Inground Pool Installation in Delaware
There’s a version of your backyard that’s better than what you have right now. One with cool water on a July afternoon, room for the whole family, and a space that gives everyone a reason to stay home instead of heading somewhere else. That version exists, and it starts with the right inground pool built by the right team.
Delmarva Pools installs custom inground pools for homeowners throughout Delaware. From Wilmington and Newark in the north to the coastal communities of Sussex County in the south, our team brings more than 75 years of combined experience to every build. One in-house crew. One point of contact. One streamlined process from the first conversation to the day you dive in.
Why Choose a Concrete Pool?
Concrete pools give homeowners the ultimate freedom to design exactly what they want. Unlike pre-molded options, concrete allows you to choose the size, shape, and features you envision for your space. We’ve mapped out and constructed in-ground concrete pools of all shapes and sizes, including geometric and freeform layouts and everything in between.
Beyond its elegant design, concrete pools are built to last. Concrete pools are the premier choice for residential pools due to their maximum design flexibility, allowing you to upgrade or add features over time as your needs change. Our expertise in selecting and using high-quality construction materials ensures durability and extensive customization for every project. Concrete pools can be upgraded or renovated to include new features or finishes, such as tanning ledges, waterfalls, or integrated spas, as homeowner needs evolve. They withstand changing seasons, can be resurfaced over time, and offer a level of durability that makes them a long-term investment in your home. For families who want a beautiful pool that feels unique, gunite remains one of the most versatile and rewarding choices.
Inground Pool Options for Delaware Homeowners
When most people picture an inground pool, they’re picturing a concrete one — and for good reason. Concrete is the material that gives you the most control over every element of the design. But the decision to go inground is really just the beginning. From there, every choice you make shapes the final result.
At Delmarva Pools, we specialize in custom concrete (gunite) inground pools. Here’s what that means for your project:
Full Design Freedom: Concrete pools aren’t built from a mold. They’re constructed on-site, which means the shape, size, and depth are entirely yours to define. A 12-foot-wide backyard in Wilmington calls for a different solution than a half-acre lot in Middletown. We design for your property, not a product sheet.
Shapes and Styles Built Around Your Life: The way you use your pool matters as much as how it looks. Families with young children often prioritize shallow entries and tanning ledges. Lap swimmers need length and clean lines. Entertainers want the drama of a freeform pool with a spa and fire features off to one side. We build all of it — and we’ve built all of it in Delaware backyards just like yours.
Features That Make It Yours: An inground pool is a canvas. The features you add are what make it something you’ll show off for years. Some of the most popular choices among Delaware homeowners include:
- Spillover spas integrated directly into the pool structure
- Tanning ledges for wading, sunbathing, and young swimmers
- Waterfalls and deck jets that add movement and sound to the space
- LED lighting for evening swims and year-round ambiance
- Swim-up bars and built-in seating for entertaining
- Custom coping and tile that tie the pool to the home’s aesthetic
These aren’t upgrades added on at the end. They’re designed as part of the pool from day one, so everything feels intentional and cohesive.
Concrete vs. Fiberglass: What Delaware Homeowners Should Know
It’s one of the first questions homeowners ask when they start researching inground pools: concrete or fiberglass? Both are legitimate choices, but they serve different needs. Understanding the difference helps you make the right call for your property and your priorities.
Concrete Inground Pools
Concrete pools — also called gunite or shotcrete pools — are built entirely on-site using a steel rebar framework and sprayed concrete. Because nothing is pre-made, the design is truly limitless. Any shape. Any size. Any depth configuration. Any feature. Concrete also holds up exceptionally well over time, with a structural lifespan that can exceed 50 years when properly maintained. Surfaces are periodically resurfaced, but the shell endures.
The tradeoff is time. Concrete pools take longer to install — typically 8 to 12 weeks — and require more regular surface maintenance than fiberglass. For homeowners who want the most customized pool possible and plan to stay in their home for decades, concrete is consistently the better long-term investment.
Fiberglass Inground Pools
Fiberglass pools arrive as a pre-manufactured shell dropped into an excavated hole. Installation is faster — often just a few weeks — and the smooth gel coat surface is generally easier to maintain than plaster or aggregate finishes. The limitation is design: you choose from whatever shapes and sizes the manufacturer produces, which typically means standardized dimensions and no significant customization.
Fiberglass works well for homeowners who want a faster installation and simpler upkeep and are comfortable selecting from an existing catalog of shapes.
What We Recommend: Delmarva Pools specializes in concrete inground pools because concrete is what allows us to deliver the level of customization our clients expect. If you want a pool that fits your specific backyard, reflects your personal style, and is built to last for decades, concrete is the right material. We’ll walk you through the decision during your consultation and help you understand what makes sense for your situation.
More Than a Pool — A Complete Backyard
An inground pool changes your backyard. But the surrounding space is what determines whether it becomes a true outdoor destination or just water in a hole. That’s why we offer in-house hardscaping services alongside every pool build.
Our hardscaping team designs and installs the elements that bring the space together — pool decks, patios, walkways, fire features, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, and more. Because our pool builders and hardscaping team work together from the beginning, every element is designed to complement the other. The result is a backyard that feels complete, polished, and built for the way you actually live.
