A custom pool is a big purchase, and in Tucson the price can swing a lot from one builder to the next. A good part of that difference is not the pool. It is how many companies stand between you and the people doing the work. Meraki Pools AZ is a family-owned builder, and most of our work is done by our own crew with our own equipment. That means fewer layers of markup, and a price that goes into your backyard.
Why our pools cost less to build
Many pool builders sell the job and then hand most stages to subcontractors: one company digs, another ties steel, another does the masonry, another the tile, another the deck. Each one adds its own overhead and profit, and the builder adds its margin on top.
We work differently:
- We own our excavation equipment. We dig your pool ourselves, so there is no equipment rental or excavation subcontractor marked up into your price. It also means we set the dig date instead of waiting on someone else’s schedule. Read why we own heavy-duty equipment.
- Our crew does most of the build. Excavation, steel, masonry, raised walls, tile, coping and decks are done by our in-house crew. Fewer hand-offs means fewer markups and fewer mistakes between trades.
- The owners run the job. You deal with the family that owns the company, from the first visit to the startup.
- Line-item pricing. Your quote shows what each part of the pool costs, so you can see where the money goes and decide where to save.
Our clients notice. In her Google review, Kendra H. wrote, “Their pricing was also the best we received,” and said what stood out was that “Carlos and his team actually did the work.” Read more on our reviews page.
What an affordable custom pool costs in Tucson
Most new custom concrete pools we build run about $40,000 to $120,000 or more. Smaller, simpler pools with fewer features sit toward the lower part of that range. The biggest price drivers are size, shape, depth, features, finishes, deck square footage and how hard your yard is to reach and dig. Our Tucson pool cost guide breaks it down line by line.
Ways to keep your pool on budget
You do not have to give up a great pool to save money. These choices make the biggest difference:
| Choice | How it saves |
|---|---|
| A smaller pool or plunge pool | Less excavation, steel, concrete, finish and water. See plunge and cocktail pools. |
| A rectangular or simple geometric shape | Faster forming and steel work, less waste |
| Standard depth instead of a deep end | Less digging and less water to fill and heat |
| Add features later | We plumb for a spa, water feature or heater now so you can add them when the budget allows |
| A modest deck | Deck square footage adds up quickly; you can expand with pavers later |
| Smart finish choices | We help you pick a finish and tile that look great without overspending |
| Avoiding change orders | Deciding everything in the 3D design keeps the price from creeping during the build |
Our guide on how to build an affordable pool in Tucson goes deeper on each of these.
What we never cut
An affordable pool still has to last decades in the Arizona sun. We never save money on:
- Steel and the shotcrete shell. The structure is built to the engineered plans every time.
- Your pool barrier. Every barrier we build is at least 5 feet tall. See our pool barrier guide.
- Permits and inspections. We pull the permit and handle every inspection.
- Equipment. We install Pentair variable-speed pumps and cartridge filters, which cost less to run every month. See the Pentair equipment we use and what it costs to run a pool in Tucson.
A low bid that cuts these corners is not a deal. It is a repair bill waiting to happen.
Compare quotes the right way
The cheapest number on paper is not always the lowest real price. Some quotes leave out the deck, the barrier, permits, rock excavation or equipment details, then add them later as change orders. Ask every builder for an itemized quote for the same pool and compare line by line. Our guide on how to compare pool bids in Tucson shows what to look for, including Arizona’s limit on how much a pool contractor can ask for up front.
Financing makes it easier
Many families finance their pool. You can apply with our lending partners, Lyon Financial and Credit Union West, or use your own bank. Try the payment calculator on our pool financing page to see what a pool could cost per month.
See budget-friendly pools we built
Browse our projects to see real pools, from compact freeform pools to clean rectangular builds:
- Freeform pool with a paver patio in a compact Marana yard
- Rectangular pool with travertine coping in Marana
- Gladden Farms pool with a travertine deck
Get an honest, itemized price
Call (520) 342-8335 or request a free estimate. You get a free on-site visit, a 3D design and a written, line-item quote. Meraki Pools AZ is family-owned and licensed under AZ ROC #352797 (KA-5 Dual Swimming Pool Contractor) and #342505 (CR-21).
