You’re not just getting a hole filled with water. You’re getting a backyard that actually works for how you live—whether that’s weekend gatherings, quiet mornings with coffee, or giving your kids a reason to stay home instead of asking to go somewhere else.
A well-built in-ground pool in Nassau County or Suffolk County can increase your property value by 8-15%, according to local real estate data. But the real return isn’t financial. It’s not having to pack the car every weekend. It’s not paying for beach parking or dealing with crowds. It’s walking outside and having everything you need right there.
That only happens when the construction is done correctly from the start. When the excavation accounts for Long Island’s sandy coastal soil or the clay further inland. When the permits are handled by someone who knows the difference between Nassau and Suffolk County requirements. When the grading, drainage, and pool coping are installed by people who’ve done this hundreds of times, not twice.
We’ve been building custom in-ground pools and complete backyard poolscapes in North Merrick, NY and across Long Island for over 15 years. We’re not new to this. We’re not learning on your property.
We handle the entire process—excavation, permits, construction, pool patio masonry, concrete pool surrounds, custom pool coping and tile, retaining walls, grading, and everything in between. No subcontractors. No finger-pointing when something needs to be fixed.
North Merrick sits right in the middle of Nassau County, where soil conditions vary block by block and permit requirements don’t leave room for guessing. We’ve worked in this area long enough to know what works, what doesn’t, and how to keep your project moving without surprises.
It starts with a site evaluation. We come out, look at your yard, check the drainage, test the soil, and talk through what you’re trying to accomplish. If there’s a problem—high water table, setback issues, utility conflicts—you’ll know before you sign anything.
Once the design is set, we handle the permits. Nassau County and Suffolk County have different requirements, different timelines, and different people you need to deal with. We manage that entire process so you don’t have to chase down paperwork or sit in zoning meetings.
Then we excavate. Long Island soil is tricky—sandy near the coast, clay and rock inland, high water tables in some areas. We’ve dealt with all of it. The excavation is done right, graded properly, with drainage systems installed where needed.
After that, it’s construction. Whether you’re going with gunite, fiberglass, or vinyl liner, the pool shell goes in, followed by pool coping and tile, concrete pool surrounds or pool patio masonry, and any additional features like waterfalls, retaining walls, or outdoor kitchens. The timeline is typically 8-12 weeks start to finish, depending on permits and weather.
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When we say complete backyard poolscapes, we mean it. You’re getting the pool, the surrounding hardscape, the grading, the drainage—everything that makes the space functional and finished.
That includes custom pool coping and tile to match your style, concrete pool surrounds or paver patios depending on your preference, and any necessary pool retaining walls and grading to handle elevation changes or drainage issues. If you want a waterfall, sheer descent, diving rock, or outdoor kitchen, that’s part of the conversation from the beginning.
In Nassau County and Suffolk County, you’re also dealing with specific environmental and zoning considerations. Setbacks from property lines, distance from septic systems, drainage requirements—these aren’t suggestions. We build to code and make sure everything passes inspection the first time.
Long Island homeowners are also increasingly choosing to invest in their current properties rather than move and take on a 7%+ mortgage rate. A custom in-ground pool isn’t just a luxury—it’s a long-term investment in a property you’re planning to stay in. We treat it that way.
From contract signing to swimming, you’re looking at 8-12 weeks in most cases. That includes 4-6 weeks just for permits, which is standard in Nassau County. Suffolk County timelines are similar, though some towns move a little faster depending on the season.
The actual construction—excavation, pool installation, hardscape, and finishing work—takes another 4-6 weeks once permits are approved. Weather can add time, especially if we hit heavy rain during excavation or grading. But if you start planning in the fall or winter, you’re in the water by summer.
Trying to start in April and be ready by July? That’s tight. Possible, but tight. The contractors who promise that timeline without knowing your property or permit situation are the ones who end up scrambling or cutting corners.
Soil and permits. Long Island has some of the most varied soil conditions you’ll find in a small geographic area. Sandy soil near the coast that shifts and drains fast. Clay soil inland that holds water and doesn’t drain at all. Rocky areas that require more excavation work. High water tables in some neighborhoods that need dewatering systems and permanent drainage solutions.
Then there’s the permit process. Nassau County and Suffolk County each have their own building departments, their own requirements, and their own timelines. Some towns require variance hearings for setback issues. Others have stricter rules around drainage and environmental impact.
A pool builder who doesn’t know Long Island will miss these things. And you’ll pay for it later—either in delays, failed inspections, or worse, a pool that has drainage problems or structural issues because the foundation wasn’t done right.
Most custom in-ground pools in Nassau County and Suffolk County run between $60,000 and $100,000+, depending on size, materials, and features. A basic gunite pool with standard coping and a concrete surround will land on the lower end. Add custom pool coping and tile, premium pavers, a waterfall, outdoor kitchen, or retaining walls, and you’re moving up.
Vinyl liner pools are typically less expensive upfront but require liner replacement every 7-10 years. Fiberglass pools are mid-range and low-maintenance but limit your shape and size options. Gunite gives you the most flexibility in design and is the most common choice on Long Island—about 70% of pools here are gunite construction.
The other cost factor is your property. If you’ve got difficult soil, drainage issues, or need a zoning variance, that adds time and money. We give you a full estimate after the site evaluation so there’s no guessing.
Yes. Every in-ground pool in Nassau County and Suffolk County requires a building permit, and in many cases, additional approvals depending on your property’s zoning, setbacks, and proximity to septic or wetlands.
The permit process involves submitting site plans, engineering drawings, and proof of insurance. The building department reviews everything, checks for code compliance, and schedules inspections at different stages of construction. If your pool is too close to a property line or doesn’t meet setback requirements, you may need to go before the zoning board for a variance.
This is where a local pool installation company makes a difference. We know what Nassau and Suffolk County inspectors are looking for. We know which towns are strict about drainage and which ones focus more on setbacks. We handle the paperwork, the submissions, and the follow-up so you’re not sitting on hold with the building department.
Gunite is the most popular choice for in-ground pool builders in Suffolk County and Nassau County, and for good reason. It handles Long Island’s freeze-thaw cycles better than vinyl, gives you full design flexibility, and holds up well in varied soil conditions—from sandy coastal areas to clay-heavy inland properties.
Fiberglass is a solid option if you want low maintenance and a faster install, but you’re limited to pre-made shapes and sizes. Vinyl liner pools are the most affordable upfront, but the liner needs replacement every several years, and they’re more prone to damage from shifting soil or ground movement.
Long Island soil moves. Sandy soil shifts with water. Clay expands and contracts. If your pool isn’t built with the right foundation, drainage, and structural support, you’ll see cracks, settling, or liner issues down the road. Gunite, when installed correctly with proper excavation and grading, handles that movement better than the other options.
Yes, but it depends on the market and the quality of the installation. According to the National Association of Realtors, pools can increase home value by up to 7% nationally. On Long Island, where outdoor living is a priority and property values are high, that number trends closer to 8-15% in Nassau and Suffolk County.
But here’s the catch—a poorly built pool can hurt your value. If the drainage is wrong, the patio is cracking, or the permits weren’t pulled correctly, buyers will see that in the inspection and either walk away or negotiate the price down.
A well-built custom in-ground pool with quality hardscape, proper drainage, and clean permits is an asset. It’s especially valuable now, when homeowners are choosing to invest in their current property rather than sell and buy at a higher interest rate. You’re not just adding value for resale—you’re adding value to how you live right now.
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