© 2026 The Garden Gate & Artistic Pools & Spas. All rights reserved.
Made by Deadon Agency.
We design and build custom pools, spas and water features throughout Tucson, Marana, and Oro Valley—from permitting and excavation through final walkthrough. Unlike single-service pool builders, we provide a turnkey solution to your project. We design and build your pool, spa and landscape including patios, paths, stepping pads, outdoor kitchen, fire feature, night lighting, plants and trees, irrigation system, artificial turf, and more - with a professional designer and a single point of contact for scheduling and construction.
Not all yards require extensive landscaping immediately after the pool and spa are installed; sometimes, just enough to connect the home to the pool in Phase I. We treat every project with the same care and planning that you deserve and we ensure that the design you approved, whatever the size, is installed as planned.
Whether you envision a larger resort-style pool with fire and water features, or a standard sized pool customized for your use, we strive to make the process easy and within your budget.
See our approach
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Everyproject is planned around your property, goals, budget, Homeowners Association(HOA) or Design Review Committee (DRC) guidelines, as wellas local rulesand regulations. With 25 years of design and installation experience servingthe greater Tucson area—including Marana and Oro Valley—we deliver a simple,stress-free process for our clients. Every plan is buildable, HOA-ready, andpriced accurately from day one.
Ourcustom front and backyard designs can include:
Sonoran Desert-friendlyor specialty plants, grouped for water efficiency, with drip irrigation and decorative screened rock.
We integrate smart controls, salt-water chlorination systems, color-changinglights, and integrated water walls or bubblers, as well as Baja shelves (alsocalled a tanning ledge or “lagoon” locally), umbrellas, and swim-up bars orin-pool tables and seating.
FromBBQ islands designed for resale value to full outdoor kitchens forentertaining, we place grills, griddles, and pizza ovens to fit the flow ofyour backyard. If you like to entertain, a fire feature adds seating and afocal point.
Code-compliantpool fencing that preserves views, custom steel pergolas and shade structuresfor comfort from the desert sun, trellises to guide vines or screen views, andmetal gates for privacy and security—all integrated into the design.
Our turnkey approach todesign and installation can also include patios, driveways, walkways, retainingwalls, seating walls, and screen walls to hide mechanical equipment (like apool pump), planned with drainage and access in mind.
Path, up-lighting,and down-lighting designed to highlight plants and architecture, creatingambiance.
Year-round,low-maintenance grass solutions for play areas, pets, or entertainment spaces.
Gas,electric, irrigation, and lighting systems are coordinated into one cohesivebuild.
AutoCADdrawings and 3D renderings that ensure accuracy, clarity, and confidence.
Our pools and spas are custom designed for you, and the way you intend to use yard. As part of the pool design, we identify the location of patios, paths, plants and trees, the fire feature, water feature, and ensure the kitchen and gathering spaces are sized correctly and flow together. When we design, we always consider installation of natural gas lines, electric service, and PVC sleeeving for underground irrigation lines and lighting wire. The pool and spa design always considers every key feature in the yard before finalizing size and location.
Your on-site Project Supervisor and our office-based Project Coordinator work with you to schedule subcontractors, in-house crews, suppliers and inspectors to the jobsite while maintaining communication between the parties. You will receive regular project updates from the start of construction through project completion.
Your typical pool and spa project follows this sequence:
● The final pool and spa design is approved
● The pool and spa construction proposal is approved
● We submit permit applications and secure permit approvals
● An internal pre-construction meeting is held to review the scope of work, assign crews, finalize the construction schedule and order materials
● We layout the pool and spa for Homeowner approval
● Pool layout is followed by excavation, plumbing, steel and shotcrete installation
● Site grading and drainage work around the pool
● Install fences and gates if needed
● Trench for utilities (gas, electric, plumbing)
● Install waterline tile in pool and spa followed by pool coping
● Install patios, stepping pads and pathways
● Install pool finish, acid wash, and fill pool and spa with water
● Startup pool and spa, and train Homeowner on all equipment operation including irrigation controller
● Clean up site and conduct walkthrough with Owner, develop a punch list
● Complete punch list items
If landscape is a part of the pool project, it will be installed at the same time the pool and spa is being installed.
