What is a fibreglass plunge pool, and what does the range cover?
A fibreglass plunge pool is a single-piece pool shell manufactured in a factory and delivered ready for installation. It is designed for cooling off, floating and socialising rather than lap swimming. It is an inground, council-approved and certified swimming pool. It is not a spa or portable tub.
The MFP Easy plunge pool range includes models from 3 metres to 5.5 metres:
- Round shells with 3m and 4m diameters
- Rectangular shells from the 4m Malta to the 5.5m Paradiso
The range includes seven models. Installed prices in South East Queensland range from $46,053 to $58,385. The price includes the pool, excavation, crane lift, filtration and chlorination equipment, lighting and council fees.
All models use the same installation method. The main differences are size, shape and depth. Each shell is an Australian-made Aqua Technics pool with Graphene Nano-Tech construction.
Other names for a fibreglass plunge pool include dipping pool, splash pool, wading pool, soaking pool and lounge pool. Latham also uses the terms cocktail pool and dunk pool. These names describe how the pool is used, not a different shell or construction method.
A spool is a spa-pool hybrid. It is a small shell with jets that can run warm like a spa or cool like a pool. The Bastia, Elba and Malta are sold as spools. Other plunge models can be fitted with a spa-jet upgrade. A pool-and-spa combination uses a Resort series shell.
Fibreglass plunge pools are the smallest models in the fibreglass pool sizes range. The range starts with the 3m round shell and continues through small, medium, large and lap pools. MFP Easy installs fibreglass pools in South East Queensland for $46,053 to $83,332. Plunge pools are at the lower end of this price range.
What does a fibreglass plunge pool cost installed in Australia?
An installed fibreglass plunge pool costs between $46,053 and $58,385 across our seven plunge pool models. The 4.00m by 2.00m Malta is the least expensive model at $46,053. The 4m round Infinity 4 is the most expensive at $58,385. These prices cover a completed pool under standard site conditions. They are not shell-only prices.
Each price includes excavation, crane installation, premium filtration, a magnesium mineral chlorinator, LED lighting, council approval fees and lifetime warranties.
Pool shape has a limited effect on prices at the top of the range. The round Infinity 4 costs $58,385, while the rectangular Latina costs $57,141. The difference is about $1,250. Buyers comparing these models can base their decision primarily on use and site suitability.
Five factors can change the installed price:
- Shell length and depth. Longer and deeper shells cost more to purchase, excavate and fill. The 4.00m Malta holds 6,900 litres and costs $46,053. The 5.50m Paradiso holds 11,400 litres and costs $50,459. The Latina is 1.78m deep at the deep end, holds 18,500 litres and costs $57,141.
- Site access. Site access affects the required crane, boom reach and traffic management. A site with direct truck access generally costs less than a site that requires the pool to be lifted over the house.
- Soil and rock. Soil type and rock affect excavation costs.
- Elevation change. A pool shell installed above natural ground may require retaining work. This can cost from $2,000 to more than $10,000, depending on how much of the shell is above ground. A sloping block may require a suspended slab. Compass reports one project where this added $10,000 to $20,000 to the build cost.
- Decking and surrounds. The cost depends on the amount of decking, paving and other surrounding areas completed with the pool.
A plunge pool advertised for about $25,000 is usually a shell-only product or DIY kit, not an installed pool. Additional costs can include excavation, crane hire, plumbing, electrical work, fencing and certification.
An installed fibreglass plunge pool costs between $46,053 and $58,385. Use the instant plunge pool price to estimate the cost for your site, including access, slope and soil. Site-specific costs are confirmed after the block is measured.
What sizes and shapes do fibreglass plunge pools come in?
Fibreglass plunge pools are available in round and rectangular shapes. Models range from 3 metres to 5.5 metres in length or diameter.
