Custom concrete pools
Gunite pools in Birmingham, AL
What you get
What’s included
- 3D design of the pool, spa and deck in your yard
- City permit and utility locates
- Excavation with our own Bobcat
- Rebar cage, plumbing and light niches
- Gunite shell sprayed on site
- Waterline tile and coping
- Diamond Brite quartz plaster (or pebble)
- Pump, filter, heater, salt and automation as chosen
- Fill, start-up and a walk-through
Step by step
How it works
- Design
We measure the yard, check slope and access and draw the pool in 3D – with the spa, steps, tanning ledge and deck.
- Dig & steel
Excavation, then a rebar cage tied to the plan, plumbing and electrical rough-in. The city inspects the steel.
- Gunite
The concrete is sprayed over the steel and shaped by hand. It cures for several weeks while we build the tile and coping.
- Finish
Deck, equipment, plaster, fill and start-up. We balance the water and show you how everything works.
Why people choose gunite
Gunite is the only pool type with no limits on shape. Raised walls with scuppers or fire bowls, a spa that spills into the pool, a sun shelf for loungers, a deep end for diving, a vanishing edge toward Smith Lake – all of it is possible because the shell is formed on site. That is also why gunite costs more and takes longer than vinyl or fiberglass.
Birmingham yards are rarely flat. Gunite handles slopes well: we can step the pool into a hillside, build a retaining wall into the pool itself, or raise one side and finish it in stone or tile. On rocky lots in Mountain Brook, Vestavia and Hoover we plan the dig with that in mind, so there are no surprises halfway through.
Finishes
Our standard finish is Diamond Brite, a quartz-based plaster that is smoother and longer-lasting than plain white plaster. It comes in colors from light blues to Midnight Blue and Onyx – dark finishes make the water look deep and reflective. Pebble finishes cost more and last longest. On renovations we always remove the old plaster completely; we never plaster over plaster.
How long it lasts
A well-built gunite shell lasts for decades. The plaster is the part that wears: plan on resurfacing every 10–15 years depending on water chemistry. Tile and coping usually go 20 years or more.
Customer reviews
What customers say
Dave and the Elite Pool team did an amazing job with our aged pool of 30 years. They helped connect us with a restoration specialist (Thanks ETS Restoration) that corrected a few issues in our backyard prior to starting the pool work.
Elite Pool Services was one of three local pool installation companies that we had come to our home to give quotes for installing a gunite pool. We choose Elite because Brad was spent time breaking down costs, and working with us to adjust our pool idea to fit within our budget.
My technician has always been Kyle Handy. Hes responsive, kind, very knowledgeable, and respectful.
How long does a gunite pool take to build?
Up to about 12 weeks once the permit is approved. Bigger pools, raised walls, spas and stone work add time; so does a wet spring.
Is gunite the same as a concrete pool?
Practically, yes. Gunite is concrete sprayed through a hose over a steel cage. People in Birmingham often say “concrete pool” for the same thing.
Can you build a gunite pool on a slope?
Yes – gunite is the best choice for sloped yards. We can build a retaining wall into the pool or raise one side. We plan it in 3D before we dig.
What does a gunite pool cost to maintain?
A little more than fiberglass: plaster is porous, so it needs regular brushing and balanced water. A salt system and a robotic cleaner take most of the work out of it.
Related services
Let’s talk about your pool
Free estimates across the Birmingham metro. Tell us what you have in mind and we will come out, measure and give you a straight price.