Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Pools in Naples, FL
You’re not supposed to know everything about building a pool before you call a pool builder.
Most homeowners come to Suncoast Custom Pools® with a combination of ideas and questions.
How long will it take? What will fit the lot? Who handles permits? Should we add the spa now? Can an existing pool be completely reimagined? What happens while we’re up north for the summer? How much is a new pool?
Those are exactly the conversations we should be having.
Below are answers to some of the questions Southwest Florida homeowners ask us most often about custom pool design, new pool construction, pool renovations and the process of creating a Suncoast Sanctuary.
Still wondering about something?
FAQ's
Planning a Custom Pool in Southwest Florida
How do I start planning a new custom pool?
First rule: start with how you want to use it, not a list of finishes.
Think about who will use the pool, whether you entertain, how important a spa is, whether you want room for swimming or primarily lounging, and how the backyard should connect to the home.
Our professionally guided design process helps turn those ideas into something that works perfectly for your home, property, and lifestyle. The Suncoast design process allows homeowners to explore pool shapes, sizes, spas, water features, decking, kitchens, fireplaces, and other design elements during consultation.
Do I need architectural plans before meeting with Suncoast Custom Pools®?
No. Some homeowners arrive with plans, inspiration photos, or a very specific vision. Others simply know they want the backyard to feel more connected to their living experience.
Both are good starting points.
We’ll talk through the property, how you want to live outside, and what matters most before developing the design.
How much does a custom pool cost in Naples, Florida?
There isn’t one responsible number we can give every homeowner.
Pool size and shape are only part of the cost. Spas, decking, water features, equipment, lighting, finishes, access conditions, site preparation, and engineering can all affect the investment.
A better question is:
What do you want the finished backyard to do for you and which parts of that vision matter most?
Once we understand the scope, we can have a much more useful conversation about the project.
How long does it take to build a custom pool?
The honest answer is that every project is different.
Design complexity, size, engineering, permitting, HOA requirements, site access, selections, inspections, weather, and the scope of the backyard all affect the schedule.
Once the plans and scope are established, Suncoast Custom Pools® can give you a more realistic timeline for your project.
What we can control is how the project is managed. Clear scheduling, communication, and keeping trades moving are recurring strengths in the Suncoast Custom Pools® customer experience. The company’s broader positioning is built around dependable execution rather than making a one-size-fits-all construction-time promise.
Does Suncoast Custom Pools® handle pool permits and HOA requirements?
Permitting and, where applicable, HOA coordination are part of the planning that must occur before construction can move forward.
Southwest Florida communities can have very different requirements, so the specifics depend on the property and jurisdiction. Suncoast Custom Pools® brings decades of local construction experience to that process and incorporates permitting and other preconstruction requirements into project planning.
Can you design a pool for an unusual or limited backyard?
That is precisely when custom design matters most.
Property lines, setbacks, architecture, views, access, existing structures, and the way people move through the backyard all influence what makes sense.
Suncoast Custom Pools® evaluates the property first rather than trying to force the same pool into every backyard.
Not every idea works on every lot, but a constraint can often lead to a much more interesting design.
Custom Pool Design, Spas and Features
What pool shapes can Suncoast Custom Pools® design?
Your pool does not have to come from a predetermined catalog.
Depending on the property and design, options may include rectangular, geometric, organic or freeform layouts and other configurations developed specifically for the space. Suncoast Custom Pools®’ current Design Selection Form also lets homeowners explore rectangles, freeform shapes, kidney designs, L-shapes, oval/circular concepts and geometric styles.
The better question is not simply which shape do you like; it’s which shape belongs here.
Can I add a spa to my custom pool?
Yes! Spas can become part of the original pool design, and the relationship between the two can be customized. For example, the current design process includes raised and flush spa concepts.
A spa can also change how the backyard gets used-especially on cooler evenings or when you want the outdoor space to feel less seasonal.
What water features can be included?
Depending on the design, homeowners may consider features such as water walls, deck jets, waterfalls, fountains or decorative water elements. The design process also includes options such as water and fire bowls.
We recommend choosing features because they improve the experience-not simply because there is room to add them.
A great water feature should contribute something: movement, sound, atmosphere, privacy or a stronger architectural connection.
Can Suncoast Custom Pools® help choose decking, tile and finishes?
Yes! This may be our favorite part. Those selections have an enormous effect on whether the pool feels connected to the home.
