01
Consultation
We start by discussing your backyard, lifestyle, and spa goals — whether you want a standalone retreat, a spa attached to an existing pool, or a new pool and spa designed together from the ground up.
Big O Pools — South Florida
Spa Buildersin Miami, FL
Custom Spas Designed for the Way You Live
Create a relaxing backyard retreat with a custom spa designed around your home, pool, and outdoor lifestyle. Big O Pools builds and integrates custom spa experiences for Miami homeowners.
786-703-5125What We Build
Custom Spa Builders
in Miami
A custom spa built into your backyard is a very different experience from a portable hot tub placed on a deck. Site-built spas can be designed in virtually any shape, integrated seamlessly with a pool, and finished with the same premium materials used throughout the rest of the outdoor environment.
Built for Your Backyard
More Than a Hot Tub — A Permanent Feature
As spa builders in Miami, we work with homeowners who want something that belongs in their backyard — a built-in spa that looks like it was always meant to be there. Custom spa design begins with the property and the homeowner's goals. How will the spa be used? Who will be using it? Will it connect to an existing pool, or is it the primary water feature in the outdoor space? These questions shape every decision that follows.
A built-in spa can include custom seating configurations, multiple seating zones, entry steps positioned exactly where they make sense for the layout, water features like spillovers and bubblers, LED lighting integrated into the shell and surrounding coping, and automation systems that let you control temperature and features from your phone.
Spillover & pool integration
LED lighting design
Heated & automated
Premium tile & finishes
Design & Integration
Designed to Work
With the Whole Backyard
A custom spa should not look like an afterthought. When designing a new pool and spa combination, we plan both elements together so they share a cohesive design language — matching tile, continuous coping, coordinated lighting, and connected equipment systems. The result is a unified backyard environment.
For homeowners looking to add a spa to an existing pool, we evaluate the current layout, available deck space, and plumbing to determine the best approach. An attached or spillover spa can often be integrated into an existing pool setup, providing the benefits of a custom spa while minimizing disruption to the rest of the yard.
Custom Spa Options
Finding the Right Spa Design
From integrated pool and spa combinations to standalone luxury retreats, we build spas designed around how you want to relax.
Built-In Spas
A built-in spa is a permanent, site-built feature constructed from the same materials as the pool — gunite, tile, coping, and custom finishes — designed to become part of the backyard rather than sitting in it. Built-in spas can be shaped, sized, and positioned to complement the architecture of the home and the overall outdoor design. Because they're built from scratch, every detail is customizable.
Attached Pool Spas
An attached spa is physically connected to the pool and shares its plumbing, equipment, and design language. This configuration is the most common approach for pool and spa combinations — the spa feels like a natural extension of the pool rather than a separate feature. Shared tile, coping, and water movement between the two create a cohesive environment that reads as one unified design.
Spillover Spas
A spillover spa is positioned above the pool level, allowing warm water to flow continuously from the spa into the pool below. This creates a visual waterfall effect and a pleasant sound element that enhances the entire outdoor environment. Raised spillover spas are often placed at the end of the pool or elevated on a deck, making them a visual focal point of the backyard.
Standalone Custom Spas
Not every spa needs to be part of a pool project. A standalone custom spa can be designed as an independent backyard feature — positioned on a patio, deck, or dedicated pad, surrounded by landscaping, and integrated with lighting and outdoor living elements. A standalone spa is ideal when the primary interest is relaxation rather than swimming, or when the backyard doesn't have room for a full pool.
Luxury Raised Spas
Raised or elevated spa designs place the spa at deck level or above the pool surface to create a dramatic visual effect. When positioned with a view of the surrounding outdoor space, an elevated spa becomes a destination in itself — a place designed for both relaxation and visual impact. Raised spas can incorporate water features that flow down into the pool, integrating form and function in one architectural statement.
