About Southernwind Pools

John Douglas Versfelt, Owner

Southernwind Pools was founded by John Versfelt in Dallas Texas in 1983. Now located in an elegant showroom in McKinney Texas, Southernwind Pools has gained a reputation with homeowners and home builders alike as a premier provider of high-quality, high-value swimming pools. Our emphasis has always been on:

Homeowners consistently rave about their experience working with Southernwind Pools, and how pleased they are with the finished product. It’s no surprise that more than half of the over 5000 pools we’ve built are based on referrals.

Check out our award-winning pool designs.

 

Southernwind Pools is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with an A+ rating, and also a member of the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). (In fact, our owner John Versfelt served on the PHTA board for four years, including two years as the North Texas Chapter Vice President.)

Southernwind Pools has repeatedly been recognized as a “Top 50 Builder” by Pool and Spa News. This is no easy task considering the fact that you’re competing with more than 10,000 other pool builders across the country. But this award isn’t about being the BIGGEST; it’s about being the BEST. Southernwind Pools made the list because of many quality factors, including Community Involvement, Competent Staff, Industry Involvement, as well as Overall Revenue.

Southernwind Pools is the recipient of dozens of design awards (more than 60), including the prestigious International Gold Design Award from the PHTA. They are also the recipient of an international GAVA award (a.k.a. “Global AquaTekture Visionary Awards™”), which is perhaps the most prestigious award in the history of the pool industry. (GAVA recognizes the most innovative concepts, designs, materials and applications of water-inspired environments from across the globe.)

In 2009, Aqua Magazine bestowed Southernwind Pools with their “Aqua Choice” award – An award limited to only eleven of the top builders in the country.

Southernwind Pools has frequently graced the pages of local and national periodicals such as Aqua Magazine, Pool and Spa News, and Luxe Magazine. Southernwind Pools has repeatedly been named to the Dallas Business Journal’s “Best Of Dallas” list of preferred pool builders.

In 2009, Southernwind Pools moved its headquarters to McKinney, to better serve the growing population of north Texas. More than half of this 3000 square foot facility is dedicated to “The Pool Buying Experience.” We have decking materials, tiles, interior finishes, automation systems and other features and equipment all on display, along with a comprehensive “Outdoor Living” gallery.

REMEMBER: You can and should expect to receive the most stringent standards of excellence with Southernwind Pools. We specialize in designing spectacular pools that are extremely easy to maintain. Our pools can be designed to fit any style or budget, without ever compromising on construction standards. For more information, give us a call at (972) 783-4090.


Meet Our Team


Ten Reasons You're Better Off With a Southernwind Pool

  1. Knock-Your-Socks-Off Custom Designs – We don’t build cookie-cutter pools. We start with a blank sheet of paper and combine your dreams with our cutting-edge industry expertise. Then we create a design that’s just what you’ve been looking for, and more. Vanishing edge? Perimeter overflow? Tanning ledge? Built-in table and chairs? No problem. Our goal is to make you go “Wow!

  2. The Total Package – Since most families spend a lot more time AROUND their pool than IN it, we offer custom-designed outdoor kitchens, shaded living areas, fireplaces, firepits, cabanas, pergolas, putting greens, sport courts, and much more in our designs. “Outdoor living” is not an afterthought; it’s part of the total package from the start.

  3. Southernwind Pools Showroom in McKinneyThe Nicest Showroom in North Texas – Our beautiful showroom showroom in McKinney has more than 500 tiles, pavers, coping and stone samples, water features, outdoor living features and other options on display. You can see, touch, and feel all the options before you make your choices.

  4. Recognized Leaders in the Industry –It’s one thing to SAY you build a great pool. It’s quite another to have other experts from around the industry compare your pools to others, and hand the award to you. We’ve won more than two dozen industry awards for our designs and craftsmanship.

  5. Not some “New Kid On The Block” – The biggest problem with most pool builders is that they go out of business. And when they do, your pool has no warranty. Now at four decades strong, Southernwind Pools is one of only seven pool builders in North Texas that’s been around that long. You can trust us to finish the job and still be there for you many years later.

