Short answer: a new pool cage is a permitted aluminum structure designed for local wind loads. Most Fort Myers cages cost an estimated $16,500–$34,000 installed with engineering and permit, roughly $9–$16.50 per square foot, and smaller simple cages can start around $6,000.
Roof styles
- Mansard. Flat top with sloped sides, the most common Southwest Florida cage.
- Gable. A peaked roof that adds height over the pool.
- Hip. Sloped on all sides, a tidy look on single-story homes.
- Dome. A curved top for a taller, more open feel.
Engineered for wind
The Florida Building Code treats a screen enclosure as a structure. Section 2002.4 requires the members to be designed for wind loads that rise with the local design wind speed, and the aluminum has to meet the Aluminum Association's design manual. In practice that means signed engineering for your cage's size, height and exposure, which sets the beam sizes, upright spacing and anchoring. It's also why we don't offer one-size-fits-all cages.
Permits
A new enclosure is permitted work in unincorporated Lee County and in the cities, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Bonita Springs. We arrange the engineering, submit the permit and schedule the inspections as part of the job, and nothing is built until the permit is issued.
What moves the price
- Footprint and height: more frame and more screen.
- Roof style: gables and domes take more material than a mansard.
- Mesh choice and picture-window panels.
- Deck condition: anchors need sound concrete.
- Extras such as doors, kick-plate panels and frame color.
These prices are estimates from published Southwest Florida installer pricing. Your quote is itemized after we measure. See the full pool cage cost guide.
Questions
How long does a new pool cage take?
Most of the time is engineering and permitting. The build itself is usually a few days for a typical cage once materials and the permit are ready.
Can you replace an old cage on the same footprint?
Yes. We remove the old frame, check the anchors and deck, and build to current engineering.
Do you build lanai enclosures too?
Yes. See lanai screen enclosures, which use the same framing under an existing roof.