A pool is one of the biggest projects you’ll ever do on your property. It’s poured in place, it sits in your backyard for decades, and you’ll see it every single day. So picking the right builder matters more than picking the right tile.
We’re Worthey Aquatics, a custom pool builder based in north San Antonio. We build custom gunite pools only. Here’s the honest checklist we’d hand a friend who’s shopping for a builder, even if they never call us.
Start With What Kind of Pool You Want
Before you compare builders, decide what you’re actually building. If you want a pool shaped to your yard, your slope and your style, you’re looking for a custom gunite builder.
Gunite is concrete sprayed over a steel rebar frame, then finished with plaster, pebble or tile. It can take almost any shape: freeform, geometric, beach entries, tanning ledges, spas, raised walls, and negative-edge pools on Hill Country lots. That flexibility is why it’s all we build.
Once you know you want custom gunite, you can skip any company that mostly sells off-the-shelf options and focus on true custom builders.
Look at Real Work, Not Just Renderings
3D designs are great. But a rendering only shows what a builder can draw. Finished pools show what they can build.
When you talk to a builder, ask to see:
- A gallery of completed projects (here’s ours)
- Pools similar to yours in size, slope and features
- Work in your part of town, whether that’s Stone Oak, Boerne, Helotes or New Braunfels
Hill Country lots come with rock, slopes and drainage challenges. A builder who has worked around them will plan for them up front instead of surprising you with change orders.
Read the Reviews, and Read Them Closely
Star ratings help, but the details help more. Look for reviews that mention communication, staying on schedule, cleanup and how problems got handled. Every project hits a snag at some point. What you want is a builder who answers the phone when it happens.
Worthey Aquatics is rated 4.9★ on Google from 51 reviews. We’d encourage you to read them, along with reviews for anyone else you’re considering.
Ask Who Does the Plumbing and Electrical
A pool is a plumbing and electrical system as much as it is a hole in the ground. Pumps, heaters, lights, automation and bonding all have to be done right, both for safety and so your equipment lasts.
Ask every builder:
- Who does the plumbing and electrical work?
- Are they licensed?
- Is the company insured, and can you see proof?
At Worthey, our plumbing and electrical work is done by experienced plumbers and electricians.
Get a Clear, Detailed Proposal
A good proposal tells you exactly what you’re paying for. Compare builders line by line:
- Pool and spa size and depth
- Interior finish, tile and coping
- Decking material and square footage
- Equipment (pump, filter, heater, sanitation, automation)
- Lighting and water features
- Excavation, including what happens if they hit rock
- Permits, HOA approvals and engineering
- Payment schedule
If one bid is far cheaper than the rest, look for what’s missing. Low bids often leave out decking, upgraded equipment or rock excavation, and those costs show up later.
For a sense of real numbers, see our guide: How Much Does a Pool Cost in San Antonio?
Ask About the Timeline
Ask for a realistic timeline in writing. For a custom gunite pool, a typical build takes 8–12 weeks of construction once the build starts, and very complex or large projects can take up to 16 weeks. Size, features, weather, inspections and HOA approvals all affect where you land in that range.
Be cautious of anyone who promises a custom pool in a few weeks. Gunite needs time to be done right.
Make Sure They’ll Be Around After the Build
The relationship shouldn’t end when the pool fills up. Ask whether the builder offers:
- Weekly pool maintenance (ours starts at $249)
- Repairs and equipment service
- Renovations down the road
A builder who also services pools has a reason to build them right the first time.
Ask About Financing Early
Many homeowners finance their pool. Talk about it early so your design fits your budget from day one. Our pool financing page walks through the options.
Looking for a “Custom Pool Builder Near Me”?
We’re located at 6002 Camp Bullis Rd, Suite 208, San Antonio, TX 78257, near Stone Oak. We build across San Antonio and the Hill Country, including Fair Oaks Ranch, Bulverde, Spring Branch, Canyon Lake, San Marcos, Dripping Springs, Kerrville, Comfort and Fredericksburg.
FAQ
What makes a pool builder the “best” in San Antonio?
Proven custom work, strong reviews, clear proposals, licensed plumbing and electrical work, full insurance, and support after the build. The best builder for you is the one who checks all of those boxes and listens to what you want.
How many pool builders should I get quotes from?
Two or three is plenty. Compare them line by line, not just on the bottom number.
How long does it take to build a custom pool?
A typical build takes 8–12 weeks, and very complex or large projects can take up to 16 weeks, depending on size, features, weather and approvals.
Do you build pools other than gunite?
No. We build custom gunite pools only.
How much does a custom pool cost?
Our custom pools start around $75K–$100K, and most projects land between $100K and $200K+.
Let’s Talk About Your Backyard
Request a consultation and we’ll walk your yard, talk through your ideas and give you a straight answer on cost and timeline. Prefer the phone? Call us at 210-760-7236.
