Understanding the Pool and Spa Combo
A pool and spa combo is one of the most popular upgrades homeowners choose when designing a custom backyard — and for good reason.
What is a pool and spa combo?
A pool and spa combo is a single integrated water feature that includes both a swimming pool and a hot tub (spa) built as one cohesive system. They share plumbing, filtration, and often a single equipment pad. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Feature | Pool Only | Standalone Spa | Pool and Spa Combo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swimming space | Yes | No | Yes |
| Hydrotherapy jets | No | Yes | Yes |
| Year-round use | Seasonal | Yes | Yes |
| Shared equipment | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Property value boost | Moderate | Low | High |
Unlike a standalone hot tub or a traditional swimming pool on its own, a combo gives you the best of both — a full swim area and a warm, jetted relaxation zone — in a single, cohesive backyard feature. Whether you want to swim laps in the morning, soothe sore muscles after a workout, or create a social space for family and guests, a pool and spa combo delivers all of it in one smart investment.
LA-area homes with pools sell for roughly $95,000 more than comparable homes without one — and an integrated spa only adds to that appeal.
I’m Lucas Pimenta, General Manager at Neway Pools, and over my 20+ years designing and building custom gunite pool and spa combo projects across North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, I’ve helped hundreds of families transform their backyards into year-round outdoor living spaces they love. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know — from design types and costs to installation requirements and long-term value.
As premier outdoor swimming pool builders, we specialize in creating custom luxury swimming pools and luxury pool designs that elevate your outdoor living experience.
When we talk about a custom pool and spa combo, we are referring to an engineered backyard masterpiece. Instead of purchasing a separate portable hot tub and placing it on a concrete slab next to a traditional pool, a combo integrates both elements into a single, unified structure.
This seamless integration relies on shared plumbing and a single, centralized equipment pad. By utilizing one set of high-efficiency pumps, filters, and sanitizers, you maximize your backyard space while streamlining your mechanical systems. To explore the foundational design choices behind these setups, check out our Spa and Pool Combo Guide.
Defining the Pool and Spa Combo
At Neway Pools, we specialize in custom gunite (pneumatically applied concrete) construction. A gunite shell allows us to mold the pool and spa together as a single, monolithic structure.
In this unified system, water circulates between both vessels. During standard operation, water flows through the filtration and heating systems, keeping both the pool and spa clean and balanced. When you want to use the spa, a simple turn of an automated valve (often controlled via a smartphone app) isolates the spa’s water. The heater then quickly raises the temperature of just the spa’s water, allowing you to go from pool-temp to a soothing 102°F in minutes. To understand the structural integrity of this construction method, read our comprehensive Gunite Pools Guide Overview.
Single-Zone vs. Dual-Zone Systems
When designing your custom pool and spa combo, you can choose how the water temperature and circulation are managed between the two zones:
- Single-Zone Systems: In a standard integrated setup, the pool and spa share a primary filtration system. While the spa can be isolated and heated rapidly for a soak, during normal daily operation, the water circulates as a single system at a uniform temperature.
- Dual-Zone Systems: For ultimate control, a dual-zone configuration utilizes separate plumbing, heating, and filtration loops for the pool and the spa. This allows you to maintain completely independent temperatures year-round. You can keep the main pool at a refreshing 80°F for swimming laps, while simultaneously keeping the spa at a therapeutic 104°F for immediate recovery, without needing to wait for valves to turn or water to heat up.
This advanced dual-zone engineering ensures that you get distinct fitness and relaxation environments tailored perfectly to your lifestyle.
Key Benefits of a Pool and Spa Combo
Investing in a pool and spa combo is about much more than just home aesthetics — it is a commitment to your family’s health, wellness, and lifestyle.
- Physical Health and Hydrotherapy: Aquatic exercise is a low-impact activity that takes the pressure off your bones, joints, and muscles. This can significantly improve joint mobility and lessen physical pain if you suffer from osteoarthritis. The natural resistance of water provides a safe environment for muscle strengthening and cardiovascular conditioning.
- Mental Wellness and Recovery: Transitioning from a busy workday into a warm, bubbling spa triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin, helping to reduce stress, ease muscle tension, and promote deeper, more restorative sleep.
- Extended Seasonal Usability: In regions like Atlanta, Georgia, or Wilmington, North Carolina, traditional pool seasons typically run from May through September. However, an independently heated spa allows you to enjoy your backyard investment year-round — even in the middle of January.
- Social and Family Connection: The cozy, face-to-face seating arrangement of an integrated spa encourages conversation and connection, serving as a distraction-free zone away from phones and screens.
To learn more about why high-quality construction pays off over time, read our guide on why you should Invest in High Quality Pools.
Popular Layouts and Design Configurations
Because we build custom gunite pools, the layout and shape of your pool and spa combo are limited only by your imagination. We tailor every project to complement your home’s architecture and the natural contours of your land. Discover some of our most popular layout inspirations in our guide on Luxury Pool Designs.
