Tennessee homeowners: thinking about a new fiberglass pool for your backyard? With changing economic conditions and innovations in pool manufacturing, finding reliable information about Tennessee-based fiberglass pools can be challenging.
But, if you’re looking to buy a fiberglass pool and need reliable answers about installing a fiberglass pool, you’ve come to the right place.
Good Day Living here. We’ve been installing, repairing, and maintaining fiberglass pools for more than 20 years. If you’re looking for the right information for your next backyard pool, look no further.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything under the sun about fiberglass pools, including:
- The cost of fiberglass pools in Tennessee
- Installation timelines from dig to swim
- The permitting process involved with fiberglass pools
- Safety barriers involved
- What delays pool projects the most
- How to choose the right custom fiberglass pool builder for your needs
Quick answers for Tennessee homeowners
| 1. Cost of fiberglass pools in Tennessee: $60,000 to $121,000+, depending on your region or if you opt for a base package or a turnkey solution 2. Permitting once the contract is signed: 4-12 weeks 3. From permit to build: 2-4 weeks 4. Building time for your new fiberglass pools: 3-5 weeks, that is, once permitting is complete. 5. What can delay a pool build: Severe weather, material supply chain issues, lengthy municipal permit approvals, and site access issues |
What fiberglass pools typically cost in Tennessee
The truth is that the cost and range of fiberglass pools depends on several factors. Fiberglass pools start in the $60,000 range and up, and the reason is that the price depends on the types of added features you’d like in your pool.
- Decking
- Tiling
- Added benches
- Fire bowls and copper bowls
- Added fountains and jets
- Beautiful LED lights
- Dazzling waterfalls
All these added features add to the final quoted price tag.
Budget-friendly tip: Decide on your must-haves versus nice-to-haves before you arrive at your initial consultation with your custom fiberglass pool builder.
Nevertheless, if you’re unsure of what features and add-ons you’re looking for in your new fiberglass pool, don’t sweat it. Your pool builder is equipped to handle all your needs and will provide you with options for your new fiberglass pool.
The real installation timeline: From dig to swim
As a general rule of thumb, the actual time it takes to install a pool can be broken down into two distinct parts of the pool-building process:
- The pre-construction phase
- The on-site building phase
Pre-construction phase
The pre-construction phase is all about ideating. Together, we’ll begin concepting the design, engineering, and permits for your new durable fiberglass pool.
Permit approvals can be as short as four weeks and as long as 12 weeks depending on the jurisdiction, which is why planning early pays off. Once the pre-construction phase is completed, we begin building on-site.
On-site build
Once approvals are complete, installing your new fiberglass pool will progress more quickly. The actual installation takes about two to four weeks, with site conditions being the most prominent variable that affects the installation process.
Some fiberglass pools can even be completed in six to eight weeks, depending on the features and the site conditions.
Permits in Tennessee: What you’ll likely need
As Rutherford County, TN’s public services website says, you must obtain a building permit for any “swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas that contain over 24 inches of water.” While not all cities and counties use the same requirements for permitting, the most common permitting requirements include the following requirements and/or stipulations:
- A copy of the design layout of your Subsurface Sewage/Septic Disposal System
- A zoning compliance form that discusses the proposed location of the swimming pool on grid paper
- The exact measurements and location of your pool to ensure proper placement in your yard, as well as setbacks on smaller lots
- Proof of contractor licensing and insurance
- Proof of a swimming pool barrier and/or alarm agreement
- Erosion control items
- And more
Speaking of safety barriers and fencing, let’s take a closer look at what constitutes as a safety barrier in Tennessee.
Safety barriers and fencing: What to expect
Using Rutherford County, TN, as an example, local Rutherford County government officials mention that safety barriers and fencing must be built according to the following standards:
- The top of the barrier should be a minimum of 48 inches above grade on the side that faces away from the pool. This height should be maintained around the entire perimeter of the barrier and for three feet horizontally from the outside of the barrier.
- The vertical clearance between the grass/mulch and the bottom of the barrier shouldn’t be higher than two inches.
- The clearance between the concrete and the bottom of the barrier shouldn’t exceed four inches.
- When the barrier is placed on top of the pool structure, the height between the top of the pool and the bottom of the barrier shouldn’t be more than four inches.
While your city or county might use different measurements or standards, you can use the above-mentioned standards as a baseline for understanding what’s needed for the safety barriers and fencing around your new pool.
Processes that delay pool projects in Tennessee
Like all major home improvement projects, delays can occur. Fortunately, with the right pool builder and support, you can prevent delays from affecting the finish date on your new backyard inground pool.
Some of the most common delays in the installation timeline are the result of the following processes:
- Turnaround times for permitting
- Scheduling inspections at a time that works with all involved parties
- Access delays via large excavation machinery, trucks, and cranes that require backyard access
- Grade changes like narrow side yards, sloping backyard spaces, and deep-seated tree roots can affect the building timeline
Nevertheless, your pool contractors should be well-versed in building pools and backyard home additions. They’ll work with you to ensure a smooth, seamless, and on-time build for your dream pool.
How to choose a quality fiberglass pool builder in Tennessee
When building your pool, we always recommend being very deliberate about who you choose to build your backyard pool in Tennessee. You want to choose a team that offers white-glove service and turnkey solutions, because doing so will help you build a long-lasting, durable pool.
We recommend asking the following five questions to assess the viability of your pool team:
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
- How many years of experience do you have building pools and outdoor structures?
- What does the pool construction process look like, and can you give me clarity on the timeline?
- Can I see an example of work from your portfolio of custom fiberglass pool builds?
- What happens if problems occur during the pool build?
- What types of water features and design offerings do you do?
Experienced custom fiberglass pool builders should be able to guide you through each of these questions and provide you with a booklet summarizing their offerings. They should have many years of experience under their belts with custom outdoor construction projects.
Did you know?
Did you know that summer isn’t built in June? That’s right.
It’s built right now. ☀️🏊♂️
If you want to be swimming by summer, the planning starts today.
From compact plunge pools to full backyard transformations, we handle every detail so you can focus on making memories.
Middle Tennessee families, if a backyard oasis is on your vision board for 2026, find your inspiration here on our Instagram page.
Get inspired for your new backyard build
If you’re ready to upgrade your backyard, you couldn’t have chosen a better time. Discover the growing market for custom fiberglass pools.
Fiberglass pools are low-maintenance, non-porous, and algae-resistant. Plus, if you want to map out costs, timelines, and permits for your new Tennessee pool, we’d be more than happy to build a plan for your pool project.
With more than 20 years of experience with custom home construction and backyard pools, our team is here to help make “home sweet home” a reality.
To schedule an initial consultation with our Good Day pool specialists, contact us today. We look forward to helping you build the backyard of your dreams.
