Thinking about a specific pool builder? Use our direct to the N.C. Licensing Board to check if the company or individual is properly licensed and reputable in the state of North Carolina.

The relationship between you and your pool builder should feel natural and comfortable — trust your instincts. Take the time to view their work firsthand and speak with both current and past clients. This step is crucial. Visit active job sites, talk with homeowners, and observe the team in action. Ask yourself: are you speaking with a dedicated sales rep, or someone directly involved in the project, like the owner?

It’s also wise to arrange a meeting with the actual team who will be working on your project. Share your vision, ask questions, and make sure there's a mutual understanding. Feeling confident and at ease with the people bringing your outdoor space to life is key to a successful experience from start to finish.

There’s no such thing as a silly question — if it matters to you, it matters to us. Don’t hesitate to ask about anything that concerns you, no matter how small it may seem. Clear communication is key to creating a space you’ll love.

Identify what matters most to you and create a prioritized list of your requirements to share with potential pool builders. Whether it's craftsmanship, reputation, unique features, design preferences, or budget considerations, clearly outlining your expectations will help ensure you're aligned with the right team from the start.

Ask about timelines and payment schedules. Keep in mind there may be home owners associations that will require plan submission prior to starting your project.

A company’s website is a great starting point — but not the only one. It should offer clear, transparent information about the contractor’s standards, experience, and values, along with multiple ways to get in touch, including email, office, and mobile contacts. Look closely at the photo gallery: are the pools shown truly their own work, or are they using stock images or projects built by others? (Every project featured on our website was designed and completed by Charlotte Pools and Spas.)

Pay attention to how the company presents pricing. Do they lead with too-good-to-be-true numbers or vague "starting at" figures? That may signal a bait-and-switch approach. Also, look beyond the company name — are you working with experienced professionals, or a franchise with limited support and minimal oversight?

Finally, consider their long-term reputation for service and quality. How long have the individuals behind the company truly been in the industry? A luxury pool project is a significant investment — make sure the team you choose has the expertise, integrity, and lasting commitment to stand behind their work for years to come.

Communication is KEY! There should be a clear and consistent line of communication throughout the pool building process. Lack in communication should be a huge red flag! On the other hand, talking with too many pool builders can be counter productive and confusing.

We offer a wide range of premium materials for your outdoor space — from elegant glass and ceramic tiles to brick pavers, travertine decking, stone veneer, and custom coping. When selecting tile, it’s essential to choose one specifically engineered for wet areas, with the durability to withstand freezing temperatures and the elements. Proper installation is just as important; be sure it’s applied according to best practices, like those outlined in our Construction Basics guide.

For the pool deck, we highly recommend sand-set materials such as travertine or high-quality pavers. Beyond their sophisticated appearance and superior feel underfoot, sand-set decks offer functional advantages over poured concrete. They allow for natural ground movement without cracking, eliminating the need for costly patchwork. Plus, should you need to access anything beneath the surface or expand your deck in the future, the pavers can be lifted and reinstalled seamlessly — no unsightly repairs, just timeless continuity. Best of all, a standard paver installation can often be achieved at a price point comparable to concrete, with significantly greater long-term value and visual appeal.

The term “shotcrete” is often misunderstood — and for good reason. Technically, both gunite and shotcrete fall under the broader classification of shotcrete, as both involve pneumatically applying a concrete mixture through a hose under high pressure.

The key difference lies in the composition. Gunite is a dry mix of sand and cement, while shotcrete is a wet mix that includes sand, cement, and larger stone aggregates. Both methods are widely used, but in our experience, true shotcrete (the wet mix) offers superior performance — especially when it comes to tensile strength and long-term structural integrity in North Carolina’s unique soil conditions.

While gunite may occasionally achieve higher PSI ratings on paper, it’s more susceptible to issues during application, such as rebound and improper mixing at the nozzle. In contrast, shotcrete provides a more consistent mix and bond, resulting in a stronger, more reliable shell. The only notable advantage of gunite is lower upfront cost — but when it comes to building a pool meant to last, we believe shotcrete is the smarter, more durable investment.

Proper steel reinforcement is the backbone of a structurally sound pool. While #3 rebar is the most commonly used size for pool construction nationwide, the size, placement, and spacing of the steel are absolutely critical to long-term durability and performance.

We recommend a minimum of #3 rebar on vertical walls, placed at 10" x 10" on-center spacing with a secure tie at every intersection. For the pool floor, we suggest #3 rebar running across the width and #4 rebar along the length, also at 10" x 10" spacing, tied at every cross point. This configuration ensures optimal tensile strength and structural cohesion.

Depending on the site conditions, soil type, or engineering requirements, additional reinforcement may be necessary — including larger diameter bars, tighter spacing, or multiple layers (mats) of steel. Every project is evaluated with structural integrity in mind to ensure your pool stands the test of time.

There are several types of coping available for pools, each offering its own aesthetic and functional benefits. Common options include flagstone, precast concrete, brick, and poured-in-place coping. Among these, flagstone remains the most popular for its natural appearance, followed by precast and brick.

