The Pool Kings Magnificent Mediterranean pool does not have a verified public list price, and a television project’s full construction budget may not be disclosed. For a comparable custom in-ground Mediterranean-style pool in the United States, buyers commonly budget $90,000-$220,000, with larger pools, stonework, water features, and difficult sites pushing totals above $300,000.
The final estimate depends chiefly on pool dimensions, construction type, excavation conditions, finish, decking, and regional labor rates. A standard custom design and a highly featured show-style build can differ by well over $100,000.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comparable installed pool project | $90,000 | $150,000 | $220,000+ | Custom in-ground pool with typical equipment and basic-to-midrange surroundings |
| Pool shell and interior finish | $55,000 | $90,000 | $140,000 | Approximate 16-by-32-foot gunite pool; complex shapes cost more |
| Decking and coping | $8,000 | $20,000 | $45,000 | Price depends on area and stone or paver selection |
| Features and landscaping | $3,000 | $18,000 | $60,000+ | Waterfalls, lighting, planting, and outdoor details vary widely |
What a Mediterranean Pool Build Usually Costs
A custom pool comparable in scale and appearance to a Mediterranean-style television build often lands between $90,000 and $220,000 installed. A restrained 14-by-28-foot design with a standard plaster finish, basic circulation equipment, and modest concrete decking may start near $75,000-$110,000 in a lower-cost market. A 16-by-32-foot or larger gunite pool with upgraded tile, stone coping, and a shaped deck commonly reaches $125,000-$220,000.
Highly customized projects can exceed $300,000 when they combine extensive natural stone, a raised spa, elaborate waterfalls, broad patios, retaining walls, and premium planting. These totals may include more than the pool itself. TV project budgets can also reflect unusual site work, production arrangements, or features that are not part of a standard contractor quote.
For an initial budget, separate the pool installation from the full backyard transformation. A pool-only quote and a finished Mediterranean landscape can represent very different scopes.
Assumptions: U.S. residential project, custom gunite construction, ordinary equipment, accessible yard, and no major rock removal or retaining-wall work.
How Gunite, Stone, and Labor Shape the Quote
Pool proposals often bundle work differently, so compare the included scope rather than relying only on the headline total. The table shows planning ranges for a typical custom build; individual bids may place items in different categories.
| Quote component | Typical range | Unit or scope | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excavation and haul-away | $5,000-$18,000 | Pool excavation and soil removal | Rock, tight access, groundwater, and disposal distance |
| Gunite shell and steel | $35,000-$75,000 | Approximately 14-by-28 to 18-by-36 feet | Depth, shape, reinforcement, and shell engineering |
| Tile, coping, and interior finish | $12,000-$35,000 | Per project; premium stone may add more | Finish grade, tile coverage, and custom detailing |
| Plumbing, pump, and filtration | $8,000-$20,000 | Standard circulation system | Pipe runs, automation, heater, and salt system |
| Deck, labor, and installation | $15,000-$50,000 | Roughly 500-1,000 sq ft of surrounding work | Deck material, labor market, drainage, and layout |
Labor may account for a substantial share of the contract because the work spans excavation, steel placement, plumbing, shell application, finish installation, and deck construction. As a rough estimating tool, can help explain labor charges, but pool contractors commonly price by completed scope rather than publishing hourly rates. Local crew rates may range from about $50-$100 per worker-hour before overhead and specialized subcontracting.
Check whether the bid includes permits, inspections, startup chemicals, safety barriers, and debris removal. Exclusions in those areas can add several thousand dollars after the initial quote.
Why Pool Size, Depth, and Features Change the Price
Pool dimensions affect excavation, steel, concrete, plumbing, finish area, and often decking. A 14-by-28-foot pool has 392 square feet of water surface; increasing it to 18-by-36 feet raises that area to 648 square feet, about 65% more. The final price does not rise in a perfectly linear way, but the larger shell and expanded patio can add $20,000-$50,000 or more.
Depth is another meaningful specification. A mostly shallow pool around 3.5-5 feet is generally less costly than a design with a deep end beyond 7 feet, which can require additional excavation, structural work, and safety planning. A custom beach entry, tanning ledge, integrated bench, or unusual curves may add roughly $3,000-$15,000 each, depending on construction and finish details.
Water features and stonework can create the Mediterranean look but are separate cost drivers. A simple deck jet or small bubbler may add $500-$2,500, while a raised stone waterfall can cost $5,000-$20,000. A built-in spa often adds $15,000-$30,000, excluding some shared equipment upgrades. Premium natural-stone coping and veneer may add $20-$60 per linear foot over simpler options.
Site conditions can outweigh design choices. Excavation in ordinary soil may fit the base allowance, while rock, groundwater management, limited machine access, or a long soil-haul route can add $5,000-$30,000+. Sloped yards may need retaining walls, engineered drainage, or raised construction.
Confirm the pool’s water dimensions, depth profile, and feature schedule before comparing bids. Similar-looking renderings may conceal major differences in actual scope.
How Much Do Regional Labor and Site Conditions Add?
Location affects both labor and materials. In lower-cost parts of the Midwest or South, a straightforward custom gunite installation may price around 5%-15% below a comparable project in a high-cost coastal metro. Major markets in California, the Northeast, and parts of the Pacific Northwest can run 15%-30% above a national middle-of-market estimate, particularly when labor is scarce or permitting is complex.
