It's a Waterfall Lyfe

Ever since I was a kid my sisters and I always wanted a pool. We would lay out on the patio getting sun, pretending we were pool side. Our group spent summers at my best friend’s house pool thinking how lucky she was to have one in her own backyard. So when Marc and I bought our home and wanted to put in a spa, we decided to go big and put in a pool and spa. Putting in a pool is not for the faint of heart. The design process, construction delays, supply chain issues, and the contractor/customer relationship can keep you up at hight wondering if it was all worth it. I will walk you through our process and at the end you will see, just like we did, that it is all worth it!

Our Backyard Oasis

First of all, when endeavoring on any construction project, large or small, always do your research. I spent months researching the best reputable and qualified local pool construction companies. On top of that, we got a recommendation from a colleague who had just finished their project. When doing your research, you’re looking for cost and financing, materials, construction timeline, reliability and warranty, education, and security.

Cost: When you’re looking to plan any renovation project, you have to get an idea of how much you’re willing to spend and whether or not it matches up with your planned design. If you have grand six-figure ideas but only a five-figure budget, you may need a reality check. Getting a price quote can help you determine what design, materials and equipment fit your budget. Once you’ve determined your budget, you’ll need to determine financing. Are you paying in cash or looking for outside financing? Most renovators finance pool projects and there are many options available including home equity loans, lines of credit, and direct financing. I’m not going to give you advice on what type to use because everyone’s financial preferences are different and going through each type is an article for my future financial blog. But, I do recommend the Nerdwallet article on the Best Pool Loans of 2023.

Materials: The fun part of the planning process is picking the materials and design of your pool. Everything is related to cost, so keep that in mind when perusing the tile shops. Most pool contractors have a relationship with certain meterial vendors and will give you either a price range or level included in their estimate. When planning our project, I wasn’t jazzed about the options available. I was able to negotiate a level up for our glass water line tile and a level down with coping and faux marble accent wall tile. It kept the style of the project without breaking the bank. Also keep in mind that some materials won’t be available within your timeline. I had selected travertine for the patio and coping that ended up not being available. All that being said, don’t get too attached to an exact product, but a general “look'“.

Construction Timeline: Before signing a contract discuss expectations with your contractor on how long the project will take. Pool contractors are very busy in a post covid economy with the increase in homeowners investing in projects. Knowing and understanding this will help keep you sane during construction and if there are any issues. More on that later. Each construction project is completed in phases. Each phase is completed by a city or county inspection. Inspection requirements differ by state so make sure your contractor gives you a breakdown of each phase. Further, contractors often use subcontractors for each aspect of the project: excavation, plumbing and equipment, concrete, tiling, etc. Coordinating trades takes organization and sometimes it doesn’t always work out as planned. This is why you have to keep your sanity in check. Timelines are going to slip to the right…they always do. How you cope with the delays and communicate with your contractor will have a direct impact on your relationship and the outcome of your project. So keep a cool head, communicate and be patient.

Reliability and Warranty: Pools don’t come with a warranty. There’s also nothing or no-one that can promise you that nothing will ever break. That being said, choose your contractor carefully. Make sure they provide on-site service after installation within a certain timeframe as well as educate you on the system, equipment and any troubleshooting required.

Education: Investing in any project is not just financial…it’s personal. Installing and caring for a pool takes time and personal investment. Educating oneself in how to care for and use the equipment, the chemical balance of the water, and any other aspects of pool maintenance. I will tell you that my husband and I relied on YouTube to get to know our equipment. There is a plethora of resources that walk you through any question you might have (with pictures and video).

Security: Part of the inspection process is security. Depending on your state and municipality, pools require either door alarms on exterior doors or gates surrounding the pool. Make sure to communicate with your contractor which security measure you intend to use.

After all the complicated discussion on pool project planning I will say it is still worth it! The enjoyment my family and I have had in the pool and the spa cannot be underestimated. We have treasured all the moments and I look forward to many more.