Current Suncoast Custom Pools® design options include materials such as porcelain, travertine, marble, pavers, and other decking options, as well as glass and porcelain waterline tile.
Our goal is not to make every individual material compete for attention.
It is meant to make the finished environment feel intentional.
Can you include pool automation, lighting, heating or salt systems?
Those systems can be considered as part of the project depending on the design and equipment plan.
Suncoast Custom Pools®’ existing renovation and design materials reference lighting, automated controls, heating options and salt systems among the upgrades that can be incorporated into a pool environment.
We can talk through which conveniences are genuinely useful for the way you intend to use the pool.
What Happens During Pool Construction?
What are the major stages of building an inground pool?
A custom pool goes through many more steps than most homeowners ever see.
The general construction sequence can include site preparation, excavation, structural steel, plumbing, tile, decking, equipment installation, interior finish, safety components, filling, startup and final site cleanup. Exact sequencing varies by project.
That complexity is one reason choosing the pool itself is only part of the decision.
You are also choosing who will manage everything required to build it.
How will I know what is happening during construction?
You should not have to drive home, see another truck in the driveway and wonder what is happening to your backyard.
Communication is one of the most consistent themes in Suncoast Custom Pools® customer feedback: homeowners value knowing the schedule, receiving updates, getting answers quickly and understanding what comes next.
We believe the homeowner should feel informed without having to become the project manager.
What can delay a pool project?
Some variables are outside anyone’s direct control.
Weather, permitting, inspections, material availability, site conditions and changes to project scope can affect timing.
The important distinction is how those issues are managed and communicated.
If something changes, you should know what happened, what it affects and what comes next.
Can Suncoast Custom Pools® work on residential and commercial projects?
Yes.
Suncoast Custom Pools® has experience with residential and commercial pool projects across Southwest Florida. The company’s work also includes relationships with home builders and other construction partners.
Builder and commercial projects have different coordination and scheduling needs than a homeowner project, so those inquiries should be routed through the appropriate team.
Pool Renovation & Remodeling Questions
Can an older pool be completely redesigned?
Yes.
A renovation can go well beyond changing the interior finish.
Depending on the existing structure and project scope, renovation work can include design modifications, tile and masonry, decking, spas, waterfalls and fountains, lighting, resurfacing, heating equipment, automated controls and salt systems.
The goal does not have to be “make the old pool look newer.”
Sometimes the better question is:
If we were designing this backyard for your life today, what would we change?
How do I know whether my pool needs renovation or just a repair?
If the issue is isolated, a repair may be all that is needed.
But when the surface, tile, decking, equipment, layout or overall look of the pool no longer works for you, it may make more sense to think about the backyard as a renovation rather than a series of disconnected fixes.
Suncoast Custom Pools® is particularly interested in projects where there is an opportunity to create a meaningful transformation—not simply chase one minor maintenance issue after another.
How long does a pool renovation take?
It depends heavily on what is being changed.
A focused renovation can take substantially less time than one involving demolition, decking, new features, equipment upgrades or structural modifications. Suncoast Custom Pools®’ published renovation guidance notes that schedules vary with scope, materials, permitting and project conditions rather than following one universal timeline.
We would rather give you a realistic schedule after understanding the project than advertise a timeline that may have nothing to do with your pool.
Can you add a spa or new water features to an existing pool?
Potentially, yes.
Spa additions, waterfalls, fountains, lighting and other feature upgrades are among the renovation services referenced in Suncoast Custom Pools®’ existing project materials. Whether a specific addition is practical depends on the existing pool, engineering and property conditions.
That starts with seeing what you have now.
Pool Financing Questions
Does Suncoast Custom Pools® offer pool financing?
Suncoast Custom Pools® does not provide financing or make lending decisions.
The website provides access to financing resources and companies homeowners may choose to explore for pool projects. Loan approval, rates, fees and terms are determined by the lender.
Do I have to use home equity to finance a pool?
Not necessarily.
Financing structures vary by lender. For example, HFS Financial advertises personal-loan options for pool projects that do not require home equity or refinancing a mortgage. Other providers have their own lending requirements.
Always review the interest rate, fees, repayment term and total borrowing cost—not just the monthly payment.
Can pool renovations be financed too?
Some financing providers offer options that may apply to renovations or eligible related improvements.
Exactly what can be financed, the amount available and the terms are determined by the individual lender and your qualifications.
