Inground Spa Builder
A Built-In Spa, Not a Portable Hot Tub
When people hear “spa” they often picture a portable acrylic hot tub that sits on the patio. What we build is different: a permanent inground gunite spa, constructed the same way as our pools and finished to match. It can spill over into your pool as a water feature, or stand on its own as a private retreat — and it’s built to last decades, not to be replaced.
- ✓A permanent gunite spa — the same construction and lifespan as your pool
- ✓Custom shape, depth, seating, and jet layout instead of a fixed factory mold
- ✓Finish, coping, and tile that match your pool and patio exactly
- ✓Spillover edge that doubles as a moving water feature
- ✓Adds a true architectural feature — and lasting value — to the backyard
Ways we build an inground spa
Common configurations
- ✓Spillover spa — attached to a new or existing pool, sharing equipment, spilling water into the pool
- ✓Raised spa — set above the waterline for a sculptural look and a stronger spillover
- ✓Standalone spa — its own retreat with dedicated equipment, no pool required
Good to know
- →We build spas inground only — we do not install above-ground or portable units
- →A spillover spa is most cost-effective when built with a new pool
- →Add a cold plunge for full hot-and-cold contrast therapy
Designing the whole backyard? See all custom features we build into a pool from day one.
How an Inground Spa Is Built
Phase 01
Design & Permits
We design the spa around how you will use it — size, seating, jets, and whether it spills into a pool — then handle permitting and HOA approvals.
Phase 02
Excavation & Gunite Shell
We excavate and form the steel-reinforced gunite shell, including the spillover dam wall and any raised structure or shared wall with the pool.
Phase 03
Plumbing, Jets & Equipment
We plumb the jets, blower, and circulation, and set the heater (shared with the pool or dedicated) so the spa heats quickly and runs efficiently.
Phase 04
Finish, Coping & Startup
We apply the interior finish, set coping and waterline tile to match your pool, then commission the equipment and balance the water.
Budget & Financing
A spa added to a new pool typically runs $25,000–$65,000
Built with a pool, the spa shares excavation, equipment, and mobilization, so it’s priced as an add-on. As a standalone inground spa with its own shell, equipment, and permitting, budget $65,000–$110,000. Final cost depends on size, jet count, finish, and whether it spills over.
Design the full backyard
A spa is even better with a pool around it
Most spas we build spill over into a custom gunite pool. Price out the pool, or add a cold plunge for hot-and-cold contrast therapy.
Related Services
Gunite Pools →
Our specialty and most-requested build — fully custom shapes, premium finishes, and a 50+ year structural life.
Cold Plunge Pools →
A permanent inground cold plunge with a dedicated chiller — pair it with your spa for contrast therapy.
Infinity Edge & Custom Features →
Spillover spas, tanning ledges, water features, and automation, designed into your pool from day one.
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 areasPlan your budget
What would your dream pool cost?
Design your pool step by step — type, shape, finishes, deck, and features — and get an instant itemized price range. Takes about two minutes, no contact info required.
Inground Spas — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an inground spa cost in the DMV?
When an inground spa is built together with a new pool, it shares excavation, equipment, and mobilization, so it's priced as an add-on — typically $25,000–$65,000. As a standalone inground spa with its own shell, equipment, and permitting, budget $65,000–$110,000. The main cost drivers are size, jet count, finish, and whether the spa spills over into a pool.
What is the difference between an inground spa and an above-ground hot tub?
An above-ground hot tub is a portable acrylic shell that sits on the patio and is replaced every several years. An inground spa is a permanent gunite structure built the same way as a pool — custom shape, seating, and jets, finished and tiled to match your pool, and engineered to last decades. It can spill over into your pool as a water feature or stand on its own. We build spas inground only and do not install above-ground or portable units.
Can you add a spillover spa to an existing pool?
In many cases, yes. A spillover spa can be added beside an existing pool and tied into the circulation and heating, often as part of a renovation. Feasibility depends on the existing pool's structure, equipment capacity, and yard access, so we confirm the approach during a site visit. Built new alongside a pool it's far more cost-effective, but a retrofit is frequently possible.
How long does it take to build an inground spa?
A spillover spa built as part of a new pool build adds little to the overall timeline, since it's constructed in the same phases as the pool. A standalone inground spa is its own small construction project — design and permitting, excavation and gunite, plumbing and equipment, then finish and startup — and the permitting phase is usually the biggest variable. We map out the full schedule before construction begins.