7 Best Inground Pool Builders in Wilmington NC to Compare

Your Wilmington backyard is missing a pool and you’re thinking it’s time to put one in. Good idea, but you’ve got a big decision ahead: who builds it?

Building a pool in Wilmington isn’t the same as building one inland. Salt air corrodes cheap equipment. Sandy soil shifts more than clay. Hurricane season puts real stress on drainage and electrical work. Considering all these factors, the builder you pick needs real experience with all three, or your pool will not last.

Below are 7 inground pool builders serving Wilmington and the surrounding coastal towns, with what each one builds and how they fit a coastal property. Use it to build a shortlist, then get written quotes from at least three before deciding.

Quick Comparison of Wilmington NC Inground Pool Builders

Use this table to narrow your list before you start calling for quotes.

These ratings were pulled in October 2026, ratings and reviews change over time, so check current Google listings before you decide.

7 Inground Pool Builders in Wilmington NC Worth Comparing

Here’s a closer look at each builder, so you know what to expect before you request a quote.

1. Premier Pools & Spas Pool Builders

Premier Pools & Spas is one of the larger pool building brands operating in the Wilmington area. They handle gunite and fiberglass pools. The Wilmington office doesn’t build vinyl liner pools.

Ask them directly how their local crews handle coastal soil conditions, since national brands vary by franchise location.

2. Master Pools of Wilmington

Master Pools of Wilmington builds concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl pools and also handles remodels.

This is a solid pick if you want to compare all three pool types with one builder. Ask to see photos of past projects in flood-prone neighborhoods specifically.

3. Coastal Poolscapes

Coastal Poolscapes builds custom concrete pools only, and its site lists new builds starting at $100,000. The company was founded in 2019 and serves the Cape Fear region.

If you want a high-end custom concrete pool and don’t need fiberglass, this builder is worth a call.

4. Coastal Aquatic Pools

Coastal Aquatic Pools builds custom pools and also handles maintenance and repairs. It serves Wilmington and the beach towns, including Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.

Ask them how they source corrosion-resistant equipment for salt air exposure. That answer alone tells you a lot about how coastal-focused they really are.

5. Cardinal Pools & Outdoor Living

Cardinal Pools & Outdoor Living builds custom and fiberglass pools and handles landscaping and hardscaping in-house.

This builder is a good fit if your project is really “backyard renovation” and the pool is one piece of a bigger plan.

6. Saltwater Lagoons

Despite the name, Saltwater Lagoons specializes in lagoon-style pools, with natural, organic shapes and beach-style entries. Its site doesn’t advertise saltwater systems.

If you want a natural, resort-style look rather than a geometric pool, this builder’s specialty is worth comparing against general builders.

7. Ocean Blue Pools & Spas

Ocean Blue Pools & Spas installs in-ground fiberglass pools and calls itself Wilmington’s largest hot tub and spa dealer.

As with any builder, ask for references from projects in your specific zip code, not just “the Wilmington area” broadly.

What Makes Wilmington Pool Projects Different

Wilmington isn’t a standard inland build. A few local factors change how your pool project should be planned.

Salt air and corrosion. Coastal salt air eats through cheap pool equipment fast. Pumps, heaters, and metal fencing need to be rated for salt exposure, or you’ll be replacing parts within a few years.

Sandy soil and drainage. Sandy soil drains fast but can shift under pool shells if it isn’t compacted and engineered correctly. A builder unfamiliar with local soil can miss this step.

Hurricanes and heavy rain. Wilmington sees real hurricane risk. Pool equipment placement, drainage grading, and even pool cover choices should account for storm season, not just everyday weather.

Flood zones and elevation. Parts of New Hanover County sit in flood zones. Your builder should check your property’s flood designation before finalizing equipment placement and pool depth.

Wind exposure near the beach. Homes closer to Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach deal with stronger, more constant wind. This affects fencing, screening, and even landscaping choices around the pool.

