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Pool Builders · Birmingham, AL/Updated June 13, 2026

The Best Pool Builders in Birmingham, AL

A pool is the biggest single project most backyards ever see, and a six-figure mistake if the builder cuts corners. We ranked Birmingham's pool builders on real review data.

Editorially independent14 companies evaluated
cover story
★ Editor's ChoiceElite Pool and Spa
94Score
Latest update · June 13, 2026: Initial ranking published. Birmingham-metro pool builders evaluated, top ranked by Vetted Score.

Building a pool is the most expensive thing most people ever do to a backyard, and one of the longest. A good builder manages permits, excavation, plumbing, and finish over months and leaves you with a pool that holds water and a deck that drains. A bad one leaves cracks, leaks, and a lien.

We pulled every pool builder we could verify across the Birmingham metro and ranked them on rating and review depth. This is a smaller field, and we set aside pool-rental listings and retailers that are not true builders.

Our top picks

At a glance · three categories
Editor's Choice
94Score

Elite Pool and Spa

★★★★★4.9(253 reviews)

Elite Pool and Spa leads with a 4.9 across 253 reviews, by far the deepest base in metro pool building.

Read full review
Best for Custom Design
91Score

Premier Pools & Spas

★★★★★4.8(42 reviews)

Premier Pools & Spas holds a 4.8 across 42 reviews.

Read full review
Best for Above-Ground
89Score

Family Leisure Birmingham

★★★★★4.5(547 reviews)

Family Leisure holds a 4.5 across 547 reviews, the deepest base here.

Read full review

All 7, compared

Data as of June 13, 2026
BusinessVetted ScoreGoogle ratingReviewsBest for
1
Elite Pool and Spa
Elite Pool and Spa
Editor's Choice
94Score
4.9★★★★★
253Custom in-ground pools
2
Premier Pools & Spas
Premier Pools & Spas
Best for Custom Design
91Score
4.8★★★★★
42Designed custom pools
3
Family Leisure Birmingham
Family Leisure Birmingham
Best for Above-Ground
89Score
4.5★★★★★
547Above-ground pools and spas
4
88Score
4.8★★★★★
24Custom in-ground pools
5
86Score
5.0★★★★★
8Smaller custom pools
6
84Score
4.6★★★★★
8Pools with outdoor living
7
82Score
5.0★★★★★
3Pool construction
Methodology

How we evaluated all 14 pool builders.

We started with the pool builders and in-ground pool contractors we could verify in the Birmingham metro, drawn from public maps data and company websites, and set aside rental listings and pure retailers. Each runs through the same six-factor framework. No company pays to be listed, ranked, or removed.

Scores reflect our June 2026 pass, weighted toward rating quality and review depth. This is a smaller field, so several entries have thin review bases. We re-run the numbers monthly.

The Vetted Score: six weighted factors

Customer sentiment25%
Rating quality20%
Review volume & velocity20%
Website trust signals15%
Service breadth10%
Business longevity10%

Sentiment is measured by AI analysis of review text, recency-weighted, with verified-pattern checks to discount suspicious review bursts.

Full reviews

The rankings · in order
1
★ Editor's Choice

Elite Pool and Spa

★★★★★4.9(253 reviews)
94Score

Elite Pool and Spa leads with a 4.9 across 253 reviews, by far the deepest base in metro pool building. A full in-ground builder reviewers trust to manage the whole project cleanly. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. Its clear sweet spot is custom in-ground pools, and that focus is part of why sentiment stays high. It works across Greater Birmingham, with pricing from $50,000, and the main trade-offs are books a season out and premium for custom.

Pros

  • 4.9 across 253 reviews, deepest base here
  • Full in-ground builds
  • Strong project management

Cons

  • Books a season out
  • Premium for custom
Best forCustom in-ground pools
Service areaGreater Birmingham
Typical pricingFrom $50,000
2
Best for Custom Design

Premier Pools & Spas

★★★★★4.8(42 reviews)
91Score

Premier Pools & Spas holds a 4.8 across 42 reviews. The local arm of the country's largest pool-builder network, with design tools and financing. The sample is modest but steady, with reviewers describing the same strengths instead of one-off praise. The jobs it gets praised for most are designed custom pools, a sign it sticks to what it does well. It serves Greater Birmingham, with pricing from $50,000, and the honest trade-offs are 4.8 rating and franchise process.

Pros

  • 4.8 across 42 reviews
  • National builder network
  • Design and financing

Cons

  • 4.8 rating
  • Franchise process
Best forDesigned custom pools
Service areaGreater Birmingham
Typical pricingFrom $50,000
3
Best for Above-Ground

Family Leisure Birmingham

★★★★★4.5(547 reviews)
89Score

Family Leisure holds a 4.5 across 547 reviews, the deepest base here. A pool-and-spa retailer and installer strong on above-ground pools, hot tubs, and outdoor furnishings. A review base that deep is hard to game, and the score barely moves across it, which is the clearest consistency signal we track. It leans toward above-ground pools and spas, and the steadiness reviewers describe tracks with that specialization. Coverage spans Greater Birmingham, with pricing that varies by job; before you book, weigh 4.5 rating and retail and above-ground lean.

