Cristallo Pools designs and builds custom concrete and gunite pools from scratch, so no two backyards are ever the same. Every pool is engineered for its lot and conditions, from the first 3D design through permitting, excavation, the gunite shell, and the finish. Cristallo is a PHTA award-winning builder.
Who A Custom Concrete Pool Is For
A custom concrete pool is the right choice for homeowners who want a design built specifically for their property, not a pre-molded shell chosen from a catalog. We work with three kinds of owners most often: people building on a new or recently bought home who want the backyard finished to match it, owners of waterfront or golf-course lots where the pool has to be sited around setbacks and views, and homeowners replacing an aging pool that no longer fits how they actually use the space.
The common thread is wanting something original. Every pool we build is designed from scratch for its lot, its sightlines, and the way the family wants to live outside, which is the part a stock fiberglass shell cannot do. If you are weighing whether a fully custom build is worth it over a faster off-the-shelf option, the deciding factor is usually how much the finished pool needs to fit the specific yard.
Why Build In Concrete And Gunite?
Concrete and gunite let a pool take any shape, depth, or edge a backyard calls for, which a pre-molded fiberglass shell cannot. The shell is sprayed over a steel rebar cage and cured on site, producing a single monolithic structure that routinely lasts decades in Florida’s heat and salt air. That structural freedom is why custom builds, vanishing edges, sun shelves, beach entries, and integrated spas are all built in gunite rather than dropped in as a factory shell.
It also means the pool can be engineered for the specific lot. On a sloped yard, a waterfront setback, or a tight infill lot, the shell is designed around the conditions rather than forced to fit a shape that came off a truck. For a pool meant to be a permanent part of the home, that combination of durability and design freedom is why concrete remains the standard for custom work in South Florida.
Custom Pool Construction, Start To Finish
A custom pool moves through seven stages, from the first design conversation to the final walkthrough. Cristallo keeps design, permitting, and construction in-house, so one team is accountable the whole way. Most custom concrete pools in Florida take roughly 8 to 14 weeks of on-site work once permits clear, depending on design, weather, and the 28-day shell cure.
- Design consultation: We talk through how you want to use the backyard, the style you are after, and your budget, so the design starts from how you actually live rather than a template.
- 3D design: We produce a detailed 3D plan of the shell, finishes, and features before any digging, so you can see the pool in your yard and adjust it before anything is committed.
- Permitting: Cristallo handles the building permits, engineering, and HOA approvals, which on waterfront or gated-community lots is often the step that sets the schedule.
- Excavation and steel: The hole is dug to the approved plan and a steel rebar cage is tied, the structural skeleton the shell is sprayed over.
- Gunite shell: Concrete is sprayed over the steel and cured, and every shell is waterproofed and bond-coated. The cure takes about 28 days and is the part of the timeline that cannot be rushed without weakening the shell.
- Tile, decking, and finish: Waterline tile goes in, the deck is built, and the interior is finished in pebble, plaster, or tile depending on your selection.
- Startup and walkthrough: We complete final inspection, start the equipment, balance the water, and walk you through operating and caring for the pool before handover.
Finishes, Features, And The Details That Set A Pool Apart
Cristallo finishes pools in pebble, plaster, or tile, and builds in the features that make a backyard usable year-round. The interior surface comes from premium lines like Pebble Technology (PebbleTec), Wet Edge, and NPT, and waterline and feature tile from Lunada Bay, Bisazza, and Artistry in Mosaics, so the finish is both how the water looks and how long the surface lasts. Pebble is the most durable of the three finish types and holds its color well in Florida sun, plaster is the classic lower-cost option, and tile is the premium choice for a fully custom look.
- Pebble, plaster, or tile interior finishes
- Saltwater systems for a softer swim with less daily chemical handling
- Waterfalls, bubblers, and other water features
- Sun shelves, tanning ledges, and built-in benches
- Integrated spas and spillover spas
- Fire features, custom decking, and LED or color-changing lighting
What Goes Into The Price Of A Custom Pool
The price of a custom pool depends on its size, depth, interior finish, and the features built into it, so there is no single figure that fits every project. Bigger and deeper pools cost more, and add-ons like an integrated spa, water features, a screen enclosure, or premium decking each move the total. Site conditions matter just as much: waterfront lots, a high water table, and tight access can all add to excavation and engineering.
