Gunite Pool Cost in Brentwood TN: What Affects Your Project | Marlin Exteriors

Planning a custom gunite pool in Brentwood is one of the most significant backyard investments a Williamson County homeowner can make. Unlike a standard product with a published price tag, a gunite pool is built entirely on-site to match your property, your design goals, and your lifestyle — which means the cost of your project depends on a wide range of factors that vary from one lot to the next.

This guide explains what drives the cost of a custom gunite pool in Brentwood so you can approach your project with realistic expectations and the right questions for your builder.

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Why Gunite for Brentwood?

Gunite is a construction method, not a product. A steel rebar cage is assembled on-site, then high-pressure pneumatic equipment applies a concrete mixture — gunite — over the framework to form the shell. Because the shell is built in place, there are no limits on shape, depth, or configuration.

For Brentwood homeowners who want a pool that integrates naturally with a sloped lot, wraps around an existing landscape feature, or incorporates a spa, tanning ledge, infinity edge, or custom water feature, gunite is the construction method that makes those designs possible. Explore our gunite pool services to see what's achievable.

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What Affects the Cost of a Gunite Pool in Brentwood

No two gunite pools cost the same, because no two properties or designs are the same. The following factors have the greatest influence on project cost.

Pool Size and Shape

A larger pool requires more excavation, more steel, more gunite, more plumbing, and more decking. A simple rectangular pool is less labor-intensive to build than a freeform design with multiple curves, a vanishing edge, or an irregular perimeter. Both size and shape complexity directly affect the scope of work and the time required to complete it.

Site Conditions and Access

How your lot is configured matters significantly. A flat, open backyard with easy equipment access is straightforward to excavate and build on. A sloped lot, a narrow side yard, a heavily landscaped property, or a lot with existing structures near the build zone can all require additional planning, specialized equipment, or modified construction approaches.

Excavation and Rock

Brentwood sits on Middle Tennessee's limestone shelf, and rock or limestone encountered during excavation is a real possibility on many local properties. If rock is encountered, specialized equipment may be required, which can affect the excavation process and the overall project scope. Marlin Exteriors assesses site conditions as part of the consultation process so excavation requirements are understood before construction begins.

Pool Depth

Deeper pools require more excavation, more structural material, and more plumbing. A pool designed with a deep end for diving or lap swimming involves more work than a shallower recreational pool of the same footprint.

Interior Finishes

The surface finish inside the pool — standard plaster, premium pebble aggregate, glass bead, or specialty tile — affects both the appearance and the long-term maintenance profile of the pool. Premium finishes are more durable and more visually refined, and they are priced accordingly.

Tile and Coping

The waterline tile and coping (the cap material around the pool edge) are among the most visible design elements of a finished pool. Material choices range from standard ceramic tile and concrete coping to handmade glass tile, natural stone, and custom-cut travertine. Material selection and linear footage both affect cost.

Decking

The deck surrounding the pool is a major component of the overall project. Material options include poured concrete, stamped concrete, travertine pavers, Tennessee limestone, and natural stone. Each material has a different cost profile, maintenance requirement, and aesthetic character. The size of the deck area and any grading or drainage work required also factor into the total.

Equipment

Pool equipment — pumps, filters, heaters, sanitization systems — ranges from standard to high-efficiency. Variable-speed pumps, gas or heat-pump heaters, saltwater chlorination systems, and UV or ozone sanitizers all affect the equipment budget. The right equipment package depends on how you plan to use the pool and how much you want to spend on long-term operating costs.

Automation

Smart pool automation systems allow you to control temperature, lighting, water features, and filtration from a smartphone or tablet. Automation is increasingly common on Brentwood builds and adds convenience, but it also adds to the project cost depending on the scope of the system.

Heating and Chilling

Brentwood summers are long, but spring and fall shoulder seasons are shorter. Homeowners who want to extend their swim season typically add a gas heater or heat pump. Some also add a chiller for peak summer comfort. Heating and chilling equipment, along with the plumbing and electrical work to support it, are separate line items in the project budget.

