Summer days are simply enhanced by having a swimming pool in your own backyard. But before you toe-dip, swan dive, or cannonball into the deep end, you should plan ahead of time. To get you and your backyard ready for the best pool possible, we enlisted the help of three experts who shared every detail from step one (deciding on a liner!) to opening day (pool floats).
The ingredients for building a pool are the same whether it is 10′ x 10′ or 25′ x 100′.
They say you should think about size, depth, position and location in your yard, and how much sun exposure it gets before going all in—not to mention whether or not a pool is a good investment for your property, and if “you can fit a Bobcat back in the yard for things like digging, pouring, and tiling.”
What is the Process of Obtaining a Pool?
Discover all of the non-negotiable steps required to install a pool. The process can take up to six months from start to finish, so plan accordingly.
1) Form a group. You can’t install a pool on your own, so you’ll need a team to help you get the job done right. “You can either hire a pool contractor to do the design and construction, or you can hire an architect to help design and permit the pool before hiring a pool contractor to build it.”
2) Consider how you intend to use the pool. Is it intended for laps and exercise? Having fun with the kids and family? Boosting resale value? Just for show? For more information regarding pool installation cost stop by our own page. All of these factors will influence your pool design, so think about them before meeting with your team.
3) Be sure to review regional codes and restrictions. “You must have your pool at least 5 feet from your property lines,” for example. So there are a lot of things to double-check before deciding where to put the pool, and this is especially true for historic or flipped homes. “A handful of inches or a foot makes a big difference,” says the designer.
4) Make good use of your available space. Don’t let a small or irregularly shaped yard deter you. There are numerous ways to use space strategically, one of which is to make changes to your landscape design. “Some trees or plants, such as bamboo, can be so deeply rooted that they make building a pool more difficult.” So, if you choose something that grows more linearly, like ficus trees, you’ll be able to build a larger pool while still adding vertical allure with greenery,” she explains. What is the story’s moral? Tightening up your greenery may be worth it to make room for a pool.
5) Begin planning several months before the opening date. Construction has been halted in many states as a result of COVID-19, but now is an excellent time to start planning because that phase can take a month or two. “I’ve never seen [a pool] come together in less than a four-to-six-month timeline, but that also includes some other hardscape elements to a renovation, whether it’s footed paths to a garden area or an entertaining area,” says the designer. However, it may not take that long. “The time frame varies greatly depending on the approvals, complexity, and amount of prefabrication, but I would estimate one to three months.” It all depends on the project’s scope. Bottom line: Plan ahead of time just in case!
When Is the Best Time to Install a Pool?
If you want your pool to be ready for summer, spring is a great time to start construction; however, if you live in a rainy area, flooding may be an issue.
Fall is another excellent time for actual installation because the weather is more stable.
“The only time constraint is that you don’t want to dig in the winter in the north.” The ground is frozen, making things difficult.”