Your typical pool and landscape project follows this sequence:
● The final landscape and pool design is approved
● The pool, spa, and landscape construction proposal is approved
● We submit permit applications and secure permit approvals
● An internal pre-construction meeting is held to review the scope of work, assign crews, finalize the construction schedule and order materials
● We layout the pool and spa for owner approval
● Pool layout is followed by excavation, plumbing, steel and shotcrete installation
● Site preparation, grading for drainage
● If landscape is included, prepare for patios and hardscape, plus berms, boulders, and plants
● Prepare for the kitchen, fire feature, patios, walls, and fences
● Install fence and gates
● Build kitchen and other masonry features including walls
● Secure approvals for gas line and electric service
● Trench for utilities (gas, electric, plumbing) and irrigation system
● Install waterline tile in pool and spa followed by coping on the bond beam
● Install patios, stepping pads and pathways
● Install trees, shrubs, and cactus
● Connect irrigation system to controller and install drip line to all plants
● Connect lighting system to transformer and aim light fixtures
● Install screened rock, wash and rake rock
● Install kitchen counter, grill, doors and other items selected
● Connect gas and test grill and fire feature
● Install pool finish, acid wash, and fill pool and spa with water
● Startup pool and spa and train Owner on all equipment operation including controller and transformer
● Clean up site and conduct walkthrough with Owner, develop a punch list
● Complete punch list items
We assist you with the choices that best suit your family and how you use the pool and spa. We build baja shelves (also called “lagoons”), in-pool seating and benches, waterfalls and water features, fire features, deck jets, color bubblers, and color LED light fixtures all connected to the best-in-class Pentair controller, the leader in automation. Create unforgettable experiences pairing water with light and fire. Consider placing natural gas fire bowls and fire features on the pool wall or in the pool to create a dramatic setting in the evenings.
Our Pentair pool automation solutions deliver next-level pool experiences. The Wifi connencted controller operates lights, pumps, heaters and other accessories through app-based remote access and monitoring on your Smart phone.
In-floor cleaning systems, in-line chlorinators, saltwater generators and UV ozone systems are available. UV ozone pool systems combine ultraviolet light (UV) and ozone systems to create a powerful, low-chlorine sanitizer that oxidizes contaminants up to 3,000 times faster than chlorine alone. These systems, often combined into Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP), break down chloramines to eliminate harsh odors and reduce chemical demand by 60%-90%, resulting in clearer, softer water.
Installation of code compliant pool fencing, gates, automatic pool and spas covers, barrier walls, window and door alarms, all installed through our turnkey process.
We feature Pentair Microbrite, IntelliBrite and GloBrite color changing LED light fixtures. LED ight fixtures can be placed discretely to light the pool and spa, steps, and benches all connected to the Pentair controller.
Entertaining zones planned in coordination with bar stools, sunken kitchens, and gathering spaces.
Water features enhance outdoor spaces by providing soothing sounds, mask-like soundscapes that reduce stress, drown out noise pollution, and attract wildlife like birds and butterflies. We install Sheer Descent waterfalls, custom boulder waterfalls, waterspouts, spillways from a raised spa into the pool and negative edge pools with troughs.
Many items affect pool and spa including the size (length and depth) and custom features (water feature, fire feature, pots or columns, etc.)
The property conditions is a big factor. For example, there can be a large cost variance to create access into an existing fenced yard with landscaping to dig a pool when compared to a new house with open access and no landscape or fencing to contend with. You can usually get a larger excavator and Bobcat loader onto a new construction site, while a smaller excavator used in a landscaped yard will cost more to excavate and remove soil from the site.
In both scenarios, construction materials and pool equipment are the predominant costs. This includes PVC pool pipe, in-floor cleaning systems, the steel reinforced shotcrete shell, lights, tile, pebble finish, and coping. These materials costs are determined by size of the pool and spa, so the correct sizing of your pool is critical. Quantities are a factor too, including number of light fixtures, therapeutic jets and bubblers.
There is a wide selection of finishes and options to select from when designing your pool. Options include the type of lighting (standard or LED, white or variable colors), interior finish (plaster, pebble or pebble upgrades like PebbleSheen), tile selection (standard 6” x 6” tile or mosaic tile) automation and pool sanitizing and filtering equipment selections. Other variables include the distance of the pool equipment from the pool and the distance from the pool equipment to gas and electric service. These items and costs can be controlled by an efficient design that follows a budget or budget range.
