Certifications & Professional Credentials — Sunset Pools Inc.
Why Certifications Matter
Choosing a certified pool builder means your project is designed and built to nationally recognized standards for safety, structure, and quality. At Sunset Pools Inc., certifications aren’t just credentials — they’re a promise of craftsmanship, accountability, and continuing education.
Proudly serving Katy, Fulshear, Cypress, Richmond, Sugar Land, and the Greater Houston area, we believe education drives excellence — and our credentials prove it.
Genesis / PHTA Certified Pool Builder
Founder Adam Traugott has been a Certified Pool Builder (CPB) through Genesis and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) since 2012.
Genesis is the educational division of the PHTA and offers ANSI-accredited national certification in pool design, hydraulics, engineering, and construction.
Certification competencies include:
- Advanced structural and hydraulic design
- Safety and compliance with ANSI/PHTA-1 and PHTA-2 standards
- Soil mechanics, materials, and load engineering
- Project management and luxury design integration
Adam renews his continuing-education requirements each year through the PHTA Builder Education program to stay aligned with evolving national codes and innovations.
“Certification is the foundation of trust — it ensures every pool we build meets or exceeds national structural and safety standards.”
— Adam Traugott, Certified Pool Builder since 2012
“We built this company on education and trust — our certifications simply prove what our clients already know: we do things the right way.”
— Sonia Traugott, Co-Founder & Design Director
PHTA Member — Sonia Traugott
Co-founder Sonia Traugott has been an active member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) since 2002. She participates in national design and education programs through PHTA, UAG and PACE, ensuring that every Sunset Pools project combines technical precision with design-forward creativity.
Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO)
Project Management Team
All three of our full-time project managers are Certified Pool & Spa Operators (CPO) through the PHTA, with annual renewals. Each CPO is trained to manage pool operation safety and efficiency for every project across Katy, Fulshear, and Cypress, specializing in:
Design Studio
Buildertrend Certified Company
Sunset Pools is a Buildertrend Certified Company, leveraging the industry’s most advanced project-management software for communication, transparency, and client satisfaction.
Buildertrend certification validates our ability to deliver:
- Real-time construction progress updates
- Scheduling and budget visibility
- Photo documentation and change-order tracking
- Seamless communication between design, construction, and clients
trusted builder
Google Guaranteed Contractor
Sunset Pools is a verified Google Guaranteed contractor under Google Local Services. This verification includes:
- Background-checked ownership and employees
- Verified insurance and licensing for trade partners
- Ongoing compliance and reputation monitoring
This badge confirms our credibility as a trusted, insured, and independently vetted Houston-area builder.
Licensed & Insured Trade Partners
While Texas does not require licensing for pool builders, all Sunset Pools trade partners — including electricians and plumbers — are fully licensed and insured. This ensures that every project meets professional, legal, and safety standards from the ground up.
- Comprehensive general liability insurance
- Workers-compensation coverage
- Verified documentation for every active subcontractor
Elite PebbleTec Authorized Builder
Sunset Pools is an Elite PebbleTec® Authorized Builder — a distinction awarded to top-tier partners recognized for craftsmanship, consistency, and customer satisfaction.
We are also multi-year recipients of PebbleTec’s World’s Greatest Pools Award (2020–2025)
Our PebbleTec authorization ensures:
- Genuine PebbleTec® materials and color systems
- Factory-trained application and finishing specialists
- Extended 5–10 year interior finish warranties
- Verified compliance with national installation standards
Pentair Authorized Installer
As a Pentair Authorized Installer, Sunset Pools integrates Pentair’s Eco Select® energy-efficient systems.
These technologies lower energy consumption by up to 80% while improving water quality and automation performance.
Pentair integration benefits:
- Smart filtration and heating controls
- Quiet, efficient variable-speed pumps
- Saltwater and low-chlorine systems
- Compatibility with energy-saving lighting and automation
Modern Method Gunite Partnership
Since 2001, Sunset Pools has partnered with Modern Method Gunite — Houston’s largest and most respected gunite and PebbleTec applicator.
This partnership guarantees that every gunite shell meets or exceeds ANSI/PHTA-1 standards and is built by certified shotcrete professionals using proven, long-lasting methods.
Additional Certifications & Memberships
- Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) — Member since 2025
- UAG (United Aqua Group) — Member since 2008
- PACE (Pool & Aquatic Contractors Education) — Member since 2022; we attend the annual PACE Conference and participate in trade shows locally and nationally each year.
- Certified Commercial Pool Builder Affiliation — Experienced in commercial pool construction for HOAs, multifamily projects, and swim schools following national PHTA and ANSI standards
Unmatched Coverage
Every project is protected by comprehensive insurance and backed by our multi-tier warranty program:
- 10-Year Structural: Gunite shell
- 5–10-Year Finish: PebbleTec interior finish (varies by material)
- 3-Year Utilities & Equipment: Pentair systems and underground plumbing
- 2-Year Structural: Cabanas, patios, bathrooms, and arbors
- 1-Year General: Landscaping, turf, irrigation, audio, and lighting
We maintain active involvement in national builder education, attending:
- The PHTA National and Regional Builder Conferences each year
- The PACE Annual Conference
- The UAG Annual Conference
- Pentair Conference
- Industry trade shows locally and nationally to stay ahead of design, safety, and technology trends
We adhere to the ANSI/PHTA-1 and ANSI/PHTA-2 standards, ensuring every project we design and build meets the latest national construction guidelines.
Continuing education and certification are the cornerstones of our reputation — and the reason Sunset Pools remains Houston’s most trusted name in luxury pool construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you build commercial pools?
Yes — including projects for Big Blue Swim School in Fulshear and Safe Splash Swim School in Cypress, among others.
Are you insured and certified?
Yes. We are fully insured and certified through Genesis/PHTA, with additional memberships in GHBA, UAG, PACE, and local Chambers of Commerce.
How often are your certifications renewed?
PHTA and Genesis credentials require ongoing education; our CPO certifications renew annually through the PHTA.
What does being an Elite PebbleTec Builder mean?
Elite Builders are recognized among the top-performing authorized PebbleTec partners for consistent quality, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction.
Is Sunset Pools licensed in Texas?
Texas does not license pool builders, but Sunset Pools carries full liability insurance, and all electrical and plumbing partners are state-licensed.
What does it mean to be a Genesis Certified Pool Builder?
It means our builders are trained and certified through an ANSI-accredited education program recognized nationwide for engineering, safety, and luxury design.
How long have you been in business?
We’ve been designing and building custom pools and outdoor spaces in Texas since 2001.
award-winning craftsmanship
See Our Certifications in Action
See how our certifications translate into award-winning craftsmanship in our Portfolio of Custom Pools
