Expertise: Pools

With the 2025 summer season coming to an end, many homeowners may be wondering what steps they should be taking if they would like to be lounging poolside next year. Bryan Hull, co-owner of Del Val Pools & Spas says the time to act is now, as many companies are already deep into planning for the 2026 season.

"There's a great expression that can also apply to pool building and that is 'If you're not early, you're late," he says. "For those who want a pool for next summer, the best thing to do right now is to meet with one of our sales representatives, confirm a design and sign a contract."

By starting the process now, you are able to lock in a date as the calendar can fill up quickly. "Almost everyone will tell us they want their new pool to be completed by the end of May next year. Winter ends on March 22, so expectations must be met inside a fairly small window," Hull says. 

We spoke further to Hull about the process and what changes he is noticing taking place across the industry.  

How do you see 2026 differing from 2025?
The economy is uncertain. Tariffs going into 2026 are definitely a concern. It's a turbulent time, and costs are going up on everything from coffee to the pumps which run your pool. The third generation of the Hull family is active in the business, and our customers benefit from this experience. We've learned over the decades we can protect our customers from price gyrations by keeping several years inventory on hand and buying in bulk. This way we average our costs and our customers' costs. We have also strengthened our relationships with multiple finance companies going into 2026 to make this aspect of building a pool easier for our customers. We hope to see interest rates go down, but the most important thing is for our customers to have options, and we have strived to expand the financing options for next year. 

What changes do you see most in pool design? 
Our specialty is custom in-ground gunite pools. We take pride in creating a backyard oasis for our clients. Our pool designs are driven by the customer's vision, the shape and topography of the backyard, and how the pool is to be used. In terms of design changes, the pools are bigger. You never hear someone say they wish they had built a smaller pool. I feel we are seeing a return to traditional shapes—meaning more right angles and less curves, but that also depends on the architecture of the house. We want our pools to complement the style of the house and be the focal point of the yard. I've been doing this a long time, and my favorite part of the business is listening to a client's dream and then bringing it to life. Designs are driven by the client's goals, and the advancing technology in lighting and moving water really give new pools a "wow" factor.

Three generations is quite the accomplishment for a small business. What keeps you going? 
I'm proud to see the third generation taking on management roles. I have always been a competitive person and that transcends into our business ethics and culture. My brother and I want Del Val Pools & Spas to be the best at what we do. We overbuild and over-engineer our pools so they last. People know this, and we explain our constructions methods in detail. A few years ago, we invested in our own gunite trucks so we perform every aspect of the pool build ourselves. We do not use subcontractors and we are very proud of this. This allows us to control costs and complete pools on schedule and on budget. We also have three retail locations throughout southern New Jersey which allows us to serve a large area with quick and responsive service. Stop by one of the stores, look around, and ask questions. If you're lucky, you just might catch the fourth generation of Del Val in the store.

Email me at Bryan@Delvalpools.net or call our office at (856) 629-2999 to schedule an on-site visit.

Del Val Pools & Spas
Turnersville, N.J.
(856) 629-2999
DelValPoolsAndSpas.com

Published (and copyrighted) in House & Home, Volume 25, Issue 7 (September/October 2025)
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