A fiberglass pool swimming pool can be a great investment capable of increasing the value of your home while requiring very little maintenance. That said, the primary reason for owning a swimming pool should be for personal enjoyment. Whether it’s lounging, cooling off, hosting pool parties, or even working out by swimming laps, only invest in a fiberglass swimming pool if it’ll add value to your life, not just your property.
Fiberglass pools have an average lifespan of 25 to 30 years or more. But it depends mainly on the manufacturer's quality. Some manufacturers, for example, claim that their fiberglass pools can last the lifetime of the home you install them in. Other factors, such as hiring a licensed and experienced fiberglass pool installer to install the pool for you and properly maintaining it can also extend its longevity.
The least-expensive fiberglass shell shape tends to be a simple rectangle no longer or wider than 20 feet. Most installation companies either have it in stock or can order it quickly from their preferred manufacturer. Rectangular-shaped pools have simple and well-defined angles and are thus easier to build, thus the lower price. Installation costs for these types of pools are also lower because the hole that must be dug for them will be less complex than that for free-form or kidney-shaped pools.
Poor installation is the biggest potential downside. Fiberglass pools are pre-manufactured, meaning they arrive ready to install. If your contractor doesn’t have experience installing fiberglass pool shells, they may not install yours correctly. Poor installation can lead to an expensive and headache-inducing journey to remedy the problem—assuming a solution exists. Before you hire a local fiberglass pool installer, make sure to research their experience and background.
On average, refinishing a pool shell costs around $6,500. Smaller fiberglass pool repairs range from $300 to $700 and may include fixing a spider crack or scratch or retouching fading color. Repainting costs about $800. You’ll also have to pay for the cost of draining, refilling, and treating your water.
Draining your pool costs $75–$125
Filling the pool back up with water costs $60–$120
Chemically treating water costs $450