{"id":5511,"date":"2026-08-02T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flusso.hr\/?p=5511"},"modified":"2026-08-03T13:14:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T12:14:59","slug":"ugradbeni-bazeni","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flusso.hr\/en\/ugradbeni-bazeni\/","title":{"rendered":"Built-in or prefabricated pool? A comparison that solves the dilemma"},"content":{"rendered":"

Short answer:<\/strong> A prefabricated above-ground pool is chosen by those who need water this summer, have a limited budget, or are not sure whether they will stay in that location. An in-ground concrete pool is chosen by those who are building a permanent solution next to the house, want heating and a season longer than two months, and accept the main project and a higher initial investment.<\/p>\n

Before comparing, it is necessary to clarify the terms, as the market confuses them. There are three products with similar names: prefabricated above-ground pool<\/strong>, built-in prefabricated pool (shell)<\/strong> and built-in concrete pool<\/strong>They differ in whether they require a main project, whether they can be heated, and what happens to them in the winter.<\/p>\n

What is an in-ground pool and what is a prefabricated pool?<\/h2>\n

An in-ground pool is buried in the ground \u2014 either as a finished shell lowered into an excavation, or as a reinforced concrete structure cast on site. A prefabricated pool is an above-ground pool that is assembled on a prepared base, without excavation. The problem is that the word \u201cprefabricated\u201d is used in offers for both things.<\/p>\n

1. Prefabricated above-ground pool<\/h3>\n

A structure made of metal walls, wooden panels or composites with a foil coating, placed on a flat surface, without any penetration into the ground. The water is most often drained at the end of the season, and in simpler models, the pool itself is dismantled and stored. According to the portal Trebam.hr<\/a>, prefabricated metal pools on the market range from \u20ac1,000 to \u20ac1,800, wooden ones from \u20ac5,000 to \u20ac8,400, and composite ones from \u20ac6,800 to \u20ac10,900.<\/p>\n

2. Built-in prefabricated pool \u2014 shell<\/h3>\n

A finished polyester or steel shell manufactured in a factory and lowered into a prepared excavation. It is called \u201cprefabricated\u201d because it is not built on site, but the result is an in-ground pool \u2014 with excavation, foundation slab, backfilling and connections. According to Trebam.hr, polyester in-ground pools cost \u20ac13,800\u201320,000, and eMajstor.hr<\/a> states 780\u20131,080 \u20ac\/m\u00b2 with excavation.<\/p>\n

3. Built-in concrete pool<\/h3>\n

Reinforced concrete shell cast on site, waterproofed and lined with PVC foil, ceramics or glass mosaic. There are no restrictions on shape, depth or design \u2014 skimmer, overflow or infinity. This is the type that we build exclusively at Fluss, using classic concrete construction, with a 5-year warranty on the structure and waterproofing.<\/p>\n

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Key:<\/strong> When requesting quotes, ask specifically, \u201cis the pool in-ground?\u201d This is the only difference that changes the legal status of the project\u2014not the material, the price, or the name in the catalog.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Built-in or prefabricated pool: large comparison table<\/h2>\n

The matrix compares the three types on criteria that really change the decision. Where we don't have a confirmed public source, we write that \u2014 instead of an assessment that sounds convincing but is not verifiable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Criterion<\/th>\nPrefabricated overhead<\/th>\nBuilt-in mounting (shell)<\/th>\nBuilt-in concrete<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Starting price<\/strong><\/td>\nmetal \u20ac1,000\u20131,800; wooden \u20ac5,000\u20138,400; composite \u20ac6,800\u201310,900<\/td>\npolyester built-in \u20ac13,800\u201320,000<\/td>\nmarket \u20ac25,000\u2013\u20ac58,800; Flusso skimmer 8\u00d74 \u2248 \u20ac35,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Installation\/construction duration<\/strong><\/td>\nwithout excavation and concreting; installed on a prepared surface<\/td>\nrequires excavation, foundation slab, transport and crane to lower the shell<\/td>\n6\u201312 weeks, depending on size and complexity (Flusso)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shelf life<\/strong><\/td>\nwe do not have confirmed public information \u2014 ask for the manufacturer's warranty period in the offer<\/td>\nwe do not have confirmed public information \u2014 ask for the manufacturer's warranty period<\/td>\ncovering: PVC film 10\u201315 years, ceramics 20\u201330 years; Flusso warranty 5 years. on construction and waterproofing<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Permit and main project<\/strong><\/td>\nis not a structure buried in the ground as per Art. 4 of the Ordinance; the spatial plan restriction always applies<\/td>\nburied in the ground \u2192 up to 100 m\u00b2 without a building permit, but in accordance with the main project<\/strong><\/td>\nsame: up to 100 m\u00b2 without a permit, with a master project and notification of the start of construction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heating option<\/strong><\/td>\ndifficult: wall exposed to air from all sides, often no fixed engine room or connection<\/td>\ngood: fixed engine room, heat pump is installed as standard<\/td>\nbest: heat pump, solar or roller cover, all sized by water volume<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Annual cost<\/strong><\/td>\nchemistry + filtration electricity only in season; we do not have a confirmed public amount<\/td>\nmarket 600\u20131,400 \u20ac\/year for regular maintenance<\/td>\nmarket 600\u20131,400 \u20ac\/year; Flusso full service 300\u2013400 \u20ac\/month depending on size<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wintering<\/strong><\/td>\nwater is most often drained; simpler models are disassembled and stored<\/td>\nremains full, winters with a blanket and engine room preparation<\/td>\nremains full; winter cover \u2248 \u20ac1,500, roller cover \u20ac8,000\u201320,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Possibility of relocation<\/strong><\/td>\nyes \u2014 can be disassembled and moved<\/td>\nnot in practice (buried, excavated, connected)<\/td>\nno \u2014 permanent construction<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Real estate and rentals<\/strong><\/td>\nseasonal equipment in the yard, does not permanently change the appearance of the yard<\/td>\npermanent element of the garden, shape limited by the manufacturer's catalog<\/td>\npermanent element of the garden, shape and design (overflow, infinity) adapted to the plot<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

