A concrete (gunite) pool typically costs $100,000 to $220,000+ installed in the GTA — the widest price range of any pool type, because concrete is the only material built entirely on site, to whatever shape, depth, and feature set you choose. That design freedom is exactly why concrete pricing is so variable: two pools the same size can differ by $50,000 or more depending purely on the design and finish decisions made before construction starts.
This guide covers pricing by size, then walks through the design options that have the biggest effect on your final number — because with concrete, design choices aren’t an afterthought, they’re the main cost driver.
How Much Does a Concrete Pool Cost? (Prices by Size)
| Size | Typical Installed Cost |
| 12′ x 24′ (small) | $90,000 – $130,000 |
| 14′ x 28′ (standard) | $110,000 – $150,000 |
| 16′ x 32′ (mid-size) | $125,000 – $170,000 |
| 18′ x 36′ (large) | $150,000 – $200,000 |
| 20′ x 40’+ (extra-large) | $170,000 – $220,000+ |
A base quote covers excavation, rebar and gunite/shotcrete structure, plumbing, a standard plaster finish, equipment, electrical, and basic coping. It generally excludes premium finishes, built-in features, heating, fencing, and decking — which, for concrete more than any other pool type, can easily equal or exceed the cost of the shell itself.
Design Options That Define Concrete Pool Cost
This is where concrete pricing diverges from vinyl or fibreglass. Instead of choosing a liner thickness or a shell model, you’re choosing a finish, a shape, and a feature set — each with its own cost and lifespan trade-offs.
Interior Finish
| Finish | Cost (per sq. ft.) | Typical Lifespan |
| Paint | $1 – $2 | 2–7 years |
| Standard plaster (marcite) | $4 – $7 | 7–10 years |
| Quartz/aggregate | $5 – $8 | 10–15 years |
| Pebble | $8 – $12 | 15–20+ years |
| Tile (full or waterline accent) | $15 – $100+ | 20–30+ years |
Plaster is the most common standard inclusion and the most affordable, but it’s also the finish you’ll be redoing soonest. Pebble and quartz cost more upfront but stretch the interval between resurfacing jobs considerably — the same value logic as choosing a thicker vinyl liner, just applied to a different material.
Shape and Layout
A straight rectangle or simple geometric shape is the most cost-efficient to build. Freeform curves, multi-level designs, and lagoon-style layouts add formwork complexity and labour — the more intricate the shape, the more it costs to build correctly.
Built-In Features
This is where concrete really separates from fibreglass and vinyl: almost any feature can be built in, but each one adds cost and — critically — should be decided before excavation starts.
| Feature | Typical Added Cost |
| Tanning ledge (Baja shelf) | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Beach entry | $50 – $125 per sq. ft. of entry area |
| Waterline tile accent | ~$25 per linear foot |
| Deck jets / laminar water features | $800 – $2,000 each |
| Spillover spa | $7,000 – $25,000 |
| Infinity/vanishing edge | Pushes premium builds into the $150,000–$250,000+ range, due to the engineered catch basin, surge tank, and return system required |
| Swim-up bar | Typically part of a full luxury build, $250,000–$700,000+ |
The reason this matters for budgeting: an infinity edge needs a catch basin and return system engineered into the shell from the start; a beach entry changes the grading and surface-area calculation; a swim-up bar needs plumbing and structural planning around the bar itself. Concrete can be renovated and added to more readily than fibreglass — you can break out and rebuild a section later — but it’s still substantially cheaper to design these features in from day one than to retrofit them.
Budget Factors Beyond Design
- Construction timeline: concrete pools take 6–12 weeks to build in Ontario, compared to 2–4 weeks for fibreglass. A longer build means more exposure to weather delays and a longer stretch where the project is mid-construction — worth factoring into your planning, not just your budget.
- Engineering and rebar: concrete shells are reinforced with steel rebar and require structural engineering sign-off, especially for vanishing edges, sloped lots, or unusual depths.
- Excavation and soil: clay, rock, or high water tables add $3,000–$10,000, same as any inground pool — but concrete’s longer excavation window means soil surprises have more time to surface.
- Permits and plan review: complex custom shapes or structural features (infinity edges, swim-up bars) are more likely to require additional engineering drawings, which adds to permit and design costs. See Pool Permits Toronto.
- Contractor and crew experience: gunite application quality varies meaningfully between crews — get references and examples of similar custom work, not just a price.
What’s Typically Included in a Base Quote
A standard concrete pool quote covers excavation, rebar and gunite structure, a standard plaster finish, plumbing, equipment, electrical, and basic coping. It generally excludes premium finishes, any built-in features beyond the basic shell, heating, fencing, and decking. For a full add-on cost breakdown across pool types, see Pool Installation Cost Toronto.
Long-Term Cost: Resurfacing
Unlike fibreglass (gelcoat refinish) or vinyl (liner swap), concrete needs periodic resurfacing of the finish itself:
| Finish | Resurfacing Cost | Typical Interval |
| Plaster | $6,000 – $8,000 | Every 7–10 years |
| Pebble/aggregate | $8,000 – $18,000 | Every 15–20 years |
| Tile | $10,000 – $30,000+ | Every 20–30+ years |
The same logic that applies to choosing a finish at installation applies here: a pricier, more durable finish chosen upfront means fewer resurfacing cycles over the life of the pool. Full guide: Pool Renovation Toronto.
Concrete vs. Fibreglass vs. Vinyl: Where It Fits
Concrete costs the most upfront and requires the most ongoing maintenance of the three core materials, but it’s the only one with no real limit on shape, depth, or built-in features — which is why it’s the default choice for architectural, resort-style, or highly custom backyards. For the full comparison: Fibreglass vs Vinyl vs Concrete Pools.
Smart Budgeting Tips for a Concrete Pool
- Finalize structural features before excavation. Infinity edges, beach entries, and swim-up bar plumbing are dramatically cheaper to build in than to add later.
- Choose your finish based on lifecycle cost, not just the upfront number. A pebble finish at $8–$12/sq ft can cost less over 20 years than replastering twice at $4–$7/sq ft.
- Build in extra schedule contingency. A 6–12 week build timeline in Ontario means more exposure to weather-related delays than a fibreglass install.
- Confirm engineering drawings are included in your quote if you’re planning a vanishing edge, sloped-lot build, or unusual depth profile — this is a common source of surprise costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a concrete pool cost?
Most concrete pools cost $100,000–$220,000+ installed in the GTA, with the wide range reflecting how much design and finish choices affect the final price.
What’s the most affordable concrete pool finish?
Standard plaster, at $4–$7 per sq. ft., is the most affordable new-build finish, though it needs resurfacing every 7–10 years — more often than pebble or tile.
Can I add features like a tanning ledge after the pool is built?
Sometimes, but it’s significantly more expensive than building it in from the start, since features like tanning ledges, beach entries, and infinity edges require structural and plumbing decisions made before excavation.
How long does a concrete pool take to build?
Typically 6–12 weeks in Ontario, compared to 2–4 weeks for fibreglass, due to the on-site excavation, rebar, gunite application, and curing process.
How often does a concrete pool need resurfacing?
Every 7–10 years for plaster, 15–20 years for pebble or aggregate finishes, and 20–30+ years for tile — durability scales directly with upfront finish cost.
Get a Design-Specific Quote
Online ranges are a starting point — your actual price depends almost entirely on the shape, finish, and features you choose. The most accurate way to budget is a design consultation and an itemized quote.
Contact Easy Pools for a free, no-obligation quote on your concrete pool project.