In preparation for getting a quote, ask yourself these 20 questions to prepare to build a pool. It will help provide necessary details to your installer and guide you through the decision-making process to determine your necessary budget.
You can customize your pool to fit your backyard but must consider a few important factors. Besides easement and setback lines, elevation changes must be addressed to accommodate water drainage and avoid flooding. You also need to leave enough room for other uses in your backyard including pets and other structures related to your pool.
How will the pool installer access your property with the necessary machinery and equipment? Most excavation equipment requires 90” access. This often makes installation impossible without entering through neighbouring property lines.
However, the Cracknell Pools team prides itself on being one of the few local installers able to successfully build a pool with only 42” of access without adding tens of thousands of dollars to the final bill.
Do you need a permit to build a pool in your area? What inspections are required by municipal laws? You must adhere to building lines and variances, obey rules regarding drainage, and follow laws regarding fences.
Determining these requirements early in your planning process will save time and headaches down the road. If you are part of a homeowners association or vacant land condominium association, you may need to follow additional bylaws as well.
Once you’ve addressed these boring but necessary questions, it’s time to think about the pool of your dreams! The big question in our list of 20 questions to prepare to build a pool is the type of pool.
Most people compare in-ground to above-ground pools. Both have benefits and drawbacks and can vary significantly in price. Perhaps after answering the rest of our questions, you will find it easier to choose. And of course, you can go in between those options with an on-ground pool or a variation of the three.
Let’s start with the big picture as we continue our 20 Questions to prepare to build a pool.
Do you plan to use your pool for laps, exercise, or swimming lessons? Will you be entertaining kids and family in your backyard? Do you see yourself lounging and relaxing by the water? Will it be meant for exercise? Do you want to increase the value of your home? These considerations will affect the type of pool you choose and its design so give this some thought before meeting with your installer.
Do you plan to stay in your home through retirement to entertain grandchildren? Is this a temporary source of entertainment? Will you sell your home before the lifespan of the pool ends? The decisions you make should be based on your long or short-term return on investment.
Beyond round and rectangular pools, depending on the type of pool you choose and the materials you select for construction, you can get creative with your designs. Kidney shapes pools were once popular. Or perhaps you wish to consider subtle shape variations to accommodate stairs, a hot tub, waterfalls, a swim-up bar or other features. Answering these questions will determine if you need a free-form or custom pool versus a geometric or straight-line pool
The larger the pool, the more square footage of construction materials it requires which increases the cost. You will also have higher maintenance costs to keep it clean and heated. And of course, you may be restricted by the space you have available for a pool.
Will you be diving or doing aquafit in your pool or do you just want something waist-deep for happy hours? If you want a combination, how much of it do you want for a shallow end? Have you considered a baja shelf, a large top step to fit a lounger for tanning or serve as a wading pool for children?
Once you narrow down these decisions, you can start to get more specific in the list of 20 questions to prepare to build a pool about design and operation.
You can choose from vinyl, fibreglass, or concrete. Each has different looks, prices, life spans, and upkeep costs to consider depending on your preferences. Each option comes with its only set of decisions on colours, patterns and other aesthetic design choices.
Most pool owners maintain the water with chlorine. Alternatively, you may opt for a salt system or even UV depending on maintenance preferences. You may be surprised it’s actually the filter that does the most to keep your water clear. Our customers typically choose between sand filters and cartridge filters based on price and convenience.
To extend your pool season, many pool owners choose to heat their pool. You have many different options including solar panels, anti-evaporation blankets, and of course electric or gas heat pumps.
You can go with standard pool lights or you can choose LED lighting systems for brilliant colours and timing. Some options can even operate remotely. Costs will vary depending on the number of lights. This decision must be made during construction as it’s too difficult and expensive to add later.
Besides the pool itself, you must make decisions about the extras required for the enjoyment of your backyard oasis. Continue on with our 20 Questions to prepare to build a pool to ensure you cover all the bases.
When selecting the material that will surround your pool, not only must you consider how it will look but also slip factors and maintenance. Choose from basic or textured concrete, stamped concrete, natural stone pavers, brick, and wood or composite materials.
Beyond materials, you need to think about size and shape and what you plan to include in the space surrounding your pool. Do you need room for fencing, furniture or other features? And you even have different choices for the edging.
When deciding on a pool cover, you need to consider looks, safety, functionality, durability, and ease of installation. Choose between a mesh safety cover, a solar pool cover, or a water bag cover. If you want to get fancy, you may want to consider an automatic pool cover simply released with a switch.
A fence around your yard containing a pool provides safety for children, adults, and animals as well as privacy. Do you need additional safety fencing beyond your yard’s fence? When determining the type of fence to install, consider its purpose and maintenance requirements.
Beyond stairs and ladders, do you want to add a diving board or slide? How about a beautiful waterfall incorporated? Will you add a spa or hot tub? Do you want a clear division between the deep and shallow ends? Will you incorporate a basketball hoop or volleyball net?
You need something to house your pool equipment but you can expand that structure to include space to store chemicals and accessories. Perhaps you want to build a changeroom or outdoor bathroom so guests don’t need to track water inside your home. For true luxury, we can design and build shade pergolas, outdoor kitchens and bars, firepits, and more.
All pools require proper maintenance. Beyond opening the pool at the beginning of each season and closing it at the end, in-season maintenance can be time-consuming. Will you maintain your pool yourself or hire a professional to handle some or all of the work?
For basic maintenance, you need to balance the PH of the water, keep filters clean and repair damaged areas. Depending on extra features, there may be additional maintenance requirements involved to reduce bacteria and mould. Ensure you think about maintenance requirements when making decisions about the type and size of your pool and other elements.
Flipping through Pinterest and Google images will provide plenty of inspiration. Put a ballpark budget in place before you get carried away. Ensure you consider each step of the installation process from excavation and installation work to additional features including lighting, decks, landscaping, and maintenance costs too.
Conclusion
Homeowners need to make a lot of decisions when building a pool. Spend some time answering these questions to ensure you make the best decision for your needs. Doing that work now will help increase enjoyment and keep your expectations realistic making it all worthwhile.
We’ve merely scratched the surface of what you may consider when selecting your pool and features. We plan to share more details about these 20 questions to prepare to build a pool.
For now, share some of your goals and dreams with us and we can help narrow down your final choices and provide you with an estimate.
