Licensed and Insured | Free Estimates | 30+ Years Experience | BBB Accredited, A Rating
IS IT
TIME?
Signs Your Backyard Needs an Outdoor Living Upgrade
- You have a pool but nowhere to sit, eat, or prep food outside, so everyone walks back inside after swimming
- Your patio is an unshaded concrete slab that hits 150 degrees by noon from June through September
- You are grilling on a portable unit that sits on the driveway or a small section of deck, and you want a permanent cooking setup
- Your backyard entertainment ends at sunset because there is no lighting, fire feature, or covered structure to keep people comfortable
- You just finished a pool build or renovation and the area around it still looks unfinished
- You are building a custom home and want the outdoor kitchen, pergola, and pool designed as one coordinated project from the start
- Your neighbors have built out their backyards and your property value is falling behind comparable homes on your street
- You spend money eating out or booking venues for gatherings that you could host at home with the right outdoor setup
WHY DSH
Outdoor Living Built by a Company That Builds Pools and Homes
Most outdoor living contractors in the McKinney market build pergolas, outdoor kitchens, and fire pits. DSH Homes and Pools does that too, but DSH also builds the pool, the home, and the foundation they all sit on. That means your outdoor kitchen plumbing ties into the same system your pool plumbing runs through. Your pergola footings are engineered for the same clay soil your pool shell is designed to handle. Your electrical panel is sized for pool equipment, kitchen appliances, and landscape lighting from one circuit plan.
When a homeowner hires a separate outdoor kitchen company, a separate pool company, and a separate electrician, each contractor works from their own plan. The outdoor kitchen island ends up 4 feet from the pool equipment pad. The pergola footing interferes with a buried pool return line. The electrical panel does not have enough capacity for the hot tub, the kitchen appliances, and the pool pump. DSH eliminates these coordination problems because one team manages every component.
Derek Humphreys has spent 30 years building residential and commercial projects across Collin, Denton, and Grayson counties. Every outdoor living project is managed directly by DSH, not subcontracted. BBB Accredited with an A rating. Call (903) 321-3172 for a free on-site consultation.
WHAT WE BUILD
Plunge Pool Configurations
Outdoor Kitchens Custom-built kitchen islands with built-in grills, side burners, refrigerators, sinks, storage drawers, and countertop space. DSH builds outdoor kitchen frames from steel stud and cement board (not wood framing that rots in North Texas humidity), finished with natural stone, stucco, or tile veneer. Gas lines, water supply, and drainage are run during construction and tied into your home’s existing systems. Countertop options include granite, quartzite, concrete, and tile.
Pergolas and Patio Covers Cedar, aluminum, or steel pergolas that provide partial shade, and solid-roof patio covers that provide full protection from sun and rain. DSH anchors every structure with footings engineered for North Texas clay soil, which means the posts stay level when the ground moves between wet and dry seasons. Attached structures tie into the home’s roofline. Detached structures stand on independent footings.
Fire Features Custom fire pits, fire tables, fire bowls, and full outdoor fireplaces built with natural stone, manufactured stone, or concrete. Gas-fed systems connected to your home’s gas supply for push-button ignition. Wood-burning fire pits are available where HOA and city codes allow open flames. DSH places fire features at safe distances from pool equipment, pergola structures, and property lines.
Outdoor Fireplaces Full masonry or stone-veneer fireplaces with chimneys, built as freestanding structures or integrated into a covered patio wall. These function as the anchor piece of an outdoor living room, providing heat, ambiance, and a natural gathering point from October through March.
Pool Decking and Hardscaping Poured concrete, pavers, travertine, flagstone, and stamped concrete for pool surrounds, patios, walkways, and seating walls. DSH coordinates deck drainage, expansion joints, and material transitions between the pool coping and the surrounding hardscape. In North Texas, proper drainage grading is critical because clay soil does not absorb surface water quickly. Water that pools near the house foundation or pool equipment pad causes problems over time.
Seating Walls and Retaining Walls Stone or block seating walls that double as planters, privacy barriers, or level transitions on sloped lots. Retaining walls are engineered with proper drainage behind them to handle hydrostatic pressure from saturated clay soil during heavy rain.
Outdoor Lighting LED landscape lighting, path lights, uplighting on trees and structures, string lighting on pergolas, and underwater pool lighting coordinated into one system. Smart controllers allow scheduling, dimming, and color changes from your phone.
