ORANGEVALE, CALIFORNIA – After six decades of residential pool construction across California, Century Pools has issued a definitive position on an ongoing industry debate: properly built custom inground pools should be classified as strategic home investments rather than luxury amenities. The family-owned company, founded by Brian O’Neal in 1964 and now led by CEO Patrick O’Neal, challenges the perception that pools represent frivolous expenses, instead framing them as long-term assets that deliver measurable returns in property value, family well-being, and quality of life.
“Our position is that a properly built residential pool is an investment, not just a luxury,” said Patrick O’Neal, who has served as CEO for 15 years. “That perspective comes from six decades of seeing how these spaces are actually used and how poorly built pools can become financial and lifestyle burdens. My father started Century Pools knowing that a pool should last for decades, serve the family’s daily routines, and enhance both enjoyment and property value.”
The company’s stance comes amid growing evidence that homeowners increasingly prioritize experience-based home improvements. According to recent industry data, homeowners’ top reasons for updating outdoor living spaces include improving aesthetics (51%), enhancing entertainment space (37%), and extending the living space of their home (33%). Nearly two-thirds of homeowners now prioritize outdoor living spaces when remodeling, reflecting a fundamental shift in how residential properties are valued and enjoyed.
The Hidden Construction Details That Determine Long-Term Value
Century Pools emphasizes that the difference between a pool that becomes a financial burden and one that serves as a long-term asset often lies in construction details invisible to homeowners. The company points to steel placement, shotcrete application and curing, and circulation planning as critical factors that most homeowners never see but that fundamentally determine a pool’s longevity and performance.
“I remember a family who called us a few years after their pool was built by another contractor,” O’Neal recalled. “On the surface, it looked beautiful, but they were already dealing with cracks in the shell, uneven steps, and circulation issues that made maintenance a constant headache. Their dream backyard had turned into a financial and emotional burden. In contrast, I’ve also visited a Century Pool we built 20 years ago that looks and functions just as well as the day it was finished – crystal-clear water, stable shell, and features still perfectly aligned.”
The company explains that with steel placement, proper spacing, correct tie-ins, and anticipating how California soil will move over decades are essential. Poor placement can lead to cracks and settling. With shotcrete, some contractors spray it quickly and move on, skipping the careful curing process that allows the concrete to gain full strength. This creates weak spots that show up years later. When pipes and jets are routed for convenience rather than efficiency, water flow suffers, leading to algae, chemical imbalances, and ongoing maintenance headaches.
Industry standards confirm these concerns. A well-built and well-maintained concrete pool should last anywhere from 50 to 75 years, but this depends heavily on invisible construction details. The pool floor should possess a minimum thickness of 9 inches, with walls at minimum 6 inches, and proper steel reinforcement using rebar spaced appropriately. Concrete requires adequate curing time to achieve its full strength potential, typically involving keeping the surface moist and waiting for at least 28 days.
California’s Unique Soil Challenges Demand Specialized Engineering
Century Pools has developed specialized construction methods specifically engineered for California’s unique soil and climate conditions. The state’s expansive clay soil, which swells and shrinks with moisture changes, presents significant challenges that differ markedly from conditions in Florida or Arizona.
“California soil is unique and unpredictable,” O’Neal explained. “We deal with expansive clay that swells and shrinks with moisture, shifting ground in both wet winters and dry summers, and even seismic activity in certain regions. That constant movement puts stress on the pool shell over time. Over six decades, we’ve learned that you can’t treat it like concrete in Florida or Arizona, where soils are more stable.”
The company’s steel placement, rebar overlap, shell thickness, and curing methods are all engineered to handle California’s soil behavior and temperature swings. This specialized approach reflects decades of local experience and acknowledges that expansive soils can undergo volume changes of up to 30 percent, making proper engineering essential for long-term structural integrity.
“Decades of local experience have taught us that respecting the ground beneath the pool is just as important as the water above it,” O’Neal said. “Ignoring these conditions or rushing the work leads to cracks, settling, and long-term maintenance issues.”
Shifting Homeowner Priorities: From Function to Aesthetics and Back Again
Century Pools has observed a significant evolution in why homeowners invest in pools over the past six decades. In the company’s early years under founder Brian O’Neal, pools were primarily valued for family recreation and daily use – kids learning to swim, backyard gatherings, and a reliable place to cool off during California summers.
“The biggest shift isn’t about the pool itself – it’s about lifestyle expectations,” Patrick O’Neal noted. “In my father’s era, a pool was primarily for family recreation and daily use. Today, homeowners are often influenced by aesthetics, social media, and trends. They’re thinking about how the pool looks for photos or parties rather than how it will function day-to-day for decades.”
To address this shift, Century Pools has refined its consultation process to redirect aesthetics-focused conversations toward functional design that serves families for 20 to 30 years. The company begins by asking detailed questions about daily routines, who will use the pool most, whether families entertain often, and even small habits like morning coffee by the water.
“We don’t start with finishes or trends – we start with how the family actually plans to use the pool,” O’Neal said. “Once we understand their real-life needs, we can translate their aesthetic goals into functional solutions, like adjusting step placement, creating multi-use shallow areas, or adding a Cabo shelf that becomes both seating and play space. By focusing on function first, the design ends up looking great too, but it’s built around decades of actual family use, not just a trending image online.”
Designing for Daily Rituals Creates Lasting Value
The company shared a specific example illustrating how understanding small daily habits can fundamentally change pool design. One family mentioned during consultation that they enjoyed quiet mornings outdoors before their children woke up, often having coffee by the water while watching the sunrise.
