In-ground swimming pools, built in gunite to last in North Texas soil.
I’m Adrian Griffee, owner of Platinum Pools and Outdoor Living. I design and build custom in-ground swimming pools in gunite across Dallas-Fort Worth, and have since 2004. I take 8–10 projects a year. I walk every property, design every pool, and sign off on every pour.
Years building in DFW
Projects per year
Google reviews
Structural warranty
My team’s work on a Southlake residence with Sandlin Homes received the 2024 Texas Association of Builders Star Award for Best Outdoor Living Space. See the official winners list (PDF, page 3).
Why I build every pool in gunite.
North Texas soil moves. The pool has to be built for that.
Across DFW you’ll find three kinds of in-ground swimming pools: vinyl liner, fiberglass and gunite, which is also called shotcrete. I build gunite only, and there’s a reason for that.
The expansive clay under most DFW homes swells when it’s wet and shrinks when it’s dry, and that movement will eventually crack a pool that wasn’t engineered to handle it. Vinyl liners tear. Fiberglass shells flex and lift. Gunite, done right, doesn’t move. I’ve written more about North Texas soil and pool engineering.
Done right means a properly engineered steel rebar cage tied to specification, a shotcrete shell pneumatically applied at the correct PSI, and finish work that respects the cure schedule instead of rushing to the next job. I don’t pour pools in the rain to hit a deadline. I don’t skip steel to save margin. I build them once.
That’s why every pool carries a lifetime structural warranty on the shell, fully transferable if you sell your home. I’m confident in the structure because I control every step of building it.
What my in-ground swimming pools include as standard.
Most “starting at” prices you see online are for stripped-down shells. Mine aren’t. This is standard on every pool I build.
Engineering and design
- Custom 3D design renderings before you sign anything
- Soil and site analysis specific to your lot
- Stamped engineered plans
- Full permit handling for your city
- HOA architectural review submissions
Structure
- Engineered rebar cage tied to specification
- Pneumatically applied gunite shell (industry-standard PSI)
- Plumbing pressure-tested before backfill
- Bond beam and tile inspection before finish
Finish
- Premium pebble or plaster interior finish
- Waterline tile from a broad selection, with no markup on tile
- Coping in travertine, flagstone, natural stone or porcelain
- Decking integration with existing hardscape
Equipment
- Variable-speed pumps (Texas code-compliant, energy-efficient)
- Cartridge or DE filtration sized for your build
- Salt or chlorine sanitation, your choice
- Automated controls you can run from your phone
- LED color-changing pool and spa lighting
Warranty and aftercare
- Lifetime structural warranty on the gunite shell
- Manufacturer warranties registered and tracked for you
- Equipment startup and homeowner training at handoff
- You call me afterward, not a call center
What does a custom in-ground pool cost in DFW?
I don’t believe in mystery pricing or low-ball “starting at” hooks. Here is the honest range.
Most custom in-ground swimming pools I build in DFW fall between $85,000 and $250,000+.
What moves you within that range:
| Driver | Lower end | Higher end |
|---|---|---|
| Pool size and depth | 12×24, 5–6 ft | 20×40+, deep end, beach entry |
| Finish material | Standard plaster | Premium pebble, glass tile |
| Coping and decking | Concrete | Travertine, flagstone, natural stone |
| Water features | None | Vanishing edge, scuppers, grotto |
| Spa | No spa | Integrated raised spa with spillover |
| Outdoor living tie-in | Pool only | Kitchen, pavilion, fire features |
After a site visit in person I deliver a fully itemized proposal. Every line is broken out, with no “miscellaneous” buckets and no surprises. You know exactly what you’re paying for before you sign.
From first walk-through to first swim: the four-step build.
No project managers and no rotating sales reps. You deal with me the whole way.
Consultation and vision
I visit your property in person. We walk the yard, talk through how you use your backyard, look at the sightlines from inside the house, and discuss honest budget ranges and timelines. No high-pressure pitch.
Custom design and proposal
You receive 3D renderings of your pool in your own yard, plus a transparent line-item proposal. We refine the design until it’s right, and changes at this stage cost nothing. Once you approve, the price is locked.
Permits and build
I handle all city permitting and HOA approvals across DFW. Excavation, steel, plumbing, gunite, tile, coping, decking, plaster, equipment and startup typically take 16–18 weeks, depending on scope and weather. You get weekly progress updates and a direct line to me throughout.
Handover and long-term support
I walk you through your finished pool, train you on the equipment and the app, and stay on call. Most of my work comes from past clients referring their neighbors, and that only happens if I deliver after the check clears.
Recent in-ground pools in Southlake.
Building across Dallas-Fort Worth.
I serve homeowners across the DFW metroplex, with most of my work in the mid-cities and northern suburbs:
Grapevine · Southlake · Colleyville · Keller · Trophy Club · Westlake · Flower Mound · Argyle · Frisco · Park Cities
Because I cap my workload at 8–10 projects a year, most of my builds are within about 30 minutes of Grapevine. If you’re outside that zone, call anyway. For the right project, I travel.
Questions DFW homeowners ask me most.
How long does it take to build a custom in-ground pool in DFW?
A typical gunite build takes 16–18 weeks from groundbreaking to swim-ready. The biggest variables are weather, since I won’t pour gunite or plaster in the wrong conditions, and HOA approval timelines. Renovations typically take 4–8 weeks.
Why gunite instead of fiberglass or vinyl?
North Texas soil moves. Gunite, when it’s properly engineered, handles that movement for decades. Fiberglass shells can flex and lift. Vinyl liners tear and need replacing every 7–12 years. Gunite is also the only option for fully custom shapes, vanishing edges and integrated spas.
What’s the difference between plaster and pebble finishes?
Plaster is the traditional white interior finish. It’s clean, classic and the most affordable. Pebble finishes such as Pebble Tec and Pebble Sheen blend small natural pebbles into the plaster for a more textured look, deeper water color and longer life, typically 15–20+ years against 7–10 for standard plaster. I’ll walk you through samples in person.
Do you handle permits and HOA approvals across DFW?
Yes, completely. I manage permitting in Grapevine, Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Trophy Club, Westlake and across the metroplex. I’ve worked with HOA architectural review committees in Carillon, Vaquero, Timarron, Estes Park, Glenwyck Farms and dozens more.
What’s covered under your lifetime structural warranty?
The gunite shell itself, for as long as you own the home, and the warranty transfers to the next owner if you sell. Equipment carries separate manufacturer warranties, typically 1–3 years, which I register and track for you.
Can you tie the pool into an outdoor kitchen or pavilion?
Yes, and this is where most of my projects end up. I design the pool, decking, kitchen, fire features and pavilions as one integrated space instead of bolting on additions later. Covered structures can be built in steel that I fabricate in my own shop. See my outdoor living, hardscape and architectural steel features pages for more.
Do you offer financing?
Yes. I work with lenders who specialize in pool and outdoor living projects, and I’ll introduce you during your consultation if it’s helpful. See pool financing.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. Fully licensed, fully insured, and I carry workers’ comp on every crew member on your property. I’ll send certificates on request before any contract is signed.
It starts with one site visit.
Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation. I’ll walk your property, talk through what’s possible, and give you an honest read on budget and timeline, whether that’s with me or someone else.