A spa changes how often you use your backyard. In summer it can run cool as a shaded soaking spot. From fall through spring, it becomes the warm place everyone heads to after dinner. We build concrete spas for Tucson homeowners, most often as part of a new pool and sometimes as part of a remodel.
What kind of spa should I build with my pool?
Most of our pool-spa combos fall into three styles. The right one depends on your yard, the look you want, and how you plan to use it.
| Spa style | What it is | Good fit for | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raised spillover spa | Spa sits above the pool and spills into it | Most pool-spa combos; adds sound and a focal point | Raised walls get tile or stone, so finish choices matter |
| Flush in-ground spa | Spa top sits level with the pool or deck | Clean, modern looks and easy step-in access | Less height to work with for water features |
| Stand-alone spa | Spa built away from the pool, or with no pool | Small yards or soakers who do not need a pool | Needs its own equipment and its own barrier planning |
A raised spa is the one we build most. It gives the pool a backdrop, it is easy to sit on the edge with your feet in, and the spillover adds movement. If you want fire nearby, a fire bowl or fire trough next to a raised spa makes a strong pairing. Our water features guide covers those options.
Hot tub vs built-in spa: which is right for you?
We get this question a lot, and we want to be upfront: we only build concrete (gunite/shotcrete) spas. We do not sell or install portable hot tubs.
A built-in spa makes sense if you want the spa to look like part of the pool and yard, share one equipment pad, and match the tile, coping and deck. It is shaped to fit your space, with benches where you want them. A portable hot tub can make sense if you need something quick or plan to take it with you when you move. If you are building a pool anyway, adding a spa during construction is usually the simplest time to do it, because the dig, steel, plumbing and shotcrete crews are already on site.
What you get when we build your spa
A layout you can see first. We draw the pool and spa in 3D and you walk through it in VR. You can check how the spa looks from the kitchen window, how high the raised wall sits, and how many people fit on the bench.
Seating that works. Bench depth, a footwell, a step in and out, and jet placement all get planned around real people. The photo of the spa shell above shows how benches and jets are formed before plaster.
One crew from dig to tile. We own our own excavation equipment, and our in-house crew handles excavation, steel, masonry, tile and decking. As Kendra H. put it in her Google review, “Carlos and his team actually did the work.”
Equipment sized for the spa. We use Pentair equipment. The spa needs its own valves, jets and usually a heater. With automation, you can switch from pool to spa mode from your phone.
Finishes that match. We use StoneScapes Mini Pebble interiors and tile from NPT, Aquabella and Bedrosians, so the spa and pool look like one piece.
How do we build a pool and spa together?
- Site visit. We measure the yard, check access, look at slopes and walls, and talk about how you will use the spa.
- 3D design and VR walkthrough. We adjust size, height and seating until it feels right.
- Written, line-item quote. You see the spa, heater and each feature as its own line.
- Permits. We handle permits and inspections, including the pool barrier.
- Build. Our crew digs, sets steel, plumbs, shoots the shell, then builds the raised walls, tile, coping and deck.
- Finish and startup. We plaster, fill and show you how to run the spa.
For the full pool side of the project, see our custom pool construction page.
What drives the cost of a spa?
We do not post prices on this page because every spa is different. The main cost drivers are:
- Spa size and seating
- Raised wall height and what it is clad in (tile, stacked stone, travertine)
- Spillover style
- Heater type and gas or electrical runs
- Jets, lighting and automation
- Fire or water features next to the spa
- Access to the yard
Our guide to pool cost in Tucson explains how these add up, and we offer financing through Lyon Financial and Credit Union West on our financing page.
Can you add a spa to an existing pool?
Sometimes. We look at whether there is room next to the pool, whether the plumbing and equipment can support it, and how it would tie into the deck. If you are already planning a pool remodel or new pool deck, that is the best time to ask. Note that we do not do leak or equipment repair work, so we focus on design and construction.
Do you need a small pool or just a spa?
If your yard is tight, a spool (a small pool with spa jets and a heater) or a stand-alone spa might fit better than a full pool. Our post on small pools, plunge pools and spools walks through the options.
Where we work
We build spas across Tucson and the Catalina Foothills, plus Marana (including Gladden Farms, Dove Mountain and Continental Ranch), Oro Valley, Vail and Rita Ranch, Sahuarita, Green Valley, SaddleBrooke and Rio Rico.
Plan your pool and spa with us
We are family-owned, licensed under AZ ROC #342505 and #352797, and on the job ourselves. If you want a spa that gets used all year, contact us or call (520) 342-8335 for a free quote and 3D design.
