Tennessee · Local Pros · Updated 2026
66 pool builders serve the Knoxville area — we've ranked the top 20 by customer rating and review volume, so you can build a shortlist in minutes and compare bids like a pro.
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Ranked by customer rating and review volume across the whole Knoxville area. Every listing includes ratings, contact details, and location.
Want to dig past the top 20? Our nationwide pool builder finder maps all 66 companies serving the Knoxville area — search any address, sort by distance, and compare from there.
Typical inground pool projects in Knoxville run $43,000–$133,000+ installed, with most landing around $68,000 — Tennessee pricing runs right around the national average. The build type sets the baseline:
| Pool type | Installed in Knoxville |
|---|---|
| Vinyl liner | $38k–$62k |
| Fiberglass | $48k–$86k |
| Gunite / concrete | $59k–$119k |
| Typical Knoxville project | $68,000 |
Treat these as planning numbers, then get three itemized bids from Knoxville builders before you commit. Quotes for an identical pool commonly land 20% apart in the same city, and the difference is usually scope rather than markup: decking, barrier fencing, the electrical run to the equipment pad, and putting the yard back are the items a low bid tends to leave off.
See the full national line-item breakdown in our inground pool cost guide, and pressure-test any financing offer with the pool loan calculator before you sign.
Every market has its quirks — here’s what actually moves budgets and timelines for Tennessee builds:
Not sure what style fits your yard? Browse pool design ideas and pool shapes before your first builder meeting — homeowners who show up with pictures get accurate bids weeks faster. And if you’re comparing builders beyond Knoxville, the Tennessee pool builders guide and our nationwide finder cover the whole map.
Bids for decking, shade, and an outdoor kitchen are far cheaper while the excavator is already in your yard.
Homeowners in Knoxville can choose from 66 pool building companies — from design-build firms handling everything through landscaping, to specialists in renovations and equipment upgrades. The ranked list above averages 4.6 stars across 1359 verified customer reviews. PoolPad sorts by a weighted blend of rating and review volume rather than rating alone, which is why a 4.8 with hundreds of reviews sits above a perfect score with three.
Nashville's growth turned Middle Tennessee into a legitimately busy pool market, with Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga carrying steady volume of their own. Vinyl liner pools historically ruled here, but the last decade's transplants brought gunite-and-tanning-ledge taste with them. For the statewide picture — top-rated pros, city-by-city counts, and Tennessee pricing — see the Tennessee pool builders directory.
When hiring a pool builder in Knoxville, weigh their experience with local soil conditions and permitting, the range of pool types they offer (gunite, fiberglass, vinyl liner), and whether they handle landscaping and hardscaping in the same contract. Look at completed projects, verify licensing and insurance for Tennessee, and ask about post-construction warranties. The best builders provide a detailed written contract covering timeline, materials, and total cost — and get at least three itemized bids before you commit, because prices for the same pool routinely vary 20% or more between Knoxville builders.
Most inground pool projects in Knoxville, TN run $43,000 to $133,000+ installed, with typical projects landing around $68,000. By build type: vinyl liner $38k–$62k, fiberglass $48k–$86k, and gunite/concrete $59k–$119k. Middle Tennessee sits on limestone karst — rock excavation surcharges are common around Nashville, so get the rock clause in writing per yard. West Tennessee digs easier river-bottom soils, while East Tennessee adds slope and rock both. Drainage on clay-heavy lots separates clean builds from soggy decks. Request itemized quotes from at least three of the builders listed here to see real numbers for your yard.
Most inground pool projects in Knoxville take 8–16 weeks from permit approval to completion. Factors like weather, permitting timelines, material availability, and the complexity of your design can affect the schedule. Ask your builder for a detailed project timeline during the quoting process.
Start by comparing the 20 pool builders listed here, ranked by customer reviews. Look for builders with a high rating (4.5+), a large number of reviews, years of experience, and services that match your project. We recommend contacting at least 3 builders for quotes. Check their portfolios and ask about warranties, timelines, and permitting.
Yes — Knoxville and most municipalities in Tennessee require building permits for swimming pool construction, covering structural, electrical, and plumbing inspections plus barrier/fencing requirements. Most builders listed here handle the permitting process as part of the project — confirm it in writing, along with who schedules each inspection.
The outdoor season in Knoxville runs May through September — about 5 months unheated, with a heater adding several weeks on each end. Winters are mild enough that many owners idle equipment with a partial close instead of a full northern-style winterization. Tennessee swims May through September — humid 90° summers with real algae pressure, then a genuine winter that sends most pools into a full or partial close by early November. Spring storm season means debris cleanups are part of the rhythm.
Ed’s Pools Inc. currently leads the Knoxville rankings at 5 stars across 57 reviews, with Earthadelic carrying the deepest review history (208 reviews at 4.6 stars). PoolPad ranks by a weighted blend of rating and review volume, so consistent performers rise above small-sample five-stars — but always get more than one quote.
Tennessee requires a state contractor license for larger residential projects — most full pool builds qualify, so verify the license and its monetary limit along with insurance. Local codes govern pool permits and barrier fencing, and Nashville-area HOAs frequently add architectural review.
Middle Tennessee sits on limestone karst — rock excavation surcharges are common around Nashville, so get the rock clause in writing per yard. West Tennessee digs easier river-bottom soils, while East Tennessee adds slope and rock both. Drainage on clay-heavy lots separates clean builds from soggy decks. Gunite with sun shelves and spas leads new Nashville-area builds; vinyl liner remains the value king statewide, and fiberglass is growing fast for its quick spring installs. Covered outdoor living — fireplaces, kitchens — pairs with pools more here than almost anywhere.
Browse pool builders pros in other cities near Knoxville, or see every city in the Tennessee directory.
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