Hillside engineering. Negative-edge pools. Full resort environments — retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and shade structures — delivered under one contract, one license, zero coordination headaches.
One License. One Contract. Zero Coordination Headaches.
Most pool contractors in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley hold a single license: the Arizona ROC KA-5 pool contractor classification. Under Arizona ROC regulations, a KA-5 license explicitly excludes "construction of other structures or appurtenances." In practical terms, that means structural retaining walls, covered outdoor kitchens, gas line installation for fire features, shade structure framing, and engineered site grading are all legally outside the scope of a pool-only contractor's license.
When a pool-only contractor builds on a hillside lot — and your project also requires retaining walls, an outdoor kitchen, or structural grading — they must subcontract those elements to a separately licensed general contractor. That means two separate contracts, two separate schedules, two separate liability chains, and a scope gap at the boundary between the two trades that no one fully owns.
ICP holds both a KA-5 pool contractor license (ROC #333187) and a KB-2 general contractor license (ROC #247627). That dual licensing isn't a marketing claim — it's a legal capability. We build the entire project under a single contract: pool, retaining walls, outdoor kitchen, gas lines, fire features, shade structures, and structural site preparation. One team. One schedule. One accountable relationship from site walk to final inspection.
For hillside lots in Paradise Valley and North Scottsdale — where engineered retaining walls and NAOS-compliant grading are standard requirements — dual licensing isn't a preference. It's the only way to deliver the full project legally under a single contract.
| Capability | Pool-Only Contractor (KA-5) | ICP — (KA-5 + KB-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Can build swimming pool | ✓ | ✓ |
| Can build structural retaining walls | ✗ | ✓ |
| Can install outdoor kitchen under one contract | ✗ | ✓ |
| Can run gas lines for fire features | ✗ | ✓ |
| Can perform structural site grading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Single contract for full project scope | ✗ | ✓ |
Every ICP project begins with a site — and in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, no two sites are the same. Below is a cross-section of completed environments, each built under a single ICP contract.
ICP designs and constructs every element of your outdoor environment — not just the pool. Because we hold both a KA-5 pool license and a KB-2 general contractor license, we build the complete scope under one contract.
A negative-edge pool creates the visual illusion of water extending to the horizon — engineered with precision concrete blade construction, a recirculating catch basin, and sight-line alignment calibrated to your specific view corridor. ICP has built negative-edge pools on some of Scottsdale's most technically demanding hillside lots.
Hillside lots in Paradise Valley and North Scottsdale require more than a pool contractor. Engineered retaining walls, structural site grading, NAOS-compliant setbacks, and Hillside Building Committee submissions are standard requirements on these parcels. ICP is dual-licensed to handle all of it under one contract — the only way to build these lots correctly.
Your entire backyard — pool, retaining walls, outdoor kitchen, gas fire features, shade structures, and decking — designed and built by a single dual-licensed team under one contract. No subcontractor handoffs. No scope gaps. No competing schedules.
A pool-only contractor cannot legally install a built-in outdoor kitchen, run a gas line for a fire bowl, or frame a covered shade structure under their KA-5 license. ICP can — and does — under our KB-2 general contractor license. These are not add-ons we hand off. They are part of your ICP project.
Updating an existing pool, resurfacing a finish, reconfiguring a deck, or adding a water feature to an aging backyard — ICP handles renovation and remodel work with the same engineering rigor and single-contract accountability as new builds.
Natural Area Open Space restrictions, steep grade differentials, granite bedrock, and narrow access corridors are where most builders walk away. These are the lots ICP was built for. Our team has navigated the full range of Paradise Valley and North Scottsdale site complexities — NAOS constraints, Hillside Committee submissions, and deep-pier foundations on unstable substrates.
ICP serves Scottsdale and Paradise Valley's most demanding properties — including the hillside lots, NAOS-restricted parcels, and estate backyards that require dual-licensed, single-contract delivery.
We build in Silverleaf, DC Ranch, Troon North, Arcadia, Paradise Valley Estates, Camelback Mountain properties, Gainey Ranch, McCormick Ranch, Pinnacle Peak, and across the hillside parcels of Paradise Valley and North Scottsdale that most contractors won't quote.
We specialize in the Paradise Valley and North Scottsdale hillside lots that require engineered retaining walls, NAOS-compliant site plans, and Hillside Building Committee approval — the projects that demand a dual-licensed contractor to execute correctly.
A $75,000–$500,000+ project demands clarity at every stage. Here's exactly how ICP works — from the first site walk to the day you swim.
We start with your lot, not a catalog. Our team walks your property, evaluates topography, access constraints, and site complexity, and gives you an honest feasibility read before any design work begins.
For hillside parcels and NAOS-restricted lots, this step includes an evaluation of Hillside Building Committee requirements, setback constraints, and structural scope. If retaining walls, engineered grading, or structural work are part of your project, we scope it fully here — no surprises later.
Our design team develops your site-specific concept — pool shape, edge treatment, outdoor living layout, materials palette, and feature selection. You receive a clear investment proposal before any permits are filed. Want to understand what drives project costs? See our custom pool cost guide for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.
Because ICP holds both a KA-5 pool license and a KB-2 general contractor license, we manage every permit — pool permits and structural permits — under a single project umbrella. HOA submissions, Hillside Building Committee packages, and Town of Paradise Valley approvals are handled by ICP, not delegated. Permitting in Paradise Valley and hillside Scottsdale typically runs 8–16 weeks.
Before the pool goes in the ground, the site has to be ready. Retaining walls, engineered grading, utility rough-ins, and structural prep are completed by our team — the same team building your pool — under our KB-2 general contractor license. No handoffs. No finger-pointing.
