Gunite Pool Cost in Knoxville & East Tennessee (2026 Price Guide)
Gunite Pool Cost Guide
Gunite pools offer unlimited design freedom. Every gunite pool is custom-built on-site, which means pricing varies widely. Here is what gunite pools actually cost in Knoxville and across East Tennessee.
$95,000 - $350,000+
The + means and up: custom features and larger builds have no set ceiling.
Installed price range, pool itself
These ranges cover the pool itself: shell, finish, equipment, and coping. Decking, hardscape, and outdoor kitchens are their own projects, priced separately, so nothing gets double-counted when you combine them.
Pricing reviewed June 2026 by Morales Outdoor Living
What to Expect
Every project is unique. These ranges reflect typical East Tennessee installations.
Custom
$95,000 - $155,000
- ✓Custom geometric shape & depth
- ✓Plaster interior finish
- ✓Waterline tile
- ✓Standard equipment & coping
- ✓+ Decking & surround priced separately
Signature
$155,000 - $250,000
- ✓Freeform shape + raised spa with spillover
- ✓Premium pebble finish
- ✓Glass-accent tile
- ✓Gas heater + automation
- ✓+ Decking & surround priced separately
Ultra-Estate
$250,000 - $350,000+
- ✓Vanishing edge or beach entry
- ✓Fire bowls + sheer descent
- ✓Premium pebble + glass-aggregate finish
- ✓Full automation + premium coping
- ✓+ Hardscape & outdoor kitchen priced separately
A + after a price means and up: custom features and larger builds have no set ceiling.
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Financing available through HFS Financial
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Pricing Factors
Pool Size & Complexity
Larger pools require more gunite, steel, and plaster. Complex shapes, beach entries, and infinity edges add significant labor.
Interior Finish
White plaster is standard. Pebble finishes like Pebble Tec or all-tile interiors increase cost but last longer and look stunning.
Deck & Coping (deck is separate)
Travertine coping is part of the pool; the surrounding deck is its own project. Travertine and paver decking cost more than concrete but are the most requested pairing with gunite pools.
Water Features
Rock waterfalls, grottos, sheer descents, and deck jets require additional plumbing, pumps, and structural work.
Integrated Spa
Adding a connected spa with spillover requires additional equipment, plumbing, and heater capacity.
Site Challenges
Rock excavation, limited access, high water tables, and steep grades all increase the complexity and cost of gunite construction.
What These Budgets Actually Build
Real East Tennessee projects in this price range, browse the full photo gallery and case studies before you reach out.
Frequently Asked
How much does a custom gunite pool cost in Knoxville / East Tennessee in 2026?+
Custom gunite pools run $95,000 - $350,000+ installed, for the pool itself. A standard custom build lands around $95,000 - $155,000, most premium projects with a spa land in the $155,000 - $250,000 range, and resort-level builds run $250,000 - $350,000+. Decking and hardscape are priced separately (see our patio cost guide).
Why is gunite more expensive than fiberglass?+
Gunite is built from scratch on site: excavation, steel reinforcement, concrete sprayed in place, then plaster or pebble finish and tile. That craftsmanship buys unlimited shape, size, and features, but it costs more and takes 6 to 12 weeks.
What adds the most cost to a gunite pool?+
Integrated spas ($12,000 to $30,000), vanishing edges ($15,000 to $50,000), premium finishes, automation, and site challenges like rock excavation or retaining walls on sloped East Tennessee lots.
How long does a gunite pool last?+
The shell lasts 30 to 50+ years. Plan on refinishing the interior every 10 to 15 years for plaster or 15 to 25 for pebble finishes.
How much does a gunite pool cost per square foot in Tennessee?+
There is no reliable per square foot price for a gunite pool. Unlike a patio, a pool's cost is driven by depth, steel, plumbing, the interior finish, and features, not just surface area, so a "price per square foot" quote usually misleads more than it helps. We price the whole project instead: custom gunite pools run $95,000 - $350,000+ installed for the pool itself, with a standard build landing near $95,000 - $155,000. Decking and hardscape are quoted separately.
How much more does a gunite pool cost than a fiberglass pool?+
Fiberglass pools run $70,000 - $190,000+ installed and custom gunite pools run $95,000 - $350,000+, so a comparable gunite build typically costs more and takes longer (about 8 to 12 weeks versus 3 to 4). The premium buys unlimited shape, size, and features plus the highest resale value of any pool type. See our fiberglass pool cost guide to compare side by side.
What drives up the cost of a gunite pool in East Tennessee?+
The site itself is usually the biggest swing. East Tennessee sits on limestone and shale, so rock excavation is common and can add real cost to the dig. Steep or sloped lots often need retaining walls or extra structural work, and tight access on established Knoxville lots can call for specialized equipment. Spas, vanishing edges, premium pebble finishes, and automation add from there. We flag these site conditions up front so nothing is a surprise.
Can you finance a gunite pool?+
Yes. Most clients spread a gunite pool into low monthly payments through HFS Financial, with fast approval and no home equity required. Visit our financing page for options and to get pre-qualified.
Related Resources
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