7 Best Inground Pool Builders in Jacksonville FL to Compare

You’ve decided to build a pool. Now comes the harder part that is picking who builds it.

Jacksonville has dozens of pool companies, from national franchises to one-truck outfits. Some pour concrete shells all day. Others specialize in resurfacing or high-end design work only. Picking the wrong fit costs you time, money, and a lot of frustration mid-project.

Below are seven Jacksonville-area pool builders worth putting on your shortlist, what each one actually does, and how to vet any of them before you sign a contract. You can also go straight to our own Jacksonville pool builders page.

Quick Comparison of Inground Pool Builders in Jacksonville

Here’s the short version before you dig into the details on each company.

7 Inground Pool Builders in Jacksonville Worth Comparing

Here’s a closer look at each builder: what they build, who they’re a good fit for, and what stands out about their process.

1. Premier Pools & Spas of Jacksonville

Google Rating: 4.7 (89 reviews)

Premier Pools & Spas of Jacksonville is the largest pool builder in the country, with a local Jacksonville team operating under that national brand. Founded in 1988, the company has since expanded to more than 150 locations, which means you get established systems backed by local crews who build in your neighborhood.

Key services:

• Custom gunite and fiberglass pool construction
• Pool and spa design with 3D renderings
• Paver deck and hardscape installation
• Pool remodeling and resurfacing
• Automation and equipment upgrades

Why choose them: You want the structure and warranty backing of a national company, but still want a local sales and construction team you can meet with in person. Ask specifically about the Jacksonville crew’s project count and current lead times, since experiences can vary by franchise location.

2. Clarkson Pools

Google Rating: 4.5 (293 reviews)

Clarkson Pools has been building custom pools in Northeast Florida since 1990, formerly operating as Pools by John Clarkson. It’s a family-owned company now in its third generation, with more than 3,500 pools built across Jacksonville, the Beaches, Ponte Vedra, and St. Augustine.

Key services:

• Custom gunite pool design and construction
• Outdoor kitchens, patios, and hardscaping
• Pool remodels and renovations
• Pool lighting, tiling, and plastering
• Ongoing pool care and maintenance

Why choose them: You want a builder with deep local roots and a full outdoor-living package, not just a hole in the ground. Their long track record in the same market is a plus, though it’s worth reading recent reviews closely since larger, established builders can see communication issues creep in during busy seasons.

3. Island Pools

Google Rating: N/A

Island Pools, based in Jacksonville Beach, has built custom inground pools across Northeast Florida since 2007. The company focuses on resort-style designs and positions itself as a smaller, more personal alternative to the national chains.

Key services:

• Custom swimming pool design and construction
• Pool deck design and paver installation
• Hot tub and spa installation
• Natural pond and water feature construction

Why choose them: You’re near the beaches and want a smaller, owner-involved company that emphasizes transparent, upfront pricing over a high-volume sales process.

4. Blue Haven Pools & Spas

Google Rating: 4.4 (204 reviews)

Blue Haven has been building pools since 1954 and operates a Jacksonville office on St. Johns Bluff Road. Like Premier, it’s a national brand with local crews, backed by a BBB accreditation dating to 2007.

Key services:

• New inground pool and spa construction
• Custom shapes, sizes, and decorative features
• Automated equipment and low-chlorine systems
• Major remodels and renovations
• Pool resurfacing and equipment replacement

Why choose them: You want the buying power of a decades-old national brand along with project-tracking tools that keep you updated during construction.

5. Lucas Lagoons

Google Rating: N/A

Lucas Lagoons is a Sarasota-based luxury builder best known for natural rock lagoon pools, the kind you’ve probably seen on the Animal Planet show Insane Pools. The company lists Duval County and the Jacksonville Beaches as an active service area on its site, alongside its main Central and South Florida markets.

Key services:

• Custom lagoon-style and natural rock pools
• Waterfalls, grottos, and swim-up counters
• Infinity and negative-edge pools
• Full outdoor living and landscaping design

Why choose them: You want a dramatic, one-of-a-kind statement pool and don’t mind working with a team based outside Jacksonville. Because their home base is several hours south, confirm current travel logistics, minimum project size, and realistic scheduling before you get too far into planning.

6. Tempool Inc.

Google Rating: N/A

Tempool is a Jacksonville specialist in pool interior finishing, not new pool construction. Since 1992, the company has plastered and remodeled thousands of pools, working directly with homeowners as well as other builders who subcontract their finish work.

Key services:

• Pool plastering and resurfacing
• Pebble, quartz, and polished pool finishes
• Pool tile installation and replacement
• Full interior remodels for existing pools

Why choose them: Your project is a resurface or a finish upgrade rather than new construction. If you’re building a brand-new pool, you’d hire a general pool builder first, and that builder may bring in a finisher like Tempool as a sub.

7. My Favorite Pool Builder

Google Rating: 4.8 (4 reviews)

My Favorite Pool Builder is a family-owned company based in Lake City that also runs a dedicated Jacksonville sales line. It’s a smaller regional operation covering North Florida and South Georgia, offering both fiberglass and poured concrete/gunite construction.

