Quick Answer
Morales Outdoor Living only builds inground pools, fiberglass and gunite, not above-ground pools. Above-ground wins on upfront cost and reversibility, while inground wins on longevity, looks, usability, resale value, and the ability to handle East Tennessee's sloped, rocky lots.
- We build inground fiberglass and gunite pools exclusively and do not install above-ground pools.
- Above-ground pools need a flat, stable pad, which is hard to achieve on East Tennessee's sloped and rocky lots without extensive grading or an elevated deck structure.
- A quality inground fiberglass shell can last 50-plus years structurally, and a gunite shell 30 to 50 years, well beyond a typical above-ground pool's lifespan.
- Inground fiberglass pools here generally run $70,000 to $190,000+, with entry builds starting around $70,000 to $90,000; custom gunite pools run $95,000 to $350,000+.
Does Morales Outdoor Living install above-ground pools?
No. We only build inground pools, fiberglass and gunite, because that is where we can guarantee the engineering, longevity, and finished look we stand behind.
Do above-ground pools work on sloped lots?
Not well. They need a genuinely flat, stable pad, which is difficult on East Tennessee's hilly terrain without significant grading, while inground pools can be engineered directly into a slope.
The Short Answer
We will say this plainly upfront: we only build inground pools, fiberglass and gunite. We do not sell or install above-ground pools, so take this comparison as us being straight about the honest tradeoffs, not steering you toward what we happen to build. Above-ground pools win on upfront cost and the ability to take them down later. Inground pools win on almost everything else, especially in East Tennessee's hilly, sloped yards.
Why We're Telling You This Upfront
A lot of "above-ground vs. inground" articles online are written by companies that sell one or the other and quietly tilt the comparison. We do not have that conflict here, because we simply do not build above-ground pools. What follows is our honest read on where each one actually makes sense.
Where Above-Ground Wins
To be fair to above-ground pools, they have real advantages.
- Lower upfront cost. An entry-level above-ground kit costs a small fraction of what an inground pool costs to get water in the yard.
- Reversible. If you move in a few years, or decide the pool was not for you, an above-ground pool can be taken down and the yard returned to grass.
- Fast. Installation is measured in days, not weeks.
If your budget is tight, you are not sure how long you will stay in the home, or you just want water in the yard this summer with the least commitment, above-ground is a legitimate option, just not one we build.
Where Inground Wins
- Longevity. A quality fiberglass shell can last 50-plus years structurally, and a gunite shell holds up 30 to 50 years. Above-ground pools, by their nature, are not built for that kind of lifespan.
- Looks and usability. Inground pools sit at grade, integrate with real decking and hardscape, and can include depth variation, sun shelves, spas, and water features that an above-ground structure simply cannot offer.
- Slope. This is the big one in East Tennessee. Above-ground pools need a genuinely flat, stable pad, which is hard to come by on the sloped, rocky lots common around Knoxville and the surrounding hills. Getting a pad flat enough often means extensive grading or an elevated deck structure just to make an above-ground pool work at all, at which point a lot of the cost advantage disappears. An inground pool, especially gunite, can be engineered directly into a slope with retaining walls and properly engineered backfill, part of the site work we scope during pool construction.
- Resale value. An above-ground pool rarely adds resale value, and some buyers see it as a feature they will remove. A well-built inground pool with real hardscape around it is a different story; in the higher-end neighborhoods around Knoxville, it is a genuine selling point, not a liability.
What About Cost?
We are not going to invent a specific above-ground price; it varies enormously by size and kit quality. But the honest framing is this: entry-level above-ground kits cost a small fraction of an inground pool upfront. What they do not do is last as long, look the same, or add the value that a real inground pool does.
On the inground side, we can be specific because it is what we build. Fiberglass pools here generally run $70,000 to $190,000+, with entry builds starting around $70,000 to $90,000. Custom gunite pools run $95,000 to $350,000+, depending on size, depth, and features.
So Which Should You Choose?
If the goal is the cheapest possible way to get in water for a season or two, above-ground is a real, honest option, just go in knowing it will not last for decades or add to your home's value. If you want a pool that becomes a permanent part of your backyard, holds up to our climate and terrain, and still looks good in 20 years, inground is the answer, and it is the only thing we build.
Ready to Talk Inground?
If you are set on inground, or just want to understand what it would actually take and cost on your lot, get an instant estimate, browse real East Tennessee builds, or request a free consultation. We will walk your yard and tell you honestly what it would take, slope, rock, and all.