Shade Structures and Cabanas Freestanding shade structures, poolside cabanas, and covered lounge areas with ceiling fans, curtains, and integrated lighting. Built for North Texas heat, where shade is not a luxury from May through September.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Services We Offer
Site Planning and Design
DSH evaluates your property for buildable area, utility locations, drainage flow, setbacks, and HOA restrictions before drawing the outdoor living plan.
Foundation and Footing Engineering
Pergola posts, kitchen islands, fireplace bases, and seating walls all need footings engineered for the soil they sit on. DSH coordinates with structural engineers who design for North Texas clay conditions..
Plumbing and Gas
Outdoor kitchen sinks, ice makers, and fire feature gas lines run during construction and connected to your home’s supply. Pool plumbing is coordinated at the same time if a pool is part of the project.
Electrical and Lighting
Dedicated circuits for kitchen appliances, ceiling fans, outlets, and LED lighting. All wiring run to code by licensed electricians. Smart automation panels optional.
Masonry and Stonework
Natural stone, manufactured stone, stucco, and tile veneer applied by DSH masons. Countertop fabrication and installation coordinated with the overall build schedule.
Permit and HOA Coordination
Covered structures, fireplaces, gas lines, and electrical work typically require permits in Collin, Denton, and Grayson counties. DSH handles all submissions.
HOW IT WORKS
How DSH Builds a Gunite Pool
Step 1: Free On-Site Consultation
Derek walks your backyard, discusses your vision, identifies any constraints (setbacks, utilities, drainage, slopes), and talks through realistic budget ranges for your project.
Step 2: Design and Written Estimate
DSH produces a detailed plan with layout, materials, equipment, and a line-item cost estimate. If the outdoor living project includes a pool or spa, both are designed together. You review and revise until the plan matches your goals.
Step 3: Permits and Pre-Construction
DSH submits permits, orders materials, and schedules the build sequence. If your project involves a pool, home, or both, DSH coordinates the outdoor living timeline with those builds so trades work in sequence rather than on top of each other.
Step 4: Construction
Step 5: Final Walkthrough
Common Questions
Outdoor Living FAQ
A basic outdoor kitchen island with a built-in grill, countertop, and storage typically starts at $15,000 to $25,000. A full outdoor kitchen with a grill, side burner, refrigerator, sink, kegerator, and stone veneer can run $35,000 to $75,000 depending on size, materials, and appliance selections. DSH provides a written estimate before any work begins.
Pergolas typically range from $8,000 to $25,000 depending on material (cedar, aluminum, steel), size, and whether the structure is attached or freestanding. Solid-roof patio covers that provide full shade and rain protection run $15,000 to $40,000 or more.
Building both together is one of DSH's core advantages. The outdoor kitchen, pergola, fire feature, and pool are designed as one project, built on one timeline, by one crew. Plumbing, electrical, and drainage are coordinated from the start. Learn more at /pool-construction/.
In most North Texas cities, covered structures, fireplaces, gas line extensions, and electrical work require building permits. Freestanding fire pits under a certain height may not. DSH handles all permit research and submissions for your specific municipality.
A standalone outdoor kitchen or pergola typically takes 3 to 6 weeks. A full backyard build with pool, outdoor kitchen, pergola, fire feature, and hardscaping takes 10 to 16 weeks. Timeline depends on scope, permits, and weather.
Granite is the most popular for North Texas outdoor kitchens because it handles heat, moisture, and UV exposure well. Quartzite and concrete are also durable outdoor options. Standard quartz (engineered stone like Caesarstone or Silestone) is not recommended for outdoor use because UV exposure can cause discoloration over time.
DSH builds outdoor kitchens, pergolas, fire features, and seating walls around existing pools. The team evaluates existing plumbing, electrical, and drainage before designing the addition to make sure nothing conflicts with pool equipment or buried lines.
Built-in gas grills from brands like Lynx, DCS, Alfresco, and Blaze are the standard for custom outdoor kitchens. Charcoal and pellet grill inserts are available for homeowners who prefer smoky flavor. DSH can install any built-in grill brand and configure the island to fit it.
DSH works with financing partners on qualifying projects. Details are discussed during your free consultation.
DSH builds outdoor living spaces across McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Prosper, Plano, Celina, Van Alstyne, Anna, Melissa, Sherman, and surrounding North Texas communities in Collin, Denton, and Grayson counties.
WHERE WE BUILD
Outdoor Living Service Areas
DSH Homes and Pools builds outdoor living spaces from two North Texas locations. The McKinney office serves McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Prosper, Plano, and Celina. The Van Alstyne office covers Van Alstyne, Anna, Melissa, Sherman, and communities north along US-75. Call (903) 321-3172 to discuss your project.
