Iowa · Inground Pool Builders & Contractors · Updated 2026
17 inground pool builders serving Des Moines — fiberglass, gunite and vinyl liner — ordered by customer rating and review count, with 2026 installed prices for each type so you can compare before the first site visit. 11 are listed as specialists for this work; the rest are pool builders that routinely handle it.
Ordered by customer rating and review count across the Des Moines area. Listings include the available rating, contact details and location; confirm current credentials and scope directly.
Companies in the second group are listed as pool builders; most build inground pools in at least one material — ask which types they install and how many they completed last year.
Planning a new pool as well? The Des Moines pool builders directory ranks all 35 builders in the area.
Installed prices in Des Moines run from $45,000–$70,000 for a mid-size vinyl liner pool to $75,000–$120,000 for a comparable gunite pool, with fiberglass in between at $58,000–$85,000. Decking, fencing and permits stack on top:
| Job | Typical Des Moines price |
|---|---|
| Vinyl liner pool, installed (about 16×32) | $45,000–$70,000 |
| Fiberglass pool, installed (about 14×30) | $58,000–$85,000 |
| Gunite / concrete pool, installed (about 16×32) | $75,000–$120,000 |
| Attached spa or spillover | $12,000–$35,000 |
| Decking and coping around the pool | $6,000–$20,000 |
| Safety fence and gates | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Permits, engineering, utility locates | $500–$3,500 |
| Typical all-in project with deck and fence | $70,000–$150,000+ |
| Ongoing upkeep (chemicals, power, service) | $1,200–$3,000 / year |
Iowa pricing is close to the national baseline used for these estimates. Soil, access for excavation equipment, slope, utility relocation and the finish and feature package move a quote more than the pool's footprint does — compare itemized bids for the same size and type.
Fiberglass, gunite and vinyl bids are not comparable to each other — settle the type (or ask each builder to bid two), then compare like for like.
Des Moines market
4.3 average customer rating · 628 reviews · 17 companies · 11 specialists
See All on the Map →17 inground pool builders serving Des Moines. 11 are listed as specialists for this work; the rest are pool builders that routinely handle it. The ranked companies average 4.3 stars across 628 customer reviews. PoolPad orders the list with a weighted score that combines customer rating and review count, so a long track record counts for more than a handful of scores.
Rich Iowa soils dig easily but hold moisture — drainage and compacted backfill are the quality separators — and frost-depth plumbing is standard. Flat lots and friendly access keep installed costs reasonable by national standards. Vinyl liner leads with fiberglass growing fast; heaters and automatic covers are common because the season is short. Simple rectangles with generous patios fit both budgets and entertaining.
For statewide rankings, city counts and Iowa prices, see the Iowa inground pool builders directory, or check the nearby cities below.
Get at least three itemized bids for the same type and size, visit finished pools that are a few years old, and read the warranty for the shell, the finish and the equipment separately. Ask how the company handles rock, groundwater and access problems once digging starts. Iowa registers contractors at the state level — verify registration and insurance certificates. Pool permits and residential-code barrier requirements (fencing, self-latching gates) run through your city or county building office, with metro suburbs the most structured about inspections.
Installed in Des Moines, IA, a mid-size vinyl liner pool typically runs $45,000–$70,000, a fiberglass pool $58,000–$85,000 and a gunite pool $75,000–$120,000. With decking, a fence and permits most complete projects land at $70,000–$150,000+. Iowa pricing is close to the national baseline used for these estimates; the size, finish, features and site conditions move the number most.
There is no single best type. Fiberglass installs fastest and is the easiest to maintain but comes in fixed shapes; gunite can be any shape with any feature but costs more to build and to resurface later; vinyl liner has the lowest upfront price but needs a new liner every eight to twelve years. Match the type to your budget, your yard, how long you plan to stay and how much maintenance you want.
A fiberglass pool is often swimmable two to six weeks after excavation; a vinyl liner pool four to eight weeks; a gunite pool eight to sixteen weeks because the shell has to cure before tile, coping and the finish go on. Permitting adds two to eight weeks up front, and decking and landscaping follow the pool. Most crews dig in the off-season so the pool is ready when the season opens.
Most residential pools are 3 to 6 feet with a deep end of 6 to 8 feet; diving depths of 8 feet or more need a longer pool and a larger excavation. Fiberglass shells are limited to the manufacturer's molds (commonly 6 to 8 feet), while gunite and vinyl liner pools can be built to almost any profile, including sport pools that are shallow at both ends.
The outdoor season in Des Moines runs June through early September — about 3 months unheated. A full professional winterization each fall protects plumbing and equipment through the freeze, and spring openings cluster into the same few weeks. June through early September unheated, hot and humid at the peak. Winters freeze deep and stay frozen — full winterization with a snow-rated cover is simply how pools live here.
Blue Stream Pools and Spas has the highest customer rating on this Des Moines list at 5 stars across 6 reviews. Swimming Pool Supply Co has the largest review count (336 reviews at 4.7 stars). PoolPad orders the list with a weighted score that combines customer rating and review count, so a long track record counts for more than a handful of scores.
Iowa registers contractors at the state level — verify registration and insurance certificates. Pool permits and residential-code barrier requirements (fencing, self-latching gates) run through your city or county building office, with metro suburbs the most structured about inspections.
Budget $1,200–$3,000 / year for chemicals, electricity and routine service, more for a heated pool or a weekly cleaning route. Fiberglass and vinyl surfaces use fewer chemicals than plaster; a variable-speed pump and an automatic cover cut running costs the most.
Check inground pool builders in cities near Des Moines, or open the Iowa directory for every listed market in the state.
Claim your free PoolPad listing, check the pool types you build, and show Des Moines homeowners planning a new pool what you install.
