Custom - Luxury - Pool Builder - Katy, TX
For over forty years, Suncor Outdoors has been designing and installing custom luxury swimming pools of every kind throughout Katy, TX and surrounding areas. From basic backyard swimming pools to pools that one might see in a resort, we have the expertise and knowledge to provide a design that fits your needs and your budget without sacrificing on quality.
We don’t offer cookie-cutter pool designs that you can find in any backyard in Texas. We custom design in-ground pools to perfectly fit your backyard, your family’s needs, and your unique style preferences. Our in-house pool designer works with you from start to finish to create the perfect design. And our on-site superintendents keep you informed throughout every step of the pool installation.
Suncor Outdoors’ small-company feel gives you personalized attention from the first steps of your design all the way through the construction process. We understand that this is a large investment for you and your family. As such, we ensure that you are well informed throughout the process so you can rest easy knowing you’re getting a quality product by a trustworthy installer. We make the effort that makes the difference!
Designed for You, Your Home & Your Family
At Suncor Outdoors, we understand that everyone’s tastes are unique, and we want to create a one-of-a-kind pool just for you. What makes us the best pool builders around? We’re committed to creating the perfect pool design for every customer. We discuss your budget, your family’s needs, and your design preferences while also considering the design of your home’s exterior, your yard’s layout, and your other landscaping features. It allows our expert pool designers to create a stunning pool perfectly suited for you, your home, and your family.
We take the time to talk to you and get to know what you want in a pool. We don’t tell you what pool works for you. We let you tell us what you need and work to make it happen. Custom design is our specialty, and we’ll ensure that your pool’s design is perfect for you, down to the last stone or tile.
A Reputation You Can Rely On
When it comes to Katy pool companies, you won’t find a name as trusted as Suncor Outdoors. We invite you to examine our portfolio of custom pools that we’ve designed and built, and to speak with past customers about their experiences with their own new pool construction. We’re confident that you’ll find happy customers and beautiful luxury pools throughout Katy, designed and installed by our professionals. When it comes to custom in-ground pools, nobody does it better than Suncor Outdoors.
Contact us today to get started with creating your one-of-a-kind pool design!
The Construction Process and What to Expect from Start to Finish
The construction process can be very intimidating, but that’s where Suncor Outdoors excels above other pool builders. We prioritize each pool as if it’s the only pool we’re building. We want the construction process to be fun, informative, and effortless for you. And when your project is completed, we want you to know that we are still here for you. Read on below to see exactly how the pool construction process works.
Initial Consultation & Design
At your first consultation, we aim to find out what you are looking for in a pool and things you would like to see in the pool’s design. We also establish a budget so we know just what we can accomplish with the design and pool installation. We will take some photos of your backyard and collect a plot survey of your property. This will help our designer design the pool to fit just right in your backyard. After the design has been completed, you will receive various photos of the pool as well as a 3D video. This will give you a very close idea of how the pool will look at completion. Unsure of the design? Don’t worry, our designer will work with you on revisions to get it exactly as you imagined it!
Pre-construction
Once the design is finalized and the contract is signed, we move on to the pre-construction phase. In this phase we focus on approvals needed to start building a pool. Most homes will require HOA approval from their neighborhood. We provide you with the full packet needed to submit to your HOA. For homes within city limits that require a building permit, we will take care of the permit packets and submissions on your behalf.
Layout & Utility Locating
During the layout phase, we mark the pool in your backyard with stakes, paint and rope. Once the layout is approved, we call Texas811 and our private locate company to come out and mark utilities like gas, electric and communication lines so we know if any reroutes may be needed prior to digging.
Excavation (Dig)
Dig day is here! This is an exciting day in the process. Our dig crew brings in the excavator to begin digging out the ground based on your pool design. The majority of pool digs are completed in just a few hours. It’s the first time you officially see your “hole in the ground”. During this phase we set the grade of your pool to make sure it’s elevation is level with your home. Our dig crew will carve the walls and pool floor to fit your design.
Steel (Rebar)
We install #3 rebar in our pools 8″ on center. For our bond beams we use a #4 rebar. Deck dowels are installed to connect the gunite shell to the pool deck at a later phase. All of our steel is hand tied to prevent movement and support.
Plumbing Stub
During the plumbing stub, our crews install items that need to be inside the pool wall and covered with gunite. This includes items like return pipes, main drains, skimmers, jets and returns in spas, light niches and any pipes for water features that may be set in raised beams.
Gunite (Pool Shell)
This is one of our favorite days in the process! Gunite day is when your pool truly comes to life. Gunite is shot by crew members as other members begin smoothing and hand trimming the walls, benches, steps and any other features in your pool. By the end of the application, your pool will have officially taken form.
To cure the gunite, you will water the shell of the pool twice a day for 10 days. This is called water curing, and is extremely important for the longevity of your pool shell.
Masonry (Tile, Coping & Stone)
While the gunite cures, the masonry work begins. Your coping (stone around the perimter of your pool) is installed, as well as your waterline tile. Stone or tile, depending on your selection, will be installed around your spa, on raised beams or on any columns. This is also when any rock work would be installed.
