COVID-19 has changed a lot of things in each of our lives. I’m sure we can all attest to that. A very interesting trend we are seeing is the HUGE demand in residential swimming pools. It seems as though everyone wants to invest in their own property, and increase the enjoyment of their property.
With that being said if you are considering putting in a swimming pool, we we truly urge you to consider a few things before starting the process. Very similar to building a house…these are the big ticket items that can make or break your enjoyment of a pool.
- Trustworthy/established contractor:
Be sure to select a contractor you can trust. Be sure to ask for referrals from your contractor and speak to those who have worked with him. I would even go as far as visiting a few of his/hers completed projects. DO NOT select a “fly by night” company, as you will want your warrantees to stay in tact.
- Materials:
Yes nice materials are expensive. This is nothing new. If you want your pool to stand the test of time and the outdoor elements, be prepared to choose the higher-grade materials. A very important note is that most lower grade pool materials/equipment have short or non-existent warranties. Be sure to ask your contractor/pool builder if your selections include a warrantee. The contractor should also give you all the material/equipment information and warrantees when the job is completed.
- Thoughtful Design:
When you hire a company to design a swimming pool for you they should have several questions that need to be answered.
The questions should be directed toward your enjoyment of the pool.
For example:
- How you want to use it?
- How often you want to use it? Daily, weekly, monthly?
- Do you have small children, or any animals that can’t swim?
- What do you want your interior view of the pool to be?
- Will you use the pool most in the morning or afternoon?
If your designer is experienced enough they should know exactly how to design the pool based on your properties measurements, property plot, property slope, county/state permits/regulations, and any HOA restrictions. They should, however, want to know exactly how they could provide you with the safest, most sustainable enjoyment of your investment.
- Long-term Placement:
We like to consider the 80/20 Rule. A swimming pool or spa is something you will view 80% of the time and use 20% of the time. You should be very vocal to your designer about any long-term plans you may want for your property. Other things to consider:
- Do you want to hear the water?
- At night do you want to see the lights?
- Are their overhanging trees that cannot be removed but may be a constant source of debris in the pool?
- Visibility of neighbors, other homes, or roads from your pool.
- Pool Shell Color: Color affects the temperature of the water.
- Safety and Security:
Your contractor should be very aware of any state and local safety requirements for swimming pools or spas. Some states require a fence around a pool for safety purposes. Obviously you should not only consider state/local safety protocols, but your personal situation.
- Do you have small children that are not able to swim?
- Do your neighbors have small children?
- Do you have animals that aren’t able to swim?
If so you have many options including an automatic pool cover to cover the pool when not in use, door alarms, motion sensor alarms, and fences around the pool.
Let this be a guide when you start the process, and you will certainly have a much better experience during the process and enjoy your investment for years to come.
Now Dive In!
