The majority of unexpected costs and delays associated with building a backyard pool typically arise before construction even begins. Inadequate project planning, neglecting to obtain necessary permits, and imprecise contracts with builders lead to cost blowouts. This may result in the construction not being as exciting, but it surely would be far more manageable.
The Site Assessment Nobody Wants To Do Properly
Before you put a spade in the ground, you really need to do your homework – and most people do not. You need to know where the sewer and water lines run, whether the soil is the kind that soaks up rain and heaves or the kind that sinks. You need to know where any builders’ rubble, garbage pits or undocumented swimming pools are hiding, and how many sand quarries may have contributed to the local soil. Old mine shafts, wells, or watercourses that could swallow a collapsing excavator are worth knowing about too, as is any reason why that block of land is always dry, green, muddy, or sandy.
None of this will be your pool builder’s responsibility to survey, although a good pool builder will walk the block with you and point out potential problems. They will not be responsible for the accuracy of that information, because it is your build, not theirs.
Permits, Fencing, And The Rules That Will Not Bend
Zoning approvals and building permits depend on the council, but you have to go through it everywhere. No exceptions. Apply as soon as possible, as it may take weeks to get the green light, and in some cases, you need final engineering designs to secure it.
Safety fencing is a strict requirement. Barriers must meet certain heights and latch specifications. This is not an optional extra to prevent playing kids from leaping in, it is the law aimed at preventing unsupervised child access to the pool. Start planning a backyard pool construction project this early and incorporate the fence into the overall design – not as an ugly afterthought to your beautiful new pool.
Your pool builder should be getting permits or at least telling you what needs to be done. If their approach is to suggest you get all permits to “save time”, buyer beware.
Design Decisions That Have To Be Made Before Construction Begins
Two decisions that many people assume are just what a pool happens to look like, but that in fact have broad implications across costs, maintenance and lifestyle.
Firstly, the pool’s function. A lap pool needs to be a certain depth and length, with specific step options, in a way that is quite distinct from what’s needed for a family pool that may include a paddle area. And retro-fitting this stuff once concrete has been poured is going to hurt the budget. Best to be clear about how the pool will realistically be used – not just how the 3D model makes it look – and make these decisions upfront.
The second decision is the finished floor level (FFL). The pool al fresco comes up hard against your patio and maybe even a table. The pool deck connects in with patio heights and the existing walks you will shift to when exiting the pool. Get this wrong and you risk creating a trip hazard or a drainage point. Worse, a deck added onto the existing concrete slab looks just that – an afterthought. Make sure the two tie in seamlessly.
Choosing A Builder And Understanding The Contract
Many homeowners put their trust here. A good builder will have a ready-to-sign, extensive written contract that covers off exactly what the job entails, how payments are expected, and what occurs as variations when site conditions aren’t accurately represented.
In particular, ensure that Home Building Compensation (HBC) insurance is part of the contract – it safeguards your build investment should your builder be unable to fulfill the contract. Never presume it is in there. Request to see it in the paperwork.
As far as choosing a builder, seek out those companies whose team has direct experience in the soil and climate specifics in your area as these conditions determine the engineering constraints. The team at Pacific Pools are an example of the kind of established operator whose site-specific knowledge means your pool will be structurally sound over time.
Equipment Placement And Drainage Planning
Filtration systems like pumps, sand or cartridge filters, chlorinators – whatever they are – need to be close enough to the pool to function hydraulically, but located so the noise they add does not become an enduring annoyance to daily life or neighbors. This means planning the equipment zone during the design phase, not wedging the equipment in wherever there is room after everything else is sited.
And the other necessary item is drainage. For whatever reasons, these common generic oversights show up consistently. Splash out? Neighbor’s property? We are constantly amazed at how little attention is paid to this item not just by owners, but architects and designers who have far more at risk if a mistake is made.
Anyway, if these factors are easily overlooked, they also are very easily managed by including them in the appropriate checklist and scoping them so that each is resolved before construction begins.
Once you pool is complete, you will likely be spending much more time outdoors, so preparing your skin for summer is just as important.
