From the tree-lined blocks of Old Nampa to acreage out by Lake Lowell, Universal Pools brings 45+ years of gunite pool experience to Idaho's third-largest city. Family-owned, licensed RCE-35911, and personally on site for every build.
Nampa gives homeowners something Boise rarely can: room. Larger lots, wider setbacks, and a mix of established neighborhoods and brand-new subdivisions make Nampa one of the best places in the Treasure Valley to build a truly custom pool — with space left over for the deck, the spa, and the outdoor kitchen.
But Nampa also has its own set of construction realities. Much of the city sits on clay-heavy soils that expand and contract with moisture. Irrigation laterals and ditch easements cross many properties, and they dictate where a pool can and can't go. And whether your permit runs through the City of Nampa or Canyon County depends on exactly where your lot sits.
That's where 45+ years of local experience earns its keep. Scott Pahl has been building gunite pools in the Treasure Valley since 1979, and Universal Pools has handled Nampa's soils, setbacks, and irrigation districts on project after project. We design the shell, the drainage, and the equipment around your specific lot — not a template.
Every Nampa project is run personally by Scott and Cary Pahl. No call centers, no project managers, no subcontracted supervision. The people who quote your pool are the people standing in your backyard when it's built. Start with a free quote, or explore our gunite construction and remodeling services.
A pool should not cost a lot of money or time to own once it's built.
— Scott Pahl, FounderNampa isn't one market — it's half a dozen. Lot sizes, soils, access, and permitting all shift as you move from the historic core out to the lake. Here's how we approach each part of the city.
Craftsman-era homes on tree-lined streets near downtown and Lakeview Park. Backyards here are established and access is often tight — we plan excavation routes that protect mature trees, fences, and original landscaping.
Acreage properties near the lake and the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. Big lots invite big designs — pools with spas, tanning ledges, and full outdoor living — but seasonal water tables and irrigation easements demand careful engineering, which we handle up front.
Established family subdivisions around Greenhurst Road and Skyview High School. Standard city lots with good access — ideal candidates for efficient builds and for remodels of pools installed decades ago.
Nampa's fastest-growing quarter, along Karcher Road and Midland Boulevard. New-construction subdivisions where we often coordinate directly with homebuilders and HOAs to get the pool in while the backyard is still a blank slate — the cheapest time to build one.
A mix of established homes and semi-rural lots along Sunnyridge Road and Southside Boulevard. Properties here frequently straddle city and county jurisdiction — we sort out which permit path applies before we quote.
Neighborhoods north of the interstate near Franklin Boulevard and the Ford Idaho Center. Convenient freeway access keeps our crews efficient here, and newer developments offer flat, open lots that make for straightforward builds.
One licensed contractor, start to finish — from the first sketch to the final inspection, and for every year your pool runs after that.
Most gunite projects start around $80,000 and climb with size, depth, finishes, and features. Nampa's larger lots often mean bigger pools and more deck than a comparable Boise project — request a free quote for a number specific to your yard.
Yes. Inground pools require a building permit through the City of Nampa — or through Canyon County if your property sits outside city limits. We determine which applies to your lot and handle the entire process as your licensed contractor.
Many Nampa lots carry irrigation easements, and structures generally can't be placed over them. We locate easements and laterals during design so your pool is positioned correctly the first time — not flagged at inspection.
They do. Clay-heavy ground holds water and moves with the seasons, which affects excavation, steel reinforcement, and drainage design. Concrete pools engineered for those conditions are exactly what we've specialized in since 1979.
Plan on 3 to 5 months from signed contract to swim-ready, depending on permit timing, weather windows, and the features you choose. We give you a realistic week-by-week schedule before breaking ground.
Tell us about your backyard — whether it's a quarter-acre in Greenhurst or five acres out by Lake Lowell. Free quotes, straight answers, and a response within one business day.