Jim Chandler Pools is a Sacramento pool builder specializing in custom gunite pools, hillside construction, and vanishing edge designs. I don’t just design pools — I build them from the ground up. Every project gets my personal oversight from the first site visit through final startup, and I spend more time on each project than most builders, because that’s what it takes to get it right.
I build to perform in Sacramento’s soil conditions — clay, hardpan, decomposed granite, and rocky foothill slopes. Structural integrity comes first, every time. I handle the full process: site evaluation, permitting, excavation, steel, gunite, plumbing, tile, decking, interior finishes, water features, and startup.
Custom Pool Design in Sacramento
Every pool I build begins with a thoughtful design process. Before any construction starts, I take the time to understand your site, your vision, and the engineering constraints that will define the project.
My design process covers:
- Site evaluation — grade, soil conditions, access, and drainage assessed in person
- Layout planning — pool placement optimized for your property, view lines, and sun exposure
- 3D modeling — full Pool Studio rendering so you see exactly what you are getting before construction begins
- Hydraulic design — pump sizing, plumbing layout, and equipment selection engineered for long-term efficiency
- Engineering coordination — structural, geotechnical, and civil engineers brought in when the site demands it
For examples of this process in action, see the Colfax Vanishing Edge Pool — a hillside project requiring two licensed engineers, laser surveying, and a 7-foot keyway footing — and the Rocklin Small Yard Pool, where nine feet of grade change and tight access required a structural gunite retaining wall as part of the design solution.
Schedule a design consultation or call (916) 624-5296.
Sacramento Pool Builder – Serving the Region Since 1990
Why Sacramento Homeowners Choose Jim Chandler
Sacramento properties require careful planning before a shovel hits the ground. Hillside lots need stabilization. Clay soils need proper drainage management. Every project starts with a detailed site evaluation — that step identifies problems before they become expensive ones.
I hold a C-53 Swimming Pool Contractor license — the only specialty license for pool construction in California. You can verify my standing directly at the California Contractors State License Board (#585004).
Beyond my own practice, I served as a paid CSLB Subject Matter Expert panelist from 2012 to 2017. The State License Board invited me by letter to join a select panel of approximately fifteen expert pool builders from across California. Together, we convened to draft and evaluate the examination questions for the C-53 license — the very same exam every pool builder in the state must pass to get licensed. That level of involvement in industry standards is uncommon, and it reflects the technical rigor I bring to every project I build.
How I Build — In My Own Words
Not just managing them — actually building them. I have driven the front-end loader, tied steel, shot gunite, laid tile, done the plumbing, and handled the plastering and water chemistry. I have worked through every phase of gunite pool construction from the ground up, and I know the correct way to build each one.
Getting estimates for a pool can be confusing. There are a lot of variables, and not every builder approaches the work the same way. What separates Jim Chandler Pools is straightforward — I know swimming pool construction, and I do not cut corners on materials to make more money on a job. I build with an attitude of strength. The structure has to last.
I am also honest. That means I follow through on what I say. Everything goes in the contract. I produce detailed construction plans — probably the most detailed a pool contractor can create. I visit the job site regularly, explain to the subcontractors exactly what I want built, and stay hands-on throughout the entire project.
My Hands-On Construction Process
Before the final plans are drawn, I lay out the pool in white paint so my clients can see and feel the actual size and shape in their yard. When the tractor is on site grading, I spray out the design again and walk the layout with the homeowner. I ask them directly — what do you think? Are you good with this?
My process has three phases. First, I spend serious time on the design — the pool is built specifically for that property and that client, not adapted from a template. Second, I build a detailed and accurate construction plan. Third, I stay on top of the scheduling and the crews to make sure everything gets built the way it was designed and the way my client expects, answering questions the whole way through.
I also pay my subcontractors on time. I do not hold back payments. They know the job will be done right and they will get paid when they finish. Good crews come back, and that benefits my clients.
When problems come up — and on a construction project, something always comes up — I take the high road. If it is my fault, I fix it. No argument. I want my customers to be happy with their pool. That has always been the point — build it right and make sure the customer is happy with the result. But don’t take my word for it. Read my customer reviews for yourself.
To see this process documented in detail from excavation through pebble plaster finish, see the Sacramento pool construction series.
Custom Gunite Pool Builder Serving Sacramento and the Sierra Foothills
Gunite is the right material for custom pool construction. It delivers structural strength, design flexibility, and long-term durability that vinyl and fiberglass cannot match — especially on hillside and complex terrain projects. Because I control every phase of construction, quality stays consistent from excavation through final startup.
Projects typically range from $75,000 to $350,000 depending on site conditions, scope, and features. Each pool is designed for the specific property — not adapted from a standard template. Here is what I build:
- Custom Gunite Pools and Spas: Fully engineered gunite construction including hillside builds and complex terrain projects.
- Vanishing Edge Pools: Precision-built infinity and vanishing edge designs for sloped and view lots.
- Hillside and Complex Terrain Projects: Site stabilization, grade transitions, and structural engineering for challenging lots.
- Natural Rock Waterfalls and Water Features: Custom waterfalls, spillways, and grottos as integral pool elements.
- Concrete Decking: Durable custom deck systems that work with the pool, not against it.
Equipment and Features
I specify equipment based on what the project needs and what will perform reliably over time — not what has the best margin. Here is what I install:
- In-Floor Cleaning Systems: Authorized Paramount In-Floor Cleaning System dealer.