The key to success starts with design that includes the pool and spa, hardscape selections and landscape design that considers how your yard will flow from one area to the other. This is followed by a written proposal that describes where the budget is being spent with a description of all expenses, allowing you to make a choice on where to spend your money. That allows you to make choices on where to spend your money.
If you select us to install your pool, spa or spool, we will include a landscape design for free of charge.
Our pool and spa designs are submitted to the HOA or DRC to secure project approval and plans/permit applications are presented to the local agencies responsible for issuing permits. Our experience allows us to move the process along quickly and in compliance with neighborhood guidelines. We manage the details to get your project started and finished on schedule.
Designconsultations are free. Pool designs—and pool designs that include landscape—aretypically free. Stand-alone landscape designs may incur a nominal design feebased on scope. While landscape design fees can catch clients off guard, theyare critical to making sure the plan is buildable, bid properly, and that the crewsknow what to install. These highly detailed plans are also used for permitting,engineering (when required), and HOA and DRC submittals.
Yes— we specialize in turnkey landscape and pool design-build, with one point ofcontact for design and one for construction. Our team integrates pools, spas,and patios into a cohesive plan that looks intentional. Planning the entireproject from the beginning makes sure nothing is overlooked, installation isdone in the most efficient sequence, and, if the project is phased, rework islimited.
Landscapedesigns typically take 2–4 weeks; pool designs can be completed in about fivebusiness days. While most people view the pool as the more complicated element,the detail in the landscape plan is what ties the entire project togethercohesively, and why it takes more time.
Revisions are a normal part of the design process. Many times, what sounds good in conversation has a much different feel on paper. This is why the design process is so important to a successful project.
Revisions are a normal part of the design process. Many times, what sounds good in conversation has a much different feel on paper. This is why the design process is so important to a successful project.
Onceapproved, your design moves to estimating. We prepare a professional line-itemproposal, review it with you (there’s never pressure to decide on the spot),and incorporate any adjustments until the plan matches your vision and budget.
Yes. We have extensive experience working in some of thestrictest neighborhoods like Stone Canyon in Rancho Vistoso, Honey Bee Estates,Canyon Pass at Dove Mountain, Saguaro Ranch, Ritz-Carlton Residences, TheGallery at Dove Mountain (Dos Lagos), The Preserve, Pima Canyon, VentanaCanyon, La Paloma, Boulder Canyon, and their neighboring communities. Providingyour most current HOA guidelines helps streamline approvals.
Click Start Your Project or call us at (520) 574-7585 to schedule a complimentaryconsultation.
Yes. As a licensed pool contractor (and licensed landscape contractor) we provide a turnkey construction process including design, permitting, excavation, plumbing, steel and shotcrete, gas and electrical, pool coping and patio, equipment start-up and Owner training. We also install the landscape and other hardscape features, all with the same designer and project coordinator.
Absolutely. We always consider the homee architecture design (for new construction and existing homes) when designing pools and landscapes.
There are many options including but not limited to smart controllers, in-floor cleaning systems for pool, spa and troughs, standard gas or propane heaters, high efficiency heaters, pool and spa covers, bubblers, water features, upgraded tile and interior pool finishes, color LED lights, ultra violet and ozone water sanitation to reduce the amount of chemicals used.
Most pools take 2 to 3 months to build from start of excavation to completion. Larger pools and more complicated pools may take longer. The pool and spa proposal will include a projected start date and completion date.
Yes. We can retrofit an existing pool with a new spa. We also remodel existing pool and spas with new tile, interior finishes and other features.
Yes. As part of our our pool and spa design service, we always provide a 3D design for review so you can visualize the entire space.
Click Start Your Project or call us at (520) 574-7585 to schedule a complimentary consultation.
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"Successful, well-constructed pools and landscapes require an experienced team capable of managing all aspects of your project. We provide the experience and professionalism you expect to build your project on time and on budget.
As a ROC licensed pool and landscape contractor we offer a true turnkey solution for your custom pool and landscape project.
We don’t just design pools and landscapes – we design beautiful yards for you, and your family and friends to enjoy for a lifetime."
Tyler Johansen, Director of Business Development
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© 2026 The Garden Gate & Artistic Pools and Spas, LLC. All rights reserved.
Made by Deadon Agency.
