If you live in a region where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, choosing the right type of swimming pool is more complicated than it might seem.

In northern climates like Wisconsin, frost can reach several feet into the ground, and freeze–thaw cycles can create pressure on pool structures both from the surrounding soil and from the water inside the pool itself.

In this episode of The Pool Guides Podcast, Cristian Shirilla sits down with Michael Bowers of Pool Pros Wisconsin, a builder with nearly 30 years of experience installing pools in one of the coldest parts of the United States.

Together they explore how the three primary pool types — vinyl liner pools, fiberglass pools, and concrete pools — perform when exposed to harsh winter conditions.

Michael shares firsthand insights about frost depth, groundwater pressure, installation best practices, and the winter maintenance steps that can prevent costly damage.

If you're planning a pool in a colder region, this conversation will help you understand what really matters when selecting a pool that can stand up to harsh winters and deep freezes.

• How harsh winters affect swimming pool structures
• Why frost depth and freeze–thaw cycles matter when installing a pool
• The pros and cons of vinyl liner pools in colder climates
• Why fiberglass pools are often well suited for freeze–thaw environments
• How concrete pools can be engineered to withstand cold climates
• The role groundwater pressure plays in pool stability
• The importance of proper installation and drainage
• Why winter water level management can prevent structural damage

Michael Bowers
Owner, Pool Pros Wisconsin

Michael Bowers has nearly three decades of experience installing swimming pools in Wisconsin, where deep frost lines and harsh winters create unique challenges for pool construction. His expertise in cold-climate pool installations provides homeowners with practical guidance for choosing the right pool and ensuring long-term durability.

The Pool Guides Podcast helps homeowners make confident decisions about choosing and installing a swimming pool.

Hosted by Cristian Shirilla of River Pools, each episode features experienced builders and industry professionals sharing real-world knowledge about pool types, costs, installation practices, and backyard planning.

The goal is simple: give homeowners the information they need to make smart decisions before construction ever begins.

What happens when a frustrated pool buyer decides to become the solution?

In this episode of The Pool Guides Podcast, Cristian sits down with Jeff Sebek, owner of River Pools Kansas City, to unpack the story of how poor communication during his own pool installation led him to start his own company.

Jeff began as a homeowner researching fiberglass pools, interviewing multiple builders, and designing the perfect backyard for his family. But when delays piled up and communication went quiet, he realized something bigger was missing from the industry — clarity and trust.

That experience changed everything.

In this conversation, Jeff shares what homeowners should really look for when choosing a pool builder, how to evaluate trust beyond years of experience, and what the pool construction process should actually feel like once you sign a contract.

What You’ll Learn

• How to choose the right pool builder with confidence
• Whether hiring a first-time pool builder is a smart move
• Why communication can make or break your pool experience
• What “over-communication” during construction looks like
• How referrals reveal the health of a pool company
• Real backyard examples with ballpark pricing insights

If you're considering building a pool, this episode will help you approach the process with clarity — and avoid the mistakes that lead to stress and regret.

Guest: Jeff Sebek

Jeff Sebek is the owner of River Pools Kansas City. After experiencing communication breakdowns during his own pool installation, Jeff launched his company with a focus on transparency, trust, and customer experience. Today, his team builds 40–50 fiberglass pools per year and operates primarily through referrals — a reflection of their commitment to over-communication and long-term relationships with homeowners.

🎙️ The Pool Guides Podcast – by River Pools

“I’m Cristian with River Pools. Thanks for hanging out with The Pool Guides Podcast — and remember, every great backyard story starts with a smart plan. Catch the wave.”

How long does it really take to install a pool?

In this episode of The Pool Guides Podcast, Cristian Shirilla talks with pool industry expert Jason Hughes about what actually controls your pool installation timeline — and why speed alone is a dangerous way to choose a pool.

Common Questions This Episode Answers:

• How long does it really take to install a pool?
• How long does it take to install a fiberglass vs vinyl vs concrete pool?
• What causes pool projects to take longer than expected?
• Do permits and inspections delay pool installation?
• How can I plan my pool project timeline realistically?
  
  

From the moment you sign a contract to the day you finally swim, pool timelines are influenced by far more than just pool type. Scope of work, permits, inspections, weather, contractor backlog, and even the time of year can quietly add weeks or months to your project.

You’ll also hear the true story behind a legendary fiberglass pool install completed in just eight hours and fifteen minutes — why it happened, what it proves, and why you should never expect that timeline for your own backyard.