Spillover Spas and Integrated Designs
A spillover spa is a classic design where the spa is elevated slightly above the pool’s water level. Water is pumped into the spa and gently cascades over a designated spillway (or “dam wall”) directly into the pool below. This creates a soothing waterfall sound and a stunning visual focal point.
For a modern, ultra-luxurious look, we often design rim-flow (or 360-degree overflow) spas. Also known as mirror spas, these structures are built so that water overflows the entire perimeter of the spa wall. The water slips down the tiled exterior into a hidden trough (typically 4 to 9 inches wide) concealed beneath the surrounding deck, creating the illusion that the spa is a floating, reflective block of glass. Utilizing dark glass tiles maximizes this mirror-like quality, reflecting the changing colors of the sky.
Inground vs. Above-Ground Pool and Spa Combo Options
When planning your layout, you can choose how the spa sits relative to your pool deck:
- Fully Inground (Flush): The spa rim sits perfectly level with the pool deck. This offers a clean, minimalist aesthetic and preserves unobstructed views of your backyard.
- Raised (Elevated): Raising the spa 6 to 18 inches above the deck provides several advantages. It makes the spa stand out as a design feature, creates a natural seating ledge around the outside, and allows for beautiful stone or tile finishes on the exposed exterior walls.
Essential Design and Installation Considerations
Building a custom gunite pool and spa requires meticulous engineering, careful site preparation, and strict adherence to local building codes.
- Soil and Site Conditions: In coastal Florida locations like Gulf Breeze, sandy soils and high water tables require specialized excavation and shoring techniques. Conversely, in Georgia locations like Cumming, tough clay and subterranean rock require heavy-duty excavation equipment.
- Permitting and Regulations: Every local municipality has strict guidelines regarding setbacks, safety barriers, and electrical hookups. For example, projects in Walton County must comply with the Walton County Board of Health Swimming Pools, Spas and Regulations, while Florida builds must align with the Pools and Spas guidelines enforced by the Florida Department of Health.
- Energy Efficiency: To keep operating costs low, we highly recommend variable-speed pumps. Unlike traditional single-speed pumps, variable-speed models can run at lower, highly efficient speeds for daily filtration, cutting energy consumption by 60% to 80%.
- Covers: Adding an automatic safety cover or a custom spa cover is one of the best ways to retain heat, reduce chemical evaporation, and keep debris out of your water.
To understand what to expect during the construction phase, read our detailed guide on Inground Pool Installation.
How much does a pool and spa combo cost?
A custom gunite pool and spa combo is a premium backyard investment. Most custom pool and spa builds range between $50,000 and $150,000-plus, depending on several key variables:
- Size and Depth: Larger pool shells require more concrete, steel reinforcement, and plaster.
- Interior Finishes: Standard plaster finishes typically last 7 to 10 years before needing a refresh. Upgrading to a premium NPT quartz or pebble finish offers a lifetime warranty and can easily last 20+ years.
- Equipment and Automation: Advanced heating systems (like gas heaters or electric heat pumps), salt chlorine generators, and smartphone-controlled automation systems add to the initial cost but save time and effort down the road.
To plan your budget effectively, check out our resources on the Cost to Build a Custom Pool and Pool Construction Costs Florida Georgia North Carolina.
Can a spa be added to an existing pool?
Yes! If you already have a concrete pool shell built in the 1990s, 2000s, or later, it is often highly feasible to add an integrated spa. During a remodeling project, we carefully evaluate your existing equipment pad, plumbing lines, and heater capacity. We then excavate a portion of the deck, tie new steel reinforcement into the existing pool shell, shoot new gunite, and replumb the system to create a seamless, cohesive combo.
What are the electrical and foundation requirements?
A custom gunite pool and spa combo requires a dedicated, engineered concrete pad for the equipment. This pad must be level and positioned to allow proper hydraulic flow.
On the electrical side, a standard pool and spa combo typically requires a 100-amp to 125-amp subpanel to power the variable-speed filtration pump, booster pumps for the spa jets, the heater, LED lighting, and any automation systems. This ensures that all components operate safely and efficiently, providing a seamless experience every time you step into the water.
Start Building Your Custom Backyard Oasis
At Neway Pools, we believe that your backyard should be a sanctuary — a place to escape the daily grind, focus on your physical wellness, and make lasting memories with the people who matter most.
We design and build custom gunite pools and complete outdoor living spaces across Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. We back our craftsmanship with a 3-year warranty on all hardscapes and plumbing, giving you total peace of mind that your investment is built to stand the test of time.
Whether you are looking to build a brand-new custom pool with a stunning rim-flow spa, or you want to transform your existing setup, our expert design team is here to bring your vision to life.
Ready to take the first step toward your dream backyard? Contact us today to request a custom design consultation and quote.
- Florida Residents: Explore our custom Florida Pool Remodeling and construction services.
- Georgia Residents: Learn how we build luxury retreats with our Georgia Pool Remodeling team.
- North Carolina Residents: Discover our coastal design solutions with our North Carolina Pool Remodeling specialists.
Let’s build something beautiful together. Contact Neway Pools today!