How Much Does It Cost To Build a Pool in Nashville?

If you’re thinking about building a pool in Nashville, the first thing you need to understand is this—prices today aren’t what they were five years ago. Between inflation, rising material costs, and increased demand for outdoor living spaces, the cost of building a pool has climbed significantly.

For most homeowners in the Nashville market, a basic inground pool project is going to start around $100,000. That’s for a smaller, straightforward perimeter-style pool without a long list of upgrades. From there, costs scale quickly depending on the choices you make.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all purchase. The final price comes down to materials, features, and how far you want to take your backyard.

Concrete vs. Fiberglass Pools

One of the first big decisions that impacts cost is the type of pool you build.

Concrete (Gunite/Shotcrete) Pools
Concrete pools are the most customizable option on the market. You can build virtually any shape, size, or depth profile. Want something unique to Nashville—like a guitar-shaped pool or a fully custom geometric design? Concrete is how you get there.

That flexibility comes at a price. Concrete pools are typically more expensive due to labor, engineering, and longer build times. They’re also the go-to choice when you’re incorporating complex features like spas, vanishing edges, or detailed water elements.

Fiberglass Pools
Fiberglass pools are pre-manufactured shells that are installed into your backyard. Because they’re built in a controlled environment and installed faster, they tend to be more cost-efficient than concrete.

However, you’re limited to pre-set shapes and sizes. If you’re okay working within those constraints, fiberglass can offer a faster timeline and a more predictable budget.

Material Selections Drive the Price

Once you’ve chosen the type of pool, your material selections will heavily influence the total cost.

Interior Finish
A standard white plaster finish is the most affordable option. It gets the job done and keeps costs down.

Upgrade to an aggregate finish (like pebble or quartz), and you’re looking at a noticeable jump in price—but also a longer lifespan and a more textured, high-end look.

Glass tile interiors sit at the top of the market. They’re the most expensive option by far, but they deliver a premium aesthetic that’s hard to match.

Pool Decking: Travertine vs. Concrete

When it comes to decking in Nashville, two options dominate the conversation:

Concrete Decking
This is the most cost-effective choice. It can be brushed, stamped, or stained to improve appearance, and it keeps your budget in check.

Travertine Decking
Travertine is a natural stone and a major upgrade. It stays cooler underfoot in the summer, looks upscale, and pairs well with modern pool designs.

It also comes with a higher price tag—but for many homeowners, it’s worth it for the finished look.

Adding a Spa

A spa is one of the most common add-ons, and it’s not a small bump in price.

In Nashville, adding a spa typically increases your project cost by $15,000 to $25,000 depending on size, elevation, and whether it includes features like spillover or integrated heating.

Water Features

Water features are where your pool starts to feel like a resort—but they add up quickly.

Most features fall in the range of $10,000 to $20,000 per feature, including:

• Sheer descents
• Laminar jets
• Scuppers
• Rain curtains

Stack a few of these together, and you can significantly increase the overall project cost.

Built-In Features: Benches, Swimouts, and Ledges

Adding functional elements inside the pool—like benches, swim-outs, or tanning ledges—adds both usability and cost.

These aren’t usually the biggest line items individually, but as you layer them in, they contribute to the overall budget. Oversized tanning ledges, especially, have become extremely popular and can increase both material and labor costs.

Rock Features, Waterfalls, and Grottos

If you’re going for a more natural or resort-style aesthetic, rock features can take things to another level.

Waterfalls, grottos, and artificial rock structures are highly custom and labor-intensive. These features can add tens of thousands of dollars depending on scale and complexity.

Lighting and DMX Integration

Basic pool lighting is standard, but many Nashville homeowners are stepping up to advanced lighting systems.

LED lighting packages can be upgraded with DMX integration, allowing for full-color control, programmable scenes, and synchronization with outdoor lighting and audio systems.

This type of setup adds cost but transforms the nighttime experience of your backyard.

Equipment Upgrades

The equipment pad is another area where costs can vary widely.

Upgrades may include:

• Variable-speed pumps
• Advanced filtration systems
• In-floor cleaning systems
• Ozone or UV sanitation
• Saltwater systems

Each upgrade improves performance, efficiency, or ease of maintenance—but also adds to the bottom line.

The “Everything Else” That Adds Up

Here’s where a lot of homeowners get surprised. The pool itself is just one part of the project.

To complete the space, you’ll likely need:

• Landscaping (plants, irrigation, grading)
• Hardscaping (patios, walkways, retaining walls)
• Fencing (required in most areas for safety and code compliance)
• Outdoor kitchens or living areas
• Fire features
• Drainage solutions

These elements are essential to tying everything together, and they can add tens of thousands of dollars—or more—depending on the scope.

Final Thoughts

Beginning a pool project in Nashville starts at around $100,000, but that’s just the entry point. By the time you factor in materials, features, equipment, and the surrounding outdoor space, most projects land well above that number.

The key is understanding where your money is going and making intentional decisions based on how you plan to use your backyard. Whether you keep it simple or go all-in on a fully customized outdoor living environment, the cost of your pool will ultimately reflect the experience you’re trying to create.