This episode is designed to help you manage expectations, reduce stress during construction, and choose the pool you’ll enjoy for the next 10+ years — not just the one that promises the fastest install.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why installation speed shouldn’t drive your pool decision
• Realistic timelines for fiberglass, vinyl liner, and concrete pools
• How scope of work quietly adds weeks or months to your project
• Why weather, permits, and inspections affect every pool type
• How to plan your pool timeline without unnecessary stress or regret

Guest: Jason Hughes

Jason Hughes is a partner at River Pools Virginia and a GENESIS instructor with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). With more than 20 years of hands-on experience, Jason has worked on thousands of residential pool projects and helps homeowners understand what really matters when planning a pool.

If you’ve ever looked at your neighbor’s pool and wondered why your project is coming in $40,000 higher, this episode is for you.

In Episode 2 of The Pool Guides Podcast, Cristian Shirilla sits down again with fiberglass pool expert Jason Hughes to explain why pool quotes that look similar on the surface can be wildly different once you dig into the details.

They walk through the real-world factors that drive pool pricing differences, including proposal structure, site-specific challenges, permitting requirements, installation methods, and the hidden costs most homeowners don’t know to ask about.

You’ll learn:

• Why two pool quotes are almost never truly “apples-to-apples”
• How missing items and vague allowances inflate costs later
• The difference between all-in pricing and base-price proposals
• How permits, engineering, and local regulations affect your budget
• When cranes, dirt hauling, retaining walls, and access issues add thousands
• What builders can’t always predict underground, and how it’s handled
• Common installation shortcuts that lead to long-term problems
• Why cost creep happens, and how to prevent it
• How trusting your gut can save you from regret after construction begins

This episode isn’t about finding the cheapest pool; it’s about understanding where the money actually goes so you can plan intelligently, ask better questions, and choose a builder with confidence.

Because your goal isn’t just to build a pool, it’s to build a smart plan that holds up from contract to that first swim.

Guest: Jason Hughes

Jason Hughes is a partner at River Pools Virginia, a fiberglass pool installation company based in Warsaw, Virginia. With over 20 years of hands-on experience, Jason has worked on thousands of residential pool projects across a wide range of site conditions and municipalities. In addition to working directly with homeowners, Jason is a GENESIS instructor with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), where he teaches fiberglass pool installation best practices to pool professionals nationwide. Jason is passionate about helping homeowners understand the realities of pool construction so they can avoid surprises, protect their investment, and enjoy the process with confidence.

If you’re planning to build a swimming pool in 2026, pool pricing can feel confusing fast. One quote might be tens of thousands of dollars higher than another — even when the pools look nearly identical.

In this first episode of The Pool Guides Podcast, Cristian Shirilla sits down with pool industry expert Jason Hughes to explain what pools actually cost in 2026 and why prices vary so widely.

They break down real backyard pool projects — from simple, clean installs to full resort-style outdoor living spaces — and walk through the real numbers behind them.

You’ll learn:

• Realistic 2026 price ranges for vinyl liner, fiberglass, and concrete pools
• Why a pool builder’s pricing mindset matters more than their starting number
• How “apples-to-apples” pool quotes often aren’t the same at all
• What’s usually missing from low advertised pool prices
• Which upgrades move the price the most — and which ones don’t
• The hidden, site-specific costs that surprise homeowners
• Smart ways to phase your pool project without sacrificing your long-term vision

This episode isn’t about chasing the cheapest price — it’s about understanding how pool pricing really works so you can plan confidently, avoid surprises, and build the backyard you actually want.

And if you’ve ever wondered how two neighboring pools can end up priced $20,000–$40,000 apart, that’s exactly what we tee up for the next episode.

Guest: Jason Hughes

Jason Hughes is a partner at River Pools Virginia, a fiberglass pool installation company based in Warsaw, Virginia. With over 20 years of hands-on experience, Jason has dedicated his career to helping families create beautiful, functional backyards while ensuring every fiberglass pool installation meets the highest standards of quality and safety. In addition to his work with homeowners, Jason serves as a GENESIS instructor with the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), where he teaches fiberglass pool installation best practices to pool professionals across the country. Whether he’s on a job site or leading a training session, Jason is passionate about raising the bar for fiberglass pool installations and helping families make confident, informed decisions as they transform their outdoor spaces.