Pool Builder in San Marcos, TX
Serving San Marcos, Hays County & the San Marcos River Corridor Since 2007 — Third-Generation Craftsmanship — No Sub-Contractors, Ever
Custom Pool Builder Serving San Marcos & Hays County, Texas
From the master-planned community of La Cima on San Marcos’ west side to the wooded ridgeline lots of Willow Creek and the river-oriented neighborhoods along the San Marcos River corridor, Fossil Creek Pools has been building custom pools for Hays County homeowners since 2007. As a third-generation, family-owned builder just up the 281 corridor in Spring Branch, we know the area’s soil conditions, Hays County permitting, and HOA requirements.
San Marcos sits perfectly between San Antonio and Austin on I-35, attracting homeowners who want the Hill Country lifestyle, river access, and growing city amenities all in one place. A custom pool is the natural anchor of that outdoor life. Our in-house team handles every phase from design through final swim — one team, one timeline, no surprises. We’re proud members of the Master Pools Guild and six-time winners of the PebbleTec® World’s Greatest Pools award.
San Marcos is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, sitting at the heart of the Austin-San Antonio I-35 growth corridor. We build pools for every type of San Marcos property — master-planned community lots in La Cima and TRACE, established ridge-top homes in Willow Creek, and river-adjacent properties near the San Marcos River. No learning curve. No surprises.
Who is the best pool builder in San Marcos, TX? Fossil Creek Pools is San Marcos’ award-winning, family-owned custom pool builder, serving Hays County and the greater Hill Country since 2007. As a third-generation builder, Master Pools Guild member, and six-time PebbleTec® World’s Greatest Pools award winner, we design and build custom inground pools, spas, and complete outdoor living spaces — with our own in-house crew, never sub-contractors. Call us at 830-228-5060.
Start Your San Marcos Pool Build
Call or fill out our form to schedule your free, no-obligation design consultation. We’ll visit your San Marcos property, review any HOA or Hays County requirements, and design a pool that fits your lot and your lifestyle.
Custom Inground Pool Design & Construction in San Marcos, TX
Every Fossil Creek pool starts with your vision and ends with our crew on-site — no sub-contractors, no hand-offs, no surprises. We design custom gunite pools specifically for your San Marcos property, accounting for Hays County’s varied terrain, local soil conditions, city and county permitting, and your community’s HOA or CC&R guidelines.
San Marcos sits at the transition between the Edwards Plateau limestone and the Blackland Prairie clay soils — meaning soil conditions vary significantly depending on where your lot is located. Ridge-top properties in Willow Creek may encounter limestone and caliche, while lower-elevation lots near I-35 can have expansive clay. Our gunite pools are engineered for all of it.
Pool Types & Features We Build in San Marcos
- ✓Custom gunite pools — engineered for San Marcos’ varied soil conditions, from Hill Country limestone to Blackland Prairie clay
- ✓Infinity & vanishing edge pools — designed to capture San Marcos’ ridge-top and Hill Country views
- ✓Freeform & geometric pools — resort-style lagoons or clean modern lines, built to your vision
- ✓Pools with attached spas — integrated hot tub and spa construction for year-round enjoyment
- ✓Water features — natural boulder waterfalls, sheer descents, grottos, bubblers, and deck jets
- ✓Tanning ledges & sun shelves — shallow entry ledges perfect for San Marcos’ long Texas swim season
- ✓Swim-up bars & seating — in-pool entertainment features for San Marcos’ outdoor lifestyle
- ✓LED lighting & automation — smart controls for pumps, heating, and color lighting from your phone
Custom Pool Features & Water Elements in San Marcos
The best pools we build in San Marcos go beyond the water’s edge. From natural boulder waterfalls that evoke the limestone springs of the San Marcos River to sleek sheer descents and fire features that anchor a modern outdoor room, Fossil Creek designs and builds custom features that make your backyard truly distinctive.
Because we self-perform all construction with our own crew, every feature is designed and installed as a cohesive part of your pool — not an afterthought bolted on by a separate contractor.
- ✓Natural boulder waterfalls & grottos — handcrafted from natural limestone and stone inspired by the San Marcos River’s spring-fed character
- ✓Sheer descents & deck jets — elegant water curtains and arching jets with LED illumination
- ✓Swim-up bars — in-pool bar seating for the ultimate San Marcos backyard entertaining experience
- ✓Fire bowls & fire features — poolside fire that extends your outdoor season into cool Texas evenings
- ✓PebbleTec® & premium finishes — the surface that earned us six World’s Greatest Pools awards
Outdoor Living & Complete Backyard Retreats in San Marcos
San Marcos’ year-round outdoor lifestyle demands more than just a pool. We design and build complete backyard environments — outdoor kitchens, pergolas, fire features, and hardscaping — all with our in-house crew and under one project timeline.
