $4,000 per unit, and many designs incorporate two or three for symmetry.
Bubblers, deck jets, laminar jets — these playful features add movement and sound without overwhelming the space. Budget $1,000 to $3,000 per feature.
Decking and Hardscaping: The Frame Around the Jewel
Your pool deck is where life actually happens. It’s where you set up the lounge chairs, where the kids drip-dry before running back inside, where you stand with a glass of wine watching the sunset reflect off the water.
Basic concrete (often stamped or stained to look more refined) starts around $8 to $12 per square foot. Pavers — travertine, marble, or textured concrete — run $15 to $30+ per square foot depending on material and complexity.
Travertine has become the preferred choice for many Orlando families. It stays cool underfoot even in July, it’s naturally slip-resistant, and it ages beautifully. Yes, it costs more upfront, but the comfort factor is undeniable.
If your design includes a full outdoor kitchen, fire pit, pergola, or covered seating area, you’re building an entire outdoor living room. These elements can add $20,000 to $60,000+ to the total project, but they also turn a pool into a lifestyle.
The Orlando Factor: What Makes Local Pricing Unique
Central Florida has its own rhythm when it comes to pool construction, shaped by climate, soil conditions, and a robust network of experienced builders who understand the region.
The good news: competition keeps pricing relatively competitive compared to coastal markets like South Florida or Southern California. The not-so-good news: demand is high, especially in the spring and early summer when everyone’s thinking about water.
Orlando’s sandy soil is generally easy to excavate, which keeps site prep costs reasonable. But water tables can be high in certain neighborhoods, and builders need to account for drainage and potential groundwater issues during construction.
Permitting in Orange County is well-established, though it does add time and cost — typically $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the scope of the project. Factor in engineering, survey work, and any HOA approvals, and you’re looking at a few additional weeks in the timeline.
Financing has become more accessible in recent years. Many pool builders partner with lenders who specialize in home improvement loans, offering terms from 5 to 20 years with competitive rates. Monthly payments for a $75,000 pool over 15 years might land around $600 to $750, depending on credit and down payment.
For homeowners weighing the investment, it helps to think about use. In Orlando, you’re not building a pool that sits dormant for six months. You’re building something your family will use year-round — a genuine extension of your living space that pays emotional dividends every single day.
What You Won't See in the Estimate (But Should Ask About)
Every project has hidden variables. Not because builders are trying to obscure costs, but because every property is different.
Lot accessibility matters. If the excavation crew can’t get equipment into your backyard without tearing up part of your fence or navigating through tight side yards, that adds labor time and cost.
Tree removal or significant grading can add $2,000 to $10,000+, depending on how much needs to move before construction begins.
Utility relocation — if gas lines, electrical conduits, or irrigation systems are in the way — can add delays and cost.
And then there’s the factor no one wants to discuss but everyone should: change orders. The moment you’re standing in the half-finished pool shell and you realize you want the bench just a little longer, or you see a tile sample that’s perfect but wasn’t in the original spec — those changes add up. Most experienced builders will tell you to budget an extra 10 percent for decisions you didn’t know you’d make until you were standing in the middle of it.
The ROI Question: Is It Worth It?
Real estate agents will tell you that pools in Orlando typically return about 50 to 70 percent of their installation cost at resale, depending on the neighborhood and the quality of the build.
But that’s not really the point, is it?
You’re not building a pool as a financial instrument. You’re building it because you want to stop driving to the community pool on summer afternoons. Because you want your kids to invite their friends over instead of disappearing to someone else’s house. Because you’ve lived in Florida long enough to realize that outdoor space isn’t just a luxury — it’s how you actually live here.
The return isn’t measured in dollars. It’s measured in the number of times you choose to stay home instead of going out. The conversations that happen floating on a raft. The muscle memory your children will carry of cannonballs and Marco Polo and the particular smell of chlorine and sunscreen that means summer.
What Luxury Actually Means
Somewhere along the way, “luxury pool” became code for “expensive pool.” But that’s not quite right.
Luxury isn’t about the price tag. It’s about intentionality. It’s about designing something that fits your life so perfectly that it feels effortless.
Maybe that’s a small, beautifully tiled cocktail pool with a single water feature and impeccable lighting. Maybe it’s a sprawling resort-style build with every bell and whistle. Both can be luxurious if they’re done with care, with attention to detail, with an understanding of how you’ll actually use the space.
The best pool builders — the ones who’ve been doing this long enough to know the difference between what clients say they want and what will actually serve them — will ask questions that have nothing to do with budget. They’ll ask about your daily routine. Whether you’re morning people or night people. Whether you entertain or prefer quiet evenings. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers. Whether you see this as a place for exercise or pure relaxation.
Because the answer to “How much does a custom pool cost?” isn’t really a number.
It’s a conversation.
Ready to explore what a custom pool could look like in your backyard? Aqua Elite Pools™ specializes in translating your vision into reality — with transparent pricing, expert craftsmanship, and a commitment to designing pools that fit your life perfectly. Request a consultation and let’s start the conversation