Rising Sun Pools

What Rising Sun Pools does

Rising Sun Pools is a privately-held, family-owned pool construction and service company founded in 1972 by Charlie Vassallo in Raleigh, North Carolina. The company serves the Triangle region of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill), and is currently operated by the founder's three children: Michael Vassallo, Gina da Roza, and Tara Vassallo-Soto. Rising Sun operates three physical showroom locations and has served over 7,000 families since inception, having been recognized as a Top 50 Pool Builder continuously since 2009, including 2025.

The company's core offerings span in-ground pool construction across vinyl liner, fiberglass, and concrete/gunite types; above-ground pools; hot tubs and spas (distributed under partnership with Coast Spas); ongoing residential and commercial pool maintenance services; outdoor living products; and pool renovations. Equipment is sourced through a partnership with Hayward as a primary vendor. Digital touchpoints include a web-based water testing application and online pool builder configuration tools — standard web applications rather than AI-driven systems. Product mix has been extended into adjacent wellness categories with a cold plunges line.

The business model combines project-based revenue from pool construction (typical per-project values ranging $60K–$200K depending on type and finish), recurring revenue from maintenance contracts (weekly, biweekly, or monthly service plans across the installed base), retail revenue from three showroom locations (chemicals, supplies, accessories, spas, and cold plunges), and project-based renovation revenue across both residential and commercial customers. The diversified revenue mix across new construction, recurring service, retail, and renovation provides multiple income streams tied to a single regional customer base.

Name

Rising Sun Pools

Legal name

Rising Sun Pools

Website

https://risingsunpools.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rising Sun Pools is a family-owned pool construction and service company founded in 1972 in Raleigh, NC. It builds vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete pools, sells hot tubs and cold plunges, and provides maintenance and renovation services to residential and commercial customers across the Triangle region of North Carolina via three showrooms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Pool Construction & Service

akta.pro primary industry

Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers) (HSAIALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pools, Spas & Hot Tubs Retail (Chemicals, Accessories) (CRAIAIAK), Pool Opening & Seasonal Startup (HSAIALAD), Pool Closing & Winterization (HSAIALAE)

Keywords

• Pool construction services
• Pool maintenance and repair
• Hot tub and spa retail
• Aboveground pool sales
• Outdoor living products

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pool Construction & Installation: Design and installation of in-ground pools (vinyl, fiberglass, concrete) and aboveground pools. Primary revenue driver with projects ranging from $5,000 to $200,000+. In-ground pools typically start at $60,000.
2. Hot Tub & Spa Sales: Sale of hot tubs, spas, swim spas, and cold plunges. Authorized Coast Spas retailer offering multiple collections including Classic, Freedom, Patio, and Freshe Cold Plunge products.
3. Pool & Spa Service & Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance programs (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly), pool cleaning, repairs, opening/closing services, and maintenance program subscriptions.
4. Pool Equipment & Supplies: Sale of pool equipment, maintenance items, chemicals, cleaners, balancers, sanitizers, treatments, toys, and accessories through online store and showrooms.
5. Outdoor Living Products: Sale of patio furniture, grills, outdoor kitchens, and backyard accessories. Products from vendors including Evergreen, Plow & Hearth, Telescope Casual, Ledge Lounger, Primo, Bull, and Blackstone.
6. Renovations & Upgrades: Pool renovation services including concrete resurfacing, re-tiling, coping replacement, decking, equipment upgrades, vinyl liner replacements, water features, and slides.
7. Commercial Pool Renovations: Commercial pool renovation services including inspections, repairs, concrete pool resurfacing, acid washing, and VGB drain services. Focus on off-season commercial pool improvements.
8. Residential Pool Inspections: Pool and spa inspection services for home buyers and sellers. Covers pool interior, lighting, tile, decking, pumps, filter, heater, salt systems, automation, and accessories.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rising Sun Pools designs, builds, and services residential swimming pools (in-ground vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete; aboveground) and sells hot tubs, swim spas, and cold plunges in the Raleigh, North Carolina Triangle area. The company operates three retail showrooms supported by an online store, and offers full lifecycle pool services including maintenance, repairs, opening/closing, renovations, water testing, and residential and commercial pool inspections.

