Pricing, Sizes, Installation Costs & Everything You Need to Know
The Fox Ultimate is one of only three pools I recommend for semi-inground or fully inground installation. Made by Fox Pool (manufacturing pools since 1957), the Fox Ultimate features 14-gauge galvanized powder coated steel panels that can handle salt systems, sloping yards, and full burial—all backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
If you want an inground-quality pool without the $100,000+ concrete pool price tag, the Fox Ultimate delivers. But it’s not the right pool for everyone. This page gives you real pricing, honest comparisons, and the information you actually need to make a decision.
What is the Fox Ultimate Pool?
The Fox Ultimate is a panel-wall pool that can be installed above ground, semi-inground, or completely inground. Unlike traditional rolled-wall above ground pools (which should never be buried), the Fox Ultimate is engineered specifically for burial with buttress supports and a concrete bonding collar. I think the wall is superior to all inground pool walls.
Key Features
- 14-gauge galvanized steel panels – heavier than any rolled-wall pool
- Epoxy powder coating – protects against corrosion, safe for salt systems
- Limited lifetime warranty – on steel walls and panels (25-year pro-rated on liner)
- No water level requirement – unlike Radiant pools, you can lower water for winterization without voiding warranty
- Built-in inground step option – integrated into the wall for a true inground look ($3,400 add-on)
- Multiple shapes – Round, Oval, Grecian, and Rectangle
- American made – manufactured in Pennsylvania
Installation Options
- Above Ground: Round shapes only. Optional siding kit to cover unfinished exterior walls.
- Semi-Inground: All shapes. Must be buried minimum 28″ below grade. Perfect for sloping yards.
- Fully Inground: All shapes. Requires concrete collar and buttress supports. Looks like a true inground pool.
A New Paradigm In Swimming Pools
What most people don’t know, or realize to late, is that the old inground pool design either leaves you treading water in a deep-end barely over your head (really not safe for diving), or standing in water up to your thighs. The old inground wall panels are 42 inches tall leaving you 36 inches of water once you add the pool floor, and account for the water being down 4 inches from the top of the wall.
Nowadays people want to use the whole pool, even those with a deep end realize it rarely gets used and when we replace their liner, they ask us to fill in the deep end. If you ever toured the old ships you know people used to be a lot shorter. But people want pools that fit todays average heights, and are better for community games. Todays shoppers prefer tanning ledges and splash pads to the tiny deep end that takes up half the pool.
Lastly, when you have a deep end you have a slope from the shallow end to the deep end. Young people are not very self aware and non-swimmers can quickly find themselves sliding down the slope and over their head very quickly.
Fox Ultimate Pool Pricing (2026)
These are our current kit prices. Kit includes: pool panels, top seat (metal coping for concrete or composite wood), hardware, 20/20 mil Luxury liner from either Loop Loc or Merlin, inground-quality skimmer and return, pool water bonding fitting, drive stakes, and joint covers.
Not included: Pump/filter system, installation, concrete collar, backfill, electrical, permits, patio, fencing, or landscaping.
Round Pools
Only shape that can be installed fully above ground.
| Size | Gallons | Kit Price |
|---|---|---|
| 15′ Round | 5,000 | $8,419.00 |
| 18′ Round | 7,710 | $9,019.00 |
| 21′ Round | 10,020 | $9,689.00 |
| 24′ Round | 13,770 | $10,668.00 |
| 28′ Round | 18,240 | $12,273.00 |
Oval Pools
Must be buried minimum 24″ below grade. Includes buttress supports.
| Size | Gallons | Kit Price |
|---|---|---|
| 15′ x 24′ | 8,880 | $12,375.00 |
| 15′ x 30′ | 11,490 | $13,531.00 |
| 17′ x 32′ | 14,400 | $14,307.00 |
Grecian Pools
Classic shape with angled corners. Must be buried minimum 18″ below grade.
| Size | Gallons | Kit Price |
|---|---|---|
| 12′ x 24′ | 7,720 | $11,665.50 |
| 14′ x 30′ | 10,860 | $13,566.00 |
| 16′ x 32′ | 15,000 | $14,015.40 |
| 18′ x 36′ | 18,300 | $15,491.70 |
| 20′ x 40′ | 23,630 | $16,928.10 |
Rectangle Pools
Clean modern lines. Must be buried minimum 18″ below grade.
