Excavation and spoil haul-off
Shell dig, overdig, rock or dewatering allowance, access equipment and hauling
CYPool plan, depth profile and soil report
Pools and spas
Swimming pool estimates built from the excavation up to the last coping stone
Pool bids go wrong underground. Rock hits, dewatering, haul-off of spoil and overdig behind steep walls can double an excavation line, while a missed spa spillway or negative-edge trough adds days of steel and plumbing. Our estimators measure the shell volume, steel schedule, plumbing runs, finishes and decking from your plan, and flag the site conditions that need an allowance before you sign.
Gunite and shotcreteSpa and water featuresAutomation and equipment
4.9/5 from 180+ contractors
- 5.0 Google
- 4.9 Trustpilot
- 4.9 Clutch
CSI divisions in this scope
- 03Concrete
- Special Construction
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Earthwork
- Exterior Improvements
- Utilities
Organized by MasterFormat so it drops into your cost codes
±6%
typical variance to final cost on gunite pool estimates
24–48 hours
Typical turnaround
03 · 13 · 22 · 26
CSI divisions
XLSX · PDF
You receive
Scope of takeoff
Pool scope we quantify
Each pool is measured by shell volume, surface area and perimeter, then priced by phase so progress payments match real costs.
Scroll through all 12 line items
Estimate types
What type of swimming pool estimating can you get?
Match the estimate to where your project is. Every option is priced as a flat fee before work begins.
| Estimate type | Accuracy | Turnaround | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Budget range by pool type A pricing range for gunite, shotcrete, vinyl or fiberglass shells, based on surface area, depth and finish level. | ±12-15% | Same day | Homeowners and designers at concept stage |
Detailed construction estimate Full quantity takeoff for excavation, shell, plumbing, equipment, finishes and decking from permit drawings. | ±5-7% | 24-48 hours | Pool builders issuing fixed-price contracts |
Resort and commercial pool estimate Pricing for larger vessels with commercial filtration, ADA lifts, deck drains and health department requirements. | ±6-8% | 72 hours | Hotels, HOAs and recreation centers |
Site-condition allowance review Evaluation of soil, rock, groundwater and access risks with ranged allowances before the bid goes out. | Allowance range | 24 hours | Builders pricing difficult lots |
How our estimating process works
Four steps from upload to a bid-ready estimate, with a senior estimator signing off before anything leaves our desk.
- 1
Upload plans and scope
Send your drawings, specifications and bid invitation through the secure upload form. We confirm scope, deadline and a fixed price within two business hours.
- 2
Digital quantity takeoff
Estimators measure every item from calibrated plans in Bluebeam and PlanSwift, color-coding each layer so quantities can be traced back to the drawing.
- 3
Pricing and labor
Quantities are priced with location-adjusted material costs, crew productivity rates and equipment, then marked up to your overhead and profit targets.
- 4
Senior review and delivery
A second estimator audits quantities and pricing, documents assumptions and exclusions, and delivers your Excel workbook, PDF summary and marked-up plans.
Why LEEDS
Why contractors switch to LEEDS
An estimating desk that behaves like an extension of your team, not a software subscription.
- Excavation is calculated from the depth profile and includes overdig, haul-off and an allowance for rock or groundwater.
- Shotcrete volume carries a rebound and overspray factor, which is the common reason shell concrete runs over budget.
- Tile, coping and plaster are quantified from perimeter and wetted surface area, not rounded from the pool length and width.
- Plumbing is sized to turnover requirements, so equipment lists match the actual hydraulic demand of the water features.
- Spas, spillways, sheer descents and fire features are priced as individual components with their own steel and plumbing.
- Deck estimates distinguish between poured concrete, pavers, travertine and stamped overlays, with drainage and slope included.
Deliverables
What's included in your estimate package
Every deliverable is formatted so it can go straight into a proposal, a purchase order or an owner report.
XLSX
Estimate workbook
Quantities, unit costs, labor hours and totals organized by CSI division, with subtotals, markups and a bid summary tab.
PDF
Marked-up plans
Color-coded takeoff drawings showing exactly where every measured quantity came from.
XLSX
Material procurement list
Consolidated material quantities with waste factors applied, ready to send to suppliers for quotes.
XLSX
Labor hours by task
Crew-based labor hours and productivity rates so you can check the schedule against the estimate.
PDF
Assumptions and exclusions log
Every clarification, allowance and exclusion documented so your proposal scope is defensible.
PDF
Bid summary sheet
A proposal-ready one-page summary with overhead, profit, bonds and contingency applied.
Tools
Estimating software and cost data we work in
Deliverables fit the tools your team already uses.
