MGK Pools · Glimmerglass Certified Installer
Does Your Backyard Qualify for a Fiberglass Pool?
Before you call any pool company in Massachusetts, run through this free site assessment. Know what to expect — including the ledge question nobody else wants to answer up front.
30 Years Installing in MA, NH, CT & RI
Factory-Direct Glimmerglass
No Commissioned Sales Staff
Starting Low $20Ks
Or text "POOL SITE" to (978) 710-8667 and we'll walk through it with you.
This is the same checklist MGK Pools uses before quoting any installation in Massachusetts. Walk your property and check off what you know. The more you can answer before we talk, the faster we can give you an accurate number — and the fewer surprises you'll face at signing.
1
Backyard Access & Equipment Clearance
The excavator has to get in. If it can't, nothing else matters.
Gate or opening width measured
Minimum 10–12 ft needed to bring excavation equipment through. Measure the narrowest point on the path to the dig site.
Overhead clearance noted (wires, branches, eaves, AC units)
Low-hanging obstacles can block the excavator arm. Note height of anything overhead along the access path.
Path from street to dig site is clear of obstacles
Fences, sheds, HVAC equipment, fuel tanks, built-in planters — anything in the path gets flagged before work starts.
Slope or grade of yard assessed
Significant slope affects excavation depth, backfill volume, and drainage planning. A sloped yard isn't a dealbreaker — just needs to be planned for.
Distance from proposed pool edge to house foundation
Recommend minimum 5 ft from any foundation wall. Note if it could be tighter.
DigSafe called (811) — ideally 30 days before the dig
Required by law in Massachusetts. Marks gas, electric, water, sewer, and irrigation lines. We confirm this before breaking ground.
2
Ledge Risk & Soil Conditions
The most important section for New England homeowners.
Visible granite or ledge rock anywhere on the property
Exposed ledge near the surface is a high-risk indicator. Note location and how much is showing.
Neighbors with pools — did any of them hit ledge?
Best free intelligence you can get. Walk the street and ask. What's under your neighbor's yard is often under yours.
Town or region known for ledge?
High-risk zones: most of Worcester County, the North Shore (Gloucester, Rockport, Essex), most of NH, and Lincoln/Smithfield RI. If you're in these areas, we need the ledge conversation first.
Recent excavation or construction on the property
Tells us what's already been cut through, or what was encountered. A previous dig is useful data.
Soil type if known (loam, sandy, clay, fill, organic)
Sandy loam = easier dig. Dense clay or disturbed fill = slower and costlier. Organic material must be fully removed before the shell goes in — no shortcuts.
Springs, wet spots, or standing water anywhere in the yard
Indicates potential high water table, which affects installation depth and backfill strategy. Note any areas that stay wet after rain.
How MGK Handles Ledge Differently
When we hit ledge, I'm the one operating the equipment — not subbing it out to a rock crew that bills by the hour and takes its time. When rock excavation is required, costs depend on the depth, hardness, and accessibility of the material encountered. Based on past projects, excavation work involving ledge has often remained in the low to mid-teens depending on site conditions — compared to the $35,000–$50,000 change orders some franchise dealers have handed homeowners.
Text "LEDGE CHECK" to (978) 710-8667 →
3
Pool Placement & Size
Pick a shape you like. We'll tell you if it fits.
Rough dimensions of the available installation area
Measure usable space. Pool shell + equipment pad + patio clearance + fence all factor into the footprint. Don't just measure the pool shape.
Setback requirements confirmed with your town
Most Massachusetts towns require 10–15 ft from property lines and 20 ft from septic/leaching fields. Call your building department — it varies by municipality.
Afternoon sun exposure in the intended pool location
South-facing placements maximize usable season in New England. Note any significant shade from trees, structures, or the house itself during peak afternoon hours.
Preferred pool shape identified
Browse Glimmerglass models at mgkpools.com — freeform, rectangle with safety edge, or tanning ledge/spa. Pick a shape before we talk and we can price the shell on the spot.
Pool size range in mind (small, mid, large)
Shells start in the low $20Ks. Larger pools increase shell cost, trucking (wide load requires follow cars at $2/mile each), and may require crane placement.
