Getting an inground pool in Ajax — quotes, permit experience, and what we learned

We’re midway through our inground fibreglass pool project in Ajax. Started the process last October, breaking ground this spring. Sharing what we learned before and during the permit/quote process.

Quotes received (16x32 fibreglass, equipment, basic concrete decking):

  • Company A: $118,000 (Latham fibreglass, Jandy equipment, 400 sq ft concrete deck)
  • Company B: $97,500 (Leisure Pools fibreglass, Pentair equipment, 300 sq ft poured deck)
  • Company C: $134,000 (same Latham pool, automated cover, LED lighting, extended deck)
  • Company D: $88,000 (unknown fibreglass brand, smaller equipment package)

We went with Company B at $97,500 after extensive research on the fibreglass shell brands.

Ajax permit process:

  • Applied through Durham Region’s permit portal
  • Required: site plan showing pool location, setbacks from property line (pool must be 1.2m from any structure, including shed), fence enclosure plan
  • Permit fee: $310
  • Issued in 17 business days

The fence:
We already had a wood privacy fence, but it needed a self-closing, self-latching gate — the existing gate latch was manual. $220 for new gate hardware from a pool supplier.

Timeline:
Excavation: April 14 | Shell delivery and set: April 19 | Backfill and plumbing: this week | Decking and electrical: May | Fill and startup: late May

Happy to answer questions — this is a big purchase and there’s surprisingly little candid cost information online for GTA/Durham Region specifically.