Product overview

Rising Sun Pools is a pool construction and service company offering a diversified portfolio of products and services centered on residential and commercial swimming pools, hot tubs, and outdoor living spaces. The core offerings include three types of in-ground pools (vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete, ranging from $60,000-$200,000), above ground pools from AquaLeader (starting at $5,000), and Coast Spas hot tubs and cold plunges. The company provides extensive service offerings including maintenance programs, repairs, opening/closing services, vinyl liner replacements, renovations, and commercial pool services. Additional products include private-label pool chemicals, equipment (pumps, filters, heaters), outdoor furniture, and grills. A digital Water Testing App supports chemical treatment recommendations. The company operates as a full-service pool builder and retailer with three showroom locations in the Raleigh, NC area, serving customers since 1972.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• In-Ground Pools Custom in-ground swimming pools installed in residential properties, available in vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete materials. In-ground pools typically start at $60,000 and are supported by consultation, design, permitting, and installation services.
• Vinyl In-Ground Pools Vinyl-lined in-ground pools built with prefabricated metal/steel frames, concrete footings, and wall braces. Average cost $60,000-$80,000; 6-10 week installation timeline.
• Fiberglass Pools Low-maintenance fiberglass pools delivered in one piece and installed in-ground. Average cost $80,000-$100,000; 6-10 week installation timeline.
• Concrete Pools Fully customizable concrete pools built using shotcrete or gunite over rebar framework. Average cost $100,000-$200,000; 12-20 week installation timeline.
• Above Ground Pools Aboveground pools from AquaLeader featuring a synthetic resin injection process, available in Standard, Hybrid, and Resin models. Typically start around $5,000 with installation not included.
• Coast Spas Hot Tubs & Spas Authorized Coast Spas hot tubs and swim spas offering hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and year-round use. Includes Classic, Freedom, Patio Collections and Swim Spas.
• Coast Freshe Cold Plunges Premium cold plunge products for rapid recovery, reduced inflammation, and improved circulation, including Coast Freshe Cold Plunge, Contrast Therapy Plunge, and Freshe Barrel models.
• Pool & Hot Tub Services Comprehensive maintenance and repair services including weekly/bi-weekly/monthly cleaning, pool and hot tub repair, opening and closing services, vinyl liner replacement, renovations and upgrades, commercial pool renovations, residential inspections, water testing, and electrical safety inspections.
• Pool Products & Equipment Pool and spa chemicals (balancers, treatments, sanitizers, cleaners) under the Rising Sun Pools private label, plus pool equipment (pumps, filters, heaters, automatic cleaners, salt systems) from Hayward and other brands.
• Commercial Pool Renovations Commercial pool renovation services including inspections, repairs, concrete pool resurfacing, acid washing, and VGB drain services for hotels, resorts, and public facilities, focused on off-season improvements.
• Residential Pool Inspections Pool and spa inspection services for home buyers and sellers, covering pool interior, lighting, tile, decking, pumps, filter, heater, salt systems, automation, and accessories.
• Pool & Spa Financing Financing options for in-ground pools, above ground pools, hot tubs and spas, and renovation projects, subject to credit approval.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50+ years of pool building experience
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Coast SpascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Coast Spas Retailer & Service Center. Rising Sun Pools offers Coast Spas hot tubs, swim spas, and Freshe Cold Plunge products. 2025 collections include Classic, Freedom, Patio, and Freshe Cold Plunge. Provides comprehensive service and support for Coast Spas products.
• AquaLeadercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of aboveground pools. AquaLeader pools use revolutionary synthetic resin injection process for outstanding design, strength, and durability. Non-buriable models available in various designs and sizes.
• HaywardcoreTechnology or IntegrationTotally Hayward partner providing pool pumps, filtration systems, pool heaters, automation products, and pool cleaners. Offers bumper-to-bumper extended 3-year warranties on Hayward equipment. Energy-saving calculators available. Duke Energy $300 rebate eligible pumps available.
• Latham PoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of fiberglass pools and vinyl liners. Offers custom fiberglass swimming pools in multiple shapes. Provides extensive vinyl liner patterns and finishes through their product catalog.
• Grand EffectsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of fire and water features for pools. Adds personality to pools with fire bowls, torches, and decorative elements. Helps extend swimming season with warmth on cooler nights.
• Duke EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUtility partner offering $300 rebate for Duke Energy customers who upgrade to ENERGY STAR certified variable-speed pool pumps. Helps customers save up to $450 in annual energy costs.
• Leisure ConceptsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of spa accessories including steps, handrails, cover lifts, safety railings, and filtration systems for hot tubs and spas.
• Sundance SpasminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliated brand partner for hot tubs and spas. Partnered as a reputable dealer with quality products and fair warranties.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• California Pools & Landscape: Large regional pool and landscape builder concentrated in the western US, offering custom in-ground pools and outdoor living design-build. Similar full-service design/build model to Rising Sun, but with a different geographic footprint.
• Claffey Pools: Texas-based custom pool builder and service provider offering design, construction, renovation, and maintenance. Comparable in service breadth and reliance on local reputation, but serves the Dallas-Fort Worth market rather than the Triangle.

Others

• Coast Spas: Manufacturer of hot tubs, swim spas, and cold plunges, with Rising Sun as an authorized retailer and service center. Comparable as a key supplier-partner for the spa and cold plunge portion of Rising Sun's portfolio.
• Hayward Holdings: Major pool equipment manufacturer (pumps, filters, heaters, automation) and a Totally Hayward partner of Rising Sun. Comparable as an ecosystem participant supplying the equipment core to Rising Sun's installations and recurring service work.
• Latham Pool Products: Largest North American manufacturer of vinyl liners and fiberglass pool shells, and a current supplier to Rising Sun. Comparable as a key partner in the vinyl liner and fiberglass pool value chain, though positioned upstream as a manufacturer rather than a direct competitor.
• Pentair: Global pool and water solutions manufacturer offering pumps, filters, heaters, automation, and sanitization equipment used across the industry. Comparable as a supplier and category-defining incumbent whose products Rising Sun installs, services, and rebates through.

Emerging players

• River Pools: Direct-to-consumer focused fiberglass pool installer with strong content marketing and a regional multi-state footprint. Comparable in offering fiberglass in-ground pools plus online design tools, but with a different material mix and broader geographic reach.

Broad incumbents

• Anthony & Sylvan Pools: Long-established, multi-region US pool builder offering in-ground pool design, construction, renovation, and service. Comparable to Rising Sun as a full-service residential pool builder, but operating across multiple states rather than a single local market.
• Premier Pools & Spas: One of the largest pool builders in the US, operating a multi-region network of local franchises with full-service construction, renovation, and service offerings. Directly comparable in business model (design + build + service + retail) to Rising Sun, but at materially greater geographic scale.
• Blue Haven Pools & Spas: National pool and spa builder with a long operating history, offering in-ground pools, spas, and outdoor living products. Closely comparable to Rising Sun's mix of pool construction, spa retail, and outdoor living, though at broader geographic scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/risingsunpools/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/risingsunpools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rising Sun Pools