nique Landscapes & Custom Pools is a trusted custom pool builder in Scottsdale, AZ, specializing in pool design, pool construction, pool remodeling and complete backyard environments. Set in the northern reaches of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Scottsdale spans everything from the lush, irrigated neighborhoods of Arcadia and McCormick Ranch to the rugged foothills of the McDowell Mountains.
Whether you’re planning a new pool, upgrading an existing one or building a full backyard environment, working with a professional Scottsdale pool builder ensures your project is engineered correctly, built efficiently and performs long‑term in Arizona’s climate.
Homeowners searching for a trusted pool builder in Scottsdale are typically looking for backyards that complement both the desert and the character of their neighborhood. In DC Ranch and Silverleaf, homes nestle against the McDowell Mountains with strict hillside guidelines and view corridor rules; pools here need terraced designs, transparent fencing and earth‑tone materials to blend into the landscape. In Grayhawk and McDowell Mountain Ranch, families enjoy community parks, golf courses and trail systems; backyards must provide shade, play space and efficiency for busy schedules.
What sets Unique Companies apart:
Unique Landscapes & Custom Pools has over two decades of experience designing and building custom pools and outdoor environments throughout Scottsdale and the northeast Valley. Our team manages design, engineering coordination and construction in‑house, allowing each project to move efficiently from concept through completion
🕒 Store Hours
Monday – Friday
7 AM–5 PM
Saturday – Sunday
Closed
Call Us
As a custom pool builder in Scottsdale, we design and construct swimming pools that respond to each property’s terrain, architecture and intended use. On flat parcels in Arcadia and Old Town, we orient pools to capture evening breezes while preserving historic trees and mid‑century ranch charm.
Landscape Design Scottsdale
Our in‑house designers create detailed 3D concepts that allow homeowners to visualize their backyard before construction begins. In Scottsdale, landscape design often weaves together lush lawns in irrigated neighborhoods, drought‑tolerant desert planting in hillside communities.
Pool Remodeling in Scottsdale
Pool remodeling in Scottsdale includes resurfacing, tile and coping replacement, equipment upgrades, lighting improvements and structural modifications. Many pools built in the 1980s and 1990s use outdated plaster finishes and inefficient single‑speed pumps.
Backyard Builder in Scottsdale
As a full backyard builder in Scottsdale, we integrate pool construction, landscaping and outdoor living into one coordinated project. This approach is especially valuable in communities where HOA guidelines, narrow lots or easements dictate design.
What Our Scottsdale Customers Are Saying
Our Pool Design & Construction Process
From Vision to Poolside — In 5 Easy Steps
Step 1
Schedule Consultation
We start with a quick conversation about your goals, space, and budget. Whether in-person or virtual
Step 2
Design & Showroom
You’ll visit our design studio and showroom to hand-pick materials, finishes, and features. See 3D renderings of your pool and landscape
Step 3
Construction Begins
Our project team handles permits, prep, and build. We coordinate everything — excavation, plumbing, electrical, and installation
Step 4
Updates & Walkthrough
We keep you informed at every milestone. You’ll see progress photos, get timeline updates, and do a final walkthrough
Step 5
Enjoy Your New Backyard
Fire up the grill, pour a drink, and dive in. Your new outdoor space is ready for years of relaxation, entertainment, and pride.
What Scottsdale Homeowners Should Know Before Building a Pool
Scottsdale neighborhoods have unique visual and environmental standards compared to many other Valley communities. North‑city developments like DC Ranch and Silverleaf enforce strict NAOS and hillside rules that limit disturbance, require terraced designs and mandate earth‑tone materials.
One Team, Your Vision
One of the biggest advantages of working with a design‑build pool contractor in Scottsdale is coordination. Rather than hiring separate companies for pool design, pool construction, landscaping, hillside engineering and outdoor features.
Designed for Arizona Living
Backyards in Scottsdale must perform in intense sun, high winds and dramatic seasonal temperature swings. Pools should be oriented to capture morning sun while providing afternoon shade.
Building a pool is one of the most important upgrades a homeowner can make to an outdoor space, and choosing the right pool builder in Scottsdale has a major impact on the final outcome. The best projects are not just visually attractive; they are properly planned for the lot, the home and the way the backyard will actually be used.
A complete Scottsdale pool remodel gives homeowners the opportunity to transform an outdated or underperforming pool into a more functional and modern outdoor space. In established areas like McCormick Ranch and Cactus Corridor, many pools were built decades ago using older finishes and equipment that now show wear from sun and chemical exposure.
Building a new pool in Scottsdale creates an opportunity to design the backyard as a complete outdoor environment rather than a standalone project. Our custom pool builder approach plans the pool, hardscape and outdoor living elements together so the entire space feels connected and intentional.
A complete backyard does not stop at the pool. Professional landscape design in Scottsdale plays a major role in how the space looks, functions and holds up over time. In Arizona’s climate, landscape planning is not just about appearance—it directly impacts maintenance, water usage, drainage and long‑term durability.
Scottsdale Is One of Arizona’s Best Pool Markets
Every backyard we build is fully customized—not pre‑designed or templated. As experienced Scottsdale AZ pool builders, we provide detailed 3D designs, realistic timelines and consistent oversight so homeowners always know what to expect.
