Why You Shouldn't Go with the Cheapest Dip Pool Quote

At Nashville Dip Pools, we always encourage our clients to get multiple bids. It’s smart. It’s responsible. And honestly, it’s something we’d do ourselves if we were in your shoes.

But here’s the caution we always share: Just because a bid is the lowest doesn’t mean it’s the best. In fact, the cheapest quote can often end up being the most expensive once the project is underway. Let’s unpack why.

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Not All Dip Pool Bids Cover the Same Scope

Here’s a real-world scenario we see all the time: We visit a homeowner’s backyard, talk through their vision, walk the site, and then provide a bid that includes everything they discussed—dip pool installation, equipment, hardscaping, possible fencing, even lighting or landscaping if that came up. In our bid, we include each element as a separate line item with a paragraph description of each, so they know exactly what we are proposing.

Then a few days later, the homeowner tells us they got another bid—one that’s significantly lower.

The reason? That other bid usually only includes the shell, plumbing, and basic equipment—not the rest of the project the homeowner actually asked for.

If our bid includes the entire backyard and someone else’s only covers the pool, you’re not comparing apples to apples—you’re comparing a whole orchard to a single tree.

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The Bait-and-Switch: Change Orders After You Sign

Another trick we’ve seen? Contractors who submit a low initial bid just to win the job. Then once the project starts, they begin tacking on change orders:

• “Oh, the gas heater was included but not the gas line.”

• “Our bid included excavation but not hauling it off. That’ll be extra.”

• “We bid you the standard electrical setup with no automation and you’re asking for the automation.”

By the end, the true cost to complete the project matches—or even exceeds—the original bid we gave. Only now the homeowner has signed a contract, their yard has a big hole in it, and they are locked in. A low bid that balloons with hidden costs isn’t a good deal—it’s just misleading.

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The Cheapest Bid May Cost You the Relationship

Pools are construction projects, and things come up:

• Unexpected rock or ground water issues

• Design adjustments

• Delays due to weather or inspections

When they do, you want a builder who’s on your team, not one who’s only there to finish the bare minimum.

We’ve walked into backyards where construction has stopped halfway through, and the homeowner is left with a torn-up yard and no answers—because the cheap contractor walked away when things got complicated. When you choose a pool builder based solely on price instead of trust, you’re risking the entire experience.

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What a Complete Bid Looks Like

At Nashville Dip Pools, we base every bid on:

• A site visit, walkthrough and exact measurements

• Your design goals, lifestyle and long-term vision for the space

• Transparent pricing for all elements of the project

As a wise man once said—

“I would rather have a hard conversation at the beginning than surprises at the end.”

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Final Thoughts: Cheapest Isn’t Always Least Expensive

We understand how tempting it can be to go with the lowest number on the page. But when it comes to building a backyard oasis, the number that matters most is the one at the very end—after the work is done, and you’re either enjoying your new space or dealing with frustration and regret.

If you want a partner you can trust, a pool that’s done right, and a process that’s transparent from start to finish—we’d love to be the team you call.