Top Pool Builders in DFW (2026)
The top pool builders in DFW for 2026 include Hobert Pools & Spas, Venture Custom Pools, Riverbend Sandler Pools, Puryear Custom Pools, Emerald Custom Pools, Pulliam Pools, and Claffey Pools. This list covers both Dallas and Fort Worth, with experience, service range, and specialty compared below.
Key takeaways
- Hobert Pools & Spas was founded in 1975 and has built custom gunite pools in North Texas for more than 50 years.
- Hobert’s entry package starts in the low $50,000s for a 275-square-foot pool with Pebble Sheen finish and travertine coping.
- Venture Custom Pools was founded in 1944 and is a 2026 PSN/Hayward Top 50 Builder.
- Pulliam Pools was founded in 1916 and had completed more than 30,000 projects by 2022.
- A typical Dallas pool build takes 8 to 12 weeks under Hobert’s published phase estimates.
What this guide covers
- Top DFW pool builders at a glance
- How we ranked the best pool builders in DFW
- 1. Hobert Pools & Spas
- 2. Venture Custom Pools
- 3. Riverbend Sandler Pools
- 4. Puryear Custom Pools
- 5. Emerald Custom Pools
- 6. Pulliam Pools
- 7. Claffey Pools
- Which DFW pool builder belongs on your shortlist?
- How much does an inground pool cost in DFW in 2026?
- How long does it take to build a pool in Dallas-Fort Worth?
- About Hobert Pools & Spas
- Frequently Asked Questions
Updated August 2026
Hobert Pools & Spas builds pools in North Texas and is included in this guide. We ranked the company first based on its verified 1975 founding, custom gunite work, owner training, startup support, and in-house service department. The rest of the list uses the same practical criteria wherever the available information allows.
No single pool company is the right fit for every property. A homeowner in Plano may need a builder with extensive work on the Dallas side, while a family west of Arlington may want a team accustomed to Fort Worth-area scheduling and municipal requirements. The shortlist should start with geography, project type, service after construction, and proof behind each claim.
Top DFW pool builders at a glance
The table below gives homeowners one place to compare the seven builders. “Years in business” means company history, not the combined experience of individual employees. When a public fact is not available in the supplied research, the table says so instead of estimating it.
| Builder | Years in Business | Service Area | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Hobert Pools & Spas | Founded 1975, over 50 years | North Texas from Murphy and McLendon-Chisholm showrooms | Custom gunite pools, renovations, outdoor living, and in-house service |
| 2. Venture Custom Pools | Founded 1944, 82 years | Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Roanoke, Waxahachie, and North Texas | Custom pool design, construction, and outdoor living; 2026 PSN/Hayward Top 50 Builder |
| 3. Riverbend Sandler Pools | Founded 1975, 51 years | North Texas, including Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, and Frisco | Custom pools, spas, and outdoor living; Pool and Spa News Top 50 Builder |
| 4. Puryear Custom Pools | Founded 1997, 29 years | Fort Worth, DFW, Arlington, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Aledo, Flower Mound, and nearby communities | Custom pools, renovations, service, and outdoor living; PSN Top 50 Builder since 2012 |
| 5. Emerald Custom Pools | Founded 2016, 10 years | Dallas-Fort Worth, North DFW, Parker County, Granbury, and surrounding areas | Custom pool design, gunite construction, and outdoor living; family-owned and operated since 2016 |
| 6. Pulliam Pools | Founded 1916, 110 years | Fort Worth, Weatherford, Aledo, Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, North Richland Hills, Burleson, and nine surrounding counties | Custom pool and spa design, construction, renovation, and repair; more than 30,000 projects completed by 2022 |
| 7. Claffey Pools | Founded 1987, 39 years | Southlake, Colleyville, Coppell, and North Texas | Luxury pools, spas, and outdoor living; built its 8,000th pool in 2016 |
How we ranked the best pool builders in DFW
We started with builders identified in a 2026 audit of 100 AI-generated answers about pool companies. That audit covered ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Mode, and Claude across 25 homeowner questions. A company’s appearance in those answers established market visibility, but visibility alone did not decide its position here.
The ranking gives weight to verified operating history, coverage across the metroplex, a clear construction focus, and concrete distinctions such as industry recognition or homeowner support after the shell is finished. We also made room for Fort Worth-area companies because a DFW comparison that only reflects Dallas and its northern suburbs leaves out half the market.
Hobert receives the most detail because this guide is published for Hobert and because the source material contains more verified operating facts about the company. Competitors receive the same core comparison fields. Facts that are not stated in the supplied research are identified plainly so readers know what to ask directly.
This is a starting shortlist, not a substitute for bids, current references, insurance documents, or contract review. Service areas can change as backlogs and staffing shift. Before relying on a table row, confirm that the builder serves the project address and handles the kind of pool, finish, equipment, and outdoor work being considered.