Our experience with NAOS guidelines, hillside engineering and irrigated parcels ensures that each project not only looks stunning but also functions properly in this diverse terrain. Whether you’re building a new pool, upgrading an existing one or planning a complete outdoor transformation, our team brings the expertise to make it happen.
Start Your Free Design Today
Don’t settle for a mediocre backyard. Get the transformation you deserve and start living the good life.
Before starting new pool construction in Scottsdale, homeowners should first think about which part of Scottsdale they are in, because that changes the design strategy immediately. A lot in North Scottsdale near DC Ranch, Desert Mountain, or the McDowell Sonoran Preserve may call for stronger consideration of views, desert context, and custom architecture. A lot in McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch, or Scottsdale Ranch may instead be more about fitting a refined new pool into an established backyard layout without overcrowding the property. Scottsdale is not one uniform pool market, and the right design starts by understanding that.
The second thing to know is that Scottsdale has real pool and spa code requirements, not just generic contractor conventions. The City’s residential swimming pool page explains that barrier requirements differ depending on when a pool was built, with newer standards applying to pools, spas, and hot tubs constructed after July 20, 1995, and older pools governed by earlier rules. That means new pool construction in Scottsdale should be treated as a fully coordinated design, permit, and compliance project from the beginning.
Yes — pool remodels are a major part of the Scottsdale market, especially in established neighborhoods where the homes have appreciated and the backyard is expected to keep up. Because Scottsdale’s large-scale master-planned communities began developing in the 1970s and continued through later decades, many pools now sit in homes where the architecture, interiors, or outdoor living have already been updated and the pool is the piece that still feels dated. That is why searches like pool remodel Scottsdale, resurface pool Scottsdale, and backyard renovation Scottsdale align closely with what homeowners are actually doing.
A Scottsdale remodel is often less about repair and more about alignment. Homeowners frequently remodel because the original pool no longer fits the current style of the home, the equipment is outdated, the decking feels narrow or visually old, or the yard lacks the kind of integrated lighting, seating, and outdoor-living flow expected in this market. In many Scottsdale projects, the best remodel is the one that updates the whole environment, not just the pool finish.
The upgrades that usually add the most value during a pool remodel in Scottsdale are the ones that improve design quality, day-to-day usability, and long-term performance together. In this market, cosmetic refreshes help, but the strongest value usually comes from upgrades that make the entire backyard feel more current and architecturally consistent.
The highest-value remodel upgrades often include:
In Scottsdale, the biggest payoff often comes when the remodeled pool feels like it belongs to the current version of the property instead of an earlier design era.
Professional landscape design in Scottsdale should start with the home’s architecture and the lot’s relationship to the desert setting. In some neighborhoods, that means clean, structured hardscape and refined planting that supports a polished resort-style look. In other areas — especially closer to preserve-adjacent or more natural desert conditions — it means a landscape plan that supports views, respects the Sonoran setting, and avoids making the yard feel overbuilt.
A strong Scottsdale landscape design often includes:
The best landscape design in Scottsdale does not feel separate from the pool. It feels like part of the same high-level design decision.
To choose the right pool builder in Scottsdale, ask whether they can speak specifically about the difference between North Scottsdale custom-home projects and established luxury-neighborhood remodels. A qualified builder should be able to talk about preserve adjacency, view-sensitive layout, architecture matching, remodel strategy, and how the outdoor environment should be planned as a whole. If they only talk about finishes and equipment, they are probably not thinking at the level Scottsdale projects often require.
You also want a team that can coordinate new pool construction, pool remodels, and landscape design in Scottsdale under one process. In this market, the mistakes that cost the most usually happen when design, engineering, pool construction, and outdoor integration are split apart instead of managed together.
Unlike many pool builders Scottsdale, Unique Companies handles design, construction, and landscaping entirely in-house. This gives homeowners clearer communication, better accountability, and a higher-quality finished product. Our focus is on long-term performance, not just visual appeal.
In Scottsdale, a practical starting point for a new custom pool is around $50,000, but that is not where many Scottsdale projects land. A more realistic range for many projects is $90,000 to $250,000+, and for larger luxury properties or complete outdoor-living environments, it is common for projects to move into the $150,000 to $500,000+ range depending on scope, hardscape, lighting, materials, and overall design level.
That range fits the market. Scottsdale’s $110,886 median household income, $789,800 median owner-occupied home value, and strong luxury-home segment mean many homeowners are not shopping for the cheapest pool install — they are investing in a full exterior environment that matches the property. In established neighborhoods, remodel budgets often rise because the project includes not just pool resurfacing, but redesigned decking, outdoor living, lighting, and full landscape design in Scottsdale as part of one higher-end upgrade.
Pool construction in Scottsdale typically takes about 6 to 14 weeks once construction begins, but the full project timeline depends heavily on design complexity, permitting, and whether the project is a straightforward installation or a broader custom outdoor build. A standard project on a conventional lot can move faster than a North Scottsdale project with stronger architectural coordination, view-driven layout decisions, or a larger hardscape and landscape scope.
In practice, the smoothest Scottsdale projects are the ones where the pool, hardscape, lighting, and landscape are solved together before excavation starts. In a city where design expectations are high and the outdoor space is often a major part of the property’s value, thoughtful pre-construction planning is what keeps the build clean, predictable, and worthy of the home.