  6. Have fun by the poolKick back and relax with low-maintenance, energy-efficient construction – From our oversized plumbing and hydraulics to our energy-efficient equipment, and our self-cleaning pool systems, a Southernwind pool costs less to own and takes less time to maintain.

  7. advanced pool automationWe include as standard the stuff most other builders charge extra for, such as advanced automation and sanitation systems, our super-efficient venturi skimmer, in-floor cleaning and channel drain systems, and our extensive choices for tiles, decks and interior finishes.

  8. Warrantees and craftsmanship –Every Southernwind pool is designed, engineered and built to meet or exceed the standards set by the American National Standards Institute, the American Concrete Institute, and the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance. In addition, every Southernwind pool comes with a three-year warranty on all the main equipment components. That’s triple the industry standard.

  9. In-house service – Southernwind Pools has a full staff of trained CPO™ (Certified Pool Operator™) service professionals to take care of your pool.

  10. Member of PHTA and BBB – We’re active with the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), and an Accredited Member of the BBB with a rating of “Excellent.”.


Our Certifications

BBB – “Better Business Bureau”

Southernwind Pools is an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB), with an A+ rating. To get an A+ rating, you need to get 97 points or more. The grade you get from the BBB represents the BBB’s degree of confidence that your business is operating in a trustworthy manner and will make a good faith effort to resolve any customer complaints.

The BBB is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and foster the highest ethical standards between companies and their customers in the areas of:

  • Dependable Service
  • Honesty In Advertising
  • Honest Business Practices
  • Reliable Complaint Handling Procedures

Examples of services provided by the BBB are Business Reliability Reports, Dispute Resolution, Truth-in-Advertising, Consumer and Business Education and Charity Review.

Businesses earning the right to be included in this organization have a strong reputation of taking care of their customers. More information at: Better Business Bureau

Best of McKinney by the readers of the McKinney Courier Gazette

Southernwind Pool has been named as the Winner in the Best of McKinney by the readers of the McKinney Courier Gazette.

Star Local Media’s annual recognition program gives readers the unique opportunity to make their own decision when it comes to the best in business in their community. Readers are invited to choose their favorite businesses in numerous categories, representing the top companies.

For more information visit McKinney Courier Gazette.

CBP® - Certified Building Professional®

Southernwind Pools has a certified builder professional on staff.

A Certified Building Professional® is an individual who has passed all the rigorous requirements of the PHTA’s Certified Building Professional® training program. Graduates of the course learn the skills and value system pertaining to high ethical standards, commitment to the highest standards of workmanship and construction, business stability, and superior customer relations. After completion of the training, all graduates must complete continuing education requirements on an ongoing basis in order to maintain their CBP® certification.

More information at PHTA.org

CPO® - Certified Pool Operator®

Most of Southernwind Pools cleaning and repair have the official pool operator certification.

The Certified Pool & Spa Operator® (CPO®) certification program is the world’s leading education and certification program for keeping pools safer and keeping them open. Over 400,000 students have been trained since 1972.

CPO certification provides individuals with the knowledge, techniques, and skills required for proper pool operations. This course is available as both a blended training program or completely virtual (completely online).

For more information visit PHTA CPO Certification.

GAVA (Global AquaTekture Visionary Awards™)

Southernwind Pools is a proud recipient of the prestigious GAVA Awards.

The GAVA Award is the newest and perhaps most prestigious award in the history of the pool industry. GAVA refers to “Global AquaTekture Visionary Awards™,” and is designed to recognize the most innovative concepts, designs, materials and applications of water-inspired environments from across the globe.

Produced by Three V Enterprises (3VE), a Las Vegas based corporation, GAVA transcends beyond the traditional water-themed design awards by hosting an integrated world-wide competition open to design professionals of all genres dedicated to influencing and creating thought-provoking solutions.