Suncoast Custom Pools® can explain the construction scope. The lender handles the financing decision.
About Suncoast Custom Pools®
How long has Suncoast Custom Pools® been building pools?
Suncoast Custom Pools® has been part of the Southwest Florida pool industry since 1983.
Over more than four decades, the company has worked across custom residential pools, renovations, commercial projects, spas, water features and outdoor living environments.
Experience matters because Southwest Florida brings its own realities—from climate and soil to permits, HOAs and the way homeowners use their outdoor spaces year-round.
Is Suncoast Custom Pools® licensed and insured?
Yes. Suncoast Custom Pools® is licensed, bonded and insured under Florida pool contractor license CPC 1458390.
Is Suncoast Custom Pools® a Master Pools Guild member?
Yes. Suncoast Custom Pools® is a member of the Master Pools Guild and was also recognized as a 2026 Pool and Spa News Top 50 Builder.
Those recognitions matter, but they do not replace the standard we hold ourselves to on an individual homeowner’s backyard.
What makes Suncoast Custom Pools® different from other Naples pool builders?
It is not one feature or one piece of equipment. The difference is how the entire project is handled
Suncoast Custom Pools® customers repeatedly highlight several things: clear communication, dependable scheduling, thoughtful custom design, attention to detail, quality craftsmanship and accountability when something needs attention.
And we do not believe “custom” means choosing from a longer list of upgrades.
It means listening first and designing around the home, the property and the people who will actually live there.
Designs that listen. Schedules that stick. Craftsmanship that endures.
Who owns Suncoast Custom Pools®?
Josh McKenna is the Owner of Suncoast Custom Pools®.
Josh grew up around pool construction and learned the business from the field before moving into leadership. Today, his focus is growing Suncoast Custom Pools® without sacrificing the communication, craftsmanship, trade relationships and accountability that built the company’s reputation. The underlying company materials describe hands-on leadership and oversight of thousands of Southwest Florida pool projects.
Where does Suncoast Custom Pools® build?
Suncoast Custom Pools® is based in Naples and serves homeowners and projects throughout Southwest Florida.
Because serviceability can depend on project location and scope, we recommend contacting the team with the property address so we can confirm whether the project falls within our current construction area. The website currently publishes resources for communities throughout Naples and the broader Southwest Florida market.
Choosing the Right Type of Pool
What is the difference between a fiberglass pool and a gunite pool?
The biggest difference is how the pool is made and how much freedom you have to customize it.
A fiberglass pool is manufactured as a finished shell, transported to the property and installed in the excavated area. Because the shell is made from a mold, homeowners choose from the manufacturer’s available shapes, sizes and configurations. Fiberglass surfaces are typically smooth, and installation can be comparatively efficient once the site is ready.
A gunite pool is a type of concrete pool built on site. Steel reinforcement establishes the structure, and the concrete shell is pneumatically applied before the pool receives its interior finish. Because the pool is formed on the property rather than arriving as a prefabricated shell, gunite construction allows substantially more freedom in shape, depth, steps, benches, spas, sun shelves and architectural details.
Neither method is automatically right for every homeowner.
At Suncoast Custom Pools®, our emphasis is on custom gunite pools because the construction method gives our design team the flexibility to shape the pool around the home, property and way the homeowner wants to use the space.
What is the difference between gunite and shotcrete?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically they describe different methods of applying concrete.
With gunite, the dry ingredients travel through the hose and water is introduced at the nozzle during application. With wet-mix shotcrete, the concrete is mixed with water before it reaches the hose and nozzle. The finished structures are both forms of pneumatically applied concrete, but the mixing and application processes differ.
For a homeowner, the more important questions are who is building the shell, how the material is being applied and how construction quality is being controlled.
You shouldn’t have to become a concrete expert to get a well-built pool.
Why does Suncoast Custom Pools® build gunite pools?
Because custom design requires flexibility.
A pool may need to follow the architecture of the home, solve an unusual lot, preserve a view, incorporate a raised spa or sun shelf, work around setbacks or become part of a much larger outdoor-living plan.
Gunite construction allows the pool to be formed specifically for those conditions instead of making the property accommodate a factory-made shell. Master Pools Guild similarly identifies concrete construction as particularly well suited to bespoke pool designs.
For Suncoast Custom Pools®, custom isn’t a longer list of upgrades. It means the pool begins with the property and the people who will live around it.