Plumbing, Electrical & Gas
During this stage our plumbers and electrician will trench around the pool to install all of your plumbing and electrical runs. This includes your return lines, drain lines, water feature lines, spa return and air lines, gas lines (if you have a heater or spa) and electrical conduit for all of your pool lights.
Equipment
Our plumbers will install and plumb up your equipment pack while installing all of your plumbing runs. This includes all the equipment included with your pool to allow it run efficiently and effectively. We are proud installed of Pentair Pool Equipment. Your pool equipment pack includes a 3 year manufacturers warranty.
Pool Deck
There are many different options for pool decks. The deck stage of construction will look a little different depending on the type of deck you have in your project. We may be pouring concrete for an overlay, or we may be installing stabilizing sand for pavers.
Prior to any type of deck being installed we will run your deck drainage. Deck drainage is important to keep water running away from your pool surround and home.
Plaster (Pool Interior Surface)
We finish our pools with a pebble aggregate plaster for longevity. We have a variety of different plaster colors and options, like adding glass (bimini) or even abalone shell.
Once the plaster is installed, the plaster receives an acid wash and then we begin to fill! A pool with 1-2 hoses running 24/7 usually takes around 2 to 3 days to completely fill.
Pool Startup
At pool startup, we bring all the chemicals needed to do an acid start up on your new plaster. We also bring you your pool brush, net and testing strips. During the first 10 days of startup, you will need to brush the pool (floor, walls, steps & benches) 2 times a day. This helps clear the plaster dust and start exposing the color of your plaster. Your equipment will be left running 24 hours a day to help circulate and clear the water of dirt and sediment.
Pool School (Completion)
After the 10 days, pool shcool will be scheduled with one of our professionals. They will fine tune your equipment, set up your automoation link, and most importantly, show you how to use your new pool equipment and the app that controls it.
This is where we officially hand your pool over to you. You will need to begin weekly maintenance and chemical balancing on the pool. Written chemical records are imperative to keeping your plaster warranty in tact.
We are ALWAYS here for anything you need in the days/weeks/months/years after completion of your pool. Just give us a call or shoot us an email. We’re happy to help!
Faq
Swimming Pool Construction
Below are our most frequently asked questions regarding our swimming pool construction process. If you have any questions you don’t see here. Please get in touch. We’re happy to help with any additional questions you may have.
A custom pool is a pool built to fit your backyard. We don’t offer pre-fabricated or base model pools. All the selections from plaster, to wall tile to decking is custom selected by you. Each pool we design is different based on the needs of our clients.
Because our pools are all custom designed to fit your backyard and needs specifically, there is not a base price for a pool. A standard size pool and spa combo will generally run between $80-95,000. We do offer free estimates so you can get a full design and price without any obligations to buy.
Every pool build time can differ depending on a variety of factors like:
- Size of the project – The larger the project, the longer it can take to build. If you have other outdoor living elements incorporated into your project, like an outdoor kitchen, that can also extend your build time.
- Permitting – If you project requires a City permit, the build time can take longer because of inspections required during the build.
- Weather – Mother Nature plays a huge role in the length of time it takes to build a pool. Dry weather means shorter build times. Rain of course can sometimes cause delays in your build.
It generally takes anywhere from 4-8 weeks to complete a pool from the markings to the finishing touches.
The construction process is made up of several steps or segments to properly install your swimming pool. We have compiled all you need to know about the build in our Construction Process Guide. Click here to check out the process.
Most neighborhoods have HOA guidelines and requirements on installing swimming pools. Here at Suncor Outdoors, we strive to make it an easy submission process by putting together your HOA application packet for your to submit. Each HOA application packet includes:
- Completed HOA application form
- Property survey with swimming pool overlay
- 2D pool drawing with all required dimensions
- Photos of project
While we don’t offer in-house financing, we do have several lenders who can help. We have lenders who can help with home equity loans and lines of credit, as well as unsecured pools up to $100,000. Click here to view our financing partners.
A deposit of $1,000 will be collected at the time of contract signing. This deposit secures your start time for your project.
When construction begins, we have a payment schedule for each step of the build. A typical payment schedule would be due at dig, due at gunite, options payment, due at deck, and the final check is due at plaster.
Prior to digging, we follow the guidelines of Texas811 to know where and what we are digging. We also contact a private locate company to mark any lines that may need to be moved during the building process. We do our best to ensure no utilities will be disrupted during the process. However; sometimes utility lines can be cut, causing disruption. In the case this occurs, we will ensure the utilities are restored as quickly as possible.
At the completion of the building process you will be provided with a “Pool School”. Pool school is a process you will walk through once the equipment is hooked up. During pool school you will learn about your equipment and your app to control your pool features.
During the initial startup of the pool, we will provide chemicals. After 10 days, you will be required to maintain your pool. We recommend taking a water sample to your local pool store so they can guide you on what chemicals to add to the pool to balance the water chemistry. It is important to learn water chemistry when you have never had a pool, as you will need to ensure it remains in balance weekly.