BUILDING A BACKYARD POOL PARADISE

Ever wonder how the yard of a neighbor or friend is transformed from a blank slate into an enviable resort-like setting? How do you start the process? Where do you turn?

The images of the stunning project seen here started off with the customer’s desire for a pool and backyard entertainment area with a definite wow factor.

Whether it was a weekday swim with the family, a visit from a few friends on the weekend or an all-out bash, this yard was designed to accommodate all of the above. The proud home-owners say there is not another yard quite like it in Western New York!

Projects like these start with a call to a qualified pool company, in this case Beauty Pools, and a request for a consultation. This time, the designer’s preference was to meet at the customer’s home to get a feel for the yard so he could provide an accurate design and quote. His only request as the customer prepared for the meeting? Have a copy of their survey on hand.

At the initial consultation, the design representative spent 1½ hours with the client, educating the homeowner on the construction of a gunite pool and the many options available. The representative went down a list of questions that helped him design a beautiful pool that uniquely suited their needs and aspirations.

With this type of investment, how could the client be sure the end result would be everything they envisioned? This is where technology and designer experience come into play. In this case, an initial design was developed using a copy of the survey, several photos of the home and a list of specific requests from the homeowner. This was no basic sketch but, rather, a 3-D rendering of the house and pool, a patio and rough landscaping. According to industry professionals, depending on the magnitude of a project, some designs turn out to be precisely what the customer wants and needs the first time through while others require several renderings and some fine-tuning.

Once the customer is satisfied with the design, the next step is to meet with a landscaper. A designer can provide the names of reputable landscapers in your area, if needed. Getting a professional involved is critical to a project for a variety of reasons. They may be able to offer suggestions to tie together the design of the pool, patio and landscape.

And, depending on the products used, the landscaper may need to be involved in the building process if the plan calls for stone patios, waterfalls, outdoor kitchens or firepits. When the pool builder and landscaper develop a good working relationship, the project is sure to run more smoothly. Having a landscaper involved at this point also enables the customer to determine the total budget.

For the family enjoying the backyard oasis shown here, planning and patience were important factors as their vision become reality. A job of this scale is never a short process. A typical gunite pool will take 6 to 8 weeks to build. And a spectacular one like this can take 2 to 3 times that, depending on the complexity.

In the end, however, the owners said the wait was worth it as Beauty Pools helped them not only meet but exceed the expectations for their yard. Indeed, the pictures say it all!