Custom Pool & Spa Combinations
When designed together from the start, a pool and spa combination creates a more cohesive result than building them separately. The two features can share equipment, finishes, and lighting — designed to work together visually and functionally as one complete outdoor environment. A pool and spa combination is particularly well-suited to Miami's outdoor lifestyle, where the backyard is used for both entertaining and unwinding year-round.
Customize Your Spa
Design Your Spa
Around the Way You Relax.
Custom spas can combine seating, water features, lighting, finishes, and technology into a private retreat that fits how you want to unwind and entertain.
Built-in benches
Lounge seating
Multiple seating zones
Custom contours & depth
Spillovers into pool
Waterfalls
Bubblers
Scuppers
Hydrotherapy jets
LED spa lighting
Color-changing lights
Step lighting
Accent & landscape lighting
Premium mosaic tile
Natural stone coping
Pebble interior surfaces
Custom waterline tile
Smart automation controls
Automated temperature
Lighting control systems
Pool & spa integration
Dedicated spa heating
Custom water depth
Entry steps & handrails
Seating ergonomics
* Feature availability depends on the project scope, existing conditions, and design. Options are discussed and selected during the planning process.
Together by Design
Pool & Spa Builders in Miami
When a pool and spa are designed together from the start, the result is fundamentally different from adding a spa to an existing pool. Pool and spa builders in Miami who approach both features as a single project can coordinate the design language, materials, equipment, and layout so that the finished environment feels intentional rather than assembled.
Shared tile and coping materials create visual continuity between the pool and spa. Coordinated LED lighting — both in the water and around the deck — ties the two features together after dark. Spillover designs add water movement that connects the spa to the pool surface below, creating both sound and visual interest that a static pool alone can't provide.
Raised spa configurations are especially effective in pool and spa combinations. A spa elevated above the pool deck becomes a visual focal point of the backyard — something to look at as well as use. Water flowing from the raised spa into the pool creates a naturalistic effect that works equally well in contemporary and tropical design schemes.
Outdoor entertaining is another benefit of a well-designed pool and spa combination. A spa positioned near the pool gives guests a dedicated relaxation option while others swim — and when the evening cools down, everyone tends to gravitate toward the spa. The design can include steps, seating ledges, and lighting that make the transition between pool and spa feel natural and easy.
Designed Together
Pool & spa as one unified environment
Feature Highlights
Popular Custom Spa Features
Spillover Waterfalls
Water cascading from the spa into the pool — visual impact and natural sound.
Spillover Waterfalls
LED Spa Lighting
Color-changing LED lights that transform the spa environment after dark.
LED Spa Lighting
Built-In Seating
Custom seating zones contoured to the spa design for comfort and usability.
Built-In Seating
Custom Tile
Premium mosaic glass, stone, and ceramic tile for a polished, durable finish.
Custom Tile
Raised Spa Designs
Elevated spa configurations that create visual drama and a natural spillover effect.
Raised Spa Designs
Pool & Spa Integration
Shared materials and coordinated design connecting the pool and spa as one environment.
Pool & Spa Integration
The Experience
Turn Your Backyard Into a Private Retreat
The appeal of a custom spa goes beyond construction. What homeowners are really describing when they talk about wanting a spa is a place — a defined space in the backyard where unwinding after a long day feels deliberate rather than incidental. A well-designed spa creates that feeling because everything about it — the water temperature, the seating, the lighting, the surrounding environment — has been considered.
In the evening, when the LED lights come on and the water is lit from within, a custom spa transforms the entire backyard. The ambient light reflects off the water and onto the surrounding landscape, the sound of a spillover waterfall fills the space, and the patio or deck beyond becomes part of the overall environment. This is the version of outdoor living that South Florida's climate makes possible year-round.
For homeowners who entertain, a spa is a natural gathering point. Guests who want to swim have the pool. Guests who want to relax and talk have the spa. When the two are designed together with the right connection — steps, a conversation ledge, shared lighting — the entire backyard becomes one flowing social environment rather than a collection of separate features.
