Lake County homeowners rely on our team as their custom luxury pool builder, from the Clermont hills to the lakes around Mount Dora. Every pool is engineered in house with optional water features. Browse projects and the cost guide.
Within Lake County, we design and build custom pools in communities including Clermont, Montverde, Bella Collina and Mount Dora.
Luxury Custom Pool Builders in Lake County
Building High-Quality Pools in Florida Since 1997
Our recent work in Lake County
Lake County projects are designed and managed from our Sanford headquarters. We share the area and budget range only, never client names or addresses.
Current and recent projects
- Montverde: Estate pool ($575K to $600K).
- Montverde: Custom pool for a new home, built alongside a custom home builder ($200K to $225K). Finished April 2026.
- Leesburg: Custom pool ($125K to $150K). Finished September 2026.
- Tavares: Custom pool. Finished 2025.
- Mount Dora and Eustis: Custom pools for homeowners and local custom home builders.
Local pages: Clermont, Montverde, Bella Collina and Mount Dora.
Questions we hear from Lake County homeowners
How much does a custom pool cost in Lake County?
Most of our projects start at $120,000. Our recent Lake County pools range from about $125,000 to $600,000, and hillside or lakefront lots with retaining walls or vanishing edges land toward the top. See our pricing page for the full tiers.
Who permits my pool, the city or Lake County?
It depends on the parcel. Clermont, Mount Dora, Montverde, Tavares, Eustis and Leesburg each permit pools inside their limits. Everything else goes through the Lake County Office of Building Services, and many homes with a city mailing address actually sit in unincorporated Lake County. We confirm jurisdiction from the parcel record before design starts.
Do you replace older pools?
Yes, with a full rip and replace. Demolition typically runs $8,000 to $20,000 on top of the new pool. We do not resurface or repair pools.
How long does a custom pool take to build?
Most custom pools take 16 to 28 weeks from first design to swimming. Permitting usually takes 2 to 6 weeks of that.
Book a design consultation or call us at (407) 339-5800.
Decades of Experience
Established in November 1997, we have been navigating the Florida construction landscape ever since.
Professional Certification
We are a fully Certified Pool Contractor, ensuring every project meets or exceeds rigorous state safety and quality codes.
Concierge Project Management
You aren’t just another number on a “dig board.” Each client is assigned a dedicated project manager who provides regular updates and photo milestones.
In Lake County, the land shapes the pool more than almost anywhere else in Central Florida. The county is named for its lakes, from the Harris Chain around Tavares, Eustis and Mount Dora to the Clermont Chain of Lakes in the south. South Lake County also rises into the Lake Wales Ridge, where Sugarloaf Mountain near Clermont reaches 312 feet, the highest point on the Florida peninsula.
That means lots that fall toward the water, deep sandy soils and real elevation change. Since 1997, Southern Pool Designs has designed and built residential luxury pools and water features across Central Florida, and these are the sites where engineering and design matter most: a vanishing edge aimed at a Chain of Lakes view, a terraced pool on a Bella Collina hillside or a classic pool for a historic Mount Dora home.
Begin your backyard transformation today. Contact our high-end pool team at (407) 339-5800 to schedule a consultation.
Areas We Serve in Lake County
A $100M Legacy of Engineering Excellence
When investing in a luxury home, the pool should be a seamless extension of the architecture. With over $100 million in luxury pool projects completed, Southern Pool Designs has the proven capability to handle the most complex and ambitious builds in Central Florida.
Our portfolio includes everything from sleek, modern knife-edge “mirror pools” to sprawling resort-style environments featuring lazy rivers and custom rock grottos. Our deep experience means we understand the specific soil conditions, elevation needs, and high expectations of Lake County homeowners, where hillsides and lakefront lots are the norm.
Client Reviews
★★★★★
“Mike and his team are very professional. They are understanding of peoples time and money. Mike is very tentative with his clients and very detailed in his work. His team makes sure that the purchaser feels comfortable and knows what they are getting into. I would recommend this company for any pool job that is needed.” -Brandon
★★★★★
“We contracted with Rick and Southern Pools for the Sehmbi Residence, and this pool was an absolute showstopper. Southern pools did not miss a beat with this one. They were always a head of the game as far as schedule and hit every timeline we needed to. Anytime we had any issues Rick was there ASAP to get handled. We highly recommend Southern Pool Designs.” -Mike Donnelly
★★★★★
“I did the research- I am that guy. I had a specific pool design in mind. The company that checked all the boxes was Southern Pool Designs. They just finished my pool and we are very happy. We had a great experience from design to finish. I love the attention to detail. I highly recommend this company for your pool project.” -Peter Golotko
The Southern Pool Designs Process: The Signature Path
We have been refining our process since 1997 to ensure your build is as smooth as possible.