- Energy-Saving Equipment: Pentair and Jandy variable-speed pumps reduce operating costs without sacrificing performance.
- Automated Control Systems: Pentair IntelliCenter and Jandy AquaLink for complete pool and spa management.
- Outdoor Kitchens and Landscaping: Full backyard integration including outdoor kitchen design and landscaping coordination.
- Dramatic Lighting: LED color and fiber optic lighting systems for evening use.
- Financing: Available on approved credit (O.A.C.).
What to Expect: From First Contact to Breaking Ground
Building a custom pool is a major investment. Here is exactly how I manage the process to ensure transparency from day one.
Step 1 — The Fit Assessment
When you reach out — by call, text, or email — I respond personally. I will ask for your address, your vision for the pool, and a preliminary budget. This helps us both determine if we are a good fit before either of us commits significant time.
Step 2 — Phase 1 Site Visit
If the project looks promising, I schedule a complimentary site visit. We meet at your property, walk the lot, and talk through the technical realities of your project. This is a professional conversation, not a sales pitch.
Step 3 — Phase 2 Design and Planning
If you want to move forward, we enter a paid Design and Planning Agreement. I base this fee on the complexity of your lot and the total scope of the work. Once the design meets your approval, we work through the full budget together, including options to help you maximize your investment.
Step 4 — Digital Quote and Credit
I provide a transparent digital quote you can adjust — add or subtract items to see the updated total. If you decide to build with me, the full design fee is credited toward your pool contract.
Step 5 — Contract and Construction
Once you approve the quote I prepare the construction drawings and a detailed contract. After sign-off I handle the permits and schedule construction. Every phase, every payment, and every change is documented in writing. If something changes after the contract is signed we handle it with a change order and maintain an accurate paper trail throughout.
Before you commit to anything, I recommend reading through the pool planning guide — it walks through what the design and planning process actually looks like and what questions to ask any contractor you are considering.
I build throughout the Greater Sacramento area and Sierra Foothills — Auburn, Rocklin, Roseville, Granite Bay, Loomis, Penryn, Lincoln, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, Meadow Vista, and surrounding Placer, Sacramento, and El Dorado County communities. Hillside and vanishing edge projects are a particular specialty throughout the foothill corridor. For clients in Placer County, the Rocklin pool builder page covers local project details and site conditions specific to that area.
What Clients Say
“We wanted a lap pool with an attached spa and concrete deck just outside our home on an almost solid rock ridge. Not a simple request, but Jim was always very upbeat that we could get it done. We broke ground in early August and were swimming on Christmas Eve. Our county inspector told us he had not seen a pool get built this quickly in his memory. We could not be happier with our completed pool. It is breathtakingly beautiful and yet extremely functional.”
— Christie C., Sierra Nevada Foothills | BBB Review, June 2024
“My husband and I wanted a lap pool and attached spa built close to the home on a narrow strip of land overlooking the entire Sacramento Valley to the coastal range. Our site being on a rocky ridge made the project particularly challenging, but the end result made it so worthwhile. The entire process was about as stress free as one could hope, and Jim kept track of every detail, keeping us fully informed the entire time.”
— Verified Houzz Reviewer, Sierra Nevada Foothills | Houzz Review, January 2024
“My pool is 20 years old and has never needed replastering. My neighbors that used other pool builders have all had to replaster their pools. A pool is one of the most expensive investments you can add to your home. Work with a builder with credibility and creativity. Jim Chandler is your guy.”
— Dynamic Designs Landscape, City of Rocklin | Houzz Review
Featured Project: Colfax Vanishing Edge Pool
One of the more demanding projects in the portfolio is the Colfax vanishing edge pool — a hillside build in the Sierra Foothills requiring structural engineering for slope, soil conditions, and a precision-built catch basin system. The full construction series documents every phase from site prep through pebble plaster finish.
Read the Colfax Vanishing Edge Pool case study to see how a complex hillside project gets planned, engineered, and built.
Our Gallery
Take a look at some of the custom Sacramento pool projects we have completed. Visit the Sacramento pool gallery to see the full portfolio.
Accreditations and Recognitions
As a dedicated Sacramento pool builder, I maintain active memberships with the PHTA and CSLB to stay current on the latest safety and construction standards. Jim Chandler Pools holds accreditations from the CSLB, BBB, PHTA, Pentair, Jandy Pro Edge, and Houzz. Jim Chandler Pools is rated 5.0 stars on both Google and Houzz by verified clients.
Is Jim Chandler Pools the Right Fit for Your Project?
I work best with homeowners who value craftsmanship over speed and long-term quality over the lowest bid. If you have a challenging lot — hillside construction, rocky Sierra Foothills terrain, narrow access, or complex engineering requirements — that is exactly where I do my best work.
I am intentionally not the right fit for every project. To maintain the level of quality my reputation is built on, I take on a limited number of builds each year so I can personally oversee every phase of your construction.
If your priority is the fastest possible turnaround or the lowest upfront price, I may not be the best fit. But if you are looking for a pool that is thoughtfully designed, properly engineered, and built to perform for decades, let’s talk.
Start the Conversation
If you are serious about working with a Sacramento pool builder who personally oversees every phase of construction, the next step is a site consultation. I come out, look at the property, and give you a straight assessment of what can be built and what it will take to do it right. Every consultation fee is credited toward your project cost.
Not ready for a site visit yet? The pool planning guide is a good place to start — it covers the design and planning process in detail so you know what to expect before we talk.
Service information and portfolio details current as of March 2026.