Custom Pool Design
Why Design Comes First
Decisions made before excavation are easy to adjust. Decisions made after are expensive. Our design process is built to front-load every meaningful choice.
Shape & Layout Planning
We evaluate your yard dimensions, setback requirements, and how you plan to use the pool — lap swimming, family recreation, entertaining — to determine the right shape and orientation.
Finish & Material Selection
Interior plaster (white, colored, quartz, pebble), waterline tile, coping material, and deck surface are all selected in design — so your quote reflects reality, not a guess.
Feature Planning
Infinity edges, tanning ledges, water features, lighting, and automation are far easier to plan into a build than to retrofit later. Design is when these choices happen.
Site Constraints
Slope, drainage, utility lines, HOA rules, and access for equipment all influence design. We surface these early so no surprises appear mid-construction.
3D Renderings
You will see a photorealistic 3D model of your finished pool before you approve anything. Adjust shape, features, and finishes until it matches your vision exactly.
Permit-Ready Documentation
Our design package includes the structural drawings, engineering details, and specifications needed for permit submission — cutting bureaucratic back-and-forth.
Our Design Process
Initial Consultation
We meet at your property to understand your goals, lifestyle, and budget. We walk the yard, discuss limitations, and begin talking about what's possible.
Site Survey & Measurement
A full site survey captures yard dimensions, grade changes, setbacks, utility locations, and access points — the foundation for an accurate design and quote.
Concept Layout
We produce an initial overhead concept showing pool shape, placement, deck footprint, and feature locations. This is where major decisions get made.
3D Rendering
Your concept becomes a full 3D rendering showing interior finish color, tile, coping, decking, and any water features. You can request revisions before approving.
Final Specification & Quote
Once design is approved, we produce a detailed specification document — materials, equipment, dimensions, and scope — and a firm, line-item project quote.
The only one in the DMV
Designed by a Master Certified Builder & Designer
Beltway Pools is the first and only company in Virginia, Maryland, and DC to hold the Master Certified Builder & Designer designation — the highest level of certification in the pool industry. Your design is created by someone who has earned it.
Budget & Financing
Design costs credited toward your build
The design package fee is applied to your construction cost when you move forward. Explore our DMV pool pricing guide and financing options.
Design Fee
The design package is a separate engagement from construction — it covers site visit, measurements, concept development, 3D rendering, and layout drawings.
$500 – $2,000
Typical residential design package range (varies by scope and complexity)
Revisions Included
The design process is iterative. Standard packages include:
Round 1
Concept presentation — shape, size, feature layout
Round 2
Revised 3D rendering incorporating your feedback
Round 3
Final adjustments — finish selections, equipment spec
Additional revision rounds beyond three are available at an hourly rate — but most designs are approved within three rounds.
Design Timeline
Site visit, measurements, needs assessment
Concept drawings and first 3D rendering
Typically 2–3 rounds; 1 week per round
Signed design package + permit-ready drawings
Ready to build?
See how the construction phase works
Once your design is approved, here’s what happens from permitting through your first swim.
Related Services
Custom Pool Construction →
After design approval comes construction — see every phase of a Beltway Pools build.
Infinity Edge & Custom Features →
The design consultation is when custom features are planned — explore every option we can build in.
Gunite Pool Specialist →
All Beltway Pools designs are executed in gunite — learn why that's the right choice for a built-to-last pool.
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 areasPool Design — Frequently Asked Questions
What does the pool design process include at Beltway Pools?
Our design process is collaborative and thorough — you won't be handed a catalog and asked to pick a shape. It includes:
- Site visit — we visit your property to assess yard dimensions, slope, soil, setbacks, utility locations, and access
- Conceptual design — we produce a pool layout drawing showing the footprint, features, equipment location, and approximate deck scope
- 3D rendering — a photorealistic rendering showing exactly how the finished space will look before a single shovel touches the ground
- Material selections — we walk you through interior finish, tile, coping, deck, and equipment options with clear pricing for each choice
- Permit drawings — stamped engineering drawings required for permit submission in your jurisdiction
Design revisions are included until you're fully satisfied before construction begins.
Do you provide 3D renderings before construction begins?
Yes — every Beltway Pools custom pool project includes full 3D photorealistic renderings before construction begins. You'll see your pool and its surroundings from multiple angles, with your selected finishes, waterline tile, coping, and deck materials applied. This step is not optional for us — building a pool without visualizing the final result first leads to surprises, and we've seen what that costs homeowners from other builders. We make revisions to the design until you're satisfied before we move forward.
How much does pool design cost?
Our design fee is included in our full construction proposals — it is not charged separately as a standalone service for homeowners who proceed with Beltway Pools for construction. For homeowners who want a design consultation or rendering without committing to a build, we can discuss a design-only engagement. The design fee is credited toward the construction contract if you move forward. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
Can I make changes to my pool design after the process has started?
Yes — changes can be made during the design phase without limitation. Once construction drawings are submitted for permits, any changes that affect the permitted scope require an amendment to the permit application, which can add time and cost. Changes after construction begins are possible but expensive and may delay completion. We strongly encourage taking the time to fully finalize the design before permits are submitted — the 3D visualization and material selection process is specifically designed to surface preferences early so build-phase changes are rare.