Project Spotlight: Affordable Family Vinyl Liner Pool in Spanish Fork

Location: Spanish Fork, Utah
Pool type: Vinyl liner with polymer wall system
Size: 18 by 36 feet
Project budget: $68,000 turnkey
Timeline: 7 weeks signed-to-swim

The Challenge

A growing family in Spanish Fork wanted a true in-ground pool but couldn’t justify the $100K+ price tag of fiberglass or concrete. They had a generous backyard, three school-age kids, and entertaining-friendly requirements.

Goals:

• Real in-ground experience (not above-ground)
• Total project under $70K
• Larger family-sized pool
• Saltwater compatibility
• Reliable for years of family use

The Design

18 by 36 foot rectangular vinyl liner pool with a graceful curved liner pattern (printed mosaic). Polymer wall system (saltwater compatible — steel walls would corrode over time). Depth: 3.5 feet shallow, 6 feet deep end with slight transition.

Equipment: Hayward TriStar VS variable-speed pump (Utah code requires this anyway). Hayward H400 gas heater. AquaRite salt system. Universal ColorLogic LED light. Standard cartridge filter.

Decking: 600 sq ft of standard concrete with broom finish (budget-friendly, rugged for kid traffic).

Construction

• Week 1: Permit + site prep
• Week 2: Excavation, polymer wall assembly
• Week 3: Concrete bond beam, plumbing rough-in
• Week 4: Vermiculite floor + custom-fit liner
• Week 5: Decking pour
• Week 6: Equipment install, electrical hookup
• Week 7: Fill, balance, pool school, first swim

Why Vinyl Made Sense Here

Three reasons vinyl liner won over fiberglass:

1. Cost — same-size fiberglass would have been $90K-$120K
2. Size — 18 by 36 is at the upper edge of fiberglass shell sizes; vinyl scales easily
3. Soft surface — better for younger kids’ knees

The Liner Replacement Reality

Vinyl liners last 8-12 years. The family understood this going in. When liner replacement comes (around 2034-2038), we estimated $5,000-$8,000 for replacement at today’s prices. The family considered this acceptable amortized over 10+ years of pool use.

What the Family Said

“We thought we’d never afford a real in-ground pool. Peak Pools showed us the vinyl option and walked us through everything. The pool has been amazing for the kids and our entertaining. It looks like a much more expensive pool than it was.” — Spanish Fork homeowner

Cost Breakdown

• Polymer wall system + custom liner: $14K
• Excavation + concrete bond beam: $16K
• 600 sq ft concrete decking: $7K
• Equipment package: $11K
• Plumbing, electrical, gas line: $9K
• Permits + design + site work: $4K
• Fill, startup, fence: $7K
• Total: $68K

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