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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
If you’ve been told your sloped yard “isn’t ideal for a pool,” I need you to hear something from a guy who’s been installing pools for 40+ years: A sloped yard isn’t a problem. It’s an opportunity. I’ve installed pools on flat suburban lots, gentle grades, and hills steep enough to make a mountain goat […]
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 […]
I need to tell you something that most pool dealers won’t. The above ground pool industry has a dirty secret: most pools are designed to fail. Not in a dramatic, wall-bursts-and-floods-your-yard way (although I’ve seen that too). They fail slowly. A little rust here. A cracked top rail there. A liner that gives up after […]
