What Does a Gunite Pool Cost in Tennessee? 2026 Pricing & Investment Guide

What if the most expensive part of your dream backyard isn't the custom tile or the tanning ledge — but the solid limestone hidden just three feet underground? For many homeowners in Middle Tennessee, the excitement of planning a summer retreat gets clouded by the fear of "rock hits" during excavation or confusing permit requirements that vary from one county to the next.

We call it the "Nashville Tax," and it's one reason why pinning down a single number for a gunite pool in Tennessee is genuinely difficult. Every property is different. This guide explains the factors that shape your project investment so you can plan with confidence — and understand what to ask when you sit down with a builder.

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Understanding Gunite Pool Costs in Middle Tennessee

A gunite pool is constructed entirely on-site. A steel-reinforced frame is assembled in the excavated shell, and a dry-mix shotcrete process — spraying a mixture of sand and cement at high speed — creates a structure engineered to withstand Middle Tennessee's shifting clay soils and intense freeze-thaw cycles. The ability to mold the pool into any custom shape or depth is what separates gunite from factory-manufactured alternatives.

Because every gunite pool is built from scratch on your specific property, the cost is shaped by a wide range of factors — from the size and depth of the pool itself to what lies beneath your lawn.

Don't Fall for the "Price Per Square Foot" Trap

A rectangular pool with straight walls is much simpler to build than a freeform lagoon of similar dimensions. Complex curves, deep ends, custom steps, and integrated features all increase labor hours and material requirements. Two pools with similar footprints can have substantially different scopes because of site conditions, excavation challenges, feature selections, equipment, finishes, and surrounding improvements. When evaluating proposals, focus on what is included — not just the surface area.

What to Look for in a Gunite Pool Proposal

A thorough proposal should address the essential structural elements of the project. Understanding what is and isn't included helps you compare proposals accurately and avoid surprises mid-build. Key items to look for include:

• Excavation scope and assumptions about soil and rock conditions
• Steel rebar cage installation
• Gunite shell application
• Plumbing runs and equipment pad
• Filtration system
• Interior finish selection
• Decking and coping scope
• Electrical and gas coordination
• Drainage and site work
• Permitting and inspection coordination

Why 2026 Pricing Differs from Previous Years

The 2026 market reflects Nashville's ongoing construction activity and stabilized-but-elevated material costs. Raw steel for rebar and the specialized concrete used for pool shells have settled at a higher baseline than in prior years. High demand for skilled tradespeople across Middle Tennessee also keeps labor costs — particularly for expert gunite application — as a primary driver of the final investment.

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The "Tennessee Factor": How Local Terrain and Soil Shape Your Project

Building a custom pool in Middle Tennessee brings site challenges that don't exist in flatter, coastal regions. Our rolling hills often hide dense layers of limestone. Areas like Franklin, Brentwood, and parts of Nashville are particularly high-risk zones where excavation can transform from a standard dig into a heavy-duty engineering project.

Rock Excavation: The Budget Wildcard

Standard excavation involves hauling away loose dirt. Hitting limestone requires a hammer-hoe — specialized equipment using a hydraulic ram to break through rock — which is a much slower and more demanding process. Most professional builders include a "Rock Clause" in their contracts to provide transparency: it outlines the additional rates for specialized equipment if solid stone is encountered.

If you live in a rock-heavy area like Franklin, Brentwood, or parts of Hendersonville, it is worth discussing excavation contingency planning with your builder before construction begins. Understanding how your contract handles unexpected rock encounters protects you from mid-build surprises.

Hillside Lots and Retaining Walls

Sloped lots — common in Hendersonville, Gallatin, and parts of Brentwood — often require specialized structural support. Building on a hillside may require retaining walls and soil stabilization work to create a safe, level environment for the pool shell. These elements add both material and labor to the project scope. A thorough site assessment before the first machine arrives is essential.

Soil Composition and Drainage Requirements

The heavy clay soil found across Middle Tennessee expands and contracts with the weather, putting pressure on a pool shell over time. Nashville and surrounding areas like Mt. Juliet also have stormwater and drainage requirements — you need a plan to manage runoff so it doesn't impact neighboring properties or the local watershed. Proper drainage design is an investment that protects your property and keeps your project compliant.

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Factors That Affect Your Gunite Pool Investment

While the footprint of your project sets the foundation, the specific features and conditions you encounter define the final scope. Here is a practical overview of the factors that most commonly influence project cost.

Pool Size, Depth, and Shape

Larger pools require more excavation, more structural material, more plumbing, and more finish work. Greater depth adds excavation and structural complexity. Custom shapes — freeform lagoons, beach entries, lazy rivers — require more labor and engineering than simple rectangles. Each of these decisions has a meaningful effect on the overall project scope.

