Engineered to last. Designed to wow.
A custom gunite pool is a permanent part of your home. We start with a 3D design built around how you actually want to live outside, then engineer the structure for your specific soil, slope, and drainage so it stays flawless for decades. Unlike a fiberglass shell dropped into a hole, a gunite pool can take virtually any shape, depth, or feature you can imagine — which is exactly why it is the only material we build with.
From the first shovel to your first swim, one team manages excavation, steel, plumbing, gunite, tile, decking, and the PebbleTec finish — no juggling contractors, and no surprises along the way. Because we self-perform the critical phases rather than handing them to rotating subcontractors, the quality you see in our 3D rendering is the quality that ends up in your backyard.
Every project begins with a conversation about how your family actually lives. Do you want a shallow tanning ledge for toddlers and lounge chairs, a deep end for diving and play, a quiet raised spa to unwind in after a long shift, or a resort-style layout built for entertaining? Those answers shape the engineering, the equipment, and the budget long before we draw a single line — and they are why no two J. Oliver pools are ever the same.
Built by two brothers and career firefighters, J. Oliver Pools brings the same discipline and accountability to every build that we bring to the firehouse. Most custom gunite pools we construct start around $60,000, with the most popular signature builds running $75,000 to $150,000 depending on size, finishes, and features.
Soil Study & Engineering *if required
Site-specific engineering for limestone, clay, and sloping Hill Country lots.
Custom 3D Design
See your pool, decking, and features in 3D before we ever break ground.
Gunite Shell
A monolithic, steel-reinforced gunite structure built to last generations.
PebbleTec Finish
Brilliant, durable aggregate that gives the water its jewel-like depth and color.
Tile, Coping & Decking
The finishes that define the look — waterline tile, coping, and surrounding deck.
Automation & Equipment
Smart filtration, heating, and lighting you can run from your phone.
Pools we've put in the ground.
Every pool shape, engineered to your lot.
Because we build in gunite, the design is genuinely open. Some homeowners want a clean, architectural rectangle that echoes a modern home; others want a soft freeform pool that feels like it was always part of the landscape. Whatever direction you choose, we engineer the shell, plumbing, and decking around your real backyard — not a catalog template. Below are the build types we deliver most often across the Hill Country.
Freeform & naturalistic
Soft, organic shapes with curved edges, rock features, grottos, and tanning ledges that feel like a natural part of the landscape. A favorite for larger lots and Hill Country settings where the pool should blend into the terrain.
Geometric & modern
Clean rectangles, sharp coping lines, and architectural symmetry define modern pool design — a geometric pool that echoes a contemporary home. Often paired with raised spas, perimeter-overflow edges, and sheer-descent water features for a sleek, resort-grade look.
Infinity & negative-edge
Infinity-edge (also called negative-edge) and perimeter-overflow pools use a vanishing edge that draws the eye to a view, with water spilling evenly into a hidden trough. Both demand precise engineering — exactly the kind of build where craftsmanship shows.
Lap & plunge pools
A lap pool delivers a long, clean lane for swimming exercise on a narrow lot, while a compact plunge pool brings a refreshing cool-down and lounging spot to smaller backyards — both fully custom in gunite.
Family & entertaining layouts
Generous shallow zones, splash pads, bubblers, swim-up benches, and integrated spas designed around how families actually use the water. Built with shade, seating, and safety in mind from the first sketch.
Transparent pricing, no surprises.
Every backyard is different, so every quote is built from your site, your design, and the features you want — never a templated number. As a guide, here is what custom gunite pool projects typically run in our market. For a deeper breakdown, read our 2026 custom pool cost guide, or explore pool financing options.
A true custom gunite pool with a clean geometric or freeform shape, PebbleTec finish, and essential equipment — engineered for your lot, not a stock template.
Our most popular range: a larger pool with a raised spa, water features, tanning ledge, LED lighting, and smart automation.
A complete backyard resort — infinity edges, grottos, expansive decking, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and full outdoor-living architecture.
Figures are typical ranges and include design, engineering, permitting, and PebbleTec finish. Final pricing depends on size, depth, access, soil, and selected features. We provide a clear, line-item proposal before any work begins.
