Custom Pool Construction
What’s Included in Every Beltway Build
Every project follows a proven construction process. Here’s what happens from the day you say yes to the day you swim.
Step 01
Site Evaluation
We assess your yard for soil conditions, slope, drainage, setbacks, utility lines, and access — everything that shapes your build plan and pricing.
Step 02
3D Design & Approval
Before any digging, you review a full 3D rendering of your pool with your choice of shape, finishes, coping, and features. No surprises.
Step 03
Permits & Approvals
We handle all permit applications, HOA submissions, health department approvals, and inspection scheduling across VA, MD, and DC.
Step 04
Excavation
Our excavation crew digs the shell to precise specs. Difficult access or sloped lots are handled with the right equipment and engineering support.
Step 05
Gunite Shell Construction
Steel rebar is set and the gunite shell is shot — forming the structural backbone of your pool. All work is done to code and inspected at key phases.
Step 06
Finishing & Walkthrough
Plumbing, electrical, tile, coping, decking, interior plaster, and equipment installation all come together. We walk you through every system before we leave.
Build Timelines in the DMV
Most new inground pools take 3–6 months from permit approval to your first swim. The biggest variable is permitting — which varies significantly by county and municipality across Virginia, Maryland, and DC.
What Affects Your Total Cost
- ✓Pool size, shape, and depth
- ✓Interior finish (plaster, quartz, pebble, or glass tile)
- ✓Coping material and deck scope
- ✓Equipment package (pump, filter, heater, automation)
- ✓Custom features (waterfalls, lights, tanning ledge)
- ✓Site conditions — slope, access, and soil type
- ✓Permit complexity and required engineering
- ✓Retaining walls, grading, or drainage work
Typical Beltway Pools build range
$75,000 – $250,000+
Standard 12×24 gunite to large custom freeform with water features and full automation. See pool-cost/ for detailed breakdowns by scope.
Pool Financing
Flexible financing for your new pool
We work with trusted lending partners to offer competitive financing options — so you can start building now and pay over time.
What’s Covered Under Warranty
Every Beltway Pools new construction includes a written warranty package. Coverage typically includes:
- ✓Gunite shell — structural warranty against cracking or delamination
- ✓Plaster finish — manufacturer warranty (typically 1–3 years on material)
- ✓Equipment — manufacturer warranty on pump, filter, heater, automation
- ✓Workmanship — Beltway labor warranty on installation quality
Warranty tip
Plaster and pebble finish warranties require you to follow the manufacturer’s startup chemical protocol for the first 30 days. Skipping steps can void coverage. We provide a written startup guide with every new pool.
Start with the design
Not sure what you want yet?
Before we break ground, you’ll see your pool in full 3D — shape, finishes, and features — so you know exactly what you’re getting. See how our design process works.
Related Services
Custom Pool Design →
Every Beltway Pools build starts with a full 3D design — explore what our design process involves.
Infinity Edge & Custom Features →
Infinity edges, tanning ledges, and water features are built in at the design stage — never retrofitted.
Gunite Pool Specialist →
All Beltway Pools builds are gunite — learn why that's the right choice for a custom pool in the DMV.
What Our Customers Say
April 2023
“I reviewed multiple proposals on rebuilding a pool upon the purchase of our new house. The previous owner had deferred maintenance on literally every aspect of the pool. Our pool required 100% replacement of the filtration system, heater, skimmers and reconstruction of the drainage system, pool floor, tile and coping. Beltway Pools was by far the most responsive of the bidders with the most reasonable and easiest to understand pricing. Anything that I required clarity on they provided. We now are almost a year past the initial work and they did not deviate one penny from their original pricing. They continue to support us with weekly visits (incremental cost but well worth it) for cleaning and chemical balancing. We are very pleased with our service from Beltway Pools. -Andrew T. Positive Responsiveness, Punctuality, Quality, Professionalism, Value Services Cleaning, General construction, Remodelling, Swimming pool summerisation, Swimming pool water analysis, Winterisation”
April 2024
“Beltway Pools is Amazing. Their service is top notch. Hands down the best pool company in the DMV area. The one thing that I love about Beltway pools is not just the pool service and repairs but the timely responses I always get when I have an issue. The staff is very on point and amazing. The pricing is great as well. Services Above-ground pool installation, Cleaning, General construction, Custom swimming pool design, Design, General repairs & maintenance, Hot tub equipment maintenance, Hot tub equipment repair, In-ground pool installation, Jetted lap pool construction, Remodelling, Spa and hot tub installation, Swimming pool summerisation, Swimming pool crack repair, Swimming pool equipment maintenance, Swimming pool equipment repair, Swimming pool resurfacing, Swimming pool tile repair, Swimming pool water feature construction, Swimming pool water feature maintenance, Swimming pool water feature repairs, Hot tub test soaking, Swimming pool water analysis, Winterisation”
January 2026
“Beltway Pools is truly the best pool company in Alexandria. I know both Dragan and Rob and they are so professional - between the options in their showroom, punctuality, craftsmanship, suggestions for fixing other company's mistakes, the high level of detail, they are the very top of their industry. If you need a pool renovation, repairs, or regular service or maintenance in Alexandria and surrounding DMV areas, you'll be very pleased with Beltway Pools.”
Areas We Serve
Serving homeowners across Northern Virginia, Maryland & Washington, DC.
View all service areasCustom Pool Construction — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to build a custom inground pool in Virginia or Maryland?
Custom gunite inground pools in Northern Virginia and Maryland typically start around $115,000–$130,000 for a standard residential pool with a straightforward lot and standard equipment package. Complex designs, premium finishes, custom water features, or challenging site conditions push projects toward the $180,000–$300,000+ range. Key cost drivers include pool size and shape, interior finish selection, equipment package, site access and soil conditions, permit fees by jurisdiction, and any hardscape or outdoor living scope added to the project. For a full breakdown, see our Pool Cost Guide.
How long does custom pool construction take from start to finish?
From the day you sign a contract to your first swim, expect 5 to 12 months for most projects in the DMV. The primary variable is permitting — Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, and DC each have different processing timelines that can range from 4 weeks to 4+ months. Once permits are in hand, construction itself typically takes 10 to 24 weeks depending on pool complexity and site conditions. We give you a realistic timeline estimate during your consultation based on your specific county's current permit queue.
Do you handle permits for pool construction in Virginia, Maryland, and DC?
Yes — completely. Beltway Pools manages the full permit package for every jurisdiction we work in, including:
- Building permit application and engineering drawings
- Electrical permit for pool wiring
- Gas permit (if heater is included)
- Fence/barrier permit
- HOA submission package
- Chesapeake Bay RPA review (when applicable to your property)
- Scheduling all required inspections through final occupancy
You don't need to navigate any of this yourself. For more detail on what's required in each jurisdiction, see our Pool Permits Guide.
Can I build a custom pool on a lot with difficult site conditions?
Yes — this is one of our specialties. Beltway Pools has extensive experience with challenging build conditions across the DMV that less experienced contractors would decline or quote inaccurately, including:
- Steeply sloped properties requiring retaining walls or multi-level grading
- Tight access yards with limited equipment clearance
- High water table or clay-heavy soils requiring dewatering and special foundation approaches
- Properties near streams, floodplains, or Chesapeake Bay RPA boundaries
- Lots near property lines requiring variance applications
We conduct a thorough site visit and soil assessment before issuing any proposal on a challenging lot. Our pricing reflects actual conditions — not optimistic assumptions.