Rhode Island · Inground Pool Builders & Contractors · Updated 2026
16 inground pool builders across Rhode Island — 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. 10 are listed as specialists for this work; the rest are pool builders that routinely handle it. City lists cover 5 Rhode Island markets.
Every pool builder in Rhode Island: see the full directory →
The order uses a weighted mix of customer rating and review count; open a city below for the full local list. Confirm current credentials, availability and scope directly.
Choose a local list for customer ratings, review counts, 2026 prices and the questions to ask. Cities are sorted by listed company count.
Installed prices in Rhode Island run from $54,000–$84,000 for a mid-size vinyl liner pool to $90,000–$144,000 for a comparable gunite pool, with fiberglass in between at $69,500–$102,000. Decking, fencing and permits stack on top:
| Job | Typical Rhode Island price |
|---|---|
| Vinyl liner pool, installed (about 16×32) | $54,000–$84,000 |
| Fiberglass pool, installed (about 14×30) | $69,500–$102,000 |
| Gunite / concrete pool, installed (about 16×32) | $90,000–$144,000 |
| Attached spa or spillover | $14,500–$42,000 |
| Decking and coping around the pool | $7,000–$24,000 |
| Safety fence and gates | $2,400–$7,200 |
| Permits, engineering, utility locates | $600–$4,200 |
| Typical all-in project with deck and fence | $84,000–$180,000+ |
| Ongoing upkeep (chemicals, power, service) | $1,300–$3,300 / year |
Rhode Island pricing is above the national baseline used for these estimates, mainly on labor and permitting. 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.
PoolPad tracks 16 inground pool builders across Rhode Island, with city lists for 5 markets. 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.
Expect New England dig conditions — glacial soils with boulder and ledge surprises — plus salt-air equipment considerations near the coast. Small lots make access and crane planning part of many bids, and shoreline builds can add coastal-zone review. Vinyl liner leads on value; gunite shows up along the East Bay and South County coast. Heat pumps and automatic covers are common, and compact heated pools fit the state's smaller lots well.
The largest listed markets are Pawtucket (58 companies), East Providence (55 companies), Providence (54 companies).
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. Rhode Island registers contractors through the state Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board — verify registration and insurance certificates. Pools permit through your city or town with residential-code barrier requirements (fencing, self-latching gates, alarms where required), and coastal properties may trip CRMC review; ask early.
Installed in Rhode Island, RI, a mid-size vinyl liner pool typically runs $54,000–$84,000, a fiberglass pool $69,500–$102,000 and a gunite pool $90,000–$144,000. With decking, a fence and permits most complete projects land at $84,000–$180,000+. Rhode Island pricing is above the national baseline used for these estimates, mainly on labor and permitting; 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 Rhode Island runs June through mid-September — about 4 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 mid-September unheated, with ocean-tempered shoulders that heaters unlock. Winters freeze hard enough that full winterization is standard, and coastal storms are a fact of fall.
AMD Pools & Patios has the highest customer rating on this Rhode Island list at 5 stars across 103 reviews. The Pool Doctor of Rhode Island has the largest review count (196 reviews at 4.8 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.
Rhode Island registers contractors through the state Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board — verify registration and insurance certificates. Pools permit through your city or town with residential-code barrier requirements (fencing, self-latching gates, alarms where required), and coastal properties may trip CRMC review; ask early.
Budget $1,300–$3,300 / 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.
If your property is near a state line, check the neighboring directories too.
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