Spas

An attached gunite spa — sharing the pool's equipment and plumbing — is one of the most popular additions on Brentwood projects. Spas add design complexity, additional plumbing, dedicated heating capacity, and masonry or tile work. A freestanding spa involves its own separate equipment set.

Tanning Ledges and Baja Shelves

A tanning ledge (also called a Baja shelf or sun shelf) is a shallow platform built into the pool — typically a few inches deep — designed for lounging chairs, toddlers, and in-water relaxation. Tanning ledges are a top request from Brentwood families and add to the pool's footprint and structural scope.

Water Features

Waterfalls, grottos, sheer descents, deck jets, and bubblers are popular on Brentwood gunite pools. Each water feature involves additional plumbing, masonry or stonework, and equipment. Natural rock waterfalls using Tennessee fieldstone are particularly common in the area and require skilled masonry work.

Fire Features

Gas-powered fire bowls, fire pits, and fire-and-water combinations extend the usability of the outdoor space into cooler months. Fire features require gas line work, masonry, and drainage planning.

Outdoor Living Integration

Many Brentwood pool projects include outdoor kitchens, pergolas, covered seating areas, privacy landscaping, and fencing as part of a complete outdoor living design. Each element adds to the overall project scope. Marlin Exteriors coordinates these features as part of a turnkey build.

Permitting and Site Requirements

Pool projects must comply with applicable local permitting, inspection, and safety requirements. Marlin Exteriors coordinates applicable project requirements as part of the construction process. Brentwood properties in HOA communities typically require Architectural Review Board approval in addition to municipal permits, and Marlin prepares the site plans and renderings required for those submissions.

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Brentwood-Specific Considerations

Brentwood's established neighborhoods, mature landscaping, and varied topography create a distinct set of site conditions that influence pool projects in this area.

Lot configuration: Many Brentwood lots have slopes, mature trees, or existing hardscape that require careful planning around the pool footprint and drainage.

Rock and limestone: As noted above, Middle Tennessee's geology means rock can be a factor during excavation. Marlin evaluates site conditions during the consultation so this is understood upfront rather than discovered mid-project.

HOA communities: Neighborhoods like Annandale, Governors Club, Tanglewood, and Chenoweth have active Architectural Review Boards with specific design and material requirements. Marlin has experience navigating these processes and prepares the documentation required for ARB submissions.

Permitting: The City of Brentwood requires permits for pool construction, and projects must meet applicable building and safety codes. Marlin manages the permitting process from submission through final inspection.

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Gunite vs. Other Pool Types

Gunite is the right choice when design flexibility, custom features, or site complexity are priorities. If you're comparing gunite to fiberglass, the key differences are timeline and customization: fiberglass pools install faster and have a non-porous surface that requires less chemical maintenance, but they come in fixed shapes and sizes. Compare pool types on our fiberglass pools page if you're still evaluating options.

For most Brentwood homeowners building a custom outdoor living environment, gunite's design flexibility is the deciding factor.

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Financing Your Project

Marlin Exteriors works with financing partners — including VistaFi, Lyon Financial, and Regions Bank — to provide options for qualified homeowners. Visit our Financial Partners page to learn more about available financing options. Financing is subject to lender approval and lender terms.

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How Marlin Develops Project Pricing

Every pool project is different. Marlin Exteriors develops project-specific pricing after evaluating the property, pool design, site conditions, and selected features. We don't publish theoretical price ranges because a number that's accurate for one Brentwood lot may be significantly off for another — and we'd rather give you a real number based on your actual project than a range that sets the wrong expectation.

With more than 20 years of construction experience, our team has built pools across Brentwood and the broader Middle Tennessee area. We know the local geology, the permitting process, and the design standards that Brentwood homeowners expect.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your project and receive a site-specific estimate. We'll walk your property, assess site conditions, and give you a clear picture of what your project involves. Contact Marlin Exteriors to get started, or explore our Brentwood pool services to learn more about what we build in this area.

You can also view completed pool projects in our gallery to see the range of designs and features we've delivered for Middle Tennessee homeowners.