In short: we design spas and water features as part of the pool, not as add-ons. A spa typically adds $18,000 to $35,000 to a pool project, depending on style and finishes.
Spa styles
Spillover spa
Set at or slightly above the pool's waterline, with water spilling into the pool. The most common choice and the most efficient use of space.
Raised spa
Built up 18 inches or more, with a finished face of tile or stone and a spillway or sheer into the pool. It becomes the visual anchor of the backyard and gives the pool a clean, architectural edge.
Detached spa
A freestanding spa placed near the house or the fire feature, often with its own equipment. Good for larger yards with separate zones.
Our pool and spa guide goes deeper on cost and layout.
Water features
- Sheer descents: a smooth sheet of water from a raised wall.
- Scuppers: stone, metal or tile spouts set into a raised wall.
- Stacked-stone water walls: a larger feature that hides the back fence and adds sound.
- Bubblers and deck jets: playful features on the sun shelf.
- Fire bowls and fire-and-water features: plumbed for gas and set on the raised wall or coping.
Planning matters
Every feature needs pump capacity, plumbing and electrical planned before the shell is shot. That's why we decide on features during 3D design rather than after construction starts. Adding them later almost always costs more.
Questions
How much does it cost to add a spa?
A spa typically adds $18,000 to $35,000 to a pool project. Raised spas with stone or tile faces sit at the upper end.
Can a spa be heated separately from the pool?
Yes. With the right valve setup and automation, the spa can be heated on its own and quickly, while the pool stays at its own temperature.
Are water features loud?
They can be tuned. Sheer descents and scuppers can be adjusted from a soft trickle to a full sheet, and automation lets you run them only when you want.