Climate also influences design and equipment. Freeze-prone areas may require winterization features, deeper plumbing practices, or a cover suited to seasonal closure. Hotter regions can have longer pool seasons and greater demand for heating, automation, or shade structures. These are not automatic charges, but they affect the selected equipment and operating setup.
Lot access is worth pricing separately. If a standard excavator cannot reach the backyard, a crane, smaller equipment, or hand excavation may add $2,000-$15,000. Steep grades, overhead utility lines, or a driveway that cannot support heavy trucks may require additional mobilization and protection.
Use local quotes for the final budget and treat regional percentages as screening estimates only. A contractor’s site visit is necessary to price access, drainage, soil, and code requirements accurately.
What Three Comparable Pool Quotes Might Include
These examples illustrate how scope changes the total; they are not confirmed budgets for the Pool Kings project. Each assumes ordinary residential access and excludes unusually severe rock or groundwater conditions.
| Example | Specifications | Estimated total | Cost detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Mediterranean style | 14-by-28-foot gunite pool, plaster, basic concrete deck | $85,000-$120,000 | About $215-$305 per sq ft of water surface |
| Midrange custom build | 16-by-32-foot pool, upgraded tile, stone coping, 700-sq-ft deck | $135,000-$195,000 | About $265-$380 per sq ft of water surface |
| Feature-heavy backyard | 18-by-36-foot pool, spa, waterfall, premium stone, expanded landscaping | $230,000-$350,000+ | About $355-$540+ per sq ft of water surface |
The per-square-foot figures divide total project budgets by water-surface area, not by the full construction footprint. They are comparison aids rather than contractor pricing rates because decks, equipment, and landscaping do not scale directly with pool area.
Ask each bidder to price the same dimensions, finish, deck square footage, and feature list. That makes a low bid easier to distinguish from a bid that simply excludes expensive work.
Which Extras Commonly Sit Outside the Pool Contract?
Permits and inspections can cost roughly $500-$3,000, depending on the municipality and whether engineering documents are required. Electrical bonding, fencing, alarms, or a code-compliant safety cover may add $1,500-$8,000. Rules differ by jurisdiction, so the local building department’s requirements should be checked before the contract is signed.
Landscaping, outdoor kitchens, patio structures, and lighting are often quoted separately. Basic planting and lawn repair may cost $2,000-$10,000, while an extensive hardscape and planting plan can add $20,000-$75,000+. If the project includes demolition of an old patio or pool, removal and disposal may add several thousand dollars.
Equipment upgrades also deserve line-item pricing. A variable-speed pump, heater, saltwater system, automation, and automatic cover can collectively add $8,000-$25,000, depending on capacity and installation. Some upgrades may lower energy use or improve convenience, but their purchase price should be weighed against actual usage and local utility rates.
Request a written inclusions list for permits, fencing, electrical, cleanup, and startup. Those items are common sources of budget gaps between a base pool price and a usable finished project.
How Long Does a Custom Gunite Pool Take to Build?
A typical custom gunite pool may take about 8-16 weeks of active construction after permits and scheduling are complete. Design, engineering, and permit approval can add several weeks or months before work begins. Weather, subcontractor availability, inspections, and specialty stone delivery can extend the schedule, especially for feature-heavy projects.
Construction timing matters financially when a homeowner needs temporary fencing, landscaping restoration, or rented access equipment. A compressed schedule may also require premium charges if a contractor has to rearrange crews or expedite materials. Rush pricing is not universal, but any schedule premium should be stated in the proposal rather than assumed.
Ask for a milestone schedule covering excavation, steel, plumbing, shell, tile, decking, and startup. Payment milestones should correspond to completed work, and the contract should explain how delays or change orders affect the final amount.
Allow a schedule buffer instead of budgeting around a fixed opening date. Delayed finish work can leave the pool unusable even when the shell and equipment are complete.
How to Trim the Mediterranean Pool Budget Without Losing the Look
Keep the pool’s shape and dimensions efficient before reducing structural quality. A clean rectangle with one distinctive focal feature often costs less than multiple curves, raised walls, and custom transitions. Reducing a 1,000-square-foot patio to 600 square feet can save roughly $8,000-$25,000, depending on whether the design uses basic concrete, pavers, or natural stone.
Use premium materials selectively. Natural stone can be concentrated at the coping or waterfall while less visible areas use standard concrete or a lower-cost paver. Compare plaster and upgraded interior finishes by service life and maintenance needs, not just initial price. Removing a spa, extensive lighting, or a large waterfall from the first phase can also protect the budget while preserving the core pool design.
Prepare the site where practical, but do not perform excavation or utility work without the builder’s approval. Uncoordinated work can create liability, rework, or inspection problems. Instead, request a clear allowance for soil disposal, identify access restrictions early, and ask what cost changes if rock is encountered.
Obtain at least three itemized bids from contractors experienced with gunite pools and the desired stone details. Compare equipment models, warranties, finish allowances, deck area, and exclusions. A quote that is $20,000 lower may simply omit fencing, drainage, landscaping, or the same level of finish.
The most reliable savings usually come from controlling pool size, deck area, and feature count before construction starts. Changes after excavation or shell work can cost substantially more than design revisions made on paper.