Because every one of those factors is specific to your property, the only number that means anything is a written quote for your actual lot and design. We provide a detailed written quote after the on-site consultation, so the figure reflects your pool rather than an average. Call (561) 766-0353 to set up a consultation and get a quote built around your project.
Concrete And Gunite Vs. Fiberglass Vs. Vinyl Which Pool Type Is Right For Your Build?
Dimension | Concrete / gunite | Fiberglass | Vinyl liner |
|---|---|---|---|
Design freedom | Any shape, size, depth | Pre-molded shapes only | Limited, liner-dependent |
Durability in FL | Shell lasts decades on site | Long-lasting, low-maintenance shell | Liner replaced periodically |
Custom features | Vanishing edge, sun shelf, spa | Limited to the mold | Limited |
Install speed | Longest | Fastest | Moderate |
Best for | Fully custom, long-term | Speed and lower upfront | Lowest upfront cost |
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Why We're A Trusted Custom Pool Builder
We design every pool from scratch, so no two builds are alike, and keep design, permitting, and construction in-house so one team is accountable from the first sketch to the final walkthrough. That matters most on the lots we work on most often: waterfront and golf-course properties where the pool has to be engineered around setbacks, views, and Florida’s coastal conditions.
The credentials back it up. We hold Florida contractor licenses CPC1458452 and CBC 1255924, won the PHTA International Award of Excellence in 2025 and the Pinnacle Award in 2024, and have been featured in Luxury Pools Magazine. The award in particular is something most local builders cannot claim, and it reflects work judged against builders nationally rather than a self-described standard.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Why Choose A Concrete Or Gunite Pool Over Fiberglass?
Concrete and gunite can be built in any shape, size, and depth, and are engineered on site for your lot. Fiberglass is faster to install but limited to pre-molded shapes. For a fully custom pool meant to last decades in Florida, concrete is the standard choice.
How Long Does It Take To Build A Custom Pool?
Most custom concrete pools in Florida take about 8 to 14 weeks of on-site work once permits clear, including the 28-day shell cure. Design and permitting happen before that. Cristallo gives you a schedule at the design stage and updates you at each phase.
What Interior Finishes Are Available?
Cristallo finishes pools in pebble, plaster, or tile. Pebble is the most durable of the three and holds up well in Florida conditions, while plaster is the classic lower-cost option and tile is the premium choice.
Can You Add A Spa, Water Features, Or Lighting To A New Build?
Yes. Integrated spas, waterfalls, sun shelves, fire features, saltwater systems, and LED lighting are all designed into the build from the start, so the plumbing and electrical are sized for them rather than added later.
How Much Maintenance Does A New Concrete Pool Need?
A new pool needs weekly water testing and chemical balancing, regular brushing and skimming, and periodic equipment checks. A pebble or quartz finish holds up longer than plaster between resurfacings. Cristallo walks you through the routine at handover, and concierge maintenance is available if you would rather not handle it yourself.
Do You Build On Waterfront And Golf-Course Lots?
Yes, and those are among the most common Cristallo builds. Waterfront and golf-course lots carry extra setback, drainage, and engineering requirements, which is why an experienced local builder who has worked those lots matters more than on a standard suburban yard.
Do You Handle The Permits?
Yes. We manage the building permits, inspections, and HOA approvals as part of the build, so the project stays compliant from excavation through final inspection.
Can You See A Design Before Construction Starts?
Yes. We create a custom 3D design of your pool before any work begins, so you can see the layout, shape, and features and adjust them. The design is built around your specific lot, sightlines, and how you want to use the space. Nothing goes to permitting until you have signed off on the design.
Built and reviewed by Cristallo Pools Florida-licensed pool and spa contractors (CPC1458452 | CBC 1255924), PHTA International Award of Excellence 2025 and Pinnacle Award 2024 winners, building custom pools across Palm Beach and Martin Counties since 2011.
Ready to design a pool that’s one of a kind? Book a free design consultation. Call (561) 766-0353 or request your consultation online.