This year’s Builder Report provides a surprising picture of pool and spa construction across North America — not just at the jobsite, but in the office, in trucks and cabs, and in customer sales presentations.
Responses speak to the continued plateauing of the market after the great surge early in the decade, as backlogs of jobs continue to shrink toward more traditional norms. In the spring of 2022, 70% of builders had backlogs greater than six months. Today, that figure is 15%.
After that statistic tells its tale, much of the rest of the report is detail, but interesting detail. For instance, more than 50% of respondents are not compensated for design work.
AQUA readers tend to be proactive business people, and the survey respondents (a sample taken from that readership) reflects that in what they say they’ll do to improve their companies in 2026.
“Add a service department instead of just building pools.”
“Take on saunas.”
“We will be strategic where we have only been tactical in the past.”
That’s good advice for anyone. Read on for more helpful and inspirational insights in the 2026 State of the Industry Builder Report.
Business Outlook
In general, as we enter the summer of 2026, builders remain prosperous — as shown plainly in the graphs to follow. We continue to see growth in vinyl and fiberglass pools, as more and more builders add them to their lineup. Pool construction is dependent on local factors, and not every builder is experiencing the same market, but most feel this year will be a good one.
The Labor Landscape
Human hands build swimming pools — not machines, not AI — so finding skilled and eager employees is always top of mind for construction managers. It’s an endless process, but judging from this year’s survey results, company management is holding its own. At the same time, it has been a decade of rising wages, and as in previous years, companies are competing for valuable employees with pay.
Operations
The tools of efficiency and profitability are always being examined by top construction managers. What is the right mix of renovation and new construction? Which backyard living features will deliver the greatest ROI in the future? Should we charge for design work? These questions and more are explored below.
The Industry
Our final section takes a step back at pool construction from a broader perspective.
INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: LYON FINANCIAL
Understanding how financing influences buying decisions is critical to closing more projects. Lyon Financial helps contractors simplify the sales process, improve close rates, and move customers forward with confidence.
AQUA: WHO IS LYON FINANCIAL, AND WHAT ROLE DOES THE COMPANY PLAY IN THE POOL INDUSTRY?
Lyon Financial: For 47 years, Lyon Financial has helped builders sell more projects with financing built specifically for pool and outdoor living. With long terms and low, fixed rates, Lyon gives builders a clear advantage by turning large project costs into manageable monthly payments. More than 15,000 builders rely on Lyon, and over 800,000 customers have used Lyon to move forward with their projects.
AQUA: WHAT IS DRIVING LYON FINANCIAL’S GROWTH AND ADOPTION AMONG BUILDERS?
LF: Results. Builders are seeing what offering Lyon’s rates does for their sales. In Q1 2026, Lyon processed $1 billion in financing requests, with more than 250 new contractors joining each month. As full outdoor living spaces become the expectation, builders are aligning with partners who can support bigger projects with the best rates and longest terms.
AQUA: HOW DOES FINANCING CHANGE THE SALES CONVERSATION FOR BUILDERS?
LF: Lyon puts builders in control of the sale. When monthly payments are introduced early, the focus shifts from total price to what the customer can comfortably afford. That shift reduces hesitation and helps customers make decisions with more confidence. Builders are not just quoting projects. They are guiding customers toward a solution.
AQUA: HOW DOES FINANCING IMPACT PROJECT SIZE AND SCOPE?
LF: Lyon allows builders to sell the project the customer actually wants. When financing is part of the conversation upfront, customers stop cutting features and start building complete outdoor spaces. Pools become full backyard environments. Project size increases. Margins follow.
AQUA: WHAT MAKES LYON A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR BUILDERS?
LF: Lyon is not just a financing option. It is a way to win more deals. Builders gain a partner that supports the entire sales process with training, marketing, and strong lender relationships that help get deals approved. In a competitive market, that support makes a difference. Other financing sources charge customers or builders thousands of dollars upfront. That never happens at Lyon.
AQUA: WHEN SHOULD BUILDERS INTRODUCE FINANCING IN THE SALES PROCESS?
LF: Immediately. The builders winning today are not waiting until the end of the conversation. They lead with monthly payments from the start. When the conversation starts with affordability, it creates clarity and keeps momentum moving forward. Waiting until the end gives customers time to hesitate, shop, or reconsider scope. Leading early helps keep the project intact.
AQUA: WHY DOES THE FINANCING PARTNER A BUILDER CHOOSES MATTER SO MUCH?
LF: The financing partner a builder chooses directly impacts both the sales process and the customer experience. When rates are higher, terms are shorter, or fees are added, payments increase and friction shows up immediately. That is when projects get delayed, scaled back, or lost altogether.
Working with a partner who understands the pool and outdoor living industry makes a measurable difference. Lyon has spent decades focused specifically on this space, which allows us to support builders in a way that feels seamless while keeping projects on track.
We operate as an extension of the builder’s team, treating their customers with the same level of care and professionalism. That consistency builds trust, protects the builder’s reputation, and helps more projects move forward with confidence.
AQUA: WHAT ARE BUILDERS MISSING IF THEY ARE NOT OFFERING LYON?
LF: They are losing control of the sale. Without Lyon, customers are more likely to hesitate, scale back, or look elsewhere for financing. Builders who lead with Lyon close more jobs, protect project value, and move faster from quote to contract.