Outdoor Kitchens
Built-in grills, refrigeration, sink runs, and stone countertops — designed for year-round outdoor cooking in San Marcos’ warm Central Texas climate.
Pergolas & Cabanas
Custom pergolas, pavilions, and covered patios that provide shade during San Marcos’ intense summers while tying architecturally to your home.
Fire Pits & Fire Features
Gas fire pits, fire bowls, and linear fire features that keep your San Marcos backyard usable on cool Texas evenings year-round.
Hardscaping & Decking
Travertine, natural limestone, pavers, and low-maintenance decking that frame your pool and make your San Marcos backyard feel finished and polished.
Spas & Attached Spa-Pools
Integrated hot tubs and attached spa combinations, designed as one cohesive backyard retreat for year-round San Marcos living.
Landscape Lighting
LED pool lighting, landscape uplighting, and outdoor audio systems that make your San Marcos backyard stunning after dark.
Pool Renovation & Remodeling in San Marcos, TX
San Marcos has a growing stock of aging pools — faded plaster, worn tile, outdated equipment, and decking that has weathered too many Texas summers. Fossil Creek Pools provides full pool renovation services across Hays County, restoring your existing pool to better-than-new condition.
Our renovation team handles everything from a simple PebbleTec® resurfacing to a full deck replacement and equipment overhaul. One crew, one contract — no coordination headaches.
Pool Renovation Services in San Marcos
- ✓Pool resurfacing & PebbleTec® finishes — restore texture, color, and waterproofing with the finish that won us six industry awards
- ✓Travertine tile & coping — updated tile lines and coping for lasting durability and a fresh look
- ✓Deck replacement & travertine decking — low-maintenance, heat-resistant decking built for San Marcos summers
- ✓Equipment upgrades — variable-speed pumps, LED lighting, heaters, and smart automation systems
- ✓Pool additions — add a spa, tanning ledge, water feature, or sun shelf to an existing pool
Recent Pool Projects — Fossil Creek Pools Portfolio
A sample of our custom pool and outdoor living builds across the San Marcos area and surrounding Hill Country communities. Every project is built entirely by our own in-house team.
Why San Marcos Homeowners Choose Fossil Creek Pools
San Marcos is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas — a city that straddles the Hill Country and the I-35 corridor, drawing homeowners who want river access, outdoor living, and a real sense of place. Master-planned communities like La Cima and TRACE have HOA architectural review processes that need to be navigated correctly. Established neighborhoods like Willow Creek and Spring Lake Hills have their own lot-specific quirks. And Hays County’s varied soil conditions demand an experienced builder. Fossil Creek knows all of it.
Operating from our showroom in Spring Branch — a straight shot up the I-35 and 281 corridor from San Marcos — we’re one of the closest established pool builders to Hays County. We know the City of San Marcos permitting process, Hays County requirements, and the HOA and CC&R review processes for communities across the area. We handle all of it on your behalf.
How long does it take to build a custom pool in San Marcos? A custom inground pool in San Marcos typically takes 3–5 months from signed contract to final completion. HOA and CC&R architectural review in communities like La Cima, TRACE, and Willow Creek can add 2–6 weeks. Fossil Creek Pools manages all City of San Marcos permits, Hays County filings, and HOA submissions on your behalf so construction begins as quickly as possible.
San Marcos & Hays County Permit Info
- ✓ City of San Marcos Development Services issues building permits for all in-city pool construction
- ✓ HOA and CC&R architectural review required in communities including La Cima, TRACE, Willow Creek, Kissing Tree, and Blanco Vista
- ✓ San Marcos soil conditions vary by location — limestone and caliche on ridges, expansive clay near I-35 — gunite is the only build type suited to all Hays County conditions
- ✓ Properties outside San Marcos city limits may fall under Hays County jurisdiction with separate permitting requirements
- ✓ Fossil Creek handles all City of San Marcos permits, Hays County filings, and HOA or CC&R submissions on your behalf
How We Build Custom Pools in San Marcos
A clear, communicative process — from your free on-site consultation to the day you take your first swim in your new San Marcos pool.
Free On-Site Consultation
We visit your San Marcos property, assess your lot and terrain, review HOA or CC&R guidelines if applicable, and walk you through the Fossil Creek design process — no sales pressure, no obligation.
Custom 3D Design
Our designers create a fully customized pool plan for your San Marcos property, tailored to your lot dimensions, soil conditions, HOA or CC&R specs, and City of San Marcos permit requirements.
Permitting & HOA Approval
We submit all City of San Marcos permits, Hays County filings, and HOA or CC&R applications on your behalf — including communities like La Cima, TRACE, Willow Creek, and Kissing Tree.
In-House Construction
Our own crew handles every phase — excavation, steel, gunite, plumbing, electrical, tile, coping, and equipment. No sub-contractors. Proactive communication throughout the build.
