Tipton Builders
Tipton Builders is a privately held, founder-owned swimming pool construction and service company in Knoxville, Tennessee, founded in 1978. It designs, builds, renovates, and services custom in-ground gunite and vinyl-lined pools for residential homeowners across East Tennessee.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersKnoxville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Tipton Builders does
Tipton Builders, Inc. (operating as Tipton Pools) is a privately held, founder-owned swimming pool construction and service contractor headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, in continuous operation since 1978. The company designs and builds custom in-ground gunite and vinyl-lined pools for residential homeowners across East Tennessee, including Knoxville, Maryville, Johnson City, Bristol, and Crossville, and complements construction with renovation, repair, seasonal opening/closing, and recurring weekly/monthly maintenance programs delivered through what it describes as the largest service department in the region. Its offering also extends to hot tubs and spas, decorative water features such as rock waterfalls and fountain jets, and integration of smartphone-based pool and backyard automation into new builds and remodels.
The business is structured around owner-operator Ben Tipton and a small core staff supported by APSP-certified service technicians and long-tenured craftsmen, with subcontracted construction labor typical of the regional pool trade. Revenue is generated through two main mechanics: one-time custom pool construction projects (gunite and vinyl-lined) and a recurring service stream covering maintenance contracts, repair work, equipment replacement, and seasonal openings/closings. Pricing is project-specific and quote-based, with cost driven by size, shape, materials (gunite vs. vinyl), finishes (tile, pebble tec, diamond brite), and accessories such as spas, waterfalls, sunshelves, and automation; the company explicitly avoids competing on price in favor of quality materials and craftsmanship.
Tipton reaches customers primarily through direct field sales initiated via phone and email, supported by content marketing on its website, blog, customer testimonials, a pool gallery, Facebook, and X, plus referrals from satisfied customers and partnerships with high-end custom home builders in the region. It holds Tennessee General Contractor's License #13953, an electrical registration, APSP builder certification, full liability and workers' compensation insurance, a Dunn & Bradstreet 2A1 rating, and recognition as one of AQUA Magazine's Top 100 pool builders nationally, with cumulative experience of over 1,000 completed custom pool projects since founding.
Tipton Builders firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tipton Builders
- Legal name
- Tipton Builder's, Inc.
- Website
- https://tiptonpools.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Tipton Builders is a privately held, founder-owned swimming pool construction and service company in Knoxville, Tennessee, founded in 1978. It designs, builds, renovates, and services custom in-ground gunite and vinyl-lined pools for residential homeowners across East Tennessee.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tipton Builders industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Swimming Pool Construction Services
- NAICS
- Residential Remodelers (236118)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers) (HSAIALAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Pool Opening & Seasonal Startup (HSAIALAD), Pool Closing & Winterization (HSAIALAE), Water Features (Ponds, Fountains & Waterfalls) (HSAPALAJ)
Keywords
Where Tipton Builders is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Knoxville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tipton Builders business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Custom Pool Construction: Design and construction of custom in-ground gunite and vinyl-lined swimming pools for residential homeowners. Pools are custom-built to each property with various materials, finishes, and features including spas, waterfalls, sunshelves, and automation.
- Pool Service and Maintenance: Weekly, monthly, and custom maintenance programs including vacuuming, brushing, chemical testing, filter maintenance, and cleaning. Routine cleanings and seasonal openings/closings provided.
- Pool Repair: Full service and repair of all pool elements including pool equipment repair, replacement, and upgrades. Service department handles both warranty and post-construction repairs.
- Pool Opening and Closing: Seasonal pool opening and closing services including cover removal/installation, equipment reconnection, water balancing, and winterization procedures.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Tipton Builders product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tipton Builders designs, constructs, and services in-ground swimming pools for residential homeowners in East Tennessee. The company builds custom gunite and vinyl-lined pools with options such as spas, waterfalls, sunshelves, tile/pebble/diamond brite finishes, and smartphone-based automation. Beyond new construction, Tipton provides pool renovation, ongoing weekly/monthly maintenance, equipment repair and replacement, and seasonal pool opening and closing services from its Knoxville headquarters.
Product overview
Tipton Builders is a swimming pool construction and service company offering a comprehensive portfolio of pool-related products and services. The core offerings include in-ground gunite and vinyl-lined pool construction, pool remodel and renovation, and full-service maintenance and repair. The company operates a large service department providing weekly, monthly, and custom maintenance programs, as well as seasonal pool opening and closing services. Additional offerings include hot tub and spa services with spill-over features, and decorative water features such as rock waterfalls and fountains. The company emphasizes quality materials, expert craftsmanship, and the latest technology integration for pool automation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Pool Construction Design and construction of custom in-ground swimming pools, including gunite (concrete) and vinyl-lined options, for residential homeowners in East Tennessee. Pools are tailored to each property with finishes such as tile, pebble tec, and diamond brite, plus features like spas, waterfalls, sunshelves, and smartphone automation.
