When that Texas sun starts hitting hard—and you know it always does—nothing hits quite like the thought of walking out your back door and straight into your own pool. It’s not just cooling off, it’s creating a space that’s yours.
A place where the kids splash after school, where your buddies hang out during a Saturday cookout, or where you can sit on the steps with a cold drink after mowing the lawn.
So once you’ve made the call that it’s time to install a new pool, the big decision starts creeping in: do you want to go all-out with a fully custom concrete pool, designed exactly how you picture it? Or do you go the quicker, cleaner route with a precast concrete plunge pool like a Plungie that still looks sharp and gets the job done with the project being completed much more quickly?
This isn’t just a numbers game. Sure, budget plays into it. But this decision’s really about how your yard is laid out, how quickly you want to be swimming, how much design control you want, and what kind of maintenance or long-term value you’re hoping to get.
Let’s walk through the options clearly—just the straight-up pros and cons, plus a few insights that many Fort Worth homeowners might not think of at first. That way, when it’s time to sign on the dotted line, you’re feeling good about what’s going into your backyard and why.
Plungie Pools vs Custom Concrete Pools
Speed of Installation
How Soon Do You Want to Swim?
Plungie Pools are poured and finished in a factory, then delivered to your house, ready to go. Around Fort Worth, these can be fully installed and swim-ready in as little as 10 days after delivery.
And that’s not marketing talk—that’s actual turnaround folks around here are seeing when things go smoothly. The key is having your site prepped ahead of time. If permits are squared away and the pad is ready, it can be just a few days of crane work, hookup, and touch-up before you’re in the water. So realistically, including permitting, inspections, and prep, you’re looking at a roughly 2-3 week total window, maybe a little more if your city inspection timeline runs slow.
Custom Concrete Pools, on the other hand, are a longer road—and that’s not a bad thing if you’re going for something one-of-a-kind. These are built on-site from the dirt up. Rebar gets shaped and tied by hand. Plumbing is laid out to match your design. Then the shotcrete gets sprayed in and left to cure, and that alone can take a week or two depending on weather. After that, you’ve still got tile work, coping, decking, plaster, and cleanup.
On a straightforward build, you’re looking at approximately 8–12 weeks. More complex layouts or bad weather can stretch that timeline closer to four months.
And keep in mind—rainy spring seasons here in North Texas can throw schedules off fast, especially when crews are booked back-to-back. The bigger the job, the more moving parts, the more ways things can get delayed.
Bottom line: If you want a pool and you want it fast, a Fort Worth Plungie pool is the clear winner. Especially if you’re trying to make this summer count. Custom concrete pool installation is worth the wait if you’ve got a vision and some patience, but it’s not the quick route.
Costs
With a Plungie, you’re working off a known price. Not a lot of surprises, which folks like.
Custom pools are more open-ended. Add in shape changes, water features, a spa, nicer decking, and you’re pushing six figures. Especially with Fort Worth’s clay-heavy or sloped lots, which need extra structural work.
Bottom line: If your budget’s tight or you just don’t want wild cards, Plungie makes that part easy. Custom is great if you’ve got some wiggle room and a dream design in mind.
Design Flexibility
Plungie Pools come in a few clean-looking shapes and sizes: 12×7, 15×8, 20×10. They look sharp, modern, and minimal. But what you see can be pretty much what you get if—that’s what you’re interested in. A few finish colors, some decking choices, and that’s that.
Of course, there’s still plenty of room to play with a Plungie. You can build around it with custom decking, tile coping, added water features, or a surrounding lounge area to really elevate the look. Some folks even integrate it into larger landscaping projects, so it feels like part of a full backyard experience. It’s not just “drop and done” if you don’t want it to be.
Custom Concrete Pools let you get creative. Want a pool that wraps around a fire pit? A sunken spa? A Baja shelf for loungers? You can do it all. You’re designing from the ground up.
If you want curves, vanishing edges, integrated tanning ledges, multi-depth zones, built-in benches, LED lighting scenes, or a fire feature that glows just above the waterline… well, the only limit is your imagination.
It’s like the difference between picking from a great menu, and working with a chef to invent your own dish.
Bottom line: Plungie is simple, fast, and beautiful. Custom is where you go to build your backyard showpiece.
Yard & Access
Plungie Pools are delivered on a truck and craned into place. They’re a godsend if your backyard’s tricky to get into—like tight alleys, zero-lot-line setups, or spots with limited room. Places like Near Southside or parts of the TCU area where lot access is a pain? Plungie can still work.
Custom Pools need space for excavation equipment, material storage, and on-site labor. In-room to work = smoother build. Sloped lots (like around Benbrook or Westover Hills) might need retaining walls or special engineering.
Bottom line: Tight lot, narrow driveway, no problem—Plungie might be your best bet. More space to play with? You’ve got options.
Efficiency & Eco Stuff
Plungie Pools use less water and energy. Smaller footprint means fewer chemicals, lower heating costs, and easier maintenance. Plus, they’re built in a controlled environment, which keeps waste and emissions lower.