Bluebeam Revu
Calibrated PDF markup and measurement
PlanSwift
Digital takeoff and assemblies
RSMeans Data
Localized unit cost database
Microsoft Excel
Deliverables formatted to your template
Reviews
What contractors say after their first bid with us
What general contractors, subcontractors and developers say after bidding with our numbers.
Clutch
“Change-order pricing came back the same day with quantities tied to the original contract set. The owner approved without a single question.”
Rob Castellano
Senior PM, Castellano Construction Management · Newark, NJ
Trustpilot
“The conduit and wire takeoff matched what my foreman pulled from the drawings almost to the foot. Labor hours were realistic for our crews. It is the first outsourced estimate I did not have to redo.”
Dana Okafor
Owner, Okafor Electric · Houston, TX
Google
“Washington energy code and seismic detailing were reflected in the pricing without us having to explain anything. That is rare for an out-of-state estimator.”
Kim Nakamura
Co-founder, Pacific Build Collective · Seattle, WA
Overview
What a pool estimate has to capture
A swimming pool is a structural concrete vessel with a mechanical plant attached. The estimate has to follow both. The shell begins with excavation measured in cubic yards, includes overdig for plumbing and form access, and carries spoil haul-off and any rock, groundwater or access-equipment premium. Steel is scheduled per bar and ring beam, then shotcrete or gunite is calculated in cubic yards with a rebound factor so the first pour does not come up short. Soil reports and local water tables are reviewed during takeoff, so dewatering and hydrostatic relief valves are priced before they become an emergency.
The plant comes next: main drains, skimmers, return lines, pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, lighting, automation and bonding, all rated against the pool volume and turnover requirements. Tile, coping and plaster are quantified by linear foot and square foot, and the deck is measured by material, whether poured concrete, travertine pavers or stamped overlay, with the drainage and slope that keep water away from the house. Each equipment item is matched to the pool volume and plumbing size, which avoids undersized pumps and the change orders that come with them.
Around the pool are code items homeowners rarely budget for: barrier fencing and self-closing gates, GFCI protection, equipotential bonding, safety covers and electrical to the equipment pad. We include them, with permit and inspection fees for the pool and any associated structure, so the contract price reflects everything required to pass final inspection and fill the pool legally. Many owners also add landscape lighting, pergolas or outdoor kitchens, so we price them as separate options that do not distort the pool shell budget.
FAQ
Swimming Pool Estimating FAQs
Straight answers on scope, turnaround, pricing and deliverables.
What is the biggest cost risk in a swimming pool estimate?
Excavation. Rock, high groundwater, poor soils and limited machine access can raise the dig and haul-off cost sharply. We estimate the base excavation by cubic yard, then include an allowance range tied to your soil report, so the risk is visible in the bid and not a surprise on the first day.
How do you calculate shotcrete or gunite quantities?
We build the shell geometry from the plan, including floor, walls, benches, steps and spa, multiply by thickness and add a rebound and overspray factor. The result is in cubic yards, with separate lines for the bond beam and any raised walls or water feature structures.
Do you estimate plumbing and equipment for the pool?
Yes. We quantify main drains, skimmers, returns, valves and pipe runs in linear feet, then list pump, filter, heater, chlorinator, lighting and automation from the equipment schedule. We size to the pool volume and turnover rate so the pad design and price are consistent, and variable-speed pump options are shown as upgrades.
Can you price decking and hardscape around the pool?
Yes. We measure deck area in square feet by material, add forms, base, reinforcement, expansion joints, drains and slope, and include coping transitions. If the plan shows outdoor kitchens, walls or fire features, we price those as separate lines. We also note which deck materials need an engineered base over backfilled soil.
Does the estimate include pool barriers and electrical code items?
It does. Fencing, self-closing and self-latching gates, door alarms, equipotential bonding, GFCI protection and wiring to the pad are quantified according to your local code and NEC Article 680. We also include permit and inspection fees for the pool and any barrier work. The totals are broken out so you can see required safety cost versus optional upgrades.
Can you estimate pool remodels and replasters?
Yes. A remodel estimate covers draining, acid wash or chip-out, crack repair, new tile and coping, plaster or aggregate finish, plumbing repairs and equipment upgrades. We quantify by surface area and linear foot, with allowances for hidden shell damage noted at demolition. Equipment upgrades such as variable-speed pumps are shown as separate options.
Related
Related estimating services
Most projects need more than one trade. Bundle them into a single upload and we price the whole scope together.
Ready for a swimming pool estimating quote?
Upload your plans and get a fixed quote within 2 business hours. Most estimates are delivered in 24–48 hours.