Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Custom Swimming Pool & Landscape Design in West Orange, NJ
Pugliese Pools has been a family-owned and operated custom swimming pool builder in West Orange, New Jersey since 1955. With over 70 years of experience, we specialize in creating luxury swimming pools and integrated landscape designs that stand the test of time. Our founder, Tony Pugliese, pioneered the 'Natural Look' pool design in the 1960s, which has since become an industry standard emulated by competitors. Under the leadership of Tom Heath, who has dedicated over 50 years to the business, we maintain a commitment to craftsmanship, care, and customer satisfaction. Our team personally oversees every project, ensuring seamless construction processes and results that exceed expectations.We offer free consultations to review competitor proposals, prioritizing transparency and client education over aggressive sales tactics. Our reputation for quality workmanship and personalized service has been built through three generations of family leadership, with Thomas Heath Jr. managing the business's financial operations. Every pool we build reflects our philosophy of treating clients like family, combining technical expertise with artistic vision to create backyard sanctuaries that enhance lifestyles and property values.
Services
Custom Pool Design
Landscaping Integration
Pool Renovation
Construction Services
Design Consultation
Details
- Year established: 1955
Highlights and features
- We offer 70+ years of custom pool design experience since 1955
- Our team includes three generations of family-owned expertise
- We pioneered the industry-standard 'Natural Look' pool design
- Tom Heath provides 24/7 personal availability during projects
- We offer free competitor proposal reviews with no sales pressure
What people say
Work of art
Quality craftsmanship
Smooth process
On time completion
Lifetime of memories
Services
Custom Pool Design
We create bespoke swimming pool designs tailored to each property's unique characteristics. Our team combines technical expertise with artistic vision to develop modern, traditional, natural, or formal pool styles that complement your landscape. With over 70 years of experience, we ensure each design balances aesthetics with functionality while maintaining structural integrity for decades.
Landscaping Integration
Our landscaping services seamlessly integrate pools with surrounding environments. We select appropriate plant materials and hardscaping elements to create cohesive outdoor spaces. Using relationships with premium nursery growers, we implement designs featuring patios, decks, lighting, and water features that enhance both beauty and usability of your backyard sanctuary.
Pool Renovation
We specialize in updating existing pools to modern standards while preserving their original quality. Our renovation process addresses structural maintenance, system upgrades, and aesthetic enhancements. With deep understanding of older pool construction methods, we implement improvements that extend pool lifespan while maintaining the craftsmanship that made Pugliese pools renowned for durability.
Construction Services
Our construction process combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques. We handle every aspect from excavation to final finishing, ensuring precise execution of design specifications. With personal oversight from experienced team members, we maintain strict quality control throughout construction while keeping clients informed about progress and timelines.
Design Consultation
We offer expert guidance for pool planning and decision-making. Our consultation includes reviewing property constraints, discussing design options, and providing technical expertise. We help clients understand construction processes, material choices, and maintenance considerations to make informed decisions that align with their lifestyle and budget requirements.
People
Tony Pugliese
Founder
Founded Pugliese Pools in 1955, pioneering the 'Natural Look' pool design. Developed innovative construction methods and filtration systems that became industry standards. Established the company's reputation for quality craftsmanship and customer care.
Tom Heath
President and Designer
Joined the company in 1963, progressing from laborer to leadership. Served as president since the 1970s, maintaining hands-on involvement in every project. Combines 50+ years of experience with personal 24/7 availability to ensure client satisfaction.
Thomas Heath Jr.
Controller
Third-generation team member managing financial operations. Learned all aspects of the business from his father and grandfather. Ensures financial integrity while maintaining connection to the company's core values and operational needs.
Questions
How long has Pugliese Pools been in business?
Pugliese Pools has been family-owned and operated since 1955, making us New Jersey's longest-running custom pool builder with three generations of leadership.
What makes Pugliese pools different from competitors?
We combine 70+ years of experience with personal involvement in every project. Our 'Natural Look' design pioneered in the 1960s remains an industry standard, and we guarantee lasting quality that few competitors match.
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes, we offer free proposal reviews where Tom Heath will evaluate any competitor's plan at no cost, providing honest feedback to help you make informed decisions.
What areas do you serve?
