Jim Chandler Pools Inc. is the Rocklin custom pool builder families have trusted since 1990. We are a locally owned, licensed in-ground gunite pool contractor serving Rocklin and the greater Sacramento region.
Featured Rocklin Project: Small Yard Hillside Pool
This Rocklin backyard was considered unbuildable—featuring a steep hillside, restricted 3-foot-9.5-inch side yard access, and nearly nine feet of total grade change. We engineered and built a complete custom gunite pool on this challenging site to maximize usable space. See the full step-by-step build: Rocklin Small Yard Pool — Full Case Study.
As your Rocklin pool builder, Jim Chandler Pools has built custom gunite pools throughout Rocklin’s established neighborhoods, including Whitney Ranch, Stanford Ranch, and Clover Valley. Each of these communities presents its own site conditions—from oak-studded lots to graded pads with drainage considerations. That local experience means fewer surprises during permitting and construction, and a smoother process from design through final inspection.
35+ Years of Hands-On Experience as a Custom Pool Builder
Jim Chandler is a second-generation pool builder with more than three decades of field experience designing and building structurally sound gunite pools. Jim personally oversees every project from initial design through excavation, steel, plumbing, gunite application, finish work, and final startup.
Rocklin properties frequently present expansive clay soils, lava cap formations, and varied grading conditions. These soil factors directly shape structural design decisions. We engineer each pool to address the specific conditions of your site. That means using the right steel reinforcement and proper subgrade preparation. We also sequence construction to protect long-term shell integrity.
Licensed, Recognized, and Verified
Jim Chandler Pools Inc. holds California Contractor License #585004. Homeowners can verify license #585004 on the CSLB website.
Jim previously served as a paid Swimming Pool (C-53) Subject Matter Expert panelist for the California Contractors State License Board (2012–2017), contributing to contractor licensing exam development with real-world, field-tested knowledge. That recognition reflects decades of practical experience and technical skill validated at the state level.
Every homeowner receives clear documentation and communication through planning, permitting, and construction — because a high-end pool build should feel organized and professionally managed from day one.
Custom Pool Designs Built for Family Living
We design every Rocklin pool around how a family actually lives and uses the space — not just how it looks in photographs. Curved stamped concrete decking, natural stone water features, and thoughtful layout planning create both beauty and function.
A well-built pool becomes part of family memory — designed for durability, safety, and enjoyment for years to come.
Craftsmanship in Materials and Construction
Jim Chandler Pools builds exclusively with in-ground gunite. Unlike prefabricated alternatives, gunite allows for structural flexibility, custom shaping, and long-term strength.
We install natural stone waterfalls, integrated landscaping, and carefully formed decking with attention to structural detail — not just surface appearance.
Rocklin Building Code Compliance
Code Compliance and Professional Process
We build every custom gunite pool in Rocklin with strict attention to California and City of Rocklin building regulations. Every project starts with accurate documentation, engineered plans, and proper municipal approval — long before excavation begins.
Before submitting plans, we review subdivision restrictions, easements, and any applicable CC&Rs. Rocklin Municipal Code sets required setbacks for pools and equipment, including minimum distances from property lines. We show equipment placement, drainage flow, retaining walls, slopes, and overhead utilities on every plot plan.
Terrain, Safety, and Inspection Requirements in Rocklin
The City’s Pool Plot Plan Checklist requires clear documentation of property lines, easements, drainage direction, grade changes, retaining walls, oak trees, and access routes. In Rocklin’s granite and variable soil conditions, grading and structural details must be accurately reflected in the plans prior to permit approval.
Safety compliance is a top priority. Under the California Swimming Pool Safety Act, Rocklin requires at least two approved drowning prevention features. These may include compliant fencing, self-closing and self-latching gates, and required door alarms. We include these protections in the approved plans before construction begins.
City departments review each submission carefully. If corrections are needed, we revise and resubmit promptly. Construction begins only after full approval and permit issuance. During the build, inspectors verify structural steel, bonding, plumbing, safety barriers, and final completion standards.
Building in Rocklin requires planning, engineering awareness, and respect for municipal standards. Our process ensures every pool is beautifully built, properly documented, structurally sound, and fully compliant from start to finish.
For reference, review the City of Rocklin pool and spa requirements.
What Rocklin Clients Say About Jim Chandler Pools
These reviews are from homeowners and contractors in Rocklin who have worked directly with Jim Chandler Pools on completed projects.
Tyler Kidd — City of Rocklin
5 out of 5 stars |
Read Tyler Kidd’s Google Review | March 2026
Worked with Jim to design a pool in our small tight backyard. Came out great. Very happy. Kids love it. And was able to create more space than expected. Jim was very communicative and returned calls and answered questions in a timely manner, which is very important to us.
Dynamic Designs Landscape — City of Rocklin
5 out of 5 stars |
Houzz Review | June 2017
Jim Chandler is a great pool builder. He listened to what I wanted and designed a pool that has brought my family endless joy. He has a great group of subcontractors that he has long relationships with and they are excellent. My pool is 20 years old and has never needed replastering. My neighbors that used other pool builders have all had to replaster their pools.
Jeff and Paula Sharkey — Rocklin, CA
Client letter — Rocklin family pool project
Thinking back several months ago when Paula and I started the process of selecting a pool builder we had many concerns and numerous choices. However, after meeting with you, we both sensed that you had a high degree of integrity and a sincere desire to build our family a beautiful pool. We could not have been more right about that.
It is rare to find an individual such as you that pays such close attention to detail. Your follow up and follow through are excellent. You were with us every step of the way.
Your computer imaging software during the design and layout process was very valuable. You made it possible for us to see what our pool was going to really look like in our backyard. It is amazing when I take the computer images you created and compare them to actual pictures of our pool. They are highly accurate — as if you magically took the computer image and turned it into the real thing. It allowed us to get exactly what we wanted. I can’t imagine how any other pool builder could accomplish this off of a one dimensional drawing.
Thank you for your time, dedication and effort in truly building our family the pool of our dreams.
See more client reviews: Jim Chandler Pools Reviews
Explore More of Our Work
Learn more about Jim Chandler’s approach to swimming pool construction in Sacramento, or explore additional custom pool projects in the Sacramento region. You can also contact a trusted Rocklin pool builder with 35+ years of local experience to discuss your project directly.
Building a custom gunite pool in Rocklin is a significant investment in your property’s value and your family’s lifestyle — requiring a level of craftsmanship and engineering that far exceeds standard installations. I specialize in designing high-end outdoor environments that prioritize structural integrity and architectural beauty, which naturally positions my projects within the premium segment of the local market. If you are looking for a bespoke backyard transformation where quality and personal oversight are never compromised for a lower price point, we are likely a perfect fit.
Schedule Your Rocklin Pool Consultation
Ready to work with an experienced Rocklin pool builder? Call (916) 624-5296 or request a consultation to discuss design, engineering, and permitting for your property.