By Mike Kern | MGK Pools Inc | 40+ Years Experience | CPO Certified | MA Contractor License #191300 I am your DIY inground above ground pool specialist. I’ve been installing pools for over 40 years, and over the last 10 years I’ve carved out a niche doing exactly this. Here’s what most pool companies […]
After 40 years and thousands of installations, here are the best above ground pools you can buy in 2026 — rated by wall construction, longevity, and real-world performance, not Amazon reviews. I’m Mike Kern, a Certified Pool Operator and licensed MA contractor (#191300, zero complaints). I’ve installed, repaired, and torn down more above ground pools […]
I’m going to do something that drives other pool dealers crazy, because I don’t price by zip code. I’m going to tell you what a semi-inground pool actually costs. Not “call for pricing.” Not “$7,000 to $25,000 depending on factors.” Real numbers from semi-inground pools I’ve sold and installed, including three real jobs from this […]
Fiberglass inground swimming pools cost about 30k less than gunite (cement) pools, and about 5-15k more than a vinyl inground pool. The best is definitely gunite if you have the budget, then fiberglass, then vinyl. Why do I say this? I say it because I don’t have an agenda. I sell them all, and I […]
Plunge pools are small and provide the advantages of a great place to cool off and splash about, while not taking up to much room in your backyard. They are made up of all kinds of materials and come in a variety of depths. To sum it up a plunge pool is just a small […]
This is probably the most common question I get from pool shoppers: “Should I get a steel wall or an aluminum wall?” After 40+ years of installing, repairing, replacing, and selling above ground pools, I have a strong opinion on this. But I’m going to give you the full picture first so you can make […]
Last Updated: November 2025 My Radiant Reviews title here is a bit clickbait like but I think you’ll thank me for it. This review comes from someone who’s seen just about every pool ever made. In 40+ years, I’ve been a dealer for multiple pool lines, installed Doughboy and Swim n Play pools (now gone?), […]
Repairing Your In-Ground Swimming Pool Main Drain Pipe If you’re reading this, you’ve probably got water disappearing from your pool faster than evaporation can explain, and you suspect the main drain line. Good news: this repair is often easier than you think—and here’s why most pool owners (and even some pool companies) get it wrong. […]
A 40-year pool professional’s honest assessment of what’s repairable—and what’s not worth fixing. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably just pulled back your pool cover and found a disaster. Buckled walls. Torn liner. Maybe a skimmer ripped clean off. You’re wondering if this can be fixed or if you’re looking at buying a new pool. […]
A former Doughboy dealer’s honest comparison—and where to get the same quality for less. Let me be upfront: Doughboy makes good pools. I was a Doughboy dealer for years. I’ve installed their pools. I recommend them to customers regularly—especially if you’re on the West Coast where shipping my pools doesn’t make financial sense. Doughboy pools […]
Table of Contents Introduction Pool pump reviews around the web do little to educate you. Most are written by people who’ve never held a wrench, pushing whatever product pays them the highest commission. I’m offering an opinion based on 40 years of service work. My goal is to inform you and give you the straight […]
My Grandmother Threatened to Blow Up Her Pool Every Year True story. Every spring, it took her three to four weeks to get that pool clear. She’d dump in clarifier, shock it to death, run the filter around the clock – nothing worked. She was ready to dynamite the thing. What I know now, after […]