Landscaping plays a significant role in how a spa is experienced. When the spa is surrounded by appropriate plantings — palms, tropical groundcover, ornamental grasses — it feels embedded in the backyard rather than placed on top of it. The right combination of plant material and hardscape creates a sense of enclosure and privacy that makes the spa feel like a destination even within a larger outdoor space.
Fire features — a nearby fire pit, a fire bowl at the edge of the deck, or integrated fire elements in the surrounding landscape — add warmth and light that complement the spa environment. When fire and water are designed together as part of the same outdoor concept, the backyard takes on a quality that's difficult to achieve with either element alone.
Outdoor kitchens, covered patios, and poolside seating areas that connect to the spa space extend how the backyard gets used. A spa positioned near an outdoor kitchen creates a natural flow from cooking and dining to relaxing in the water — an outdoor experience that's possible in Miami for most of the year.
The Bigger Picture
Design Your Spa as Part of Your Outdoor Living Space
A custom spa is most effective when it's treated as one element of a complete outdoor environment rather than an isolated feature. The following elements can be integrated with spa construction as part of a cohesive backyard design.
Pool Decks
Travertine, pavers, and natural stone decking that transitions from the pool to the spa and surrounding outdoor areas.
Patios & Outdoor Seating
Covered patios and outdoor seating areas positioned to connect with the spa and pool environment.
Outdoor Kitchens
Outdoor kitchen areas that create a natural flow from cooking and dining to relaxing in the spa.
Fire Features
Fire pits, fire bowls, and fire elements that complement the water and light of the spa at night.
Landscaping
Tropical plantings, palms, and groundcover that frame the spa and create a sense of privacy and enclosure.
Landscape Lighting
Integrated lighting design that extends from the spa into the surrounding outdoor environment for a cohesive nighttime effect.
Pergolas & Shade
Overhead structure options that provide shade around the spa and outdoor living area.
Water Features
Deck jets, waterfalls, and other water elements that connect the spa to the broader outdoor landscape.
Entertainment Areas
Outdoor audio, lighting, and entertainment elements that make the poolside and spa area an extension of the home.
How We Work
The Construction Process
Clear communication and expert execution guide every custom spa from concept to completion.
02
Property Review
We evaluate the available space, existing pool configuration if applicable, site conditions, and how the spa will relate to the surrounding outdoor environment. A thorough review prevents surprises during construction.
03
Spa Design
Using the information gathered, we develop the spa layout, shape, seating configuration, water features, lighting, and how it connects to the pool and outdoor living space. This is where the concept takes visual form.
04
Materials & Features
With the design direction established, we finalize tile selections, coping material, lighting type, water features, equipment, and all finish details. Every selection is confirmed before construction begins.
05
Construction
Our team builds the spa through each phase — structural shell, plumbing, electrical, equipment installation, tile, coping, and finishes. We keep communication clear throughout the process.
06
Final Walkthrough
When construction is complete, we walk through the finished spa together — reviewing every feature, system, and finish. We make sure you understand how everything works before the project is considered complete.
The Big O Difference
Why Big O Pools
Custom Design
Every spa we build starts with your property, your goals, and the outdoor environment you want to create. The design process is focused on what fits your home and lifestyle — not a template.
Pool & Spa Integration
We design and build pool and spa combinations that work together visually and functionally — shared finishes, coordinated lighting, and connected water features that create a unified backyard environment.
Premium Finishes
Tile, coping, interior surfaces, and surrounding materials are selected to create a cohesive look across the entire spa and pool environment. Every finish decision is made with the complete design in mind.
Modern Features
LED lighting, water features, smart automation, and adjustable heating can all be incorporated into the spa design where they add genuine value to how the space is used and enjoyed.
Miami Outdoor Living
We design with South Florida's climate and outdoor lifestyle in mind. The materials, features, and layouts we recommend are selected for how pools and spas actually perform and get used here.
