Built on craftsmanship, not volume.
J. Oliver Custom Pools and Design is a locally owned pool builder serving New Braunfels, Boerne, San Antonio and the surrounding Texas Hill Country. We design and build custom gunite pools, spas, water features, and full outdoor living spaces — one project at a time, to a standard we put our name on.
J. Oliver Pools is a New Braunfels pool builder you can trust — and that trust is built into who we are. We're two brothers and lifelong friends who spent our careers as firefighters, serving this community before we ever poured a pool. We brought that same code with us: show up, do it right, and stand behind your word.
We stay deliberately hands-on. From the first design conversation to the day you take your first swim, you work directly with the people building your pool — not a call center. That is how every detail gets handled, and how we have earned a five-star reputation across our markets.
That firefighter background shapes more than our work ethic — it shapes how we run a jobsite. We plan carefully, communicate clearly, and treat your home with respect. When something needs to be made right, we make it right, because our reputation in this community matters more than any single margin. It is the same accountability we lived by in the firehouse, carried into every backyard we touch.
We also keep our volume intentionally limited. Rather than running dozens of jobs at once, we take on a manageable number of builds so each one gets the attention it deserves. That focus is why our pools hold up, why our timelines hold true, and why so many of our new projects come from referrals by neighbors who have lived with their J. Oliver pool for years.
Before & after.
Steel, gunite, and months of careful work stand between dirt and a finished backyard. Here is one of ours, start to finish.
What sets a J. Oliver pool apart.
There are plenty of pool companies in South Central Texas. Here is what consistently brings homeowners to us — and what keeps them recommending us to their neighbors.
Firefighter-owned accountability
We built our careers on showing up and doing the job right under pressure. That same standard runs every build — careful planning, clear communication, and a promise we stand behind.
You talk to the builders
No call center, no rotating project managers. From the first design meeting to your first swim, you work directly with the people responsible for your pool.
Honest, itemized pricing
We quote line by line, with no vague allowances and no mid-project surprises. You know exactly what your pool costs and where the budget goes before any work begins.
Built to last in Texas ground
Soil studies, reinforced structures, proper drainage, and durable PebbleTec finishes mean our pools are engineered for the expansive clay and limestone we build on every day. Levels of finish vary in price.
The standard behind every build.
Craftsmanship
Every pool is engineered and finished to a standard we are proud to put our name on.
Transparency
Itemized, line-by-line pricing with no vague allowances and no mid-project surprises.
Hands-On
You work directly with the people building your pool — from first design to first swim.
Local Roots
We live and build in the Hill Country, and we stand behind every project here.
One team, start to finish.
A custom pool is a major project, and the difference between a smooth build and a stressful one comes down to how it is run. Here is what working with us actually looks like, from first call to first swim.
First conversation
We meet at your home, listen to how your family wants to live outside, study the lot, and talk honestly about budget and possibilities — no pressure, no obligation.
Custom 3D design
We translate your vision into a photorealistic 3D design and an itemized proposal, so you can see and refine your pool and outdoor space before a shovel touches the ground.
Engineering & permits
We handle stamped structural engineering, city and county permits, and any HOA approvals — the paperwork is part of our job, not yours.
The build
One accountable team manages excavation, steel, plumbing, gunite, tile, decking, and the PebbleTec finish, keeping you updated at every milestone.
Startup & first swim
We fill the pool, balance the water, commission the automation, and walk you through ownership. Then the backyard is yours — and we are still a phone call away.
Rooted across the Texas Hill Country.
We are a local builder by design, serving New Braunfels, Boerne, San Antonio, and the communities throughout Guadalupe, Comal, Kendall, and Bexar counties. Being local means we understand the soil, the permitting, and the neighborhoods we build in — and that we are never far away when you need us.
Why our neighbors recommend us.
Rated 5.0 on Google · Google Guaranteed · firefighter-owned
We have an existing pool that was in extreme disrepair, and we were at a loss as to how to move forward. Josh and Shan came out and offered multiple options, sound advice and stayed with the project until the end. The project came out much better than we could have imagined thanks to their expertise and professionalism.
Want an easy hassle free pool built? Choose J. Oliver. My pool was designed and built by them. They are very easy to work with and very knowledgeable. Told them what was most important to me and they customized my pool just perfectly, and it was done in a very timely manner.
Great experience with the J Oliver team. Would recommend to friends and family. Communication through the process was outstanding — they were always quick to reply, patient, and never pushy. I gave them my budget and they stayed within it, letting me know anytime something would push past it. I selected a pebble sheen finish and it came out beautiful.
Getting to know us.
Who owns J. Oliver Pools?+
J. Oliver Custom Pools and Design is owned and operated by two brothers, Josh Hammond and Shan Kuykendall, who spent their careers as firefighters before founding the company. It is a family-run, locally owned business — not a franchise or a national chain.
What areas do you serve?+
We serve New Braunfels, Boerne, San Antonio, and communities throughout the Texas Hill Country, including Canyon Lake, Bulverde, Spring Branch, Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, San Marcos, and Wimberley across Comal, Kendall, Guadalupe, and Bexar counties.
What does it mean that you are Google Guaranteed?+
Google Guaranteed means we have passed Google's background and licensing screening and our work is backed by Google's guarantee. Combined with our 5.0 Google rating, it is independent verification that you are hiring a credible, vetted local builder.
Do you build pools yourselves or subcontract everything?+
We self-perform and closely manage the critical phases of every build, and the same accountable team stays with your project from design through startup. We do not hand your pool off to a rotating cast of unsupervised crews.
What kind of pools and projects do you take on?+
We design and build fully custom gunite pools, raised spas, water features, and complete outdoor living spaces, and we handle renovations and remodels of existing pools. Every project is custom — we do not install stock fiberglass shells or cookie-cutter designs.
Why should I choose a local builder over a national company?+
A local builder understands the soil, permitting, and neighborhoods here, is invested in its reputation in this community, and is close by long after the build is done. With us, the owners themselves are involved in your project — that is hard for a large out-of-town company to match.
Let's design yours.
Tell us about your backyard and we'll show you what's possible — with honest pricing and a clear plan.