Template
Pool estimate template: line items and quantities
By the PoolSketch team at Tegminestar. Published . Updated .
Short answer. A pool estimate lists every cost line with a quantity and a unit cost: design and permits, excavation, shell, plumbing, electrical, equipment, finishes, decking, fencing, startup and a contingency. Measure the quantities from the plan, price them with your own costs, and show a total and the exclusions.
What lines belong in a pool estimate?
| Section | Typical lines | Quantity comes from |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Design and approvals | Design, survey, engineering, permit fees, HOA submission | Fixed or allowance |
| 2. Site work | Layout, excavation, haul-off, access protection, drainage | Rough excavation in cubic yards |
| 3. Shell | Steel and shotcrete, fiberglass shell and set, or liner and walls | Surface area, depth, perimeter |
| 4. Plumbing and electrical | Plumbing runs, bonding, GFCI, lighting, service work | Distance from equipment to pool |
| 5. Equipment | Pump, filter, heater, cleaner, automation, salt or sanitiser system | Volume in gallons |
| 6. Finishes | Interior finish, waterline tile, coping | Surface area; linear feet of tile and coping |
| 7. Decking and surroundings | Deck, steps, walls, landscaping, fence or barrier | Deck square feet; linear feet of barrier |
| 8. Features | Spa, shelf, water features, fire, lighting, cover | Count per feature |
| 9. Startup | Fill, chemicals, orientation, first service | Volume in gallons |
| 10. Contingency | An allowance for site surprises | Percentage of subtotal |
Which quantities can you measure from a plan?
If your plan is to scale, you can read most quantities from it. PoolSketch's takeoffs report surface area, perimeter, average depth, volume in gallons, coping and tile in linear feet, interior and deck in square feet and rough excavation in cubic yards. They are in the PDF crew layout sheet, so the estimator and the crew work from the same numbers.
Takeoffs are rough quantities from a concept plan. Confirm each one against the final design before you order materials.
What do estimates commonly leave out?
- Access: removing fence or trees, matting for equipment, crane or pump truck.
- Soil and groundwater: rock, poor soil, dewatering, extra steel or engineering.
- Utilities: moving lines, new electrical service, gas for a heater.
- Drainage and grading, retaining walls, and restoring the yard.
- Permit, inspection and HOA fees, and the time they add.
- Fence or barrier required by local rules.
- Sales tax and financing costs where they apply.
List the exclusions in writing on the estimate. It prevents most disagreements.
How do you use this with a quick sketch?
Sketch the pool with the homeowner, read the quantities, fill in the template with your costs and send the PDF with option A and option B. The customer sees the picture and the choices the same day, and you keep the estimate details for yourself.
Common questions
Is this template a price list?
No. It is an outline of lines and where each quantity comes from. You add your own unit costs.
How much contingency should I include?
It depends on how well you know the site and how firm the scope is. Many contractors use a percentage of the subtotal and raise it when access, soil or utilities are uncertain.
Does PoolSketch produce an estimate?
It produces takeoff quantities and a branded PDF handout. It does not price a job.
Keep reading
Sketch the pool in the yard, send the PDF before you leave
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