Round models are 3m or 4m in diameter and have a level depth of 1.45m. Rectangular models are 4.00m to 5.50m long and have graded floors with shallow and deep ends. There are seven models in the range.
| Model | Length × Width | Depth | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infinity 3 | 3.00m × 3.00m | 1.45m level | Round |
| Malta | 4.00m × 2.00m | 1.10m – 1.54m | Rectangular |
| Serenity | 4.00m × 2.50m | 1.10m – 1.47m | Rectangular |
| Infinity 4 | 4.00m × 4.00m | 1.45m level | Round |
| Verona | 4.50m × 2.50m | 1.10m – 1.50m | Rectangular |
| Latina | 4.50m × 3.50m | 1.37m – 1.78m | Rectangular |
| Paradiso | 5.50m × 2.15m | 1.05m – 1.60m | Rectangular |
The round fibreglass pool is available with a 3m or 4m diameter. Both sizes have a level depth of 1.45m. This shape generally requires a square area rather than a narrow area along a boundary.
Round models include a bench seat around the perimeter. The Infinity 3 is the smallest shell we install and holds 6,275 litres. The Infinity 4 holds 10,410 litres. These are the two Aqua Technics round shells we install.
Rectangular plunge pools can fit along the side or long axis of a courtyard. Sizes range from the 4.00m by 2.00m Malta to the 5.50m by 2.15m Paradiso.
Rectangular models have graded floors. The Malta ranges from 1.10m to 1.54m deep. The Latina ranges from 1.37m to 1.78m deep. Each provides a shallow end and a deep end. The Latina is the widest rectangular model in the plunge range at 4.50m by 3.50m.
Other Australian suppliers sell smaller fibreglass plunge pools. Compass sells the 2.85m by 2.13m Plunge 2.8 and the 3.85m by 2.13m Plunge 3.8. Both are 1.2m deep. Its plunge and small-pool range extends to the 7.03m by 2.48m Oasis 7.0.
Swimming Pool Kits Direct sells a 3m by 1.9m shell. Leisure Pools Australia defines plunge pools as 2.00m to 3.50m wide and 2.00m to 6.00m long. Its Fiji Plunge measures 2.10m by 2.90m.
Barrier Reef Pools sells the 4.2m-long Monaco Plunge in widths of 2.6m or 1.6m. The 1.6m version is narrower than any shell we install.
Are all plunge pools fibreglass, and how do they compare with concrete?
No. In Australia, plunge pools are commonly built using one of three methods:
- A moulded fibreglass shell
- A precast concrete pool that is cast off site and installed by crane
- A poured or block concrete pool built in the ground
For inground pools generally, the main materials used in Australia are concrete, fibreglass, and vinyl liner. Vinyl liner is the least common of the three.
Weight is a key difference between fibreglass and precast concrete plunge pools. A fibreglass shell weighs a few hundred kilograms. The 4.00m by 2.00m Malta weighs 401kg, while the 4.50m by 3.50m Latina weighs 604kg. As a general guide, a fibreglass shell weighs about 100kg per metre of length.
A precast concrete plunge pool weighs several tonnes. This affects the crane required for installation and the size of the lift exclusion zone. Little Pool Co reports crane-hire savings of between $3,500 and $12,000 when customers choose a glass-reinforced polymer shell instead of a precast concrete plunge pool.
The interior surfaces also differ. A fibreglass pool has a smooth, non-porous gelcoat surface. This surface resists algae, requires fewer chemicals, and does not need resurfacing.
Concrete pool interiors are porous. Algae and bacteria can attach to the surface, which can increase chemical use. Concrete pools typically require resurfacing or replastering every 10 to 15 years and acid washing every 3 to 5 years. Barrier Reef Pools estimates that resurfacing costs at least $10,000. Fibreglass shells do not require this maintenance cycle.
Installation time also varies. A fibreglass shell arrives at the property finished, so on-site installation takes days or weeks. A concrete pool is formed, sprayed, cured, and finished on site, so construction takes months.
Fibreglass heats faster and retains heat longer than concrete because the shell provides insulation. This reduces the amount of work required from a heat pump to maintain the water temperature.
What does a plunge pool kit or shell-only price actually leave out?
A plunge pool kit price generally covers the shell and the equipment supplied with it. It does not cover installation.
Swimming Pool Kits Direct lists an inground plunge pool kit at $12,500 to $16,000. Installation costs a further $10,000 to $15,000. The estimated finished cost is $22,500 to $31,000.
