Busy season at work and I just don't have the time to open the pool myself

Busy season at work and I just don't have the time to open the pool myself this year, so I'll be paying for full service. But I still want to know I'm paying a fair price for a full-service inground opening rather than just accepting whatever the company charges. Is there a way to check what full-service opening should cost so I'm not overpaying just because I'm outsourcing it?

Outsourcing because you're slammed is totally reasonable - but you're right that convenience shouldn't mean a blank check. Quick way to check: run a pool opening cost calculator  before you book. Pool Cost Planner's version estimates by pool type, service level, cover removal, size, and add-ons, and it breaks out full-service specifically for inground pools, so you get a fair-price benchmark for exactly the service you're buying. Tip: set it to inground and full-service to match your order, then compare that range to the quote - if they're way above, ask them to itemize. And check which add-ons are bundled; a fair full-service open should cover cover removal and startup, so if those are extra, that's your negotiating point.