Pros

  • Deepest review base here (547)
  • Above-ground pools and spas
  • Showroom and install

Cons

  • 4.5 rating
  • Retail and above-ground lean
Best forAbove-ground pools and spas
Service areaGreater Birmingham
Typical pricingVaries by product
4

Creative Pools

★★★★★4.8(24 reviews)
88Score

Creative Pools holds a 4.8 across 24 reviews. A custom builder with strong sentiment on design and finish. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. In practice it is strongest on custom in-ground pools, and its reviews lean that way rather than spreading across unrelated work. Expect service across Greater Birmingham, with pricing from $50,000. The caveats worth knowing are smaller base and books up.

Pros

  • 4.8 across 24 reviews
  • Custom design
  • Quality finish

Cons

  • Smaller base
  • Books up
Best forCustom in-ground pools
Service areaGreater Birmingham
Typical pricingFrom $50,000
5

J & N Pools

★★★★★5.0(8 reviews)
86Score

J & N Pools posts a perfect 5.0 across 8 reviews. A smaller pool builder with promising early sentiment. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Most of what reviewers hire it for is smaller custom pools, which is where it has built its reputation. It works across Greater Birmingham, with quote-based pricing, and the main trade-offs are only 8 reviews and building track record.

Pros

  • Perfect 5.0 so far
  • Custom builds
  • Responsive

Cons

  • Only 8 reviews
  • Building track record
Best forSmaller custom pools
Service areaGreater Birmingham
Typical pricingQuote per project
6

Backyard Creations Inc

★★★★★4.6(8 reviews)
84Score

Backyard Creations holds a 4.6 across 8 reviews. An outdoor-living builder handling pools alongside patios and hardscape. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. Its clear sweet spot is pools with outdoor living, and that focus is part of why sentiment stays high. It serves Greater Birmingham, with quote-based pricing, and the honest trade-offs are only 8 reviews and split focus.

Pros

  • 4.6 across 8 reviews
  • Pools and outdoor living
  • Hardscape too

Cons

  • Only 8 reviews
  • Split focus
Best forPools with outdoor living
Service areaGreater Birmingham
Typical pricingQuote per project
7

SEA Pools & Construction, LLC

★★★★★5.0(3 reviews)
82Score

SEA Pools & Construction rounds out the list at a perfect 5.0 across 3 reviews. A pool-and-construction crew, very early in its public review history. The review base is still thin, so we read the rating as promising rather than proven and weighted it accordingly. The jobs it gets praised for most are pool construction, a sign it sticks to what it does well. Coverage spans Greater Birmingham, with quote-based pricing; before you book, weigh only 3 reviews and essentially unproven.

Pros

  • Perfect 5.0 so far
  • Pools and construction
  • Responsive

Cons

  • Only 3 reviews
  • Essentially unproven
Best forPool construction
Service areaGreater Birmingham
Typical pricingQuote per project
Before you book

How to choose a pool builder in Birmingham

Before you build, check these:

Gunite, fiberglass, or vinyl

Gunite is fully custom and most durable, fiberglass installs fast with low maintenance, and vinyl is cheapest upfront. Each builder usually specializes in one, so match it to your budget.

See pools built years ago

Ask for addresses of pools built several years back. A pool that still looks good and holds water after a few Alabama winters is the real test of a builder.

Confirm permits, plan, and payment schedule

A pool is a major permitted project. Get the build plan, permit handling, and a payment schedule tied to milestones in writing before any money changes hands.

What it costs

What a pool costs in Birmingham

Rough ranges across this ranking:

Vinyl liner in-ground$35,000 to $65,000 built.
Fiberglass$45,000 to $85,000 installed.
Gunite (custom concrete)$50,000 to $100,000 and up.
Spa or water-feature add-on$8,000 to $20,000 added to a build.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a pool cost in Birmingham?

A vinyl-liner in-ground pool runs $35,000 to $65,000, fiberglass $45,000 to $85,000, and custom gunite $50,000 to $100,000 and up. A spa or water-feature add-on is $8,000 to $20,000. Site access and finishes drive the final number.

Gunite, fiberglass, or vinyl?

Gunite is fully custom and the most durable but costs the most and takes longest. Fiberglass installs in days with low maintenance but limited shapes. Vinyl is cheapest upfront but the liner needs replacing every 7 to 12 years. Match it to budget and timeline.

How often is this ranking updated?

We re-run the full analysis monthly with fresh review data. Last updated June 13, 2026.

Our verdict

For most Birmingham backyards: Elite Pool and Spa

Elite Pool and Spa is the safest pick for a custom in-ground build, with the deepest builder track record in the metro. For a designed pool with national-network backing, Premier Pools & Spas is the call. And for an above-ground pool or hot tub, Family Leisure is the value option.