Four commonly asked questions about custom pools

Dreaming about the summer months and the fun you could have with family and friends around your own pool? Thinking about grilling in your outdoor kitchen and hosting the kids’ baseball team for a party?

If so, here are four commonly asked questions about custom pools you might be curious about:

When is the best time to start a custom pool project?

You can start a custom pool project at any time of the year, but early fall around September or October is the best time to get started if you want your pool and landscaping ready by summer. You may be thinking that sounds like a really long time to install a pool, but keep in mind that the timeline includes designing your custom pool and backyard and making all the necessary decisions about features and materials.

The design step alone can take some time to get the plans just right, and then we move to installing the pool and landscaping. And yes, winter and spring months can cause some weather delays for installation, but it’s still a good idea to start early if you want your pool ready by summer.

The time required to install a pool and do a backyard makeover will vary depending on the specific scope of the design. If you have a specific completion date in mind, be sure to share that information with us up front, as it may alter some of the other deadlines along the way.

What features do most people have on their wish list?

Everyone’s custom pool and backyard wish list is going to look different, since it’s a pretty personal project. Your dream might include a large pool with plenty of space for the entire neighborhood to play a game of water volleyball. Or maybe it includes a smaller pool with an elegant waterfall and natural rock feature along with an extraordinary outdoor kitchen and colorful landscaping. Some wish lists include pergolas and fire pits, and sports pools are a popular trend right now as well.

One thing the vast majority of our customers request is a low-maintenance pool. After all, nobody wants to spend hours cleaning their pool when they could spend that time enjoying it! Another common request is for a pool that flows well with the backyard space and the house. Other words we hear a lot are fun, relaxing, and family friendly.

How much is it going to cost?

The cost of your custom pool depends on your budget. We work closely with our clients to understand their budget up front, and then keep the project within that budget. We won’t push you into a higher a budget, but we also won’t sugarcoat the price of a pool or additional accessories. Extra decking, natural rocks, water features, and other accessories all add to the cost of the pool, and we’ll help you understand the added cost for each accessory and modify the design as needed to fit within your budget.

What are my choices for size, shape, color, etc.?

Many of our customers come to us with a dream in mind, and we do our best to make that dream a reality. However, sometimes their existing backyard presents a challenge. We first review the easements and plot plans for the backyard before we start the design process to help minimize the possibility of surprises later in the project.

Once we know what we’re working with in terms of space, there are plenty of design options to choose from. Round pools, square pools, and just about any shape you can imagine. A rainbow of tile colors, lots of plaster choices, and different finishes. Lighting, water features, and other accessories, too. And that’s just for the pool! Even more options exist when we get into outdoor kitchens, pergolas, and landscaping to finish the look.

Have other questions about custom pools? Let us know! We’re happy to help.