Spa or tanning ledge integration desired?
Several Glimmerglass models include an integrated spa or tanning ledge. This affects plumbing and electrical scope but adds significant everyday value.
4
Utilities & Electrical
Pool equipment needs its own circuits. Know what's available.
Location of main electrical panel noted
Distance from panel to pool equipment pad directly affects electrical cost. Typical range: $3,000–$8,000 with bonding included.
Panel capacity — room for a dedicated 60A circuit?
Pool pump, lights, and heater need dedicated circuits. Older panels may need an upgrade. Your electrician can confirm available capacity.
Gas line location if a gas heater is planned
Gas heaters ($3K–$6K installed) are more efficient in New England's climate. Confirm line pressure and proximity to the equipment pad location.
Water source for filling (well or municipal)
Municipal fill typically runs $400–$1,200 depending on pool size. Well water is free but slower. A water truck is an option for faster fill if needed.
Irrigation system or sprinkler lines in the excavation zone
Mark all irrigation lines before dig day. Cuts happen. Know where they run so nothing is accidentally severed without a plan to repair.
Outdoor lighting or drainage structures near the pool area
Existing drainage channels or landscape lighting in the excavation footprint will need to be rerouted. Note anything within 15 ft of the proposed pool location.
5
Permitting, Fencing & Code
Every Massachusetts pool requires a permit. We handle the paperwork.
Building permit process started — contact your town building dept.
All MA inground pool installations require a building permit. Timelines vary by municipality — some towns take weeks, others can take months. Start early.
Pool fence requirement confirmed (48" minimum in MA)
Required by code for all MA inground pool installations. Standard black aluminum post fencing with two gates runs $6,000–$8,000 installed depending on perimeter.
HOA approval needed?
If applicable, submit pool plans to your HOA before any work begins. HOA approval timelines are outside of the permit process and can add significant lead time.
Property survey or boundary markers available
Needed for setback calculations and fence placement. A certified plot plan is typically required with the permit application in most MA towns.
Automatic pool cover considered as fence alternative
Auto covers ($17K–$20K) can serve as a code-compliant barrier substitute in some MA jurisdictions. Cannot be used for winterizing — that requires a separate safety cover.
6
Patio, Decking & Additional Work
I know a guy for everything. And they won't gouge you.
Patio material preference (pavers, stamped concrete, exposed aggregate)
Patio scope and cost varies widely and needs separate pricing per job. We refer trusted patio contractors who do good work on pool projects and won't see you coming.
Local dump site identified for excavated material
Finding a free local site to accept excavated soil can save $2,000–$5,000 in trucking and disposal fees. Farms, construction sites, and neighbors doing landscaping are good leads. This is also a line item on the permit application, so having an answer early helps.
Existing hardscape to be demolished or removed
Concrete, pavers, or brick in the excavation footprint adds removal cost. Note materials and approximate square footage.
Landscaping within 10 ft of the pool area to be relocated
Mature trees, large shrubs, or established garden beds near the dig zone need to be accounted for in planning — especially if their roots are in the excavation path.
Pool heater desired? (gas, heat pump, or solar)
Gas: $3K–$6K installed. Heat pump: higher upfront, lower operating cost over time. Solar: site-dependent. In New England, heat extends your usable season significantly.
Winter safety cover planned?
Safety cover: $2K–$5K. Note: an automatic pool cover cannot be used for winterizing — you need a separate safety cover for the off-season in Massachusetts.
Preferred project start window / timeline
Pool season in MA runs May–September. Popular installation slots fill up well before spring. Early conversations lock in your position without any commitment required.
✓ Checklist Complete
You've done the homework. Now let's talk. Text "POOL SITE" to (978) 710-8667 and reference this checklist — we can get to a real number faster than most installers can schedule a sales visit.
Ready to Talk Numbers?
Pick a Glimmerglass shape you like. Call or text me. I'll tell you the cost of that shell — no selling, no pressure. If we're in the same ballpark, we meet and talk next steps.
Or call directly: (978) 710-8667 · mgkpools.com