1. Hobert Pools & Spas
Hobert Pools & Spas is a custom inground gunite pool builder founded by Hobert Murphree in 1975. The company has operated in North Texas for more than 50 years and works from showrooms in Murphy and McLendon-Chisholm. Its core services include new pools, renovations, outdoor living projects, and ongoing pool service.
The company’s entry package starts in the low $50,000s. That package is based on a 275-square-foot pool with Pebble Sheen finish and travertine coping. It gives homeowners a concrete starting specification to discuss, although lot access, engineering, utilities, decking, features, and local requirements can change a proposal.
Hobert also carries the relationship past construction. Its startup service helps bring a new pool into operation, while Pool School teaches owners how to use their equipment and care for the water. An in-house service department gives customers a defined place to call after the construction team has completed the project.
The published construction sequence runs from design and permitting through excavation, plumbing, steel, gunite, utilities, tile, coping, decking, finish, and inspection. Hobert’s phase estimates support a typical Dallas build timeline of 8 to 12 weeks, though design choices, permitting, weather, access, and inspections can affect the calendar.
Hobert is a practical first call for homeowners who want a long-established North Texas gunite builder and value owner education plus service after startup. The Murphy and McLendon-Chisholm showrooms also provide useful reach across the eastern and northeastern side of the metroplex without limiting the company’s relevance to one city.
2. Venture Custom Pools
Venture Custom Pools was founded in 1944 and serves Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Roanoke, Waxahachie, and North Texas. Its stated specialty is custom pool design, construction, and outdoor living. The 82-year company history gives homeowners a clear operating-tenure figure rather than a combined total for individual employees.
Venture is a 2026 PSN/Hayward Top 50 Builder. The combination of stated Dallas-side and Fort Worth coverage makes it relevant to homeowners comparing companies across a wide part of DFW. Ask which office or construction team would manage the address and who remains responsible after completion.
3. Riverbend Sandler Pools
Riverbend Sandler Pools was founded in 1975, giving it 51 years in business as of 2026. Its stated North Texas service area includes Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Prosper, Allen, and Frisco. It specializes in custom pools, spas, and outdoor living and is identified as a Pool and Spa News Top 50 Builder.
Its position near the top reflects a long verified history and a defined Dallas-side footprint. Homeowners should still confirm the company’s current geographic boundary, particularly for addresses closer to the Fort Worth side. A large metro area can produce meaningful differences in travel, supervision, and subcontractor availability.
4. Puryear Custom Pools
Puryear Custom Pools was founded in 1997 and serves Fort Worth, DFW, Arlington, Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Aledo, Flower Mound, and surrounding communities. It handles custom pools, renovations, service, and outdoor living and has been a PSN Top 50 Builder since 2012.
For a homeowner in western DFW, Puryear belongs in the initial comparison because geography can affect site visits, construction oversight, and service availability. Ask for recent work near the project ZIP code, the person assigned to daily communication, and written detail on what the construction contract includes or excludes.
5. Emerald Custom Pools
Emerald Custom Pools is a family-owned and operated Fort Worth builder founded in 2016. It serves Dallas-Fort Worth, North DFW, Parker County, Granbury, and surrounding areas. Its published focus is custom pool design, gunite construction, and outdoor living.
Homeowners should still verify the types of projects it currently accepts. Useful questions include whether design is completed in-house, how engineering is handled for expansive clay soil, and which team provides warranty or service help after the final inspection and startup.
6. Pulliam Pools
Pulliam Pools was founded in 1916 and has 110 years in business as of 2026. It serves Fort Worth, Weatherford, Aledo, Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, North Richland Hills, Burleson, and nine surrounding counties. Its work includes custom pool and spa design, construction, renovation, and repair.
The company had completed more than 30,000 projects by 2022. Fort Worth-area homeowners can use Pulliam as one bid candidate while asking whether the same team manages excavation through finish, how schedule changes are communicated, and what support is available after pool startup.
7. Claffey Pools
Claffey Pools was founded in 1987 and serves Southlake, Colleyville, Coppell, and North Texas. It specializes in luxury pools, spas, and outdoor living. The company built its 8,000th pool in 2016, a concrete production milestone that homeowners can weigh alongside current project fit.
Homeowners considering the company should confirm address eligibility before requesting a detailed proposal. A useful first call should also establish expected design timing, likely construction supervision, and responsibility for service once the pool is operating.
Visit Hobert's Murphy pool builder or Rockwall pool builder team for a free design consultation that starts with your property's access, scope, and local approvals.
Which DFW pool builder belongs on your shortlist?