Complete Backyard Vision
The spa is one element of a broader outdoor environment. We can coordinate spa construction with surrounding decking, landscaping, lighting, and outdoor living elements into a cohesive finished result.
Local Experience
Spa Builders for Miami & South Florida Homes
Miami's outdoor lifestyle is built around the backyard in a way that most of the country can't replicate. The combination of a warm climate, a culture of outdoor entertaining, and the architecture of South Florida homes creates a genuine demand for well-designed outdoor water features — and the spa builders Miami homeowners choose need to understand that environment well enough to design within it effectively.
South Florida's tropical climate means that a custom spa can be used most of the year. Even in the warmest months, a spa set to a comfortable temperature offers a different experience than the pool — a defined place for relaxation as opposed to swimming. In the cooler winter months, a heated spa becomes one of the most-used features in the backyard, extending the time homeowners spend outside into the evening hours.
Backyard design in Miami often centers on entertaining. Custom spa builders in Miami who understand this design context know that the spa's position, connection to the pool, and relationship to the outdoor kitchen, patio, and seating areas all affect how the space actually gets used. A spa tucked in a corner that feels disconnected from the rest of the backyard gets used less than one that's positioned as a natural gathering point.
The tropical environment also has specific implications for materials. Pool decking around the spa needs to handle intense sun and stay comfortable underfoot. Travertine and light-colored pavers are common choices in South Florida partly because they remain cooler in direct sunlight than darker materials. Landscaping around the spa benefits from plants suited to the combination of heat, humidity, and pool chemical exposure that's typical of South Florida backyards.
Evening outdoor living is one of Miami's most distinctive lifestyle patterns. As the day cools into the evening, the backyard becomes increasingly usable — and the spa becomes central to that transition. LED lighting in and around the spa, combined with landscape lighting and fire features, creates an atmosphere that makes the outdoor space feel like an intentional room rather than an afterthought.
Pool and spa combinations are particularly well-suited to South Florida's year-round outdoor culture. When the pool and spa are designed together by spa builders in Miami who understand the local aesthetic, the result can be a backyard that functions as a complete outdoor living environment — one that works for casual evenings at home and for hosting guests with equal effectiveness.
Weather considerations matter in Miami spa design as well. South Florida experiences significant summer rainfall, and the drainage design around the spa and deck needs to accommodate heavy, concentrated downpours. Equipment placement, including the spa heater and control panel, should be positioned with the local weather in mind. These are practical details that custom spa builders in Miami familiar with the local environment factor into every project.
Homeowners in Coral Gables, Pinecrest, Kendall, Doral, and throughout Miami-Dade are increasingly looking to maximize their outdoor spaces as extensions of the home. A well-designed custom spa is one of the most effective ways to improve how a backyard is used and how it's valued — both as a living environment and as a property investment.
Understanding Your Options
Should You Build a Spa
or a Pool & Spa Combination?
The right choice depends on your property, how you want to use the space, and what you hope the backyard will become. Here's how to think through both options.
Custom Spa
A standalone custom spa is often the right choice when relaxation and backyard ambiance are the primary goals — or when the available space doesn't accommodate a full pool.
Ideal for:
- Relaxation-focused design
- Compact backyard footprints
- Spa-first outdoor lifestyle
- Dedicated seating & jets
- Heated year-round use
- Lower overall investment
Pool & Spa Combination
A pool and spa combination makes sense when the homeowner wants both swimming and relaxation in a unified backyard environment — designed together from the start.
Ideal for:
- Swimming & relaxation
- Outdoor entertaining
- Complete backyard environments
- Water features & spillovers
- Connected outdoor living
- Maximum backyard investment
Want to add a pool too? Explore our Pool Construction services →
Not sure which direction is right for your backyard?
We can walk through both options during a consultation.
Our Work
Custom Spa Projects
Attached Spa
Pool & Spa Combination
Miami, FL
Pool and spa designed together with shared tile, coping, and coordinated LED lighting.