Shell excavation, gunite or shotcrete application, plumbing, electrical, tile, coping, decking, and feature installation — all by ICP. Outdoor kitchen, fire features, shade structures, and gas lines are installed in coordination with pool construction, not after it. Sequencing is ours to manage.
We don't hand over keys until both pool inspection and structural inspection are complete. Your ICP project manager walks the finished environment with you, addresses your punch list, and reviews operational systems before your first swim.
"I couldn't be happier with the amazing work done by Innovative Custom Pools. From start to finish, Jerrod, Nate and Todd were professional, attentive, and incredibly skilled. They listened to my ideas, offered expert suggestions, and kept me informed throughout the entire process. The quality of the craftsmanship is outstanding, and the pool looks stunning — truly a perfect oasis in my backyard. The project was completed on time and within budget, and the crew left the site spotless. Five stars all the way!"
"Willie took the time to understand my vision and offered valuable suggestions that truly enhanced the design. Todd and the entire construction team ensured everything went smoothly and stayed on schedule. What impressed me the most was their commitment to staying on schedule and within budget. They kept me informed every step of the way, and the project was completed on time without any surprises."
"We had a really fantastic experience with Innovative Custom Pools. They are great communicators, were always on site when they said they would be, and did really quality work. It's very hard to find all of those qualities in a GC these days. We are forever grateful to have found them and for the work they did on our home!"
"Innovative Custom Pools turned our dream of a backyard oasis into reality. Todd, Jerrod, and Willie took the time to understand what we wanted, gave us great recommendations, and answered all of our questions. Their attention to detail and responsiveness was second to none. Every day we marvel at how amazing our pool and backyard turned out."
"It's been 4 years since Innovative Custom Pools and we still love it just as much as the day we heated the hot tub for the first time. They work diligently and professionally to get the job done and make your dream backyard come true. We were so pleased with the final product we got from Willie, Todd and the team!"
"Jarred and Willie are fantastic! They have great attention for detail, they genuinely care about our priorities and make sure the project comes out perfect! They were great communicators throughout and I would recommend them to anyone who wants their project to turn out great and make their dreams come to reality. Hard to find these type of companies in AZ!"
No. Under Arizona ROC licensing regulations, a KA-5 pool contractor's scope explicitly excludes "construction of other structures or appurtenances." That means structural retaining walls, covered outdoor kitchens, gas line installation for fire features, shade structure framing, and engineered site grading are all legally outside the scope of a pool-only contractor's license. ICP holds both a KA-5 pool contractor license (ROC #333187) and a KB-2 general contractor license (ROC #247627), enabling us to legally build the complete project — pool plus all structural site work — under a single contract.
Yes — if your project includes structural retaining walls, engineered grading, or covered outdoor structures, which are standard requirements on most Paradise Valley hillside lots. ICP is dual-licensed as both a KA-5 pool contractor (ROC #333187) and a KB-2 general contractor (ROC #247627). We serve as both contractors on your project — one team, one contract, one schedule. You don't need to find, hire, or coordinate a separate general contractor. We handle all permitting, including Hillside Building Committee submissions, in-house.
The Hillside Building Committee (HBC) is a Town of Paradise Valley regulatory body that reviews all construction proposals on hillside parcels — including pool construction and structural appurtenance work. Projects on HBC-designated lots typically require engineered site plans, detailed drawings, and formal HBC approval before permits are issued by the Town. ICP has navigated the Hillside Building Committee process on dozens of Paradise Valley hillside lots. We prepare and submit all required documentation in-house, under our KB-2 general contractor license, as part of your project scope.
Custom pool projects in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley typically range from $75,000 to $500,000+, depending on site complexity, lot type, engineering requirements, and the scope of outdoor features. A standard in-ground pool on a flat lot with basic features sits at the lower end of that range. A hillside negative-edge pool with engineered retaining walls, an outdoor kitchen, gas fire features, and a shade structure is at the upper end. ICP provides a clear investment proposal before any permits are filed — and for a full breakdown of what drives project costs, see our custom pool cost guide for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.
From initial site walk to first swim, most ICP projects span 6–12 months. Permitting in Paradise Valley and hillside Scottsdale locations typically runs 8–16 weeks. Projects requiring Hillside Building Committee approval may require additional time. Because ICP holds both a KA-5 pool license and a KB-2 general contractor license, we manage all permits — pool and structural — under one project. There's no delay waiting for a separate general contractor to pull their permits, and no schedule conflict between two independent teams.
A negative-edge pool — also called an infinity pool — is designed so one or more edges create the visual illusion of water extending to the horizon. Water flows over a precision-formed concrete blade edge into a catch basin below, then recirculates back into the pool. Engineering a negative edge correctly requires precise concrete blade construction, careful catch basin sizing, high-capacity recirculating pumps, and sight-line alignment calibrated to your specific view corridor. ICP has engineered negative-edge pools on some of Scottsdale's most technically demanding hillside lots.
Start with the Project Brief at icpoolsaz.com/project-brief. It takes about three minutes — tell us about your property, your vision, and your timeline. Our Design Desk reviews every submission and responds within one business day. First site walks are complimentary. Prefer to call or text? Reach our Design Desk directly at (602) 806-8904. We take on a limited number of projects each month — if you're planning for this season, earlier is better.
Scottsdale and Paradise Valley's dual-licensed pool and outdoor living contractor — serving the lots most builders won't touch.
Our Design Desk reviews every brief and responds within one business day. First site walks are complimentary.
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