Financing Available on Qualifying Outdoor Living Projects
Ask about payment options during your free consultation.
BBB Accredited, A Rating . 30+ Years in North Texas
REVIEWS
EXCELLENT Based on 12 reviews Posted on Pat BarryFebruary 12, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. VINNIE AND HIS TEAM ARE THE GREATEST!!!!!! RESPONSE TIME WAS LIGHTNING FAST, AND THEY DID AN AMAZING JOB OF WATER REMOVAL!!!! THEY ARE ALL VERY COURTEOUS AND HARD WORKING......AT A REASONABLE PRICE!!!!! THANKS, VINNIE!!!! YOU SAVED OUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!Posted on Shannon KnightJanuary 28, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Vinnie and his team did an amazing job. Very knowledgeable and worked with the insurance company. I can’t say enough about them. Highly recommended!Posted on Joseph JohnsonJanuary 17, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Vinnie and team are amazing. They will look out for you and your property. They work with your insurance provider to make a terrible situation as seamless as possible. Just overall good people to deal with!Posted on Anna Cienkowski (Ania C'ski)January 17, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great company to handle all your restoration needs, very happy with Vinnie and team!Posted on Adn AnJanuary 16, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Strong team. Know what they are doing. Insurance tried to undercut our repair estimate and they really pushed back to ensure all the details were covered and taken care of. Made sure we got the best recovery possiblePosted on Chris BarnettJanuary 8, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. There aren't enough stars available to represent how easy Vinnie and his team made this whole process! We came back from vacation to find severe water damage in our home from the recent storms and after connecting with them, they helped us navigate all the insurance steps and quickly remediated the damage our home suffered. I would happily recommend them to anyone finding themselves in the same situation!Posted on Deborah GibsonJanuary 7, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Vinnie and the professional team maintain a high level of knowledge and skills with years of experience to assess any type of water and fire damage in providing an excellent outcome to any project.Posted on Jamie SJanuary 3, 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Vinnie and team do an amazing job, would highly recommend for any repair or restoration work. They came in for a foundation repair project, took half the expected time and were very tidy and professional. Use Redefined Restoration for your next home project and you won’t regret it!Posted on Fazil MehmoodNovember 24, 2023Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. As a first time home buyer going through restoration process, I had a lot questions. Vinnie Guaderrama was extremely patient and answered all my questions. The steps were explained to me ahead of time so I’d know what to expect. The demo/clean-up crew was personable & they did an excellent & efficient job of removing flooring, walls, ceiling. We are waiting on insurance to clarify somethings before remodeling starts but so far Vinnie and his team are providing suggestions/recommendations for the best final result, as well as identifying issues that needs to be addressed.Posted on Rebecca CadenaNovember 21, 2023Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great team and high-quality services! Vincent was quick to assess the water damage in my kitchen, wrote a clear estimate and kicked off the project right away. Glad to support a new local business - will call them again!
Related Services
Pool Construction
You have a backyard and a vision, but turning that into a finished gunite pool takes engineering, excavation, plumbing, and electrical coordinated on a single timeline. DSH handles every phase from permit to plaster, building custom inground pools designed for North Texas clay soil conditions.
Pool Remodeling
Cracked plaster, outdated tile, or a pool that just does not match the house you have now. DSH resurfaces, retiles, replumbs, and redesigns existing pools to look and function like new, including deck upgrades, coping replacement, and modern water features.
Custom Home Building
Building from the ground up on your own lot gives you control over layout, materials, and finishes down to the last outlet. DSH designs and builds custom homes across North Texas, from modern ranch plans to multi-story estates, managing permits, engineering, and construction in one contract.
Gunite Pools
Gunite is sprayed concrete reinforced with steel rebar, built to handle the expansion and contraction cycles that North Texas clay soil puts on every structure in the ground. DSH builds fully custom gunite pools in shapes and depths that fiberglass shells cannot match.
Spas and Hot Tubs
A standalone spa or a pool-attached hot tub extends your backyard season past pool weather. DSH builds custom spas with adjustable jets, LED lighting, and heating systems that run independently from the main pool, so you can use them year-round.
Get a Free Plunge Pool Estimate Today
A plunge pool gives you a custom, permanent water feature that fits your yard and your budget. Call (903) 321-3172 for a free on-site consultation. DSH builds every plunge pool with the same gunite engineering and in-house quality as a full-size custom pool.