- Pool Remodel and Renovation
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,000 satisfied pool construction customers built to date
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Tipton Builders
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Tipton Builders technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Tipton Builders partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- United Aqua GroupcoreTipton Builders joined the United Aqua Group in 1993, gaining access to industry resources, best practices, and collective expertise in the pool and spa industry.
- Better Business BureauminorBBB membership demonstrates commitment to ethical business practices and customer satisfaction standards.
- National Homebuilders AssociationminorNational membership providing access to industry resources, standards, and networking for homebuilders including pool contractors.
- Associated Builders and ContractorsminorTrade association membership supporting merit shop contractors in the construction industry.
- Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP)coreThe swimming pool industry's trade organization that has set industry standards for pool construction and certifies pool construction companies as being qualified and competent. Tipton Builders has obtained APSP certification for their service technicians.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Tipton Builders competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- United Aqua Group: Cooperative buying and benchmarking group for independent pool builders. Tipton has been a member since 1993; relevant as an industry association peer rather than a competitor.
- Pool Corporation (POOL): Largest U.S. distributor of pool supplies, equipment, and related products. Not a direct competitor, but a key upstream supplier and a useful public-market benchmark for pool industry economics relevant to Tipton's service business.
Regional players
- Presidential Pools & Spas: Arizona-based custom pool builder with construction, remodel, and service operations. Comparable custom gunite construction and service-side revenue model, but focused on a different U.S. region.
- California Pools & Landscape: Regional custom pool builder serving the Western U.S. Comparable custom gunite construction and renovation offering; relevant comp for Tipton's premium residential positioning but in a different geography.
- Concord Pools & Spas: New England-based custom pool builder with construction, service, and retail offerings. Comparable full-service pool contractor model but operating in a different regional market.
Direct peers
- Premier Pools & Spas: Large U.S. custom pool builder network with multiple regional offices. Comparable gunite/custom pool construction model, but materially larger scale and broader geographic reach than Tipton.
- River Pools and Spas: Regional custom in-ground pool builder with strong content marketing and fiberglass/vinyl/gunite offerings; comparable in scale and residential direct-sales motion to Tipton, though operating in the Mid-Atlantic rather than Tennessee.
- Parrot Bay Pools & Spas: Custom in-ground pool builder and service provider in the Mid-South region. Comparable product mix (gunite construction, renovation, service) and similar scale to Tipton.
Broad incumbents
- Blue Haven Pools & Spas: Long-established national pool builder with regional offices across the southern U.S. Comparable gunite pool construction and service offering, but operating at much greater scale and brand recognition than Tipton.
- Anthony & Sylvan Pools: One of the largest U.S. pool builders with operations across multiple states. Comparable gunite/vinyl-lined construction services, but with substantially larger geographic footprint and marketing budget than Tipton.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tipton Builders social profiles
Digital presenceTipton Builders compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Tipton Builders financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tipton Builders leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Tipton Builders funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tipton Builders M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tipton Builders
What does Tipton Builders do?
Tipton Builders designs, constructs, and services in-ground swimming pools for residential homeowners in East Tennessee. The company builds custom gunite and vinyl-lined pools with options such as spas, waterfalls, sunshelves, tile/pebble/diamond brite finishes, and smartphone-based automation. Beyond new construction, Tipton provides pool renovation, ongoing weekly/monthly maintenance, equipment repair and replacement, and seasonal pool opening and closing services from its Knoxville headquarters.
Is Tipton Builders a public or private company?
Tipton Builders is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tipton Builders founded?
Tipton Builders was founded in 1978. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Tipton Builders based?
Tipton Builders is headquartered in Knoxville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tipton Builders make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Pool Construction is the primary driver. The others are pool Service and Maintenance, pool Repair and pool Opening and Closing.
Who are Tipton Builders's main competitors?
Others on record are United Aqua Group and Pool Corporation (POOL). Regional players are Presidential Pools & Spas, California Pools & Landscape and Concord Pools & Spas. Direct peers are Premier Pools & Spas, River Pools and Spas and Parrot Bay Pools & Spas. Broad incumbents are Blue Haven Pools & Spas and Anthony & Sylvan Pools.
Does Tipton Builders have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tipton Builders.
What industry is Tipton Builders in?
Tipton Builders's product category is Swimming Pool Construction Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAIALAJ, Equipment Installation & Upgrades (Automation, Covers, Sanitizers), with a secondary code of HSAIALAD, Pool Opening & Seasonal Startup. Its NAICS code is 236118.