Quick planning summary
- Best for
- Families with young kids who aren't ready for a pool — or households that want a fun water feature alongside one
- Planning investment
- Splash pad pricing depends on footprint, feature count, surface material, and the recirculation system.
- Typical timeline
- Most residential splash pads complete in a few weeks once permits and equipment are in hand.
- Service area
- Phoenix metro — Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, and surrounding cities.
- AE division
- AE Outdoor Living
Ranges are planning guidance and reviewed periodically. Final figures live in your signed proposal.
What AE currently offers for this scope
Only options we actively design, source, and build today. Ask in your intake if you don't see what you're picturing.
- Interactive water features
- Slip-resistant rubberized surface
- Recirculating systems
- UV + chlorine sanitation
- Drainage planned in
- Designed with supervision in mind
Design options
- —Recirculating systems
- —Slip-resistant surfaces
- —Bubblers
- —Ground sprays
- —Dump buckets
- —Arches and tunnels
- —Themed layouts
The scope items that move the number
Size, selections, access, demolition, utilities, engineering, drainage, permitting, HOA requirements, site conditions, and specialty trades. We surface each one in your written scope instead of teasing a price that omits common cost drivers.
- Footprint
- Number of features
- Surface material
- Recirculation vs drain-to-waste
- Sanitation system
- Drainage and grading
- Permits
How we build it, summarized
- — Written, itemized scope before any work begins; no verbal change orders.
- — Engineering, drainage, and code review documented in the approved design.
- — Manufacturer instructions and current AZ code govern installation methods.
- — Photo documentation captured at each major milestone for the project file.
Final specifications depend on the approved design, site conditions, engineering, applicable code, manufacturer instructions, and signed scope.
See full Construction Standards →Set in your signed proposal
Your signed proposal and agreement control payment milestones, permitting responsibilities, warranty coverage, exclusions, and project scope. Pool and non-pool projects follow different milestone schedules.
What's covered, and by whom
AE provides a two-year workmanship warranty unless a signed agreement states otherwise. Manufacturer warranties apply where applicable and vary by product. Your signed agreement and manufacturer documentation control coverage.
- Pool shell & structureAE workmanship: 2-year AE workmanship
- Pool interior surfaceAE workmanship: Manufacturer warranty appliesManufacturer: Per manufacturer
- Pool tile & water featuresAE workmanship: 2-year AE workmanship
- Pool equipmentAE workmanship: Manufacturer warranty appliesManufacturer: Per manufacturer (varies by product)
- AE LEDs (permanent lighting)AE workmanship: 2-year workmanshipManufacturer: Manufacturer component warranty (varies by product)
- Sonoran Glass & FenceAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship; gate adjustments for 1 yearManufacturer: Manufacturer glass & hardware warranty
- Landscape, hardscape, stone, paversAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship
- Artificial turfAE workmanship: 2-year workmanshipManufacturer: Manufacturer coverage may continue; labor excluded after year 2
- Plants & treesAE workmanship: 90-day replacement with proper care, subject to exclusions
Website information is for planning purposes. Your signed proposal and agreement control the scope, payment schedule, warranty, and project responsibilities.
Splash Pads questions, answered
How much does a residential splash pad cost?+
Splash pads typically cost about half of a comparable pool build — most residential pads run $18,000–$100,000 depending on size, features, surface, and recirculation equipment.
Is it just a sprinkler?+
No — it's a recirculating system with an underground tank, pump, and filter, similar to a pool but with no standing water.
How do splash pads compare with pools for younger kids?+
Splash pads don't have a pool-depth basin, which can reduce certain water-depth risks, but they still require responsible adult supervision, safe surfacing, and proper system maintenance. Many families use them as a complement to a pool, not a replacement for safe water habits.
Do splash pads waste water?+
Not when built with a recirculating system, which is how we build every AE splash pad.
How long does splash pad construction typically take?+
Most residential splash pad installations are completed within 2–4 weeks from excavation to final inspection. Project timelines can vary depending on complexity and material availability.
What materials are used for the splash pad surface?+
We primarily use specialized rubberized, non-slip surfacing designed for durability and safety. This material provides excellent traction and remains cool under the Arizona sun.
Do I need a specific amount of backyard space for a splash pad?+
Splash pads are quite flexible; we can design them for areas as compact as 100 square feet. The ideal size depends on the features you want and your available yard space.
How does the Arizona climate affect a splash pad?+
Our designs account for intense Arizona heat and monsoons, using UV-resistant materials and robust drainage. Proper winterization is also important, ensuring system longevity.
Published specifications are typical AE planning or construction baselines. Final specifications depend on site conditions, engineering, manufacturer requirements, applicable code, and the signed scope.
What goes wrong when this is done poorly
- Building it as a glorified sprinkler with no recirculation — water bill destroys the budget
- Slippery surfaces
- Undersized drainage
- No sanitation system
- Putting it where shade never reaches
Often built alongside
Ready to plan this the right way?
One accountable team — design, written scope, build, and aftercare.