Pool & Spa Combination
Miami, FL
Spillover Spa
Raised Spillover Spa
Coral Gables, FL
Elevated spa with a continuous spillover into the pool — a visual focal point of the backyard.
Raised Spillover Spa
Coral Gables, FL
Standalone Custom Spa
Custom Standalone Spa
Kendall, FL
Freestanding built-in spa positioned on a travertine deck with landscape integration.
Custom Standalone Spa
Kendall, FL
LED Spa Lighting
Luxury Spa & LED Lighting
Doral, FL
Color-changing LED lighting throughout the spa and surrounding landscape.
Luxury Spa & LED Lighting
Doral, FL
Premium Finishes
Custom Tile Spa
Pinecrest, FL
Glass mosaic tile throughout the spa interior and custom travertine coping.
Custom Tile Spa
Pinecrest, FL
Spa Addition
Pool Spa Renovation
South Miami, FL
Spa added to an existing pool during a comprehensive pool renovation project.
Pool Spa Renovation
South Miami, FL
We Serve
Spa Builders Serving Miami-Dade County
Big O Pools serves homeowners throughout Miami-Dade and surrounding South Florida communities with custom spas designed for lasting comfort and outdoor living.
100%
Homeowner Focused
15+
Years of Experience
Premium
Quality Guaranteed
Local Team
You Can Trust
Plan your project
Compare custom spa designs for your Miami backyard
When comparing spa builders in Miami, consider how the spa will be used and how it fits with the pool and patio. Seating, entry, heating and the distance from the house matter alongside the finished appearance.
Pool and spa combinations
Plan an integrated spa with a new pool so seating, circulation, equipment and controls can be considered together from the design stage.
Spillover spa designs
A raised spa can add a spillover water feature. Discuss elevations, finishes and circulation requirements rather than choosing a design by appearance alone.
Standalone or retrofit projects
For a separate spa or an addition to an existing pool, review available space and the existing systems before deciding whether integration is practical.
What affects your project quote?
Spa dimensions, seating, heating, jets, equipment and any changes to an existing pool affect the quote. Ask how the proposal addresses controls, access for maintenance and connections to current systems.
Prepare for your consultation
Share your preferred seating capacity, inspiration photos and whether the spa is part of a new build or an existing-pool upgrade. Photos of the backyard and equipment help explain your starting point.
Get Started
Ready to create your retreat?
Contact us today to schedule your consultation. We'll evaluate your space, discuss your goals, and design a custom spa tailored to your lifestyle.
Call Us Directly
786-703-5125Personalized backyard consultation
Detailed project estimate
Expert design integration
Clear project timeline
Request a Spa Quote
Fill out the form below and our team will contact you to schedule a consultation.
Questions & Answers
Frequently
Asked Questions
Get clear answers about custom spa design, integration, materials, features, construction timing, and what to expect before your project begins.
Transparent
Process
Process
Local Miami
Experts
Experts
Still have questions?Our team is happy to help.Contact us Custom spa costs in Miami vary depending on size, design, features, and how the spa relates to an existing or new pool. A compact built-in spa is a different investment than a fully featured pool and spa combination with raised design, water features, lighting, and premium finishes. Because every project is different, the most useful starting point is a consultation where we can evaluate your property and understand what you're trying to build.
Spa construction timelines depend on the scope of the project, whether the spa is standalone or part of a larger pool and spa combination, and site-specific conditions. Simpler spa additions can be completed more quickly than comprehensive pool and spa builds. We provide a projected timeline during the planning phase so you understand the expected schedule before construction begins.
In many cases, yes. Adding a spa to an existing pool depends on the current pool design, available space, and existing plumbing configuration. An attached or spillover spa can often be constructed adjacent to an existing pool and integrated with the pool's equipment. We assess the existing setup during consultation to determine what's feasible and how the spa would connect to the current design.
