Pools made for San Marcos living.
San Marcos sits halfway between Austin and San Antonio on one of the clearest rivers in Texas, and we build pools to match its setting. From Blanco Vista and Paso Robles to La Cima and Kissing Tree, we design custom backyards for the city's fast-growing neighborhoods.
We build across the Hill Country and know San Marcos's mix of limestone and clay. Every pool is engineered to its exact lot and finished in durable PebbleTec — a private retreat minutes from the river.
Every San Marcos pool we build is engineered to its exact lot and finished in durable PebbleTec, then backed by smart automation and equipment from trusted partners like Pentair and Jandy. The result is a resort-quality retreat designed for how Texas families actually live outdoors — and built to last through decades of seasons.
Built by two brothers and career firefighters, J. Oliver Pools brings the same integrity and attention to detail to every San Marcos project. Most custom gunite pools we build start around $60,000, with mid‑range builds between $75,000 and $150,000 depending on size, finishes, and features.
Custom pools across San Marcos & Hays County.
San Marcos sits where the Hill Country meets the I-35 corridor — spring-fed rivers, fast-growing master-planned communities, and custom acreage to the west. We design and build custom gunite pools throughout Hays County and the communities below.
Blanco Vista
A large master-planned community with an active HOA. We design family pools and manage the full approval process.
Kissing Tree
A 55-plus resort-style community. We design low-maintenance pools and spas tuned for easy living.
La Cima
Hillside lots with views on the west side. Negative edges and elevated spas suit the grade.
Paso Robles & Whisper
Newer neighborhoods on the edge of town. Family designs with shade and shallow zones are favorites.
San Marcos River District
Homes near the spring-fed river. We plan grading and drainage for lasting riverfront pools.
Hays County Acreage
Custom rural lots west of town where we build sprawling pools and full outdoor kitchens.
Built for Growing Neighborhoods
From master-planned communities to custom acreage, we design pools that fit San Marcos lots and the way families live here.
Engineered for Mixed Soils
San Marcos spans limestone ridges and clay flats. We run soil studies and design each structure to its exact site.
Permits & Hays County, Handled
We manage City of San Marcos and Hays County permits, engineering, and HOA approvals from start to finish.
New Pool Construction
Custom gunite pools — free-form, geometric, infinity, and perimeter-overflow.
Learn more →Spas & Water Features
Raised spas, sheer descents, scuppers, and grottos with slides.
Learn more →Outdoor Living
Decking, pergolas, fire, and kitchens that extend the home outdoors.
Learn more →Renovation
Resurfacing, retiling, and full PebbleTec reimaginings of older pools.
Learn more →What it takes to build here — and why local knowledge matters.
Building a swimming pool in San Marcos isn't the same as building one on flat, sandy ground. Get the engineering wrong and a pool can shift, crack, or settle; get it right — as we do on every build — and you have a structure that holds true for decades. Here is an honest look at what goes into a custom pool in our area, and why hiring a local builder protects your investment.
Clay & limestone mix
San Marcos lots range from expansive clay near the river to limestone and rock on the western hills. We run soil studies and engineer each pool to its exact ground conditions.
Built for growing neighborhoods
From master-planned communities to custom acreage, we design pools that fit San Marcos lots and the way families live here — tanning ledges, spas, and generous decking.
Permits, HOA & engineering
We manage City of San Marcos and Hays County permits, stamped structural engineering, and HOA architectural approvals for communities like Blanco Vista, Kissing Tree, and La Cima. You never chase paperwork — it is part of the build.
Texas heat, sun & water
Long, hot summers shape smart design: efficient variable-speed pumps, optional heaters and chillers, generous shade and shelf seating, and PebbleTec finishes that hold up to UV and hard water year-round.
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 the San Marcos 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 San Marcos lot, not a stock template.
The most popular range in San Marcos: 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 for the San Marcos area 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.
From first sketch to first swim.
A San Marcos pool typically takes eight to fourteen weeks of construction once permits and approvals are in hand, depending on size, weather, and features. Here is the path your project follows. See our full week-by-week pool build timeline.
Design & 3D rendering
We meet at your home, study the lot, and translate your vision into a photorealistic 3D design so you can see and refine your pool before a shovel touches the ground.
Engineering & permits
We finalize structural engineering, pull City of San Marcos and Hays County permits, and secure HOA approval — all handled by our team.
Excavation & gunite shell
We dig, set steel, run plumbing and electrical, and pneumatically place the gunite shell that gives your pool its permanent strength.
Tile, decking & features
Waterline tile, coping, decking, and water features go in, followed by your outdoor-living elements — kitchens, pergolas, and fire.
PebbleTec finish & startup
We apply your PebbleTec interior, fill the pool, balance the water, commission the automation, and walk you through ownership. Then you swim.
5.0 stars, and counting.
Rated 5.0 on Google · Google Guaranteed · BBB accredited
They turned our backyard into a resort we never want to leave. From design to the first swim, every detail was handled.
On a tough lot they engineered a flawless pool and raised spa. True professionals — zero surprises.
Transparent pricing, no hidden fees, and the automation makes upkeep effortless. Worth every penny.
Building a pool here, answered.
Do you provide a custom 3D pool design?+
Yes. Before construction begins we create a photorealistic 3D rendering of your pool and outdoor space, so you can walk through the design, adjust shapes and features, and see exactly how it will sit in your San Marcos backyard. Nothing is left to the imagination.
What makes J. Oliver Pools different?+
We are a firefighter-owned, family-operated builder that treats your project with the same accountability we bring to the firehouse. You get one dedicated local team, transparent line-item pricing, PebbleTec Elite craftsmanship, and clear communication from the first design meeting through your first swim.
How much does a custom pool cost in San Marcos?+
Most custom gunite pools in San Marcos start around $60,000, with the most popular signature builds running $75,000–$150,000 once you add a spa, water features, lighting, and automation. Full estate backyards run higher. We provide a transparent, line-item proposal — and we offer pool financing to fit a range of budgets.
How long does it take to build a pool in San Marcos?+
After permitting and HOA approval, construction typically takes eight to fourteen weeks depending on size, features, weather, and site access. Our project manager keeps you updated at every milestone, from excavation to your PebbleTec finish and first swim.
What kind of pools do you build?+
We build fully custom gunite pools — freeform, geometric, infinity-edge, and perimeter-overflow — along with raised spas, tanning ledges, grottos, and water features. We also design complete outdoor-living spaces with decking, pergolas, kitchens, and fire features.
Are you licensed, insured, and reviewed?+
Yes. J. Oliver Pools is a firefighter-owned, family-operated company that is Google Guaranteed, BBB accredited, a PebbleTec Elite builder, and rated 5.0 stars on Google. You are working with a credentialed local team, not an out-of-town crew.
Do you offer pool financing?+
Yes. We work with financing partners to offer flexible options so you can spread the cost of your San Marcos pool over time. Visit our financing page or ask during your design consultation.
What San Marcos neighborhoods do you build in?+
All of them — Blanco Vista, Paso Robles, La Cima, Kissing Tree, and the surrounding Hays County acreage.
Do you handle San Marcos and Hays County permitting?+
Yes. Permits, soil studies, engineering, and HOA submittals are all managed as part of your build.
How does San Marcos soil affect my pool?+
It depends on your lot — limestone ridges and clay flats behave differently. We assess your specific site and engineer the structure accordingly.
Guides for San Marcos pool owners.
Let's build yours in
San Marcos.
A first conversation costs nothing. Call your local San Marcos pool builder today.