Step 1: The Welcome and Discovery
We start with a detailed phone call to discuss your vision, inspiration photos, and budget. Our goal is to ensure we are the right partner for your specific needs before we even step foot on your property.
Step 2: On-Site Laser Scanning and 3D Design
Using advanced laser scanning, we map your backyard with millimeter precision. Our designers then create a stunning 3D rendering of your project, allowing you to see exactly how the sunlight hits the water and how the flow of the space feels before construction begins.
Step 3: Permitting and Engineering Excellence
Lake County permitting depends on where your parcel sits. Unincorporated parcels need signed and sealed plans, TDH calculations and a zoning clearance with an approved plot plan, and that zoning approval is only valid for 30 days, so we assemble the full package before requesting it. Lakefront setbacks, septic sign-offs and the Green Swamp boundary are checked at the start. Our in-house team handles the paperwork, HOA and architectural submittals, and city or county approvals.
Step 4: Precision Build and Handover
Our elite crews work on a disciplined schedule. From the initial dig to the final tile placement and the “pool school” where we teach you how to operate your new system, we treat your home with the respect it deserves.
Selected Projects From Our Portfolio
Our Luxury Pool and Outdoor Living Services
In the luxury market, “standard” doesn’t exist. We offer a full range of custom services designed to create a cohesive, high-end outdoor environment.
Signature Water and Fire Features
Movement and light are the hallmarks of an upscale pool. We design and install:
- Infinity and Vanishing Edges: The perfect solution for homes overlooking the Montverde hills or the Clermont and Harris Chains of Lakes.
- Spillover Spas and Champagne Tubs: Elevate your relaxation with custom-jetted spas that overflow elegantly into the main pool.
- Laminar Jets and LED Lighting: Transform your backyard into a nightly light show with programmable, smartphone-controlled systems.
- Fire Bowls and Fire Pits: Add warmth and a dramatic “wow factor” to your evening entertaining.
Turn-Key Outdoor Environments
Your pool is the centerpiece, but the surrounding space completes the experience. Our team provides:
- Summer Kitchens and Wet Bars: High-performance outdoor cooking stations with premium stone finishes.
- Luxury Hardscaping: We use high-end materials like Turkish travertine, artistic pavers, and oversized marble slabs.
- Automated Screen Enclosures: Protect your investment without sacrificing the view with modern, high-visibility enclosures.
Custom Gunite Pool Construction
We specialize exclusively in gunite pools, the industry standard for luxury. Unlike pre-molded shells, gunite allows for infinite customization in shape, depth, and features. From perimeter overflows that create a seamless water-to-deck transition to “beach entries” that mimic a natural shoreline, if you can imagine it, we can build it.
Frequently Asked Questions for Lake County Clients
Do you build pools in Bella Collina?
Yes. We design and build estate pools in Bella Collina and handle the permit, the community architectural submittal, and coordination with your architect and builder. Most Bella Collina lots are permitted by Lake County, though some newer sections sit inside the Town of Montverde.
How close to the lake can my pool be?
In unincorporated Lake County, a pool and deck generally need a 50-foot setback measured from the ordinary high-water line, mean high-water line or jurisdictional wetland line, whichever is farthest landward. Building closer requires a variance. Cities set their own rules, so we confirm the line on a current survey before the 3D layout is drawn.
Is my property in the Green Swamp?
It might be. Florida designates the Green Swamp as an Area of Critical State Concern, and part of it reaches into south Lake County near Clermont. Lake County asks for Green Swamp documentation with pool permits where it applies, so we check every parcel against the boundary at the start.
Can you build a pool on a sloped or hillside lot?
Yes, and hillside lots often make the best pools. A slope usually means raised pool walls, terraces and retaining walls, all engineered for the site, plus planned drainage so fast-draining sand does not wash out under decks. Where ground conditions raise questions, we recommend geotechnical testing before structural design.
What is the advantage of working with a Certified Pool Contractor?
In Florida, a Certified Pool Contractor has passed rigorous testing and meets high insurance and bonding requirements. This protects you as a homeowner and ensures that the structural integrity and hydraulic engineering of your pool are handled by a true professional, not just a general laborer.
Start Your Lake County Pool Project Today
Don’t trust your home’s most significant outdoor feature to a volume builder. Choose the team building since 1997, with a $100M+ track record of success.
Call Southern Pool Designs at (407) 339-5800 today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward your new luxury lifestyle.