Yes. A custom standalone spa can be designed and built as an independent backyard feature — positioned on a patio, elevated deck, or dedicated area — without being connected to a pool. A standalone spa can be surrounded by landscaping, integrated with lighting and outdoor living elements, and built with the same premium materials and finishes as an attached spa.
A spillover spa is a spa positioned at a higher elevation than the pool, allowing warm water to flow continuously from the spa down into the pool below. This creates a waterfall effect and a pleasant sound element. Spillover spas are a popular design choice because they serve a functional purpose while also acting as a visual focal point of the backyard. They can be designed with various water flow rates and integrated with LED lighting for a dramatic evening effect.
Yes, in many situations an attached spa can be added to an existing pool. The feasibility depends on the existing pool's layout, available deck and yard space, and the current plumbing system. An attached spa can share equipment with the existing pool or have its own dedicated system depending on the design. We evaluate existing pools during consultation to determine the most practical attachment configuration.
Yes. A built-in custom spa can be constructed in virtually any shape — rectangular, circular, organic, or a custom form that complements the pool or the overall backyard design. Because site-built spas are constructed on location rather than delivered as a pre-manufactured unit, the shape and size can be tailored to fit the available space and the intended design.
Yes. LED lighting is one of the most popular spa features and can be integrated into the spa shell, surrounding coping, steps, and landscape. Modern LED spa lights offer color-changing options that can be controlled through an automation system. Spa lighting is especially impactful in the evening, transforming the backyard into an ambient, visually appealing environment. We plan lighting as part of the overall spa and outdoor design.
Yes. Water features — spillovers, waterfalls, bubblers, scuppers, and deck jets — can be incorporated into custom spa designs. Water features add movement and sound that enhance how the spa looks and feels as part of the backyard. Some features, like a spillover, also serve a functional purpose by connecting the spa and pool. We discuss water feature options during the design phase based on what's appropriate for your specific spa configuration.
Yes. Custom built-in spas can be heated using a dedicated spa heater or a shared pool and spa heating system, depending on the design. Heating allows the spa to be used comfortably regardless of weather — an advantage even in South Florida's warm climate during cooler months. Temperature can typically be controlled through the pool and spa automation system, allowing you to set and adjust the temperature remotely or on a schedule.
Yes. Pool and spa automation systems allow you to control the spa's temperature, lighting, water features, and pump schedules through a control panel or smartphone app. Automation is one of the most practical upgrades for spa owners because it reduces the daily management required to keep the spa at the right temperature and makes it easy to adjust lighting and features for different occasions.
Yes, and in many cases a pool renovation is a practical time to add a spa. Because renovation already involves disruption to the pool area and coordination of trades, incorporating a spa addition into the renovation scope can be more efficient than doing it as a separate project later. We assess the existing pool and available space during consultation to determine what's possible within the renovation.
Yes. Designing and building a pool and spa together from the start is the most common approach for homeowners who want both. Building them together allows the design, plumbing, equipment, and finishes to be coordinated from the beginning — resulting in a more cohesive final environment than adding a spa to an existing pool after the fact. We design pool and spa combinations as one unified project.
Custom built-in spas can use the same range of materials as a custom pool — interior finishes including plaster, pebble, and glass tile; waterline and accent tile in ceramic, porcelain, stone, or glass mosaic; coping in travertine, natural stone, or concrete pavers; and surrounding decking in travertine, pavers, brushed concrete, or natural stone. Material selections are made during the design phase based on the intended look, budget, and how the spa relates to the overall backyard design.
The best starting point is a consultation where we can discuss your property, your existing pool if applicable, and what you're hoping to build. This lets us understand the scope of the project and work toward an accurate estimate. You can reach us by phone at 786-703-5125 or by completing the quote request form on this page.
Let's Build Your Spa
Build the Spa You've Been Imagining
Create a private backyard retreat designed around your home, your lifestyle, and the way you want to enjoy your outdoor space.