One line deserves special attention, as it is almost never mentioned in Croatian content about swimming pools: permit and main project<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Do I need a permit for a prefabricated pool or for an in-ground pool?<\/h2>\n

The key word in the Croatian regulation is "buried in the ground<\/strong>“. Regulations on simple and other buildings and works<\/a> (NN 112\/17, 34\/18, 36\/19, 98\/19, 31\/20, 74\/22, 155\/23) in Art. 4, item 1. c)<\/strong> stipulates that without a building permit, and in accordance with the main project<\/em>, can build a "swimming pool with a floor area of up to 100 m\u00b2 buried in the ground" \u2014 as an auxiliary structure on the building plot of an existing building, for the needs of that building.<\/p>\n

The three conditions are cumulative. Practically: an 8 \u00d7 4 m pool has a 32 m\u00b2 floor area, and a 12 \u00d7 6 m pool has 72 m\u00b2 \u2014 both are well below the threshold.<\/p>\n

In addition, Art. 6, paragraph 3.<\/strong> of the same Ordinance states: "The investor is obliged to report the start of construction of the structures referred to in Article 4 of this Ordinance." Therefore, for an in-ground pool, the report of the start of construction is<\/strong> mandatory, although a building permit is not.<\/p>\n

An above-ground prefab pool is not a structure buried in the ground, so it is Article 4.<\/strong> does not describe. For swimming pools that are constructed as a development of a building plot of an existing building, Art. 3, item 4.<\/strong> states that without a building permit i without main project<\/em> can create a "garden pool or pond up to 1 m deep from the surrounding ground level".<\/p>\n

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The risk everyone skips:<\/strong> Art. 1, para. 2 of the Ordinance states that these structures \u201cmay not be designed, built, or executed if this is prohibited by the spatial plan or otherwise contrary to the spatial plan\u201d. The spatial plan is above all else \u2014 for both prefabricated and built-in pools. Before placing any order, check the plan with the competent administrative department of your municipality or city. This text is not legal advice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Two things that are often wrongly attributed to this Rulebook: depth limit<\/strong> for a pool up to 100 m\u00b2 there is no such restriction (the 1 m restriction applies exclusively to the garden pool referred to in Article 3), nor volume limit in m\u00b3<\/strong> nor the prescribed distance from the border. The distance from the border determines the spatial plan. If you are building on the coast, Law on Physical Planning<\/a> (Official Gazette 155\/25, in force from 1.1.2026) does not affect the basin directly, but through the spatial plan: in the restricted area \u2014 a part of the mainland and islands 1,000 m wide from the coastline and a sea belt 300 m wide (Art. 19, item 48 and Art. 58) \u2014 plans can be stricter.<\/p>\n

A detailed overview of the entire process \u2014 from project to handover \u2014 can be found in our a complete guide to building a swimming pool in Croatia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How much do built-in and prefabricated pools cost?<\/h2>\n

