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River Pools Review (2026): Cost, Warranty and Who Makes Them Now

7.9/ 10

By the Renology editorial team · Reviewed by Dror Gigi, Co-Founder · Facts checked

Best for honest education on what a full project costs

River Pools became well known for explaining fiberglass pools plainly, and its cost guide is still one of the most useful. The brand changed in 2021: Thursday Pools bought River's manufacturing and national dealer network, so River-brand shells are now made in Indiana by Thursday. The current warranty, dated March 2024, is a 35-year structural term that transfers once.

Good to know: River Pools no longer makes its own shells. Thursday Pools, which built most of them under a 2015 joint venture, acquired the manufacturing and national network in 2021.

River Pools at a glance

Type
Fiberglass
Published price
$60,000–$200,000 (installed range, per company)
About the price
Basic $60k–$100k, with patio $85k–$135k, turnkey $85k–$200k, per River's December 2025 guide.
Sizes
31 sizes from 8 ft 4 in x 16 ft to 16 x 40 ft
Warranty
35-year structural warranty and 15-year surface warranty against blistering, one-time transferable
Lead time
3 to 5 weeks of work once permits are in hand, per River
Based in
Shells made in Fortville, IN; River Pools Virginia installs locally
How it sells
Independent dealers and franchisees; not sold for DIY
Delivers to
US through dealers; no California dealer confirmed
Owner feedback
Not collected for this review.
Status
Operating; manufacturing owned by Thursday Pools since 2021

How much does a River pool cost?

River's December 2025 guide breaks the cost into three levels. A basic install runs $60,000 to $100,000. Adding a 400 to 800 sq ft concrete patio brings it to $85,000 to $135,000. A turnkey project with landscaping, fencing and extras runs $85,000 to $200,000, and River says it rarely sees a finished project under $70,000.

That split is the most useful thing a buyer can read, because it explains why published fiberglass prices disagree so much: one company quotes the pool, another the whole backyard.

Who makes River Pools now?

River and Thursday Pools formed a 50/50 manufacturing joint venture in December 2015, and Thursday built most River shells from then on. In 2021 Thursday Pools, LLC acquired River Pools' manufacturing and national network operations outright. The current warranty names the shell as manufactured by Thursday Pools in Fortville, Indiana. River Pools Virginia, the original installer, remains independently owned.

River Pools warranty

The current document, revised in March 2024, is a one-time transferable, limited 35-year structural warranty and a limited 15-year surface warranty against osmotic blistering. An older River warranty was titled lifetime structural; the new one replaces that with a defined term. If you are comparing an older quote, check which version applies.

Sizes and timeline

River lists 31 sizes across its series, from 8 ft 4 in by 16 ft to 16 by 40 ft. It says installation takes about 3 to 5 weeks once permits are complete, and that permits take 1 to 10 weeks depending on the county. River does not sell shells for DIY installs.

What we like, and what is worth knowing

What we like

  • The clearest explanation of basic, patio and turnkey costs
  • A one-time transferable 35-year warranty
  • Narrow plunge sizes for small yards

Worth knowing

  • Shells are made by Thursday Pools, not River
  • A 35-year structural term rather than lifetime

Choose River Pools if

  • You want to understand the full project cost before you shop
  • A River dealer near you has good reviews
  • You want a warranty that passes to the next owner

Look elsewhere if

  • You want a lifetime structural warranty (Leisure or Barrier Reef)
  • You are on the West Coast (Latham or San Juan have western plants)

How River Pools scores

7.9 out of 10 among fiberglass pools, on our published method. Every listed company starts at 7.0, and information a company does not publish counts as neutral. Scores are our editorial opinion.

  • Price transparencyStandout
  • WarrantyGood
  • Track recordGood
  • AvailabilityStandard
  • Owner feedbackStandard
  • Model rangeGood
  • Lead timeGood
Visit River PoolsCompare fiberglass poolsAll prefab pools

The part a pool price leaves out

Get your yard checked by a local pool contractor

Crane access, excavation, the pad, electrical, fencing and permits decide most of the gap between a pool price and a finished backyard. In Southern California, the Bay Area and Greater Seattle, we can introduce you to 2 to 3 licensed pool contractors who can walk your yard and price that part.

Get quotes from pool contractors

How we make money: Renology is paid by independent pool contractors in parts of California and Washington when we introduce them to homeowners. No pool maker pays us.

River Pools FAQ

Is River Pools still in business?

Yes, as a brand. Its shells are made by Thursday Pools in Indiana, which bought River's manufacturing in 2021, and River Pools Virginia operates independently as an installer.

How much does a River Pools fiberglass pool cost?

River's guide puts a basic install at $60,000 to $100,000, with a patio at $85,000 to $135,000, and turnkey at $85,000 to $200,000 (December 2025).

What is the River Pools warranty?

A one-time transferable, limited 35-year structural warranty and a limited 15-year surface warranty against osmotic blistering.

Other prefab pool reviews

Sources: River Pools: about (ownership change) · River Pools: cost guide · River Pools: warranty (PDF) · River Pools: shapes and sizes · River Pools: install timeline · Pool & Spa News: River and Thursday

Found something out of date, or represent River Pools? Send corrections or a response to editor@therenology.com.