Making Dreams Come True

For nearly a half-century, Pool Specialist has helped homeowners achieve and maintain their desired pool experience

By Joe Jancsurak

In the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) dreams of having a backyard pool. And why not? Pools can provide the perfect space for creating lasting memories with family and friends, as well as private wellness retreats.

That’s where Pool Specialist comes in. Voted Wilmington's Best Pool Company three times by Wilmington Magazinereaders, Pool Specialist has served the Wilmington area since 1978, when it began as a company specializing in swimming pool repairs and vinyl liner pool installations.

Since those humble beginnings, the company has evolved into a full-service concrete pool contractor specializing in demolition, renovations, and installation of pools and spas, including any and all outdoor elements associated with the surrounding area—sunken fire pits, raised TV walls, hardscapes, planters, custom steps, and outdoor grill stations.

In other words, Pool Specialist is your one-stop, turnkey provider when it comes to pools, accessories, and maintenance.

Chris’s dad and company founder, Billy Philips (1942–2015), spent a decade working on oil rigs in the North Sea before returning to his hometown of Wilmington, where he installed the WWAY-TV3 towers. He always had an entrepreneurial mindset, which led to the launch of Pool Specialist.

Together with Chris’s mom and co-owner, Dot—described as a “water chemistry guru and locator of rare parts for older installations”—Chris remains dedicated to providing long-lasting and stylish installations.

“My dad was inspired by the simplicity, flair, and clean lines of Euro-styled pools that incorporated their surroundings, whether it was the cliffs in Italy or the English coast,” says Chris. “Here, we’re able to incorporate the area’s beautiful oak trees and coastline with swimming pools that are getting more elaborate. From infinity edges to elevated swimming pools, each pool has its own vibe. Other notable trends include embedded fire features that produce flames for nighttime drama and ambiance; floating lily pad steps; and Champagne perimeter overflow spas.”

Chris continues, “My dad also believed in high-quality standards and engineering excellence. He often said, ‘We don’t build a pool to last 20 years; we build pools to last 100 years.’”

Today, together with their team of eight employees—all of whom perform myriad tasks ranging from installing glass tiles, lights, and stone to pumps and automation features—Chris and Dot remain dedicated to running a family-centric business.

“Dot, a native of Maine and a Wilmington resident for more than 50 years, is in the store nearly every day handling calls and customer requests,” says Chris. “When she’s not, my wife Lindsay and I are there. Some of our customers have known me since I was a toddler running around the store.”

Growing up in the family business prepared Chris well for his current role as co-owner.

“As a teen, I worked summers with the crews—jackhammering, draining pools, and installing motors—before moving up the ranks to machine operator, plumber, concrete finisher, and installer. There are so many lessons I learned along the way, with the most important being: don’t rush the process; always communicate with the homeowner; and concrete waits for no one. After the forms have been built and that first truck arrives, you better be ready, and you better bring your A game. Anyone in the concrete business reading this knows exactly what I’m talking about,” Chris adds with a chuckle.

His years in the business have also taught Chris the value of sound vendor relationships.

“We have 30 to 40 vendors, and we must work closely together to understand their products and technologies. This requires attending vendor trade shows and continuing education events, and visiting their production and warehouse facilities to better understand how their products are produced.”

When asked what else he wants readers to know about Pool Specialist, Chris says, “We really have a lot of pride in our craftsmanship and customer service, and we’re only a phone call away.”

Visit poolspecialist910.com