The GAVA Award program salutes the innovative spirit of artisans from every segment of the globe, celebrating diverse concepts from varying cultures, environments and philosophical aspects. Entries from across the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela, Central America and Portugal receive the illustrious GAVA Bronze, Silver or Gold awards and are included in a full-color, hardbound book published by Schiffer Publishing, International Pools, Spas and Water Environments Edition II.

For more information of the GAVA Awards program, contact: Mary Vail, maryvail@cox.net, 702-289-2225.

HBA – “Home Builders Association” (Dallas)

Southernwind Pools, a proud member of the Dallas Home Builders Association, celebrated 25 years of membership with the HBA in 2024.

The Home Builders Association is an organization representing all segments of the residential building industry. Its mission is to enhance its members’ ability to provide safe, affordable, quality housing to the citizens of the local communities. The Association does this by promoting positive public policy, providing industry information and education to the members and the public. They also provide support and training, encouraging ethical behavior and professional standards, and making membership in the Association an essential element of a successful residential building industry company.

Membership in the Dallas HBA are also members of the NAHB and TAB, encompassing the nation’s three largest organizations. Homebuyers can count on the strength and dedication of these organizations to protect and watch over their interest.

More information at: Home Builders Association

International Awards of Excellence

Southernwind Pools is proud to receive multiple awards of excellence by the PHTA.

The PHTA International Awards of Excellence honors PHTA members whose pools, spas and water features represent some of the best designs in the industry.

The competition is open only to PHTA member builders, designers, and service and retail firms. Many hundreds of entries are submitted each year, representing member firms from all over the world. More information at: International Awards of Excellence

NPC – National Plasters Council

Southerwind Pools is a member of the National Plasters Council.

The National Plasterers Council history goes back to the creation of the Plasterers Council under the auspices of the Southern California Chapter of the National Spa & Pool Institute. With the vision and work of Bruce Hughes, the Council was formed to “provide a voice and support for swimming pool plasterers.”

Other priorities include nationwide membership recruitment, new member benefits, and new educational opportunities including a pool surface applicator certification program. NPC has a very strong foundation and vision which will take the association to new levels now and in the future.

More information at www.npconline.org

PHTA – “Pool and Hot Tub Alliance”

Southerwind Pools is a member of the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance and active participants of the north Texas chapter of the PHTA.

PHTA is the world’s largest association representing swimming pool, hot tub and spa manufacturers, distributors, manufacturers’ agents, designers, builders, installers, supplier, retailers and service professionals. PHTA offers pool and hot tub education and certification programs, provides valuable membership benefits, develops trusted industry standards and advocates for critical legislation.

PHTA members adhere to a code of ethics in business and technical practices and share a strong commitment to the safe, healthful, and enjoyable use of industry products.

More information at: Pool and Hot Tub Alliance

Pool & Spa New "Top 50 Builders"

Southernwind Pools has been recognized as a Top 50 Builder by the Pool & Spa News Magazine.

Each year the Pool & Spa News magazine researches all the major pool and spa builders in North America based on criteria such as longevity, customer satisfaction, quality ratings, awards, etc. and compiles a list of the Top 50 Builders in the pool and spa industry. We are privileged and proud to be on this list of the Top 50 Builders.


Areas We Serve in North Texas

We provide swimming pool design and construction services, repair and renovation services in most of the communities in and around North Dallas and North Texas, including these cities: Addison, Allen, Anna, Celina, Dallas, Fairview, Farmersville, Frisco, Garland, Heath, Highland Park, Lewisville, Lucas, McKinney, Melissa, Murphy, Park cities, Plano, Prosper, Richardson, Rockwall, Rowlett, Sachse, The Colony, University Park, Van Alstyne and Wylie.

Weekly Maintenance Services: all cities mentioned above except for Farmersville.

We occasionally provide design and construction services outside of these areas, but only on a case-by-case basis. If you have a special project, and you want a special builder like Southernwind Pools to handle it for you, please give us a call at (972) 783-4090.

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