Wisconsin · Inground Pool Builders & Contractors · Updated 2026
Planning a permanent backyard pool? 4 inground pool builders serving Madison, ranked by rating and review count, with what a fiberglass, gunite or vinyl liner pool costs installed in Madison this year.
Ordered by customer rating and review count across the Madison area. Listings include the available rating, contact details and location; confirm current credentials and scope directly.
Planning a new pool as well? The Madison pool builders directory ranks all 24 builders in the area.
Installed prices in Madison run from $47,500–$73,500 for a mid-size vinyl liner pool to $79,000–$126,000 for a comparable gunite pool, with fiberglass in between at $61,000–$89,500. Decking, fencing and permits stack on top:
| Job | Typical Madison price |
|---|---|
| Vinyl liner pool, installed (about 16×32) | $47,500–$73,500 |
| Fiberglass pool, installed (about 14×30) | $61,000–$89,500 |
| Gunite / concrete pool, installed (about 16×32) | $79,000–$126,000 |
| Attached spa or spillover | $12,500–$37,000 |
| Decking and coping around the pool | $6,500–$21,000 |
| Safety fence and gates | $2,100–$6,300 |
| Permits, engineering, utility locates | $500–$3,700 |
| Typical all-in project with deck and fence | $73,500–$157,500+ |
| Ongoing upkeep (chemicals, power, service) | $1,200–$3,100 / year |
Wisconsin 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.
Madison market
4.4 average customer rating · 360 reviews · 4 companies
See All on the Map →4 inground pool builders serving Madison. The ranked companies average 4.4 stars across 360 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.
Glacial soils vary from sand to clay with the occasional boulder surprise, and frost depths here drive deep plumbing runs and robust winterization design. The build season itself is short — good builders sequence permits over winter to dig at first thaw. Fiberglass and vinyl liner split the volume; heated pools with automatic covers are the norm because the season demands it. Simple durable designs with patio-forward layouts fit the supper-club entertaining style.
For statewide rankings, city counts and Wisconsin prices, see the Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin certifies dwelling contractors at the state level — verify the credential and insurance certificates. Pool permits and residential-code barrier requirements run through your municipality, and lake-adjacent lots can add shoreland zoning review; ask early.
Installed in Madison, WI, a mid-size vinyl liner pool typically runs $47,500–$73,500, a fiberglass pool $61,000–$89,500 and a gunite pool $79,000–$126,000. With decking, a fence and permits most complete projects land at $73,500–$157,500+. Wisconsin 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 Madison 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. The unheated season runs June through early September, with heaters extending both ends. Winters are long and cold; deep frost makes a detailed close the standard of care.
Patio Pleasures Pools & Spas has the highest customer rating on this Madison list at 4.8 stars across 194 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.
Wisconsin certifies dwelling contractors at the state level — verify the credential and insurance certificates. Pool permits and residential-code barrier requirements run through your municipality, and lake-adjacent lots can add shoreland zoning review; ask early.
Budget $1,200–$3,100 / 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 Madison, or open the Wisconsin directory for every listed market in the state.
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