The range is huge: from around \u20ac1,000 for a metal above-ground pool to over \u20ac50,000 for a concrete one with mosaic. Prices are not comparable one-to-one, because you are not buying the same thing. With an above-ground pool, you pay for the product; with an in-ground pool, you pay for the work on the plot \u2014 excavation, foundation, machine room, connections and lining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Pool type<\/th>\nPrice range<\/th>\nSource<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Prefabricated metal<\/td>\n\u20ac1,000\u20131,800<\/td>\nTrebam.hr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prefabricated wooden<\/td>\n\u20ac5,000\u20138,400<\/td>\nTrebam.hr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Composite<\/td>\n\u20ac6,800\u201310,900<\/td>\nTrebam.hr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Polyester built-in<\/td>\n\u20ac13,800\u201320,000<\/td>\nTrebam.hr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Concrete (market range)<\/td>\n\u20ac25,000\u2013\u20ac58,800<\/td>\nTrebam.hr<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Concrete 8\u00d74\u00d71.5 with PVC foil<\/td>\n\u20ac23,000\u201342,000<\/td>\nbazenirijeka.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Concrete 8\u00d74\u00d71.5 with ceramic \/ mosaic<\/td>\n\u20ac32,000\u201360,000<\/td>\nbazenirijeka.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flusso: concrete skimmer 8\u00d74<\/strong><\/td>\n\u2248 \u20ac35,000<\/strong><\/td>\nFlusso Group<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flusso: concrete overflow (same size)<\/strong><\/td>\n\u2248 30 % more expensive than skimmer<\/strong><\/td>\nFlusso Group<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

All amounts are indicative ranges, not a binding offer.<\/em> Two practical notes. First, Flusso does not do turnkey projects \u2014 we install the pool, pool equipment and liner, but not the landscaping; plan that part of the budget separately. That is why we tell owners to expect a minimum budget of EUR 100,000 for a fully landscaped yard with a pool. 50.000 \u20ac<\/strong>. Second, the calculation goes by project, not by m\u00b2: the equipment is dimensioned per cubic meter of water<\/strong>, so two pools with the same floor plan area can have different technical costs. A more detailed elaboration can be found in the text of cost of building a swimming pool by type and size<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Benchmark:<\/strong> An 8 \u00d7 4 \u00d7 1.5 m pool contains 48 m\u00b3, or 48,000 liters of water. Use this figure, not the floor area, when comparing offers for filtration, pump, and disinfection. In practice, for pools up to ~100 m\u00b3, we choose salt electrolysis, and above that, automatic liquid chlorine and pH.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Can a prefabricated pool be heated?<\/h2>\n

It is possible, but more expensive and with worse results than an in-ground pool. The above-ground wall is exposed to air from all sides and loses heat, while an in-ground pool is surrounded by soil, which acts as an insulator. Above-ground pools also often do not have a fixed engine room or a permanent electrical connection of the required power, and a heat pump requires both.<\/p>\n

Why is heating even an issue? Look at the climatological normals DHMZ for the Split-Marjan station (1948\u20132024)<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Month<\/th>\nAverage air temperature<\/th>\nHours of sunshine<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
May<\/td>\n19.2 \u00b0C<\/td>\n271,4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
June<\/td>\n23.4 \u00b0C<\/td>\n309,0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
July<\/td>\n26.2 \u00b0C<\/td>\n353,3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
August<\/td>\n25.9 \u00b0C<\/td>\n328,0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
September<\/td>\n21.6 \u00b0C<\/td>\n247,1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It's the air temperature, not the water temperature \u2014 but the relationship is clear. July and August are comfortable without any heating. May (19.2 \u00b0C) and September (21.6 \u00b0C) are borderline: without heating, the pool is mostly idle during these months, even though May has 271.4 hours of sunshine. This is where the heat pump pays for itself.<\/p>\n

The Astralpool heat pump for the 8\u00d74 pool is located with us. \u2248 \u20ac3,000<\/strong>, and for 10\u00d74 \u2248 \u20ac4,000<\/strong>It is almost always worth adding a solar cover (\u2248 \u20ac1,000<\/strong>), because the largest heat loss in a pool is through evaporation from the surface. See the solution option in the category pool heating<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Pro tip for your electricity bill:<\/strong> according to HEP's terms and conditions from 1.1.2026.<\/a>, in the period 1.4.\u201330.9.2026. consumption above 3,000 kWh in a six-month period is charged 35 % more expensive. This is exactly the pool season. Before buying a heat pump, calculate the expected consumption in kWh and multiply it by your own tariff \u2014 the network fee for the white model is 0.065702 \u20ac\/kWh (VT) and 0.028689 \u20ac\/kWh (NT), plus the RES incentive fee of 0.013239 \u20ac\/kWh.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n\"Chart:
Swimming season in Split according to DHMZ climatological norms for the Split-Marjan station.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n\"The
Same water, two levels of service. The difference is not in the chemistry, but in who goes out into the field.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How much will they cost in five years?<\/h2>\n

The starting price is the least reliable indicator. A prefab pool has a low entry price and recurring seasonal preparation cost; an inground pool has a high entry price and a predictable annual maintenance cost. On a five-year horizon, it looks like this.<\/p>\n