Custom Concrete Pools are bigger and take more to run. But with the right pump, filter, and heating setup, you can still run a tight ship—just something to plan for during the design phase.
Bottom line: For eco-friendliness and ongoing costs, Plungie is easier on your wallet and the planet. Custom pools need a little more planning beforehand, but you can still build smart with good Fort Worth pool builders.
Maintenance & Upkeep
First, here’s some good news: both options can be managed without you turning into a full-time pool tech. But there’s still a difference in what your average week looks like.
Plungie Pools are straightforward. Less surface area, simpler systems, and easy-to-clean interiors. You’re still doing your weekly pool care, but it’s not a full-time job.
Smaller surface area means fewer leaves to scoop, fewer gallons to treat, and systems that are streamlined. Most are set up with simple, efficient circulation and filtration, and their interior finish is smooth and easy to brush down. So whether you’re taking care of it yourself or using a weekly pool service—which many folks around Fort Worth do—it’s a breeze to stay on top of.
Custom Concrete Pools can mean more cleaning, especially if you’ve got stone, tile, or water features. They look fantastic—but they’ll need love. They’ve got much more going on. Intricate tile work, stone coping, waterfalls, sun shelves, built-in seating—it’s all stunning, but every added surface means another place algae could want to grow or calcium could build up.
You’ll need to stay ahead of that with more thorough cleaning, brushing, and balancing. If you’ve got a weekly pool cleaning company handling it for you, they’ll know the drill. But if you’re doing it yourself, just be ready for a little more effort.
Bottom line: If you want something that’s easier to care for—less brushing, less chemical use, quicker cleanups—a Plungie is about as low-maintenance as a real pool can get. Custom pools take more hands-on attention—or at least a solid relationship with a good pool service—they ask a little more, but give your home a lot in return.
Resale & Long-Term Appeal
When it comes time to sell, a well-built pool can absolutely make a difference—but what kind of difference depends a lot on your neighborhood, your home’s price point, and the type of buyer you’re likely to attract.
Plungie Pools punch above their weight in a lot of Fort Worth’s mid-range neighborhoods. Places like Tanglewood, Ridglea, or some of the newer builds out near Walsh Ranch—these are areas where not every home has a pool, and not every buyer expects one. But when they see a sleek, modern-looking plunge pool out back that doesn’t scream “high maintenance” or “money pit,” it can tip the scales.
It’s a lifestyle perk that doesn’t come with the usual baggage, and for a lot of younger buyers or downsizing couples, that hits the sweet spot.
Custom Concrete Pools, on the other hand, can be a real statement-maker in high-end neighborhoods like Mira Vista, Montserrat, or those big-lot homes over in Westlake or south of Clearfork. In those markets, buyers expect more from a backyard. They’re not just looking for a place to swim—they want to feel like they’ve stepped into a private resort.
If your custom pool is well-designed and ties in with the landscaping, lighting, outdoor kitchen, and other amenities, it can absolutely increase the perceived value of the entire property.
That said, it’s always smart to match the investment to the house. Dropping a $100k pool into a $400k home might not pencil out when it’s time to sell. But the reverse is true too—a $40k pool might look out of place in a $1M+ home unless it’s part of a bigger design vision.
Bottom line: Plungie Pools add value, especially in Fort Worth neighborhoods where buyers might not expect a pool, but appreciate a low-maintenance one when they see it. Custom Concrete Pools are a serious plus in higher-end areas. Match your pool to your home’s market. Don’t overbuild. But if you’re in a spot where a pool makes the listing shine, go for it.
So, What Should You Do?
Go with a Plungie if:
- You want to swim sooner
- You’ve got a tricky lot or limited space
- You’re wanting a low-cost pool installation
- You’re into modern, low-fuss style
Choose a Custom Concrete Pool if:
- Your house needs a wow-factor backyard
- You’ve got big design ideas
- You don’t mind the longer build
- You want full control over every detail
As you can see above, both can be great options—it just depends what you’re after. In Fort Worth’s climate, a backyard pool is something you’ll use nine months out of the year. So whichever route you go, make it yours and make it worth it.
If you’re ready to start getting quotes or want someone to take a look at your yard and talk you through all the options—well, you know where to start!
Ready to Build the Pool You’ve Been Thinking About?
Whether you’re leaning toward a fast, clean Plungie install or dreaming up a custom design with all the bells and whistles, Aquaworkz Pool Co. is here to make it happen—without the stress, the upsell, or the runaround. We’re a Fort Worth-based company that knows pools, knows Texas yards, and knows how to deliver quality that lasts.
If you’re ready to get serious about your backyard, give us a shout. We’ll talk through your space, your timeline, and help you decide what makes the most sense for your property. From compact modern plunges to full custom builds, we’ve got the tools and the team to do it right.
Call Aquaworkz Pool Co. at 817-879-4008 or click here for a free estimate.