| Size | Gallons | Kit Price |
|---|---|---|
| 12′ x 24′ | 9,300 | $12,546.45 |
| 14′ x 30′ | 13,500 | $13,962.90 |
| 16′ x 32′ | 16,300 | $14,959.35 |
| 18′ x 36′ | 20,500 | $16,344.30 |
| 20′ x 40′ | 25,200 | $17,780.70 |
Optional Add-Ons
Inground Step: $3,400 – Integrated into the wall for a true inground pool look. 5-tread thermoplastic stair, 48″ high.
Salt System: $1089 for complete system with power head
Siding Kits (Round only): Available for above-ground installations to cover unfinished exterior walls. Call for pricing.
Upgraded Liner Patterns: Visit Loop Loc or Visit Merlin. Upgrade cost for 27/27 mil inground liner material, the thickest liner you can buy despite what anyone advertises will run you an extra 500-900 depending on pool size.
What Does a Fox Ultimate Pool Really Cost?
This is what everyone wants to know. The kit price is just the starting point. Here’s what a complete installation actually costs:
Installation Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Pool Kit (varies by size) | $8,500 – $17,231 |
| Professional Installation | ~$10,000 |
| Concrete Collar (required for burial) | ~$2,000 Not required on rounds smaller than 28″ |
| Backfill | ~$4-6k |
| Inground Step (optional) | $3,400 |
| Pump & Filter System | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Plumbing with Valves | $900 |
NOT included in these estimates: Electrical service, water to fill pool, building permits, patio/decking, fencing, or landscaping.
For a more detailed semi inground pool cost breakdown with no surprises – Check out this article from our blog
Real-World Total Project Cost
A complete Fox Ultimate pool project with professional installation, step, patio, and all the finishing touches typically runs around $28,000-$55,000. This varies based on pool size, site conditions, patio choices, and local permit requirements. DIY for probably 16k-38… I am the DIY pool whisperer
Compare that to a concrete inground pool at $100,000+ and you can see why the Fox Ultimate is popular with homeowners who want the inground feel without the inground price.
Shipping
- Our service area (MA, NH, CT, RI, Southern ME): FREE shipping
- Beyond NY and VA: Typically $1,500+ for pool kit, additional $1,000 if ordering the inground step
- Other locations: Call for quote
Fox Ultimate vs. Aquasport 52: Which Should You Buy?
I sell both pools. Here’s my honest take on when to buy each one.
Choose the Fox Ultimate if:
- You want a salt water system (Aquasport 52 warranty is voided by salt)
- You want the built-in inground step for a true inground pool look
- You want a Grecian or Rectangle shape (Aquasport 52 only comes in round and oval)
Choose the Aquasport 52 if:
- You want a round or oval pool without the inground step
- You don’t need a salt system – there are better alternatives in my opinion
- You want to save money – the Aquasport 52 costs $2,000-$3,000 less for the kit AND $5,000+ less to install (no concrete collar required)
Bottom line: I install about 6 Aquasport 52 pools for every 1 Fox Ultimate. The Aquasport 52 is the better value for most people. But if you need salt, the inground step, or a Grecian/Rectangle shape, the Fox Ultimate is the right choice.
Aquasport 52 Brochure Page w/ Photo Gallery → Click Here
Fox Ultimate vs. Radiant Pool
I’ve written extensively about Radiant pool problems. The short version: Radiant pools use thin aluminum sheets around styrofoam with no mechanical anchoring to the concrete collar. I’ve replaced failed Radiant pools with Fox Ultimates.
Why Fox Ultimate Beats Radiant
- 14-gauge galvanized steel vs. thin aluminum sheets around styrofoam
- Buttress supports anchored with rebar into concrete collar vs. foam panels sitting in a concrete collar
- No water level requirement – Radiant warranty requires pool stay full at all times (impossible to winterize properly in cold climates)
- Ice damage resistance – I’ve seen Radiant pools destroyed by ice; Fox Ultimate’s steel construction handles freeze/thaw cycles
- Better price – Radiant pools are significantly more expensive for an inferior design
Full Radiant Pool Review → Click Here
Fox Ultimate Installation Requirements
Concrete Collar
All Grecian, Oval, and Rectangle Fox Ultimate pools (and Round pools installed inground) require a concrete bonding collar around the entire perimeter. This should be 3000 lb truck mix and stackable. The buttress supports are anchored into this collar with rebar – this is what makes the Fox Ultimate structurally sound for burial, unlike pools that just sit in a collar without anchoring.
