Swimming pools are a big deal in practically every respect. And because a pool project is such a huge investment, it’s important to think it all through, to plan it out carefully, and to execute according to the plan. For that matter, every project is worth planning, and good planning will ensure productivity, good outcomes, and less stress. Unfortunately, bad planning can quickly turn into bad execution, and on a swimming pool project this can mean expensive changes and highly stressful situations.
While it’s true that everyone organizes and plans differently, having a checklist is quite advantageous. It allows you to prioritize your pre-requisites for the project, and also allows for review and consideration when critical decisions are required. Most importantly, it provides a “game-plan” for both you AND your pool builder – a plan that can be committed to AND followed. In fact, a good pool contractor will look forward to working with a customer who knows exactly what they want from start to finish.
If you haven’t already chosen a pool builder, it’s a good idea to speak with someone who has a pool, and has gone through the construction/installation process. Any pool owner will be happy to elaborate on what they liked - what they didn’t like - what they would change – and what the final costs were.
While you’re shopping around, assemble a variety of pool designs that might be compatible for your project. Needless to say, the Internet is full of design ideas, options and descriptions. At some point, you should be able to isolate the one or two that are most compatible with your needs and lifestyle.Swimming pools are a dream in the making. So it makes sense to create a swimming pool “wish list” to reflect all of the fancy features and design elements that you could wish for. At this stage, it’s a good idea to keep your budget in mind, although this is only a “wish-list” you’re dealing with right now.
With or without your pool builder, create a mock pool layout on the ground – it will give you a sense of how much space the new pool will require, and how the chosen pool shape will look in the specified location. This is an excellent exercise in determining which swimming pool layout will work best.
A pool is built only ONCE, so pre-planning is critical to the project. Construction materials, parts and equipment should be of high quality - in other words, built to perform, and built to last. Importantly, a reputable pool builder should be able to guarantee the parts AND equipment AND installation.
Planning a swimming pool also means having a plan for the surrounding landscape. But even with good ideas in mind, the best approach is to hire a pool builder who provides everything under one roof, including design assistance, landscaping services, and building/construction/installation.Choosing a reliable and reputable pool contractor might well be the most important part of your plan. It’s best to hire an established, well-known company - one that has been in business for a long time, and without any risk of future instability. As it is, it’s good to ask for client references/referrals.
