Direct Answer: Land-Con Pools designs and builds custom concrete pool construction and concrete swimming pool projects in Toronto using gunite application over steel-reinforced framing, giving homeowners unlimited shape and depth customization. A concrete pool Toronto project typically costs $85,000 to $150,000+ for a standard installation, with premium custom builds reaching $200,000-$350,000, and runs 8 to 12 weeks from excavation through final plaster and start-up.
If you are looking for backyard upgrades, a concrete inground pool is an ideal choice. In addition to providing you with an incredible relaxation space, it can also increase the value of your property. At Land-Con Pools, we have a team of expert pool builders, engineers, and designers for concrete pool construction and installation to ensure a hassle-free experience. We can deliver exceptional results that exceed your expectations!
What Is a Concrete (Gunite) Pool?
A concrete swimming pool — often called a gunite pool — is built by spraying a pressurized mixture of concrete and sand over a steel-reinforced frame, rather than dropping in a pre-formed shell. This on-site application method is what gives concrete pools their defining advantage: since the shape is formed on your property rather than manufactured off-site, there’s essentially no limit on size, depth, or shape. Among concrete inground pools built across the GTA, freeform lagoon-style pools, sharp geometric designs, built-in tanning ledges, and custom depths are all straightforward with gunite construction in a way they simply aren’t with a pre-molded shell.
Advantages of Having a Concrete Swimming Pool
Concrete is a durable material for a pool that is economical and can be easily customized in many shapes, sizes, layouts, and designs. In addition to this, it does not require much maintenance and can last for a long time. It can also increase the value of your home significantly. Among concrete swimming pools built across the GTA, this combination of durability and customization is exactly why so many homeowners planning pool construction Toronto projects land on concrete over other materials once they see the full range of what’s possible.
Among concrete pool builders, longevity is the material’s strongest selling point — a properly built and maintained gunite shell can last 50 years or more, considerably longer than the liner-replacement cycles that vinyl pools require. Combined with essentially unlimited concrete pool design flexibility, this is why concrete pool contractors position it as the premium, long-term option for homeowners who know exactly what they want their backyard to look like.
Our Concrete Pool Construction and Installation Procedure
We follow a well-organized approach to constructing and installing a concrete swimming pool construction project, consisting of the following:
Step 1: Pool Excavation
We will determine the depth, size, and shape of the pool and dig a hole at least three feet larger than its perimeter. Depending on the requirements, we will either haul the soil from the site or use it on the property.
Step 2: Placing Steel Bars
We will add steel bars, commonly known as rebars, to strengthen the pool, increase its stability and ability to flex and prevent structural failure in the future.
Step 3: Plumbing Work
Before placing the concrete shell, we will install a network of pipes required to circulate the pool water. Then, we will pressure test the plumbing to ensure it is working adequately.
Step 4: Placing the Concrete Shell (Gunite Application)
After installing the plumbing, our experts will spray concrete using a nozzle — the gunite application process — and then shape it using trowels and straight edges. We will use plastic screens to avoid overspray and ensure that the surrounding areas remain clean.
Step 5: Cure Time
Curing is the process in which the cement molecules become hydrated with water. This helps the shell to become strong and takes around 28 days to achieve the desired firmness. If required, we will waterproof the pool after thoroughly cleaning the surface.
Step 6: Tile and Coping
Since the surface of concrete pools can stain easily at the waterline, we place tiles along the top 6 inches of the pool. In addition to this, coping is done around the perimeter to provide the pool-to-patio transition.
Step 7: Installing the Patio
After placing the concrete shell, we will prepare the surrounding area using compacting stone. According to your preferences, we will either use paver, concrete, or natural stones to install the patio.
Step 8: Applying Plaster
As a part of the final concrete pool construction phase, we will use plaster to prepare the interior surface of the pool to provide a neat and smooth finish.
Step 9: Starting Up the Concrete Swimming Pool
We will ensure that the water is as per the accepted ranges before filling the pool with it. We will also provide you with a set of instructions regarding pool usage for the first ten days.