Pool Water, Equipment & Everyday Ownership
Is a saltwater pool chlorine-free?
No—and this is a very worthwhile FAQ because a lot of homeowners understandably assume it is.
A saltwater pool still uses chlorine to sanitize the water.
The difference is in how that chlorine gets there. A salt chlorine generator uses electrolysis to convert dissolved pool salt into chlorine. After the chlorine has done its sanitizing work, the cycle continues through the system.
For many homeowners, the appeal is convenience and more consistent chlorine production rather than eliminating chlorine altogether.
We can help you determine whether a salt system makes sense for your pool, equipment and the way you intend to maintain it.
Should I choose a gas pool heater or a heat pump in Southwest Florida?
It depends heavily on how you expect to use the pool and spa.
Gas heaters generally heat water faster, which can make them attractive when homeowners want to raise the temperature quickly—particularly for a spa. Heat pumps use electricity to move heat from the surrounding air into the pool water. They generally heat more gradually and are particularly useful when the goal is maintaining temperature efficiently in a moderate climate.
In Southwest Florida, that can make the decision less about “Which heater is better?” and more about questions such as:
Do you keep the pool warm continuously during season?
Do you mainly want heat for the spa?
How quickly do you expect the water to warm up?
What energy sources are available at the property?
We can size and specify the system around the way you will actually use it.
Is pool automation worth adding?
For many homeowners—particularly seasonal Southwest Florida residents—it can be.
Pool automation can bring systems such as pumps, heaters, lighting and water features into a central control system, with compatible systems allowing monitoring and adjustment through a smartphone or other connected device.
That might mean turning on the spa before you walk outside, changing the lighting from your phone, adjusting equipment schedules or checking certain pool functions while you’re away from the home.
We don’t believe in adding technology simply because it exists.
Good automation should make pool ownership simpler.
What is a variable-speed pool pump, and why does it matter?
A traditional single-speed pump essentially operates at one speed. A variable-speed pump can operate at different speeds depending on what the pool needs—circulation, filtration, heating, water features or other functions.
That flexibility can reduce energy consumption because the pump does not have to operate at full speed for every task. The U.S. Department of Energy has established efficiency standards for dedicated-purpose pool pumps, and variable-speed technology allows lower-speed operation when full flow isn’t required.
It can also make the equipment system quieter and more adaptable to features requiring different flow rates.
This is exactly the kind of equipment decision we prefer to explain during design rather than asking a homeowner to decipher a specification sheet later.
Florida Pool Questions
What pool safety features are required for a new residential pool in Florida?
Florida law requires a new residential swimming pool to satisfy at least one approved safety-feature requirement before it can pass final inspection and receive its certificate of completion.
Current statutory options include an approved pool barrier, an approved safety pool cover, qualifying door/window exit alarms, qualifying self-closing/self-latching access doors, or an approved swimming-pool alarm. Florida also establishes specific requirements for barriers, including a minimum four-foot exterior height.
The exact solution for a particular property should be determined during planning and permitting.
And because water safety is bigger than code compliance, this FAQ creates a natural internal link to Pools With a Purpose.
Do I have to have a screen enclosure around my pool in Naples?
I would include the question but not answer it with a blanket yes or no.
A screen enclosure—or “pool cage”—and the legally required pool-safety barrier are not necessarily the same thing. Property conditions, the proposed enclosure design, local requirements, HOA standards and the chosen safety solution all matter.
Suncoast Custom Pools® can address the pool and site requirements during planning and coordinate the project around the applicable permitting requirements.
That answer is more responsible than the SEO-style “All Florida pools require a cage”, which is simply not accurate.
Can I build a pool if my neighborhood has an HOA?
Often, yes—but the HOA may have its own architectural or design-review requirements in addition to governmental permits.
That can include restrictions or approval requirements involving setbacks, equipment location, decking, enclosures, landscaping, construction access or appearance.
Because Suncoast Custom Pools® has spent decades building throughout Southwest Florida communities, we want HOA requirements identified before they become a surprise halfway through planning.
Still Have Questions About Your Pool?
Good. The best projects usually begin with them.
You may have a clear picture of your future backyard or just know that the one you have today isn’t where you want it to be.
Either way, tell us what you’re thinking.
We’ll talk about the property, the priorities, and what it would take to turn the space into your own Suncoast Sanctuary.