Pennsylvania · Inground Pool Builders & Contractors · Updated 2026
Planning a permanent backyard pool? 3 inground pool builders serving State College, ranked by rating and review count, with what a fiberglass, gunite or vinyl liner pool costs installed in State College this year.
Ordered by customer rating and review count across the State College area. Listings include the available rating, contact details and location; confirm current credentials and scope directly.
Planning a new pool as well? The State College pool builders directory ranks all 42 builders in the area.
Installed prices in State College run from $49,500–$77,000 for a mid-size vinyl liner pool to $82,500–$132,000 for a comparable gunite pool, with fiberglass in between at $64,000–$93,500. Decking, fencing and permits stack on top:
| Job | Typical State College price |
|---|---|
| Vinyl liner pool, installed (about 16×32) | $49,500–$77,000 |
| Fiberglass pool, installed (about 14×30) | $64,000–$93,500 |
| Gunite / concrete pool, installed (about 16×32) | $82,500–$132,000 |
| Attached spa or spillover | $13,000–$38,500 |
| Decking and coping around the pool | $6,500–$22,000 |
| Safety fence and gates | $2,200–$6,600 |
| Permits, engineering, utility locates | $600–$3,900 |
| Typical all-in project with deck and fence | $77,000–$165,000+ |
| Ongoing upkeep (chemicals, power, service) | $1,300–$3,200 / year |
Pennsylvania 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.
State College market
4.5 average customer rating · 192 reviews · 3 companies
See All on the Map →3 inground pool builders serving State College. The ranked companies average 4.5 stars across 192 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.
Southeast PA digs workable soils with the occasional rock surprise; the west adds slope — Pittsburgh-area lots often need retaining walls and creative decking. Frost-depth plumbing and freeze-thaw-tolerant concrete are standard, and older-suburb access (narrow side yards, mature trees) shapes more bids than people expect. Vinyl liner dominates on value; gunite holds the Main Line and Sewickley end of the market. Fiberglass has grown fast statewide — quick installs suit the short season — and automatic covers are increasingly the default.
For statewide rankings, city counts and Pennsylvania prices, see the Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania home improvement contractors register with the Attorney General's office (HICPA) — verify the registration and insurance. Pool permits run through your municipality under the Uniform Construction Code, with barrier requirements (fences, self-latching gates) enforced at inspection. Philly-metro townships vary widely in timeline; ask your builder for recent local examples.
Installed in State College, PA, a mid-size vinyl liner pool typically runs $49,500–$77,000, a fiberglass pool $64,000–$93,500 and a gunite pool $82,500–$132,000. With decking, a fence and permits most complete projects land at $77,000–$165,000+. Pennsylvania 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 State College runs late May 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. Expect a late-May-to-mid-September unheated season with humid summers and genuinely cold winters. Heaters stretch the shoulders; a full professional winterization protects the investment from November through March.
Gary Thull Pools Inc has the highest customer rating on this State College list at 4.9 stars across 106 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.
Pennsylvania home improvement contractors register with the Attorney General's office (HICPA) — verify the registration and insurance. Pool permits run through your municipality under the Uniform Construction Code, with barrier requirements (fences, self-latching gates) enforced at inspection. Philly-metro townships vary widely in timeline; ask your builder for recent local examples.
Budget $1,300–$3,200 / 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 State College, or open the Pennsylvania directory for every listed market in the state.
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