From excavation through start-up, a typical concrete pool installation runs 8 to 12 weeks depending on design complexity, weather, and permit timelines — considerably longer than fiberglass, but the trade-off is the design freedom described above.
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Concrete Pool Cost in Toronto
A standard concrete pool Toronto project typically costs $85,000 to $150,000+ installed, covering excavation, steel reinforcement, gunite application, plumbing, plaster finish, and basic coping. Premium custom builds — larger footprints, intricate freeform shapes, integrated spas, or extensive tile work — can reach $200,000 to $350,000. This is the highest upfront investment of the three main pool materials, reflecting both the on-site custom construction process and the 28-day cure time built into the schedule. Whether you’re comparing concrete pools Toronto wide or looking specifically at inground concrete pools for your own backyard, this pricing range holds fairly consistently across the GTA for standard installations.
It’s worth budgeting for one long-term cost specific to concrete for swimming pools: resurfacing. A gunite shell’s plaster finish typically needs resurfacing every 10 to 15 years, at a cost of roughly $15,000 to $30,000 depending on size and finish — a real expense worth planning for rather than being surprised by a decade in. For a full comparison against fiberglass and vinyl liner costs, see our complete pool cost guide.
Concrete vs. Fiberglass vs. Vinyl: An Honest Comparison
Concrete isn’t automatically the right choice for every backyard, and it’s worth being direct about the trade-offs. Concrete offers the most design freedom and the longest lifespan of the three materials, but it also carries the highest cost, the longest build timeline, and — in Ontario’s freeze-thaw climate specifically — more vulnerability to cracking over time than a flexible fiberglass shell, since rigid concrete doesn’t move with seasonal ground shifts the way fiberglass does. Proper reinforcement and an experienced installer matter more for concrete in this climate than for the other two materials.
If you’re still deciding between materials, our fiberglass vs. vinyl vs. concrete comparison breaks down the full trade-offs, including a 10-year total cost of ownership analysis and how each material handles Ontario winters specifically.
Concrete Pool Construction Services We Offer
As one of the established concrete pool companies serving Toronto and the GTA, our pool construction services cover everything from initial design through final start-up — not just the concrete shell itself. Whether you’re comparing concrete pool installers for a standard rectangular build or looking for a fully custom inground concrete pool with integrated features, our in-house team of concrete pool installers, engineers, and designers manages the entire project directly, without handing work off between separate subcontractors.
What Our Clients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a concrete pool and a gunite pool?
They’re the same thing. “Concrete pool” and “gunite pool” both refer to a pool built by spraying concrete over a steel-reinforced frame on-site, rather than installing a pre-formed shell.
How much does a concrete pool cost in Toronto?
A standard concrete pool installation typically costs $85,000 to $150,000+, with premium custom builds reaching $200,000 to $350,000, depending on size, shape complexity, and finishing choices.
How long does concrete pool construction take?
Most concrete pool projects run 8 to 12 weeks from excavation to final start-up, including the roughly 28-day cure time the gunite shell needs before tile, coping, and plaster can be applied.
Do concrete pools crack in Ontario winters?
Concrete is more prone to freeze-thaw cracking than fiberglass, since it’s a rigid material that doesn’t flex with seasonal ground movement. Proper steel reinforcement, a well-compacted base, and correct winterization each year significantly reduce this risk.
How often does a concrete pool need resurfacing?
Typically every 10 to 15 years, at a cost of roughly $15,000 to $30,000 depending on size and finish. This is a real long-term cost worth budgeting for alongside routine maintenance.
Can a concrete pool be any shape?
Yes. Because the shell is formed on-site rather than manufactured as a pre-set mold, concrete offers the most design flexibility of any pool material — freeform shapes, custom depths, and integrated features like tanning ledges or spas are all achievable.
Considering a Concrete Swimming Pool? Hire the Best Pool Builders Today!
With over 25 years in the industry, we know the best practices for building and installing a pool. We have a team of knowledgeable professionals — ICPI certified for interlocking concrete pavement, with verified expertise in concrete construction — who can help you design and construct an inground concrete pool as per your needs and at your convenience. Call us at 416.504.5263 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation today!