Swimming Pool questions, answered

By our estimates, the pool alone runs about $36,000–56,000 for a small vinyl liner pool, $48,000–110,000 for fiberglass and $55,000–130,000 for gunite, depending on size. Most families then add $8,000–24,000 for a deck, a code fence and permits. No Wiregrass builder posts prices, so treat these as a starting budget.

A vinyl liner pool costs least on the day it is built. Over ten years the order flips: This Old House puts ten-year upkeep at roughly $5,000–15,000 for fiberglass, $11,000–17,000 for vinyl and $27,000–40,000 for concrete (This Old House).

Both work in our soil. Gunite is what Blue Haven's Dothan office builds, along with vinyl (Blue Haven), and it suits custom shapes and built-in spas. Fiberglass is quicker to install and needs the least care, but fewer local crews set shells; Cox Pools lists fiberglass among its work (Cox Pools). Ask each builder which they actually install most.

Mostly it helps: the common Dothan soil is described by USDA as very deep and well drained (USDA). The catch is that loose sand can slump into the hole. Blue Haven's Dothan page mentions caving sand walls and fixes such as pea-gravel backfill and extra steel (Blue Haven).

Less than on the Gulf Coast, but it varies by lot. Fuquay soils hold a seasonal water table about 40–60 in down from January to March (USDA), and Grady soils in low depressions stay wet near the surface 6–8 months a year (USDA). If your yard sits in a low spot, say so in your request.

Inside city limits it's Permits and Inspections at the Civic Center, 126 N Saint Andrews St, (334) 615-4450 (City of Dothan). A Dothan mailing address outside the city limits doesn't need a city permit, but the county or town may require one (city FAQ).

At least 48 in, with a self-locking latch on every gate. That rule is printed on the city's fence permit form, and fences need their own permit (Dothan fence form). Enterprise's pool application likewise asks for a 4 ft minimum fence and a self-locking gate.

Enterprise's pool permit form says every pool must sit at least 5 ft from the property line and 10 ft from the house, and it wants a drawing showing setbacks and which way water drains (Enterprise pool application).

The state general contractors board licenses "Swimming Pool construction of $5,000 or more" (ALBGC). Ask for that state number, plus the city business license Dothan requires before a contractor can pull a permit (Dothan).

Blue Haven's Dothan page puts a gunite build at 8–10 weeks, longer if the site has sand, roots or rock to deal with (Blue Haven). A fiberglass shell usually goes in faster once the hole is dug (our estimate: 2–4 weeks on site).

Early fall works well. October averages just 2.70 in of rain at Dothan Regional Airport, the driest month of the year (NOAA normals), and a fall or winter start leaves room for permits and weather before the first warm weekends of spring.

It depends on how long you'll own the house and whether you'll rent it out after you move. If you might leave in a few years, think about upkeep from a distance, a fence a tenant can live with, and whether buyers near the post want a pool. A builder can price a simpler pool that fits that plan.

Cash, a home equity loan or HELOC, or an unsecured pool loan. NerdWallet says pool loans tend to run 2–7 years at 6–36% APR depending on credit, while equity loans are cheaper but use your house as security (NerdWallet). Blue Haven and Cox both mention financing options.

Keep it full, take furniture and toys inside rather than sinking them, and run the pump while the power holds (UF/IFAS Extension). Dothan is far enough inland to miss storm surge, but Hurricane Michael still gusted to 62 mph at the airport in 2018 (NHC).

No. Dothan Pool Builders is a free referral service. We pass your request to one local builder, who visits your yard and quotes. The builder may pay us for the introduction; you never pay us anything.