Building a pool in Ecuador: a real case of $10,300 with jacuzzi and waterfall

An 8 × 4 m pool with jacuzzi, waterfall and lights for $10,300, when others quoted $15,000 and $20,000 without the jacuzzi: why to ask for several quotes and what we learned during the work.

A pool adds value to a house and, on the coast, gets used all year. But prices vary enormously, and the details of the work make the difference. This is a real case, with what it cost and what we learned.

A real case: $10,300

• An 8 × 4 m pool (32 m² of water surface), up to 2 m deep.
• With a jacuzzi, a waterfall and lights.
• Final price: $10,300.

For the same pool, two other quotes were $20,000 and $15,000, both without the jacuzzi. In other words: the most expensive asked almost double for less. That's why the most important thing is to ask for several quotes, with the same dimensions and the same things included, so you can compare them.

What it costs in general

• Some builders offer cast-in-place reinforced concrete pools, with filtration and LED lighting, from about $9,000 for standard sizes.
• A basic residential pool usually costs between $12,000 and $25,000.
• As a guide: $10,000 to $20,000 for pools of up to 25 m² of water surface, and $20,000 to $30,000 for 25 to 50 m².

The work normally takes 4 to 8 weeks, from digging to handover. What pushes the price up: curved shapes, infinity edges, rocky or wet ground, finishes (mosaic, stone) and extras such as a jacuzzi, waterfall, heating or salt chlorination.

What we learned during the work

1. Specify everything with measurements. If you work with maestros who specialise in pools, rather than a company with its own design, draw and write down every measurement: the size and height of the jacuzzi benches, the depth at each point, and the position and height of every jet. Otherwise you end up with odd benches and badly aligned jets. Go through the drawing with them before the concrete is poured.
2. A wide, non-slip edge. A wide edge is more comfortable and safer, and the tiles must be non-slip: around a pool the floor is always wet.
3. Be there when they install the filtration. That way you see where every filter and pipe goes, and you can ask them to lay out the pipes properly: tidy, accessible pipes make maintenance and any repair much easier.
4. Don't buy the cheapest valves. We had the cheapest ones, with red handles, and they were very hard to open and close. We replaced them with American-type valves with blue handles, where you can adjust how much force you need. They cost a little more, but you use them every week.
5. Wifi breakers. With smart breakers for the Tuya app, about $5 each on Temu, you switch the lights, waterfall or jacuzzi on and off from your phone. Have an electrician do the installation: pool circuits need residual-current protection.
6. An inline chlorinator. For $20 to $40 there are chlorinators that go in the pipe, after the filter, and slowly release chlorine from tablets. It's much better than pouring chlorine into the pool by hand: the level stays more even and you can forget about it for weeks.

Can I do it myself?

The structure, waterproofing and plumbing need experience: it isn't a project to do alone. What you can do: ask for and compare quotes, buy some equipment yourself (pump, filter, lights, the chlorinator, the breakers) if the builder agrees, and do the maintenance.

Costs afterwards

Count on chemicals (chlorine, pH), electricity for the pump, which runs several hours a day, and water for topping up. With an inline chlorinator or salt chlorination your chlorine lasts longer and there's less work. A cover reduces evaporation and dirt.

Before you start

• Check whether your municipality requires a permit for the pool, and respect the setbacks from the boundaries.
• Ask for a written warranty on the structure and waterproofing.
• Ask what the price includes: digging, removing the soil, equipment, finishes and commissioning.

Ask pool builders in your city for quotes on Build. Prices from a real case and quotes from 2026: always confirm with the builder.