Regardless of material, coping should always be installed using proper bonding techniques, similar to tile installation — with quality thinset or bonding agents to ensure lasting adhesion. For flagstone, all exposed edges should be hand-chiseled to remove sharp corners and achieve a refined, organic finish. Its irregular texture and earthy tone make it the most natural-looking option.

Precast coping, on the other hand, offers a more tailored and uniform look. Each piece is custom-cast to fit the contours of your pool, and accurate templates should be used to ensure a perfect fit. Precast edges are typically smoother and available in a wide range of colors, making it a popular choice for a clean, contemporary finish — though often at a higher price point than flagstone or brick.

Brick coping delivers a timeless, traditional style. These bricks are specifically designed for pool use, featuring bullnose edges and smooth textures. For a premium finish, every brick—especially those along curves or radii—should be cut uniformly. Consistent sizing and grout joints create a clean, custom look. Unfortunately, it’s common to see poorly executed installations where bricks are left uncut, resulting in uneven joints and an unprofessional appearance. Precision and attention to detail make all the difference.

Proper pipe sizing is critical to the overall performance and efficiency of your pool system. It directly affects the flow rate, energy efficiency, and—most importantly—the optimal operation of your filtration, sanitation systems, heaters, spa jets, and water features. When it comes to plumbing, a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work.

Correct sizing is determined through detailed hydraulic calculations, taking into account factors such as the distance from the pool to the equipment pad, the number and type of features, the number of suction and return lines, and the number of turns or bends in the plumbing. These variables all impact flow dynamics and must be carefully considered to ensure peak performance.

Every project is unique, and so is the plumbing design behind it. If you have specific questions or want to better understand the system we recommend for your pool, we’re always here to help.

First, it’s important to understand that no cementitious interior finish is ever perfectly smooth. With enough time in the water—especially during active play or roughhousing—you may notice minor “raspberries” or tender spots on your feet and toes.

We use PebbleTec, an exposed aggregate finish known for its blend of beauty and durability. While the stone aggregate is exposed, each pebble is naturally rounded and gentle underfoot, avoiding any abrasive feel. PebbleTec’s stunning appearance is its hallmark feature, complemented by an industry-leading 15-year warranty. It’s available in a variety of elegant colors to suit your style.

Another innovative option we offer is a specially buffed exposed aggregate finish, polished after application to create the smoothest interior surface available for concrete pools. This exclusive finish is unique to our company, and we’d be happy to share more details via our blog or a personal consultation.

Finally, there is the traditional plaster finish, available in classic white or subtle color blends. This smooth, clean surface offers a timeless look and remains the most affordable interior finish option — though it lacks the texture and longevity benefits of exposed aggregate finishes.

Believe it or not, different types of tile demand specialized application techniques to ensure durability and beauty. For instance, the standard thinset used for a typical 6×6 ceramic tile won’t provide the proper adhesion needed for delicate glass tiles.

In all wet areas—especially waterline tiles, stone, or tile surfaces—proper waterproofing is essential before any installation begins. We recommend using an advanced, approved waterproofing system to protect your investment and prevent future issues.

For optimal results, all tile should be set using a high-quality thinset that includes a polymer bonding agent for superior adhesion and flexibility. When working with glass tile, it’s critical to use both thinset and grout specifically formulated for glass applications, ensuring they contain polymers to maintain strength, resist moisture, and provide a flawless finish.

We recommend the PV3 In-Floor Cleaning System by Paramount Industries (link available on our equipment page). This custom-built system is seamlessly integrated into your pool’s floor, steps, benches, and other features. Operating off your pool’s existing hydraulic system, it provides efficient, automated cleaning—but it must be installed during the initial construction phase to ensure optimal performance.

Another excellent option is the Polaris 9300 Series, a state-of-the-art, computer-controlled robotic cleaner designed for thorough, hands-free maintenance. You can learn more about these innovative units at polarispool.com

While there are more affordable pressure-side vacuums on the market, their performance often reflects their price. For the best long-term value and cleaning results, investing in a high-quality system is well worth it.

All wet areas—including rock features, waterfalls, tile surfaces, flagstone, and similar elements designed to be submerged or consistently exposed to moisture—should be treated with a high-quality, advanced sealing or waterproofing system. Using an approved product ensures lasting protection, preserves the beauty of your materials, and prevents water damage over time.

The salt levels required to operate these systems are so low that you can hardly detect any salt in the water—it’s nothing like swimming in the ocean.

Here’s how it works: salt dissolved in your pool water passes over titanium plates that emit a mild electrical charge. This process breaks down the sodium chloride (table salt) into its components. While the sodium remains unchanged, the chloride transforms into chlorine. In essence, it’s still a chlorinated pool, but with a significant advantage.

Unlike traditional chlorination methods, salt systems continuously regenerate chloramines—the spent chlorine molecules that linger in the water and cause common issues like green hair, itchy skin, red eyes, and that strong chlorine smell. By renewing chloramines, salt systems eliminate these undesirable side effects while maintaining effective sanitation, resulting in a cleaner, gentler swimming experience.