“That small habit completely changed how we designed their shallow lounging area,” O’Neal recalled. “We added a wide, gently sloping step and a built-in bench on the east side of the pool so they could sit comfortably with their feet in the water, enjoy the view, and still have room for kids to play safely later in the day. Ten years later, that little design choice is still one of their favorite parts of the backyard. It’s become a daily ritual, something they might not have realized they needed until we talked about it, and it doesn’t show up in any blueprint or standard pool package.”
This personalized approach reflects the company’s core value proposition. What sets Century Pools apart is meticulous construction combined with the understanding that backyard pools are treasured meeting places where memories are made, family events are held, and new beginnings are celebrated. The company carefully injects personalized experience into all customer pools, recognizing that each project represents an opportunity to demonstrate commitment to excellence and to earn client trust.
Redefining Return on Investment Beyond Financial Metrics
Century Pools defines return on investment in terms that extend far beyond traditional financial calculations. While acknowledging that pools can enhance resale value, the company emphasizes the quality of life pools create over decades as the true measure of value.
“For us, ROI isn’t just dollars and cents – it’s the quality of life the pool creates over decades,” O’Neal said. “Sure, a well-built pool can enhance resale value and appeal to appraisers, but the true return is in the everyday moments: kids learning to swim safely, families gathering for weekend barbecues, quiet mornings enjoying coffee by the water, and multi-generational memories that last a lifetime. A custom pool done right becomes a backdrop for experiences that can’t be measured on a spreadsheet.”
Recent surveys support this broader definition of value. Most homeowners gave inground pools a joy score of 10 – the highest possible score – in a recent survey on outdoor remodeling projects. This emotional return complements the financial benefits, as inground pools can increase home value by 5 to 10 percent depending on location and property type, with pools performing significantly better in warm-climate states like California.
The company emphasizes that this dual return – both emotional and financial – depends entirely on construction quality and thoughtful design. The difference between an expense and a long-term asset isn’t visible at first, but it compounds every year through reduced maintenance costs, sustained enjoyment, and preserved structural integrity.
Market Growth Reflects Changing Homeowner Priorities
The company’s position aligns with broader market trends showing increased demand for residential pool installations. The U.S. swimming pool market is projected to reach $2 billion in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 8.4 percent over the past five years. This growth has been driven by rising residential demand, with the industry now up nearly 31 percent from pre-pandemic levels.
More than half of design experts agree that people are prioritizing outdoor living and backyard upgrades in 2025 more than they have in the past, and a staggering 98 percent of experts agree that a usable, updated outdoor living space has a big impact on home value. This trend reflects the same shift Century Pools has observed: homeowners increasingly view their properties as integrated living environments where outdoor spaces serve essential lifestyle functions.
“We’ve watched the difference between short-term, flashy installations and carefully engineered pools that perform reliably for generations,” O’Neal said. “That experience taught us that when done right, a pool isn’t an indulgence – it’s a long-term asset for the family. That’s why we focus on long-term durability and thoughtful design, because the investment pays dividends in both enjoyment and peace of mind for decades.”
Multigenerational Legacy Shapes Company Philosophy
Century Pools’ position on pools as investments rather than luxuries stems directly from its multigenerational family ownership and the values established by founder Brian O’Neal. The hard-working founder, often found with a shovel in hand, built the company on principles of supporting family and taking pride in craftsmanship. Today, his three sons continue that legacy with help from second-generation family members.
The company’s mission – “Building Your Dreams Since 1964” – and vision – “Our custom pools offer a quality and affordable solution to escaping the California heat” – reflect this heritage-driven approach. From celebrity mansions to local neighborhood hangouts, each Century Pools project focuses on building client trust, providing exceptional craftsmanship, and remaining at the forefront of custom pool innovation.
“Being a multigenerational pool contractor isn’t just about longevity; it’s about building lasting relationships based on trust and shared dreams,” the company states in describing its culture and values. “Each project is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence and to earning your trust. We’re honored to continue our family legacy by creating spaces that families cherish for generations.”
This commitment to generational thinking shapes both the company’s construction standards and its business goals. Short-term objectives focus on building more swimming pools than the previous year, while long-term goals center on creating a sustainable business that will carry on over the years – mirroring the same longevity the company builds into every pool structure.
Looking Forward: Innovation Meets Traditional Craftsmanship
As Century Pools moves forward, the company remains committed to balancing innovation with the traditional craftsmanship values that have defined its work for six decades. This approach recognizes that while homeowner motivations and design trends evolve, the fundamentals of quality construction – durability, proper circulation, thoughtful placement of steps and seating, and multi-use areas – remain constant.
The company’s official stance on pools as investments rather than luxuries represents more than a marketing position. It reflects a fundamental philosophy developed through 60 years of witnessing how properly built pools serve families across generations, enhance property values in California’s unique climate and soil conditions, and create daily rituals and memories that define quality of life.
“The fundamentals haven’t changed, but the motivation for the investment has,” O’Neal concluded. “We make sure families understand that long-term enjoyment depends on building it right, not just making it look good. That’s the difference between a pool that becomes a burden and one that becomes a treasured part of family life for decades.”
About Century Pools
Century Pools is a family-owned residential pool construction company headquartered in Orangevale, California. Founded by Brian O’Neal in 1964, the company specializes in building custom gunite swimming pools for homeowners throughout California. Now led by CEO Patrick O’Neal and his brothers Michael and Casey, Century Pools continues a multigenerational legacy of meticulous construction, personalized design, and commitment to creating aquatic retreats that families cherish for generations. The company focuses exclusively on residential projects, serving clients from celebrity estates to neighborhood homes with the same dedication to quality craftsmanship and long-term value.
For more information about Century Pools and its approach to custom pool construction, visit the company’s website or contact their Orangevale headquarters.