Interior Finish Selections

The interior finish is the surface you see and touch every day. It also affects long-term maintenance requirements.

• Standard white or grey plaster — a traditional, cost-effective starting point
• Pebble-based finishes — more durable, natural textured feel, and better at concealing chemical scaling than standard plaster; popular in Lebanon and Gallatin
• Glass bead aggregates — premium option with a distinctive shimmer and strong chemical resistance

Premium finishes carry a higher initial investment but can extend the interval between resurfacing projects compared to standard plaster.

Coping and Waterline Tile

Waterline tile protects the gunite shell from sun exposure and makes it easier to clean the waterline ring that forms over time. Coping — the cap on the pool wall — prevents water from migrating behind the shell and provides a finished edge for the surrounding deck. While pre-cast concrete is a standard option, natural Tennessee flagstone or custom tile selections provide a distinctive finish that blends with the local landscape. Both coping and tile selections affect the overall project investment.

Spas and Water Features

Integrated gunite spas are one of the most requested additions in Middle Tennessee. Because they require separate plumbing, dedicated heating systems, and specialized structural work, they represent a meaningful addition to the project scope. Water features — natural stone waterfalls, deck jets, bubblers, and grottos — add visual and sensory appeal and also add to the overall scope depending on complexity.

Decking and Hardscaping

The deck surrounding your pool is often as important to the finished result as the pool itself. Standard brushed concrete is functional, but premium materials like travertine or pavers are popular in Hendersonville and Brentwood because they stay cooler under the summer sun and provide a more refined aesthetic. High-end decking and outdoor living areas can represent a substantial portion of the total project investment.

Equipment, Automation, and Heating

Modern pool ownership increasingly involves smart automation. Systems that manage chemical levels, heating, and LED lighting from a smartphone are now a common feature of new builds — and they are far easier to install during the initial build than to retrofit later. Variable-speed pumps, heaters, chillers, and automation platforms each affect the project investment. Discussing your long-term preferences during the design phase helps ensure the equipment package fits your lifestyle.

Site Access and Grading

Properties with limited access — narrow gates, steep grades, or significant landscaping — can require additional equipment or preparation work. Grading the site to create a level, stable environment for the pool shell is a necessary step that varies in complexity depending on the existing terrain.

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Gunite vs. Fiberglass: Understanding the Differences

Choosing between gunite and fiberglass is one of the most important decisions in the planning process. Both are legitimate options for Middle Tennessee homeowners, and the right choice depends on your priorities.

Gunite is constructed on-site and offers substantial design flexibility for custom shapes, depths, and layouts. Because the shell is built around your specific property, it can accommodate virtually any configuration — including lots with significant elevation changes, unusual dimensions, or complex feature requirements.

Fiberglass uses a factory-manufactured shell with a smooth, non-porous surface that resists algae growth and generally requires fewer on-site construction stages than comparable concrete pool construction. Shell sizes and shapes are determined by the manufacturer's available molds.

For a deeper look at how these two pool types compare for Middle Tennessee properties, visit our gunite pools and fiberglass pools pages.

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Long-Term Ownership Considerations

Ongoing Maintenance

All pool types require ongoing maintenance — water chemistry management, equipment servicing, and periodic surface care. The specific maintenance requirements for a gunite pool depend on the interior finish selected, the equipment package, and how the pool is used. Discussing long-term maintenance expectations with your builder during the planning phase helps you make informed decisions about finish and equipment selections.

Durability and Resurfacing

A well-built gunite shell is a durable, permanent structure. The interior finish — whether standard plaster or a premium pebble aggregate — will eventually require attention, and the interval between resurfacing projects varies depending on the finish type, water chemistry management, and usage patterns. Premium finishes generally extend the time between resurfacing cycles compared to standard plaster.

Permitting and Safety 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.

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Planning Your Project with Marlin Exteriors, Inc.

Choosing a builder is a decision that shapes your property for decades. At Marlin Exteriors, Inc., we approach every project with the mindset of a neighbor and the precision of a specialist. With more than 20 years of construction experience, we understand the terrain, the soil, and the permit landscape across Middle Tennessee — and we bring that knowledge to every site assessment.

Every successful build starts with an accurate evaluation of your specific lot. During our initial consultation, we look for the geological markers that indicate rock or drainage challenges. This allows us to develop a realistic picture of your project scope before construction begins.

We then move into the 3D rendering phase. This technology lets you see exactly how your pool integrates with your home's architecture. You can refine every detail — from the placement of sun shelves to the flow of water features — before a single machine arrives on your property.

Every pool project is different. Marlin Exteriors develops project-specific pricing after evaluating the property, pool design, site conditions and selected features. To explore financing options, visit our financial partners page.

Ready to see what's possible for your backyard? Browse our gallery for inspiration, then schedule a consultation to discuss your project and receive a site-specific estimate.