How much does an inground pool cost in Georgia?

Price ranges by city

Medium pool (14×28 fiberglass or 15×30 gunite), basic equipment, 600 sq ft concrete deck. Ranges from our cost model.

Check the state contractor license

Georgia licenses residential and general contractors through the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors, under the Secretary of State. A pool builder generally needs a residential-basic, residential-light commercial or general contractor license to contract directly with a homeowner above the state's small-project exemption. Search the Secretary of State's license verification site by company or individual name, confirm the license is active, and check for discipline.

The electrician and plumber on the job must hold their own Georgia licenses, which are also on the verification site. Ask for a certificate of liability insurance and workers' compensation. poolcostguide.com is not a contractor and does not perform construction.

• Georgia Secretary of State license verification

Barrier, permit and inspection basics

Pool barrier requirements in Georgia come from the state minimum standard construction codes as adopted and amended by each city or county: typically a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates, plus door alarms or self-closing doors where the house forms part of the barrier. Confirm the local amendments with your building department before design.

Every inground pool needs a building permit from the city or county, plus electrical and plumbing permits, and metro Atlanta jurisdictions commonly require a site plan showing setbacks, septic and stream buffers, and erosion control. Expect inspections at excavation and steel, plumbing and electrical rough-in, bonding, and a final barrier check. Fees are set locally.

Red clay, slopes and timing

Georgia red clay holds water and shrinks when dry, so drainage behind the shell and under the deck is part of a good design. Many metro Atlanta lots slope, which means retaining walls, extra grading and sometimes a pump truck for shotcrete, all of which add to the base pool price. Rock is occasionally hit on higher ground north of the city.

Pools are built roughly March through November in metro Atlanta, with winter work possible in mild stretches. Spring is the busiest season for contracts and permits, so a fall or winter contract usually gets the shortest wait.

Frequently asked

What is the average cost of a pool in Atlanta?

Our model puts a medium gunite pool with basic equipment and a modest deck a little below the national range on labor, before retaining walls, grading and drainage that sloped lots often need. Use the estimator for a ZIP-level range.

Do pool builders need a license in Georgia?

Generally yes: a residential or general contractor license from the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors. Check it on the Secretary of State's license verification site.

Is a pool fence required in Georgia?

Yes, under the construction codes adopted by your city or county: typically a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates, plus door alarms or self-closing doors where the house is part of the barrier.

Does a sloped lot add to pool cost in Georgia?

Usually. Retaining walls, extra grading, drainage and pump-truck access are common adds on sloped metro Atlanta lots. Ask for a site visit before the contract is priced.

When is the best time to sign a pool contract in Georgia?

Fall or winter. Builders have schedule room, permits clear before the spring rush, and the pool is ready by early summer.