Burial Depth
- Round (above ground): Can be installed on grade with siding kit
- All shapes (semi-inground/inground): Must be buried minimum 24″ below grade
Water Depth
All Fox Ultimate pools have 52″ walls with a standard 48″ (4 foot) water depth. These are non-diving pools for safety.
Top Rail Options
- Aluminum Bendable Bullnose: For inground installations with poured concrete or paver coping
- Synthetic Wood: For above ground or semi-inground installations
Fox Ultimate Warranty
- Steel Walls & Panels: Limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship
- Vinyl Liner: 25-year pro-rated warranty (first year 100% coverage)
- Warranty is transferable one time to a new homeowner
Important: Unlike Radiant pools, Fox Ultimate does NOT require you to keep the pool full year-round to maintain warranty coverage. You can properly winterize your pool in cold climates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does a Fox Ultimate pool cost?
A: Kit prices range from $7,120 (15′ round) to $17,231 (20’x40′ rectangle). A complete installed project with step, concrete collar, backfill, equipment, and patio typically runs around $55,000.
Q: Can I use salt with a Fox Ultimate pool?
A: Yes. The epoxy powder coating on Fox Ultimate panels is designed to handle salt systems. This is one of the main advantages over the Aquasport 52, which voids its warranty with salt.
Q: Can I install a Fox Ultimate pool myself?
A: Fox sells DIY kits with installation manuals. However, this is a much more complex installation than a standard above ground pool. You’ll need excavation equipment, experience pouring concrete, and a solid understanding of what you’re doing. Most people hire professional installation. If your up to it I can assist within reason over the phone.
Q: What shapes are available in the Fox Ultimate?
A: Round, Oval, Grecian, and Rectangle. Only Round can be installed fully above ground. All other shapes must be buried minimum 24″ below grade.
Q: Does the Fox Ultimate have a deep end?
A: Standard water depth is 48″ (4 feet) across the entire pool. We do not offer expandable liner/deep end options for Fox Ultimate pools.
Q: How does Fox Ultimate compare to Radiant pools?
A: Fox Ultimate uses 14-gauge steel panels anchored with rebar into a concrete collar. Radiant uses thin aluminum sheets around styrofoam that sit in a collar without anchoring. I’ve replaced failed Radiant pools with Fox Ultimates. Read my full Radiant review for details.
Q: What’s the warranty on a Fox Ultimate?
A: Limited lifetime warranty on steel walls and panels, 25-year pro-rated on the liner. Warranty is transferable one time. Unlike Radiant, you don’t need to keep the pool full year-round to maintain coverage.
Q: Do you ship Fox Ultimate pools nationwide?
A: Yes. Shipping is free in our service area (MA, NH, CT, RI, Southern ME). Beyond NY and VA, shipping typically runs $1,500+ for the pool kit plus an additional $1,500 if ordering the inground step. More for out west, call for a quote to your location.
Q: Should I buy a Fox Ultimate or Aquasport 52?
A: If you want salt, the inground step, or a Grecian/Rectangle shape – Fox Ultimate. If you want a round or oval without salt or the step – Aquasport 52 saves you $7,000-$10,000+ on kit and installation costs combined.
Ready to Get Started?
We offer professional pool installation in Massachusetts, Southern New Hampshire, Eastern Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Southern Maine. We ship pool kits nationwide.
Call (978) 710-8667 or text “Consult” to schedule a free consultation.
Contact Us → here
Photo Gallery
Related Resources
- Aquasport 52 → here
- Semi-Inground Pool Buyer’s Guide → here
- Radiant Pool Review → here
- How to Bond a Pool → here
- Pool Volume Calculator → here
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MGK Pools Inc | (978) 710-8667 | mgkpools.com
Authorized Fox Pool Dealer