While based in West Orange, NJ, we serve most of New Jersey, creating custom pool and landscape designs that suit various property types and regional considerations.
Are your pools built to last?
Absolutely. Our construction methods and material selection ensure decades of durability. Many clients report their pools from the 1960s-70s remain in excellent condition with minimal maintenance.
How involved are owners in the process?
Tom Heath personally oversees every project, maintaining 24/7 availability throughout construction. This hands-on approach ensures quality control and immediate response to any client needs or concerns.
Reviews (5)
Stacey Lowenwirth
Jun 14, 2022
Report
My husband and I cannot say enough great things about Pugliese Pools. We bought a home two years ago and needed to refurbish the existing in ground gunite pool (replace the existing tile, redo coping, repair bond beam) and redo the concrete pool deck. Alex went above and beyond during the entire project and was fantastic to work with. We would say the same thing about his crew. Alex and his crew made sure we were satisfied with their work as they progressed through the project and were always willing to answer any questions we had.
They left our backyard spotless at the end of every single work day and were very respectful. The finished product is beautiful and we couldn't be happier with it! Thank you to Alex and his entire crew!
They left our backyard spotless at the end of every single work day and were very respectful. The finished product is beautiful and we couldn't be happier with it! Thank you to Alex and his entire crew!
Gaurang Shah
Aug 20, 2021
Report
We cannot say enough good things about Alex and his crew. When we moved into our home 2 years ago, we used the pool service recommended by the prior owner. Big mistake. Their work was lousy, and their customer service was even worse. They "fired" us after we asked too many questions. Luckily, we found Pugliese soon afterwards, and we have had no issues since. The pool is immaculate week in and week out, and Alex takes the time to answer all of our questions.
The prior owner did not maintain the pool, so there were a number of issues that needed to be fixed (leaks, broken patio tiles, defective air blower, etc.). Alex fixed all of them, and our pool looks like new. We wish we had taken before and after photos, because the transformation is hard to believe. The best thing about Alex is that he never tries to upsell us. On the contrary, when we wanted to replace the patio stones around the pool, he convinced us not to, which saved us a lot of money. We highly recommend Pugliese.
The prior owner did not maintain the pool, so there were a number of issues that needed to be fixed (leaks, broken patio tiles, defective air blower, etc.). Alex fixed all of them, and our pool looks like new. We wish we had taken before and after photos, because the transformation is hard to believe. The best thing about Alex is that he never tries to upsell us. On the contrary, when we wanted to replace the patio stones around the pool, he convinced us not to, which saved us a lot of money. We highly recommend Pugliese.
Kathleen Kuipers
May 20, 2021
Report
Highly recommend Alex and his crew. We received several estimates from multiple pool contractors to redo our 50 year old gunnite pool. While most of the estimates were similar in price, only Alex took the time to explain the steps that go into renovating this type of pool and to propose useful improvements to the current setup. The other contractors gave us no indication of what we were getting for our money. Alex was very responsive throughout the renovation.
The crew led by Jesus and Frank are very skilled at their trade and were meticulous with their work. We are very pleased with the end result that is functionally and aesthetically far superior to the pool we began with.
The crew led by Jesus and Frank are very skilled at their trade and were meticulous with their work. We are very pleased with the end result that is functionally and aesthetically far superior to the pool we began with.
Don Newell
Feb 06, 2021
Report
Alex from Pugliese Pool Service recently completed a renovation of my pool. Not only did they do a great job on the work, but he was great at communicating progress/ status. With numerous constraints during COVID-19, including a reduced workforce, schedules are bound to change, but he always was giving me updates and responded to every message, which is a refreshing change! If you're looking to service or renovate your pool in the short term, I highly recommend you call Alex 1st.
Erica Adams
Nov 23, 2020
Report
We've been using Pugliese Pools for our weekly pool services for the last three years. They've always done a great job and are always very responsive, so when it came time for us to renovate our pool, having Alex and his team do the job was a no brainer. It was a complete renovation - new coping, tiles, and plaster, in addition to extensive repair to the cracked beams. While the job took a bit longer than I would imagine it normally would in a pre-pandemic world, the end result is beautiful. Alex was responsive throughout the entire process, and periodically came by to make sure the project was on track. I would highly recommend Alex and his team for any pool renovation or service needs you may have.
