Side by side with gunite and vinyl
| Option | Gunite / concrete | Fiberglass | Vinyl liner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our estimate, small to large | $60,000–130,000 | $48,000–98,000 | $38,000–84,000 |
| Who builds it around Longview | Most local builders | A few, including Pools of Longview | None found advertising it |
| Shape | Anything, including spas and sun shelves | Set by the mold; widths capped by trucking | Mostly rectangles and simple curves |
| On a wet or bottomland lot | Engineered steel shell; drainage behind the walls | Ask about anchoring and keeping water in the pool | Wall panels need well-drained backfill |
| Upkeep | Replaster roughly every 10–15 years (estimate) | Gelcoat; no replastering | Liner replaced every several years |
Our estimates for the pool with its pump, filter, coping and start-up, checked November 2026. The gunite rows bracket the base prices one Longview builder posts in its online estimator; fiberglass and vinyl come from River Pools' Texas figures and This Old House (2025). Deck, fence, permit and extras are separate. Expect the builder to adjust after a site visit.
Setting a shell in Gregg County ground
The hole is dug a little larger than the shell, then a bed of gravel or sand is leveled to fit it exactly. The shell is craned in, plumbed, and filled with water while backfill goes in around the outside at the same rate, so the pressure stays even. On a lot where the water table rises in late winter, ask how the crew will drain the hole and what keeps the empty shell from being pushed up by groundwater. That second question matters more for fiberglass than for concrete.
Sizes on offer locally
Pools of Longview's estimator lists about 17 fiberglass models, from a 7x14 plunge pool to a 16x30, along with small spas and tanning-ledge pieces. Most are 10 to 14 ft wide. If you need a long lap lane, a deep diving end or an odd-shaped yard, gunite is the more flexible choice.
Who installs fiberglass near Longview
Pools of Longview, on US 259 north of town, builds both fiberglass and gunite. River Pools Northeast Texas, a franchise based in Paris, TX, mentions jobs "from Tyler to Longview" (River Pools); ask whether your address is in its range. Some Tyler companies that sell fiberglass also list Longview. We don't rank installers; compare the shell maker's warranty and the installer's workmanship warranty separately.
Living with one
The smooth gelcoat gives algae less to grip during a 94-degree August, and there is no plaster to redo. Salt systems pair well with it. Keep the chemistry balanced so the finish doesn't stain, and never drain the pool without asking the builder, especially in a wet spring when the ground is saturated.
Sources & further reading
- Pools of Longview: online pool estimator (checked Nov 2026). Gunite base prices and add-on lines
- River Pools: fiberglass pool cost in Texas (updated Jul 2025). Basic and turnkey ranges
- This Old House: inground pool cost (updated Jun 2025). Type and size ranges
- River Pools Northeast Texas. Paris, TX franchise
Editorial note: General planning information, not engineering or legal advice. Prices are estimates; confirm current rules with your local officials and a qualified pro.