Kit delivery is kerbside only. The truck places the shell at the front of the property. The buyer must arrange and coordinate:
- Crane hire
- Excavation
- Plumbing
- Electrical work
- Pool fencing
- Certification
Retaining work, traffic management and soil removal are also quoted separately when required. Crane hire ranges from $300 for a small Franna to $1,500 for a 50 tonne crane. Traffic management on a busy street can add several thousand dollars. Installed pool fencing costs $150 to $700 per linear metre. Aluminium is at the lower end of this range. Frameless glass costs $400 to $700 per linear metre.
We do not publish shell-only or kit prices. All prices shown here are for finished pools.
Before comparing a kit price with a finished-pool price, add the costs of excavation, crane hire, plumbing, electrical work, fencing and certification. These costs depend on the property and are not included in the advertised kit price.
Kit contents vary by seller. Swimming Pool Kits Direct includes the shell, requested features, mineral salts, chemicals and engineering drawings. Any items not included in the kit must be purchased separately.
On a finished-cost basis, the Swimming Pool Kits Direct option is approximately $22,500 to $31,000, with the owner managing the installation. An MFP Easy plunge pool costs $46,053 to $58,385. This price includes approvals, engineering, filtration, lighting, certification and lifetime warranties.
How deep is a fibreglass plunge pool, and what does it cost to run?
Fibreglass plunge pools range from 1.05m to 1.78m deep, depending on the shell shape. Round shells have a consistent depth of 1.45m and no shallow end. Rectangular shells have a graded floor, ranging from 1.05m at the shallow end to 1.78m at the deep end. The Latina is 1.78m deep, making it the deepest shell in the plunge and small ranges. Swimming Pool Kits Direct lists plunge pool depths from 1.23m to 1.98m. Plungie states that a typical American plunge pool is about 5 feet, or 1.5m, deep.
Pool depth and footprint determine water volume. Water volume affects heating, chemical and pump costs. The 3m Infinity 3 holds 6,275 litres, while the 4m Infinity 4 holds 10,410 litres. The rectangular Malta holds 6,900 litres, and the Latina holds 18,500 litres. A plunge pool holds roughly one-quarter of the water in a family pool. This reduces the amount of water that must be heated, treated and pumped.
A 9kW heat pump can maintain a comfortable water temperature in a 3m or 4m shell during a South East Queensland winter. This capacity is sufficient because plunge pools have a relatively small water volume.
Every pool we install uses a magnesium mineral chlorinator from the day it is filled. Kinetic Pools states that magnesium reduces chlorine demand by around 50 percent. Swimming Pool Kits Direct estimates annual Australian pool maintenance costs at $800 to $2,000 across pools of all sizes. For the United States market, The Pool Nerd estimates monthly cocktail pool maintenance at $80 to $150, compared with $200 to $400 for a regular pool. It estimates weekly maintenance takes about 30 minutes.
Do not drain a fibreglass plunge pool to correct a water problem. River Pools warns that lowering the water level or draining the pool can create enough hydrostatic pressure to damage the shell. Keep the water level between one-third and halfway up the skimmer. Correct water chemistry while the pool is full. If the shell must be emptied, contact a pool builder.
How is a fibreglass plunge pool installed, and does it need council approval?
Yes. In Queensland, any pool that holds more than 300mm of water requires council building approval and a compliant safety barrier before it can be filled. The pool must also be recorded on the state pool safety register. Swimming Pool Kits Direct states that plunge pools generally require local council approval.
The safety barrier must include:
- A fence at least 1200mm high
- Gaps smaller than 100mm
- A 900mm non-climbable zone
- A self-closing, self-latching gate
These requirements apply to fibreglass, concrete and above-ground pools. A 3m round plunge pool has the same fencing requirements as a full-size family pool.
We manage the council paperwork, engineering, certification and fencing approval for each installation. Approval fees are included in the installed price. Installation takes 10 to 12 weeks from contract to water. MFP Easy uses the same published prices across Brisbane, North Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Toowoomba.
Leisure Pools describes the following installation sequence:
- Use a three-dimensional dig sheet to excavate the pool area.
- Run a string line along the centre.
- Install and laser-level the rail base.
- Lift the shell from the delivery truck and lower it into the excavation using a crane.
- Backfill around the shell while filling it with water. This keeps the pressure balanced inside and outside the shell.