City Inspections & QC
Every Fossil Creek pool passes our internal quality check before city sign-off. We coordinate all required San Marcos and Hays County inspections and hold our work to a higher standard than the inspector’s checklist.
Final Walkthrough & First Swim
We walk the completed pool with you, demonstrate every system, hand over all documentation, and ensure you’re completely satisfied before your first San Marcos swim.
Building Custom Pools Across San Marcos & Hays County
Fossil Creek Pools serves homeowners across San Marcos, Hays County, and surrounding communities along the I-35 Hill Country corridor.
We also serve surrounding communities: New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, Fair Oaks Ranch, Garden Ridge, Schertz, Boerne, Bulverde, and all of the Hill Country corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions — Custom Pools in San Marcos, TX
Common questions from San Marcos and Hays County homeowners planning a custom pool build with Fossil Creek Pools.
A custom inground pool in San Marcos, TX typically costs between $65,000 and $150,000+, depending on size, design complexity, site conditions, and finishes. Gunite pools — the recommended type for Hays County’s varied soils — generally start around $65,000 for a mid-size build. Pools in master-planned communities like La Cima or elevated ridgeline lots in Willow Creek can run higher due to HOA design requirements and site complexity. Fossil Creek Pools provides detailed, transparent estimates after a free on-site consultation.
Gunite (concrete) pools are strongly recommended for San Marcos due to the area’s varied soil conditions. Ridge-top neighborhoods like Willow Creek and Spring Lake Hills can feature limestone bedrock and caliche, while lower-elevation areas near I-35 often have expansive clay soils that shift significantly with seasonal moisture changes. Only a properly engineered rebar-and-gunite pool handles both conditions reliably. Fossil Creek engineers every San Marcos pool for the specific soil and terrain of your lot.
Yes. A building permit from the City of San Marcos Development Services is required before any pool construction begins. Properties outside city limits may fall under Hays County jurisdiction with separate requirements. If your home is in an HOA community — such as La Cima, TRACE, Willow Creek, or Kissing Tree — CC&R and architectural review approval is also required. Fossil Creek Pools manages all permits, Hays County filings, and HOA submissions on your behalf.
A custom pool in San Marcos typically takes 3–5 months from signed contract to first swim. HOA and CC&R review in communities like La Cima and TRACE can add 2–6 weeks. Our team manages all permitting and scheduling proactively so construction begins as quickly as possible and proceeds without delays.
Yes. Fossil Creek Pools has extensive experience building in San Marcos’ HOA and CC&R-governed communities, including La Cima, TRACE, Willow Creek, Kissing Tree, and Blanco Vista. We understand the specific architectural review and design guideline requirements for each community and handle all submissions, documentation, and compliance on your behalf.
Yes. In addition to new pool construction and renovation, Fossil Creek Pools provides comprehensive pool service, repair, and ongoing maintenance throughout the San Marcos area and Hays County. From water chemistry management and equipment maintenance to structural repairs and seasonal service, we offer complete pool care tailored to your needs after the build.
Yes. In addition to new pool construction and renovation, Fossil Creek Pools provides comprehensive pool service and repair, and ongoing pool maintenance services throughout the San Marcos area and Hays County. From water chemistry management and equipment maintenance to structural repairs and seasonal openings, we offer complete pool care tailored to your needs after the build is complete.
What Fossil Creek Pools Clients Say
Real reviews from homeowners across the Hill Country and greater San Marcos area. A 5-star Google rating built on third-generation craftsmanship, in-house execution, and genuine care for every client.
“We talked to three pool builders including Fossil Creek Pools and chose Fossil Creek to build our dream pool. Fossil Creek Pools is an outstanding pool builder that pays very close attention to detail. The pool took around 4 months from dig to dive. Everyone that has come over is absolutely amazed and impressed with it.”
Patrick & Deb — Google Review“Fossil Creek did an amazing job from start to finish. Paul and the crew were friendly and easy to contact with any questions or concerns. If you are looking for an honest and professional company to create an amazing pool, I highly recommend Fossil Creek!”
Kelli Pereira — Google Review“Pool from start to finish in 3 months. They did an amazing job — their work is top quality. Very happy with my pool and the team of workers it took to get it done. Thank you Derik and family for making it easy and taking care of me.”
Stacy Watson — Google ReviewAlso Serving San Marcos’ Surrounding Communities
Fossil Creek Pools serves homeowners across Hays County and the entire I-35 corridor between San Antonio and Austin.
Ready to Build Your San Marcos Custom Pool?
San Marcos’ Hill Country lifestyle deserves a pool built for it. Third-generation craftsmanship, a no-sub-contractor guarantee, and a team that has been building award-winning pools across Hays County and the Hill Country since 2007 — that’s the Fossil Creek difference.
Fossil Creek Pools — Serving San Marcos & All of Hays County, TX
830-228-5060 — Showroom: 12470 US HWY 281 N, Spring Branch, TX 78070