Local permitting differences. New Hanover County, Leland, Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and Hampstead don’t all follow identical permitting rules. A builder working across these areas should already know the differences.

Longer swim season. Wilmington’s climate supports pool use much of the year. That’s why outdoor living add-ons like covered patios and outdoor kitchens show up so often in local pool projects.

How to Compare Wilmington Pool Builders by Pool Type

Not every builder is a fit for every pool type. Here’s how the three main options stack up for coastal projects.

Gunite or Concrete Pools

Gunite pools are the most customizable option. Builders can shape them into almost any design, and add tanning ledges or spas.

They’re the best fit for luxury finishes and high-end outdoor living projects.  The tradeoff is a longer build, about 3 to 4 months in Wilmington, and a higher upfront cost.

Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass pools install faster, usually 4 to 8 weeks in Wilmington. They also tend to need less ongoing maintenance than gunite. Check our detailed guide on maintenance costs for a better idea.

The tradeoff is shape. You’re choosing from pre-made molds, so custom shapes and features are more limited.

Vinyl Liner Pools

Vinyl liner pools are usually the lowest upfront cost option. Master Pools builds them; our Wilmington builders don’t.

Coastal homeowners should ask specifically about liner durability and warranty length. A vinyl liner typically lasts 7 to 10 years before it needs replacing. This cost adds up over time, so factor it into your total budget.

What to Ask Before Signing a Pool Contract in Wilmington

Before you sign with any builder on this list, get clear answers to these:

• Do you pull all required permits, or is that on me?
• How do you handle flood zone or elevation requirements on my lot?
• What equipment brands do you use, and are they rated for coastal salt exposure?
• What’s the payment schedule, and what triggers each payment?
• What’s your typical timeline from contract to completion?
• Who handles warranty issues after the build, you or the manufacturer?
• Can I see photos or visit a completed project in my area?
• What happens if we hit a permitting delay or weather delay?

Get these answers in writing, not just a verbal promise. It protects both sides if something goes sideways mid-project. We also have a detailed guide on questions to ask a builder before you sign.

FAQs

Who are the best inground pool builders in Wilmington?

Premier Pools & Spas, Master Pools of Wilmington, Coastal Poolscapes, Coastal Aquatic Pools, Cardinal Pools & Outdoor Living, Saltwater Lagoons, and Ocean Blue Pools & Spas are all worth comparing. Get at least three quotes before deciding.

Are gunite pools good for Wilmington homes?

Yes. Gunite pools handle custom shapes and coastal design features well, though they cost more and take longer to build than fiberglass. They’re a strong option if you want a fully custom pool.

Are fiberglass pools popular in Wilmington?

Yes, partly because they cost less to keep up. Typical maintenance runs about $85 to $170 a month for fiberglass versus $170 to $335 for gunite. Fiberglass also installs in 4 to 8 weeks, which shortens your exposure to storm-season delays.

Do Wilmington pool builders handle permits?

Most do, but timing varies. Standard permits take about 2 to 8 weeks, and waterfront lots that need a CAMA coastal permit can take up to 20 weeks. CAMA minor permits go through New Hanover County’s Local Permit Officer, who has 25 days to decide.

What should coastal homeowners ask before building a pool?

Ask about corrosion-resistant equipment, flood zone requirements, drainage planning for sandy soil, and how the builder accounts for hurricane season. These questions separate coastal-experienced builders from general contractors.

How much does an inground pool cost in Wilmington?

Our Wilmington builders quote gunite from $80,000 to $175,000+ and fiberglass from $65,000 to $130,000+. Concrete specialists can start higher; Coastal Poolscapes lists new builds from $100,000. Our inground pool cost guide covers what drives the number.

Talk to Our Wilmington Pool Builders

Our Wilmington builders design gunite and fiberglass pools for Cape Fear lots, as part of a network that completes more than 1,100 luxury pools a year across 11 markets in 7 states. Visit our Wilmington pool builders page to request a quote.