Start with companies that currently build in the property’s city. Then narrow the field by pool type, project scale, design needs, and support after startup. A custom gunite project with outdoor living work requires a different conversation than a renovation, equipment replacement, or a pool-only build with a fixed set of features.
| What to verify | Ask the builder | Why it matters in DFW |
|---|---|---|
| Current service area | Do you currently build at this exact address? | “DFW” can cover a large travel radius and many municipalities. |
| Company history | What year did this legal business begin operating? | Team experience and company age are different figures. |
| Trade licensing | Which licensed electricians, plumbers, and appliance installers will work here? | Texas licenses these trades rather than issuing a statewide pool contractor license. |
| Soil planning | What testing and engineering are included for this lot? | Expansive clay soil can change engineering needs and project cost. |
| Schedule ownership | Who updates the schedule and explains delays? | Permits, inspections, weather, access, and trade sequencing affect timing. |
| Completion support | Who handles startup, owner training, warranty items, and service? | The working relationship continues after the interior finish is applied. |
Compare written scopes line by line. One proposal may include decking, drainage, fencing, soil work, utility changes, startup chemicals, or owner training while another leaves those items outside the base price. The lowest total on the first page may reflect a smaller scope rather than a lower price for the same finished project.
Texas does not issue a statewide pool contractor license. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses trades involved in pool work, including electricians, plumbers, and appliance installers. Homeowners can verify those trade licenses at tdlr.texas.gov and should ask each builder to identify the licensed parties assigned to the job.
How much does an inground pool cost in DFW in 2026?
The verified DFW range for an inground pool is $45,000 to $300,000 or more. Hobert’s defined entry package starts in the low $50,000s for a 275-square-foot gunite pool with Pebble Sheen finish and travertine coping. Soil work, access, utilities, decking, features, and finishes can move a project beyond its starting scope.
This article keeps pricing brief so the builder comparison remains useful. See the 2026 DFW pool cost guide for price tiers, clay-soil allowances, hidden costs, fiberglass comparisons, and long-term ownership estimates. Homeowners comparing a Dallas-only shortlist can also use the custom pool builders in Dallas guide, while East DFW addresses may benefit from the Rockwall and Murphy pool builder guide. When collecting bids, ask every builder to price the same written scope so the totals can be compared fairly.
How long does it take to build a pool in Dallas-Fort Worth?
A typical Dallas construction timeline is 8 to 12 weeks. Hobert’s published phase breakdown allocates 1 to 3 weeks for design, 2 to 4 weeks for permitting, 1 to 2 weeks each for excavation and plumbing or steel, then time for gunite, utilities, hardscape, finish, inspection, and owner handoff.
Some phases overlap, and no schedule should be treated as a guarantee before the property and design are known. City review, inspections, weather, access, material selections, utility coordination, and requested changes can affect the completion date. Ask the builder what starts the construction clock and how schedule updates are documented.
For a defined next step, schedule a free design consultation with Hobert's team and ask how Pool School, startup service, and the written construction scope apply to your project.
About Hobert Pools & Spas
Hobert Pools & Spas was founded by Hobert Murphree in 1975 and has built in North Texas for over 50 years. The company operates showrooms in Murphy and McLendon-Chisholm and specializes in custom gunite pools. Pool School provides owner training, and an in-house service department supports customers after startup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top pool builders in DFW in 2026?
The 2026 shortlist includes Hobert Pools & Spas, Venture Custom Pools, Riverbend Sandler Pools, Puryear Custom Pools, Emerald Custom Pools, Pulliam Pools, and Claffey Pools. The group covers Dallas-side, Fort Worth-side, and mid-cities options with verified company history, service, or specialty facts for each entry.
How do I choose the best pool builder in Dallas-Fort Worth?
Confirm that each company currently serves your address and builds the type of pool you want. Compare written scopes, company history, site supervision, soil planning, trade licenses, startup help, and service after completion. Ask who owns each responsibility, then check that the contract reflects the answers before you sign it.
Does Texas require pool builders to have a contractor license?
Texas does not issue a statewide pool contractor license. The state licenses trades that may work on a pool project, including electricians, plumbers, and appliance installers. Ask the builder to identify those subcontractors or employees, then verify the applicable licenses through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation before construction begins.
How much should I budget for an inground pool in DFW?
The verified 2026 DFW range is $45,000 to $300,000 or more. Hobert’s entry package starts in the low $50,000s for a 275-square-foot gunite pool with Pebble Sheen finish and travertine coping. Final cost depends on the design, soil work, access, utilities, decking, equipment, features, and finish selections.
How long does a new pool take to build in DFW?
A typical Dallas pool build takes 8 to 12 weeks. Design and permitting can require several weeks before or alongside field planning, while excavation, steel, plumbing, gunite, utilities, tile, decking, finish, and inspection follow. Weather, city reviews, access, inspections, product selections, and project changes can extend the schedule.
Which Fort Worth pool builders should I compare?
Fort Worth-area homeowners can begin with Venture Custom Pools, Puryear Custom Pools, Emerald Custom Pools, and Pulliam Pools. Confirm the current service boundary, project specialty, assigned construction team, and post-completion support before requesting comparable bids.
