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Ask the General: Will a Pool Fit in my Yard?

will a pool fit in my yard

Looking for high-class, very nice pools? See what the General has to say about making your pool dreams a reality!

Dear General; 

My family has been begging for a new inground fiberglass pool (and I want one too!), but our yard is pretty small and I’m worried we can’t fit one. It is also hard to find very nice pools that are a smaller size. How can I find out if a pool will fit in my yard and what it might look like, so we can decide on a pool and get in the swim?

Signed–

Wondering in Winnetka

 

Dear Wondering;

Will an inground fiberglass pool fit in your backyard? The short answer is: probably! Fiberglass pools come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. While your yard might not be large enough to accommodate a pool with features such as  built-in tanning ledges, open swim lanes or beach entry, there are still awesome fiberglass pool designs that are as small as 19.5 feet long and 9.5 feet wide that can give you the relaxing oasis you’re dreaming of. The first step is to consult with a professional pool builder. They’ll send an estimator to your house to let you know what your options are and give you a quote so you can be one step closer to having the backyard swimming pool oasis of your dreams. Here’s how to get started:

  1. Do your research. Before you contact anyone, do some research. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau, look at their online consumer reviews, check out their website, and then, once you’ve contacted a company, ask them for recommendations from their customers. Like you’ve heard me say before, just make sure the company is an established, experienced, honest, professional pool builder. And don’t be afraid to check out their competition–most people will get more than one quote.
  2. Get an estimate. Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to schedule an estimate by having a professional pool estimator/designer come to your home. Some companies may have a showroom you can visit, but the standard procedure is to send someone to you. Some pool builders may require a fee to come to your home, but most of them will give you a free estimate. Regardless, at some point in time, someone will actually have to see your backyard in order to give you an accurate quote.
  3. Prepare for your meeting. Your inground fiberglass pool estimator will need to see a plot plan or survey of your property, preferably with the house and setbacks stated on  them. Have this ready for your meeting if you can. During the 30 years I was a design consultant, I spent a lot of time sitting around folks’ dining room tables, discussing pool projects and this was always my first step. Then, we’d head out to the yard to see what was possible. Most yards could accommodate a very nice pool design.
  4. Be ready for a few bumps. Regardless of how large or small your yard is, there are other things to take into consideration when you’re planning and designing your inground fiberglass pool. Some sites can be a little tricky and might require things like:
    • Dealing with setback variances
    • Working around HOA covenant concerns and special  building regulations
    • Cutting down trees and/or moving landscaping
    • Building retaining  walls
    • Shuttling dirt out
    • Shuttling materials in
    • Pumping concrete
    • Moving utilities such as gas, cable and phone lines
    • Moving sewer and water lines and septic  systems
    • Moving, installing or reinstalling fences, wood  decks and concrete patios
  5. Make a plan. An experienced, professional inground fiberglass pool designer should be able to quickly ascertain the size of the pool, the best location for it and the elevation by asking the right questions and listening to what you want including how you plan to use your pool. He or she should also be familiar with the local building codes and permit requirements and have suggestions for ways to work around any of the above issues.  They will then create a design and provide you with a quote.
  6. Remember the big picture. Your new inground fiberglass pool will need some beauty around it. You’ll probably need some new landscaping to complete your design. Some  pool companies have their own landscaping service, but most will use an independent  landscaping contractor to incorporate the pool into a master landscaping design. Using a landscaper who has experience with pool designing will ensure that your finished product is the gorgeous backyard swimming pool oasis you expected.

The takeaway here is this: An inground fiberglass swimming pool in your backyard is most likely doable, regardless of size. But you’ll never know if you just keep wondering! It’s time to take the plunge and pick up the phone. It might seem like a time consuming project, but the years of having family and friends over to swim, the memories you can make with the kids, the entertaining, exercise and pure relaxation make it all worthwhile.

Where I am, it’s 93 degrees today with high humidity. Think I’ll grab a float and enjoy my pool.

Until next time…

The  General

 

Who is The General?

The man, the myth, the legend….we just call him The General. His organized, systematic approach to pool installations over the years had his crew members calling him “The General” and it stuck. The General has over 30 years’ experience in the pool and spa industry, working for one of Pool and Spa News’ “Top 50 Pool Builders.”

Over that time, he designed, sold, project-managed and installed over a thousand inground swimming pools. As a pool owner himself, he’s the perfect authority to give you the inside scoop, with amazing tips and tricks to make pool ownership a breeze!