Why engineering is everything in Central Texas.
Building a pool on Hill Country ground is not the same as building one on flat, sandy soil. Limestone shelves, expansive clay, and sloping lots all punish shortcuts — and the failures show up years later as cracks, settling, and leaks. Here is how we engineer every J. Oliver pool to outlast the ground it sits in.
Soil studies first
Before design is finalized we assess your soil — limestone, expansive clay, or fill — so the structure is engineered for how your specific ground moves with moisture and season.
Steel-reinforced shell
A monolithic gunite shell with a dense rebar cage gives the pool its permanent strength. This is the part of the build you never see, and the part that determines whether a pool lasts.
Drainage & retaining
On sloping lots we engineer retaining walls, regrading, and drainage so water moves away from the structure — protecting both your pool and your home’s foundation.
Stamped engineering
Every structural plan is reviewed and stamped by a licensed engineer and permitted through your city and county, so the build meets code and stands behind its warranty.
From daydream to first swim.
Design & 3D
We translate your vision into an engineered 3D design and itemized quote.
Permitting
We handle engineering, city permits, and every HOA submittal.
Build
Excavation, steel, plumbing, gunite, tile, and decking — managed by one team.
Finish & Startup
PebbleTec plaster, fill, water balance, and your very first swim.
5.0 stars, and counting.
Rated 5.0 on Google · Google Guaranteed · BBB accredited
From start to finish it was a pleasure working with J. Oliver — informative, responsive, with top-notch workmanship from every subcontractor.
Josh and Shan went above and beyond to bring my dream pool to life. This is my third pool, and by far the best experience I've had.
An easy, hassle-free build from start to finish — very knowledgeable, and they customized the pool just perfectly.
Building a custom pool, answered.
How much does a custom gunite pool cost in the Hill Country?+
Most custom gunite pools start around $60K and scale with size, finishes, and features. A signature build with a raised spa, water features, lighting, and automation typically runs $75K to $150K, while full estate backyards run higher. Every project is quoted line by line with no hidden fees, and financing is available.
How long does it take to build a custom pool?+
A typical build runs about 10 to 12 weeks from breaking ground — design and permitting, excavation, steel and gunite, tile and decking, then PebbleTec finish and startup. Weather, site access, and complexity can affect the timeline, and your project manager keeps you updated at every milestone.
Can you build on rocky or sloping Hill Country soil?+
Yes. We handle soil studies, retaining, and drainage so your pool is engineered for limestone, clay, and sloping lots and stays structurally sound for decades. Difficult lots are where experienced local engineering matters most — and where shortcuts by out-of-town crews tend to fail.
Do you handle permits and HOA approvals?+
We manage every permit and HOA submittal from start to finish, including stamped structural engineering and city and county permits, so you never have to navigate the red tape alone.
Why gunite instead of fiberglass or vinyl?+
Gunite is a steel-reinforced, pneumatically placed concrete shell that can take any shape, depth, or feature and lasts for generations. Fiberglass shells are limited to factory molds and sizes, and vinyl liners wear out and need replacing. For a true custom design built to outlast Hill Country ground, gunite is the only material we build with. Our gunite vs. fiberglass guide breaks down the differences in detail.
What is PebbleTec and why do you use it?+
PebbleTec is a premium aggregate interior finish made of natural pebbles bonded into the plaster. It is far more durable than standard white plaster, resists staining and etching from Texas hard water, and gives the water its jewel-like depth and color. As a PebbleTec Elite builder, it is the finish we trust on every pool.
What equipment and automation comes with a new pool?+
Every build includes energy-efficient variable-speed pumps and quality filtration, with options for heaters, chillers, LED lighting, and saltwater systems. Smart automation from partners like Pentair and Jandy lets you run filtration, heating, lighting, and water features from your phone.
Do you offer financing for a new pool?+
Yes. We work with financing partners to offer flexible options so you can spread the cost of your pool over time. Visit our financing page or ask during your design consultation.
Guides for first-time pool owners.
Ready to break ground?
Tell us about your backyard and we'll start your custom design. A first conversation costs nothing.