How much does a pool cost in the Florida Keys?
Short answer: custom concrete pools built by Buildia Corp in the Florida Keys start at about $70,000 (about $75,000 in the Marathon area), and the final price depends on size, features, finishes, decking, equipment and site conditions such as coral rock and a high water table. Most of our pools are finished in 4–6 weeks after permits, with no waitlist.
Why Keys pools cost more than mainland pools
Building a pool in the Keys involves work that mainland builders rarely price in. Nearly every lot has hard coral limestone close to the surface, which takes heavier excavation equipment. The water table is high, so the hole often has to be pumped dry while the shell is formed. Most lots are in FEMA flood zones, which limits where equipment can sit, and many are canal-front with seawalls and shoreline setbacks. Materials and concrete also travel down the Overseas Highway.
What goes into the price
- Size and depth. More surface area means more steel, concrete, tile and finish. Deep ends add excavation, which matters more in coral rock.
- Features. Raised or attached spas, sun shelves, infinity or spillover edges, swim-up seats, deck jets and bubblers each add structure, plumbing and finish work.
- Interior finish and tile. Plaster, pebble and glass-bead finishes, and waterline versus full glass tile, cover a wide price range.
- Coping and decking. Travertine, marble, coral stone, porcelain and concrete pavers price differently, and deck area adds up quickly.
- Equipment. Variable-speed pumps, cartridge or sand filters, heat pumps, salt systems, LED lighting and automation.
- Site conditions. Rock excavation, dewatering, access for equipment, seawall protection and flood-zone equipment placement.
- Design, engineering and permits. Drawings, structural engineering and permit fees for Monroe County, the Village of Islamorada or the City of Marathon. These costs are small, but they are paid by the homeowner and listed clearly in the proposal.
Costs people forget
- Pool barrier or fence required by Florida’s residential pool safety law
- Electrical service upgrades for pumps, heaters and lighting
- Landscaping, turf or pavers around the new deck
- Higher electric use and routine maintenance once the pool is running
How we quote
We quote every pool after a site visit, because the same design can cost very different amounts on different lots. The proposal breaks out the pool, features, finishes, decking, equipment, site work and the permit and engineering costs, so you can see where the budget goes and adjust it. See our concrete pools page for what is included, or read shotcrete vs. gunite and saltwater vs. chlorine before you choose.
Common questions
What is the minimum budget for a custom pool with Buildia?
Our custom concrete pools start at about $70,000, or about $75,000 in the Marathon area because of the longer drive from our Key Largo base. Most projects land above that once features, finishes and decking are chosen.
Why does coral rock make a pool cost more?
Coral limestone is hard and sits close to the surface on most Keys lots, so digging a pool takes rock-breaking equipment and more time than digging in sand. The high water table often also means pumping water out while the shell is built.
How long does a pool take to build in the Keys?
Most Buildia pools are completed in 4–6 weeks after permits are issued, and there is no waitlist to start.
Do permits add much to the cost?
No. Permit fees and engineering are a small part of most pool budgets. They are paid by the homeowner, and we list them clearly in the proposal so there are no surprises.
Let's build something worth jumping into.
Tell us about your project. We'll schedule a site visit, walk the property with you and send a clear, detailed proposal.