- Install the returns, lights, jets and skimmer near the top of the shell.
Leisure Pools identifies the rail base as the most important step and states that it must be level.
Crane size depends on the required reach. A Franna-class crane can be used on an open block where the truck can stand close to the excavation. A lift of 30 metres or more, including a lift over a house or across a neighbouring property, requires a larger slew crane.
A crane can usually place a fibreglass shell where side access is limited. A concrete pool requires materials to be moved down the side of the house. A fibreglass shell can be lifted over the house. Crane access may still be limited by overhead wires, tree branches that require a permit before removal, or a driveway that cannot support the crane’s weight.
A fibreglass shell can sit up to about 300mm above natural ground without retaining. Greater heights require a retaining wall or an engineered rib system. This requirement is determined before excavation begins.
Is a fibreglass plunge pool worth it?
A fibreglass plunge pool is suitable for sitting and soaking, but not for swimming laps. It costs more per litre than a larger pool because excavation, crane hire, filtration, and council approval costs do not decrease significantly with the shell size.
The total installed price is lower than for a full-size pool. Our plunge pool range starts at $46,053 installed. The top of our full South East Queensland range costs $83,332.
A plunge pool also uses less yard space. The Pool Nerd describes this as 90 percent of the pool experience in 30 percent of the space and estimates that an average full-size pool uses more than 600 square feet of yard. Leisure Pools, citing the National Land Survey Program, states that the average new Australian lot is 474 square metres. On a lot of this size, a 3-metre round plunge pool can fit in a corner and leave more of the yard available.
The plunge and small pool size ranges overlap. Our plunge pools are 3 to 5.5 metres long, while our small pools are 4 to 5.5 metres long. At 5.5 metres, you can choose either a plunge pool or a small-range pool of the same length.
If you want to swim laps, consider the small fibreglass pool range. These pools are 4 to 5.5 metres long and provide a short swimming line.
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Plunge pool questions, answered
What are the disadvantages of a plunge pool?
A plunge pool is too short for lap swimming. Typical lengths range from 3m to 5.5m. Costs do not decrease in proportion to pool size because excavation, lifting, filtration, and council approval requirements are similar to those for a full-size pool. As a result, the cost per litre is higher. Round shells have a uniform depth of 1.45m, so they do not provide a shallow area where small children can stand.
Do you need council approval for a plunge pool?
Yes. In Queensland, pools deeper than 300 mm require council building approval. All plunge pools we install exceed this depth. Each pool must have a compliant barrier before filling and must be recorded on the state pool safety register. We handle the paperwork, and the installed price includes the fees.
How long do fibreglass pools last in Australia?
Manufacturers state that fibreglass pools last 30 to 60 years. Plungie states that its precast concrete pools last 25 to 30 years. Aqua Technics shells include a lifetime structural warranty in every installed price. However, “lifetime” does not necessarily mean an unlimited term. In Australia, a shell with a 25-year warranty can be advertised as having a lifetime structural warranty. Published structural warranty terms include: 25 years from DIY Swimming Pools and Swimming Pool Kits Direct 30 years from Miami Pools 35 years from Complete Fibreglass Pool Kits A lifetime warranty with a 25-year transfer from Compass
Do I legally need a fence around my plunge pool?
Yes. A plunge pool must meet the same barrier requirements as any other pool. The fence, gate, and non-climbable zone must be approved before the pool is filled or used. We include this approval process with every installation.
What is the cheapest type of pool to put in?
A plunge pool is typically the cheapest option. Swimming Pool Kits Direct states that plunge pools are the cheapest inground pools to install. The cheapest pool installed by MFP Easy is the 4.00m by 2.00m Malta, priced at $46,053 finished. A DIY kit may have a lower advertised price, but the buyer must organise excavation, crane hire, plumbing, electrical work, fencing, and certification.
What is the smallest fibreglass plunge pool available in Australia?
The Compass Plunge 2.8 is the smallest fibreglass plunge pool shell advertised in Australia. It measures 2.85m by 2.13m and is 1.2m deep. Swimming Pool Kits Direct sells a 3m by 1.9m shell. The smallest shell installed by MFP Easy is the round Infinity 3. It measures 3m across and holds 6,275 litres at a level depth of 1.45m.
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