Maine · Local Pros · Updated 2026
Compare the top 14 pool builders in Portland. Read real customer reviews, weigh ratings side by side, and reach out to top-rated contractors about new pools, renovations, and remodels.
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Ranked by customer rating and review volume. Open any listing for full details, photos, reviews, and contact information.
Typical inground pool projects in Portland run $52,000–$161,000+ installed, with most landing around $83,000 — Maine pricing runs above the national average — expect the labor and permitting side of bids to show it. The build type sets the baseline:
| Pool type | Installed in Portland |
|---|---|
| Vinyl liner | $46k–$75k |
| Fiberglass | $57k–$103k |
| Gunite / concrete | $71k–$144k |
| Typical Portland project | $83,000 |
Treat these as planning numbers, then get three itemized bids from Portland builders before you commit. Quotes for an identical pool commonly land 20% apart in the same city, and the difference is usually scope rather than markup: decking, barrier fencing, the electrical run to the equipment pad, and putting the yard back are the items a low bid tends to leave off.
See the full national line-item breakdown in our inground pool cost guide, and pressure-test any financing offer with the pool loan calculator before you sign.
Every market has its quirks — here’s what actually moves budgets and timelines for Maine builds:
Not sure what style fits your yard? Browse pool design ideas and pool shapes before your first builder meeting — homeowners who show up with pictures get accurate bids weeks faster. And if you’re comparing builders beyond Portland, the Maine pool builders guide and our nationwide finder cover the whole map.
Bids for decking, shade, and an outdoor kitchen are far cheaper while the excavator is already in your yard.
There are 14 pool building companies working the Portland market, covering everything from first designs and permits through excavation, shell, plumbing, and finish work. Across the ranked list the average rating is 4.3 stars on 664 verified reviews. Rankings use PoolPad's weighted score — rating and review volume together — so consistent, heavily-reviewed builders rise to the top of the Portland list.
Maine's pool market concentrates in the south — Portland, the coastal towns, and the New Hampshire border — where a short but genuinely hot summer keeps a small bench of builders busy. Planning ahead matters: the build season and the builder list are both short. For the statewide picture — top-rated pros, city-by-city counts, and Maine pricing — see the Maine pool builders directory.
When hiring a pool builder in Portland, weigh their experience with local soil conditions and permitting, the range of pool types they offer (gunite, fiberglass, vinyl liner), and whether they handle landscaping and hardscaping in the same contract. Look at completed projects, verify licensing and insurance for Maine, and ask about post-construction warranties. The best builders provide a detailed written contract covering timeline, materials, and total cost — and get at least three itemized bids before you commit, because prices for the same pool routinely vary 20% or more between Portland builders.
Most inground pool projects in Portland, ME run $52,000 to $161,000+ installed, with typical projects landing around $83,000. By build type: vinyl liner $46k–$75k, fiberglass $57k–$103k, and gunite/concrete $71k–$144k. Rocky soils and ledge are routine — put excavation language in writing — and rural lots add access logistics. Frost-depth plumbing, freeze-tolerant decks, and covers rated for snow load are simply how pools are built this far north. Request itemized quotes from at least three of the builders listed here to see real numbers for your yard.
Most inground pool projects in Portland take 8–16 weeks from permit approval to completion. Factors like weather, permitting timelines, material availability, and the complexity of your design can affect the schedule. Ask your builder for a detailed project timeline during the quoting process.
Start by comparing the 14 pool builders listed here, ranked by customer reviews. Look for builders with a high rating (4.5+), a large number of reviews, years of experience, and services that match your project. We recommend contacting at least 3 builders for quotes. Check their portfolios and ask about warranties, timelines, and permitting.
Yes — Portland and most municipalities in Maine require building permits for swimming pool construction, covering structural, electrical, and plumbing inspections plus barrier/fencing requirements. Most builders listed here handle the permitting process as part of the project — confirm it in writing, along with who schedules each inspection.
The outdoor season in Portland runs mid-June through early September — about 3 months unheated, and most owners add a heater to stretch both shoulders. A full professional winterization each fall protects plumbing and equipment through the freeze. Mid-June to early September unheated, longer with a heat pump doing real work. Winters are long and freezing statewide, so every inground pool gets a full professional close.
Mowry Brothers Pools currently leads the Portland rankings at 5 stars across 11 reviews, with Northern Pool & Spa carrying the deepest review history (195 reviews at 4.8 stars). PoolPad ranks by a weighted blend of rating and review volume, so consistent performers rise above small-sample five-stars — but always get more than one quote.
Maine has no general statewide contractor license, so due diligence is yours: insurance certificates, references, and recent local builds. Pool permits and residential-code barrier requirements (fencing, self-latching gates) run through your town's code enforcement office; shoreland zoning can add review near water.
Rocky soils and ledge are routine — put excavation language in writing — and rural lots add access logistics. Frost-depth plumbing, freeze-tolerant decks, and covers rated for snow load are simply how pools are built this far north. Vinyl liner leads, fiberglass grows every year for install speed, and heat pumps are near-universal on new builds. Simple, durable designs with automatic covers fit the climate and the character.
Browse pool builders pros in other cities near Portland, or see every city in the Maine directory.
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