The Property Masters designs and builds concrete swimming pools across Dubai and the UAE. Concrete — sprayed as gunite (dry-mix) or shotcrete (wet-mix) over a steel-reinforced cage — is the most durable and fully bespoke way to build a pool: any shape, any depth, infinity edges, raised spas and integrated steps are all possible because the shell is formed on site rather than moulded in a factory. The trade-off is a longer build with a 28-day cure. Every pool is engineered and submitted for the correct community, Dubai Municipality, Trakhees and DEWA approvals, priced by a fixed quote after a free site visit.
Why concrete is the most versatile pool you can build
A concrete pool is built, not delivered.
- Monolithic shell reinforced steel cage tied on site; dense sprayed concrete applied over it — single continuous structure with no joints to fail
- No design limit freeform curves, sharp geometric lines, infinity edges, sun shelves, raised spas, beach entries, grottos and varied depths all achievable
- Longevity properly built and maintained, a reinforced concrete pool routinely lasts 50 years or more
Gunite vs shotcrete — the honest difference
Both are sprayed concrete — the difference is where water is added.
- Shotcrete wet mix — concrete batched with water, then pumped and sprayed under pressure; consistent, factory-batched strength
- Gunite dry mix — dry material conveyed through a hose; water added at the nozzle by the operator; more operator control on complex, vertical and detailed shapes
- Both produce a strong monolithic shell when applied by a skilled crew; we specify the method to suit the design
Build sequence — and why it takes longer
- Excavation
- Steel reinforcement cage
- Sprayed concrete shell
- 28-day curing — non-negotiable
- Waterproofing
- Tiling, plaster or aggregate finish
- Plumbing, plant and commissioning
Allow roughly 10–16 weeks for a typical residential build. A fibreglass pool drops in within weeks — but it cannot match concrete for bespoke shape, depth or longevity.
Finishes
- Mosaic or porcelain tiling most premium and hardest-wearing
- Polished plaster classic look
- Quartz/pebble aggregate more economical
- Rendered and painted budget option
Before any finish goes on, the shell must be correctly waterproofed — the finish is decorative, not the watertight layer.
Built for Dubai conditions
- Geotechnical/soil assessment where soil conditions demand it
- Structure designed for ground movement, water-table pressure and extreme heat
- Engineered for the specific plot — a concrete pool is designed, not bought off a shelf
Approvals — not optional
- Community/developer NOC
- Dubai Municipality or Trakhees/DDA approval
- DEWA NOC for electrical and plumbing connections
- Civil Defence sign-off where required
- Typically several weeks — we handle engineered drawings and submissions as part of the project
See our Dubai fit-out approvals guide.
Why The Property Masters
Book a free site visit. We will assess your plot, advise on shape, depth and finish, and return a fixed quote. Call +971 50 928 5264.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gunite and shotcrete pools?
Both are sprayed concrete over a steel cage. Shotcrete is a wet mix — concrete batched with water before it is pumped and sprayed — giving consistent factory-batched strength. Gunite is a dry mix with water added at the nozzle, giving the operator more control on complex and vertical shapes. Both produce a strong monolithic shell when applied by a skilled crew.
How long does it take to build a concrete pool in Dubai?
Allow roughly 10 to 16 weeks for a typical residential concrete pool. The sequence runs through excavation, steel reinforcement, the sprayed concrete shell, a 28-day curing period, then waterproofing, tiling or plaster finishing, plumbing and commissioning. Authority approvals run alongside and can add several weeks before construction begins.
Do I need approvals to build a swimming pool in Dubai?
Yes. Depending on your location you typically need a community or developer NOC, approval from Dubai Municipality or Trakhees/DDA, a DEWA NOC for electrical and plumbing connections, and Civil Defence sign-off where applicable. We prepare the engineered drawings and handle the submissions as part of the project.
Is a concrete pool more durable than fibreglass?
For longevity and bespoke design, yes. A properly built and maintained reinforced concrete pool routinely lasts 50 years or more and can be any shape or depth. Fibreglass installs far faster and is very low-maintenance, but it is limited to factory-moulded shapes and transportable sizes. We are happy to advise which suits your plot and priorities.
How much does a concrete pool cost in Dubai?
Indicative market ranges for concrete pools in Dubai run from roughly AED 100,000 for a straightforward build to AED 250,000–500,000-plus for large, bespoke or infinity designs, driven by size, depth, finish and features. These figures are indicative only — we provide a fixed, itemised quote after a free site visit, with 5% VAT shown separately.