Many Delaware homeowners start with a pool and end up reimagining the entire outdoor space. We’re ready for that conversation at any stage of the project.
Why Delaware Homeowners Choose Delmarva Pools
75+ Years of Combined Experience
We’ve been designing and building pools in the Mid-Atlantic long enough to know every type of Delaware backyard, soil condition, and local requirement. That experience means fewer surprises and a better result.
Everything Under One Roof
Design, permitting, construction, and hardscaping are all handled by our in-house team. No coordinating between separate contractors. No communication gaps. One crew, one timeline, one point of accountability — start to finish.
Certified, Licensed, and Insured
Delmarva Pools is a fully licensed, insured, and certified pool builder. We hold our work to the highest industry standards and ensure every project is compliant with Delaware’s local building codes.
Ongoing Maintenance
Building the pool is only the beginning. Our professional pool maintenance services keep your water clean, your equipment running, and your investment protected season after season. Weekly cleaning, chemical balancing, and seasonal opening and closing are all available to Delmarva Pools customers.
Inground Pool Questions From Delaware Homeowners
Making the decision to install a gunite pool comes with plenty of questions, all of which are valid. But don’t worry. Our professionals are here to answer every question that you may have. It’s our mission to make the process as simple as possible, and that starts with being transparent and helpful in any way we can.
For most Delaware homeowners who want a pool built around their specific backyard, lifestyle, and design preferences, concrete (gunite) is the best option. Concrete offers complete design freedom — any shape, size, depth, or feature configuration — and is built to last for decades. Fiberglass pools install faster and require less surface maintenance, but come in standardized shapes and sizes. During your consultation, we’ll help you think through which choice fits your situation best.
A custom concrete inground pool typically takes 8 to 12 weeks to complete from groundbreaking, though the full timeline from consultation to finished pool depends on design complexity, permitting, site conditions, and scheduling. We build entirely in-house, which allows us to keep projects on track without the delays that come from coordinating multiple subcontractors. Most homeowners who plan in fall or winter are swimming by early summer.
Yes. Inground pool installation requires permits in all three Delaware counties. Requirements vary by location but typically include compliance with fencing and safety barrier regulations, setback requirements from property lines and structures, and adherence to local building codes. Delmarva Pools manages the entire permitting process on your behalf, from preparing documentation to coordinating inspections, so the project stays on schedule and fully compliant.
The cost of a custom inground pool in Delaware depends on pool size, shape, features, site conditions, and any surrounding hardscaping. Custom concrete pools typically fall in the range of $65,000 to $120,000 or more for fully featured builds. We don’t provide estimates without seeing your property and understanding your goals. During your free consultation, we’ll walk through the full scope of your project and give you clear, honest pricing before any work begins.
Because we build custom concrete pools, the shape is entirely up to you. The most common choices include rectangular pools for lap swimming and clean geometric aesthetics, L-shaped pools that combine swim lanes with a shallow play area, kidney and freeform pools for a more organic, landscaped feel, and fully custom shapes designed around a specific property layout. Our design team will help you figure out what works best for your space and how you plan to use the pool.
Absolutely. Integrated spillover spas are one of the most popular additions to Delaware inground pools, and they’re designed as part of the pool structure from the beginning — not attached afterward. The spa sits adjacent to the pool and flows into it, creating a seamless aesthetic and allowing you to use both spaces independently or together. It also extends the usable season significantly, particularly during Delaware’s shoulder months in spring and fall.
Routine maintenance for a concrete inground pool includes weekly brushing of walls and tile, vacuuming, water chemistry testing and balancing, and equipment checks. Seasonal openings and closings are important in Delaware’s climate to protect the pool and equipment from freezing temperatures. Delmarva Pools offers a professional maintenance program for our customers, handling all routine upkeep so you can focus on enjoying the pool rather than maintaining it.
In most cases, yes. A well-designed inground pool is a meaningful upgrade to residential property in Delaware, particularly in markets where outdoor living is a priority for buyers. Concrete pools — especially those paired with quality hardscaping and outdoor living features — tend to perform particularly well from a value standpoint because they’re built to last and offer a higher level of customization than other pool types. The actual impact varies by neighborhood and market conditions, and we’re happy to talk through what makes sense for your specific area during your consultation.
Delmarva Pools install inground pools throughout Delaware, including communities in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County. We work across northern Delaware — including Wilmington, Newark, Middletown, and Hockessin — as well as central and coastal Delaware communities including Dover, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Bethany Beach, and surrounding areas. If you’re not sure whether we serve your location, reach out and we’ll confirm.
Let's Build the Backyard You've Been Planning
The best time to start the conversation is before you think you’re ready. Most of our Delaware clients begin planning their pool in the fall or winter so that by the time the warm weather arrives, construction is either underway or already finished. The season goes fast, and great pool builders stay busy.
Contact Delmarva Pools today to schedule your free consultation. We’ll visit your property, talk through your vision, and give you an honest picture of what’s possible. No pressure, just a good conversation about the backyard you’ve been picturing.