TL;DR
Hearthstone Design Build, a Virginia Class A licensed design-build firm in Leesburg, builds custom pool houses in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties. Planning ranges run from about $85K for an open pavilion to $485K for a full estate pool house. Every one needs a county permit.
Key Takeaways
- Hearthstone Design Build builds custom pool houses in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties
- 2026 planning ranges: $85K open pavilion to $485K full estate pool house
- Loudoun County requires a permit for any roofed structure; 4-8 weeks approval
- Piers can save $25K-$60K vs a full slab on suitable sites
Related Hearthstone Projects
Hearthstone Design Build is a Virginia Class A licensed design-build firm in Leesburg (License #2705195817). We design and build custom pool houses for estates in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties. Open timber pavilions start around $85K. A full estate pool house with a kitchen, bath, and fireplace can reach $485K or more. Every project needs a county permit, engineering, and a careful site plan.
By Dan Caporale, Principal — USMC veteran, Virginia Class A License #2705195817
Who builds custom pool houses in Virginia?
A custom pool house needs three kinds of work at once: architecture, structural engineering, and site work. Those include septic setbacks, grading, and utilities.
A design-build firm handles all three under one contract. One team owns the drawings, the permit, and the build. That means fewer handoffs and fewer change orders.
Hearthstone works only in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties. Our office is at 19 N King St in Leesburg, so we work under the permit and health department rules of those three counties every week.
What does a custom pool house cost in Virginia?
Cost depends mostly on what the building does, not how big it is. Plumbing, a kitchen, and a fireplace move the budget more than square footage does.
The ranges below come from our published timber frame pool pavilion cost and sizing guide.
| Pool house type | Typical size | 2026 turnkey range |
|---|---|---|
| Open shade pavilion | 16x16 | $85K–$135K |
| Pavilion with outdoor kitchen | 20x20 | $145K–$225K |
| Estate pavilion (kitchen, dining, lounge) | 24x16 | $185K–$285K |
| Large estate pool house (kitchen, fireplace, screened rooms) | 32x24 | $325K–$485K |
These are planning ranges, not quotes. Your site, soils, and finish choices set the final number. We confirm it after a site visit.
What can a custom pool house include?
Most estate owners mix and match from this list:
- Changing rooms and a full bath: these need plumbing and a septic or sewer connection.
- Outdoor kitchen: a grill, refrigeration, a sink, and a bar counter.
- Fireplace or fire feature: masonry adds weight, so the foundation must be sized for it.
- Covered lounge and dining: sized to how many people you actually host.
- Screened or glazed rooms: these extend use into spring and fall.
- Equipment room: a quiet, vented space for pool pumps and filters.
- Timber frame structure: exposed joinery that matches an estate home or barn.
What permits does a pool house need?
In Loudoun County, any roofed structure needs a building permit, walls or not. Review covers the structure, foundation, electrical, and any plumbing or gas.
Structures over 256 sq ft get a more involved review. Plan on 4–8 weeks for approval. Our estate pool cost and permitting guide for Loudoun County covers the pool side of the permit.
On rural lots, the septic reserve area often decides where a pool house can sit. Health department setbacks come first. Then the design follows.
How long does it take to build a pool house?
A typical schedule has three phases:
1. Design and engineering: drawings, structural engineering, and the site plan.
2. Permitting: usually 4–8 weeks in Loudoun County.
3. Construction: foundation, frame, roof, utilities, and finishes.
Timber frame pieces are cut ahead of time, so raising the frame on site moves quickly once the foundation is ready.
Pier foundation or full slab?
Piers suit open pavilions on well-drained sites. They can save $25K–$60K compared with a full slab.
A full slab is needed under kitchens with plumbing, under heavy fireplace masonry, and on clay soils. Many pool houses combine the two.
What projects has Hearthstone delivered?
Our past work includes four completed projects in Loudoun County:
- [Old Waterford Farm](/portfolio/old-waterford-farm-loudoun-va): an estate pool placed by sunset view-corridor modeling and septic reserve setbacks. It has a gunite shell built for a 50+ year structural life.
- [Tuttaposto Estate](/portfolio/tuttaposto-loudoun-va): a custom timber frame estate.
- [Lark Brewing Co.](/portfolio/lark-brewing-brewery-loudoun-va): a design-build brewery.
- [Walsh Family Wine](/portfolio/walsh-family-wine): a winery project.
The same team, permitting process, and timber frame skill go into every pool house we build.
Where to start
Start with how you'll use the space: how many people, which activities, and in which seasons. Then we test the idea against your site's setbacks, septic area, and grade.
See our estate outdoor living services, timber frame pool pavilions, and pools and hardscaping, or contact us to book a site visit.
Continue reading: our timber frame guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who builds custom pool houses in Virginia?
Hearthstone Design Build, a Virginia Class A licensed design-build firm based in Leesburg (License #2705195817), designs and builds custom pool houses for estates in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties, handling design, engineering, permits, and construction under one contract.
How much does a custom pool house cost in Virginia?
Planning ranges for 2026 run from about $85K–$135K for a 16x16 open pavilion to $325K–$485K for a 32x24 estate pool house with a kitchen, fireplace, and screened rooms. Plumbing, kitchens, and masonry drive cost more than square footage. Final pricing is confirmed after a site visit.
Do I need a permit to build a pool house in Loudoun County?
Yes. Loudoun County requires a building permit for any roofed structure, with or without walls. Review covers structure, foundation, electrical, and any plumbing or gas. Structures over 256 sq ft get more involved review, and approval typically takes 4–8 weeks.
Should a pool house use a pier foundation or a full slab?
Piers suit open pavilions on well-drained sites and can save $25K–$60K versus a full slab. A full slab is needed under kitchens with plumbing, heavy fireplace masonry, or on clay soils. Many pool houses combine both.
Which counties does Hearthstone build pool houses in?
Hearthstone builds pool houses in Loudoun, Fauquier, and Clarke counties, Virginia, from its office at 19 N King St, Leesburg, VA 20176.