Key services:

• Fiberglass pool installation (Barrier Reef, San Juan lines)
• Custom concrete/gunite pool construction
• Pool deck construction (concrete, pavers, travertine)
• Pool safety fencing installation
• Pool remodeling and equipment upgrades

Why choose them: You want a family-run business that handles most of the work in-house rather than subcontracting the majority of the job, and you’re open to either fiberglass or concrete construction.

How to Choose the Right Jacksonville Pool Builder

Don’t just pick the company with the prettiest Instagram feed. Here’s what actually predicts a smooth build.

• Match the builder to the project type. A resurfacing specialist like Tempool isn’t the right call for new construction. A design-only firm like Joan Roca’s still needs a licensed builder attached to the project.
• Check how much work stays in-house. Companies that subcontract most of the job hand you more risk if a sub falls through mid-build. Ask directly what’s done by employees versus subs.
• Weigh national brand versus local shop. National companies like Premier and Blue Haven bring established systems and standardized warranties. Local builders like Clarkson and Island Pools often bring more owner involvement and faster decision-making on-site.
• Look at current build volume. A busy builder isn’t automatically a bad sign, but it does mean a longer wait. Ask for a realistic start date, not a marketing timeline.
• Read the last 90 days of reviews, not just the top ones. Older 5-star reviews don’t tell you how a company is performing right now, especially after ownership changes or rapid growth.

What Jacksonville Homeowners Should Verify Before Signing

Every inground pool build in Jacksonville runs through the City’s permitting process. Confirm your builder handles this correctly before you sign anything.

Start with the City of Jacksonville Building Inspection Division, which reviews and inspects every private inground pool permit filed through the city’s JaxEPICS system. You can also verify a contractor’s state license directly through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation before you sign anything.

A pool project typically touches more than one type of approval. Confirm your builder is handling, or at least coordinating, all of the following:

• Building permit and structural plan review through the city
• Electrical permits for pumps, heaters, and lighting
• Pool barrier and safety fencing requirements (required by Florida law before water goes in)
• HOA design review and approval, if your neighborhood has one
• Site drainage and grading, especially on lots with poor runoff
• Access planning for equipment and trucks, particularly on tight or fenced lots

Ask your builder who pulls the permit, who’s listed as the licensed contractor of record, and how they handle the Notice of Commencement if your job costs more than $5,000. If a company can’t answer these clearly, that’s a red flag worth taking seriously.

Questions to Ask Each Pool Builder Before You Get a Quote

Bring this list to every consultation. The answers will tell you more than any brochure.

• Are you licensed with the state, and can I see your license number?
• Do you pull permits yourselves, or does that fall on me?
• What percentage of the build is done by your own crew versus subcontractors?
• What’s your current lead time from contract signing to first shovel in the ground?
• Can you walk me through your payment schedule tied to project milestones?
• What’s included in your warranty, and what voids it?
• Can I see two or three recent projects similar in size and scope to mine?
• Who is my main point of contact once construction starts?

For a full breakdown of what to ask and why, see our guide on questions to ask a pool builder before you sign anything.

FAQs

Who is the best inground pool builder in Jacksonville?

There isn’t one universal answer. The best fit depends on your project type, budget, and how involved you want to be. National brands like Premier Pools & Spas and Blue Haven suit homeowners who want established systems and warranty backing. Local shops like Clarkson Pools and Island Pools tend to offer more direct owner involvement. Get quotes from at least three before deciding.

How many pool builders should I contact before choosing one?

Talk to at least three. That’s enough to compare pricing, communication style, and design approach without dragging the process out for months.

Do Jacksonville pool builders handle permits?

Most established builders pull the building permit and coordinate related electrical and safety inspections as part of their contract. Confirm this in writing before you sign, since some smaller contractors expect the homeowner to handle it.

What should I compare in pool builder quotes?

Compare scope of work line by line, not just the bottom-line price. Two quotes for the same size pool can differ by tens of thousands of dollars depending on excavation, decking material, equipment brand, and finish. See our inground pool cost guide and inground pool types breakdown so you know what should be included.

Should I choose a local builder or a national pool company?

Both can build a good pool. National companies typically offer standardized processes and warranty programs. Local builders often bring faster communication and more flexibility on custom design. Base your decision on their current reviews, license status, and how clearly they explain the installation process and ongoing maintenance costs, rather than which type of company they are. Our guides to the installation process and pool maintenance cost give you the benchmarks to judge those answers against.

Ready to Get Quotes from a Jacksonville Pool Builder?

The builder you pick matters more than the design you land on. A great design with a shaky permitting process or a subcontractor who disappears mid-build turns into a headache no rendering can fix.

If you want a Jacksonville team that handles gunite and fiberglass construction with local permitting experience already built in, Premier Pools & Spas of Jacksonville is a solid first call.