In Northern Virginia, designing a backyard pool is a thrilling prospect. Of course, if you’re planning to install a swimming pool, you want it to be everything you imagined. That means making sure you’re covering all of your bases and avoiding mistakes you’ll come to regret later.

We have compiled a list of dos and don’ts for building a swimming pool to help you get ready. We understand that this can feel like a daunting task, and you may not even know what to think about ahead of time. You want to be ready; you don’t know how.

There’s nothing worse than looking at a final product and realizing there are things you wish you had known or done differently. We wrote an entire article about things people frequently wish had known before building their pool.

Poolforce is all about accountability and trying to educate our clients. Similarly, this list of do’s and don’ts for pool construction will hopefully help you get off to a good start as you plan your pool.

This list of swimming pool dos and don’ts should hopefully be of assistance!

Do: Take into Account Your Financial Situation

Poolforce enjoys it when our clients have big dreams during the pool planning process.

Many of the most impressive aspects of being a custom pool builder are that we are not unique to a small size, shape (or depth) as we would be with a Fiberglass Pool or even a Vinyl-Liner pool. The possibilities are endless with a Gunite Pool.

Everyone has a budget, and we understand that we must work within the constraints of each of our clients’ budgets.

We understand that this is a sensitive subject. When we ask clients about their swimming pool budget, they frequently respond, “Just tell me how much it will cost.”

The problem with that approach is that, as with any project, there are different costs and other ways to ensure that the project still meets your primary wants and needs while staying within your spending plan.

In the end, swimming pool designs must be cost-effective. Several alternatives are open based on budget, so knowing this information ahead of time is critical.

Don’ts: Don’t Worry About the Poolside Areas

As previously stated, a swimming pool is much more than just the pool itself. You won’t spend the entire day in the pool, but if you have suitable spaces and amenities, you might spend the whole day around or near the pool.

A pavilion, an outdoor kitchen, fire features, lounging zones, and a pool patio are examples of poolside areas. All of these factors contribute to a more enjoyable pool experience.

Consider this: since you can prepare a meal and serve meals outside, have a place to escape the sun for a while, or perhaps watch the game in your comfortable outdoor pavilion, all while your kids are still swimming, you could spend the entire day (and night) outside! You may maximize your investment by spending as much time as possible in certain places surrounding the pool.

The landscaping around the pool is also essential and should not be overlooked. When planning a backyard pool design, you want to work with a company that covers all of the bases.

Do: Determine your reasons for wanting a pool and how you intend to use it.

First and foremost, why do you want a swimming pool? The answer to this question and how you intend to use the pool will assist you in determining some of the swimming pool features that will help you get the most out of your pool design.

Consider the following factors as you recognize why you want a pool:

1. Do you want to open a spa?
2. Will you spend most of your time swimming or relaxing?
3. Will you use the pool to get some exercise?
4. Are there any water features that pique your interest?
5. Do you want to be able to eat your meals by the pool?
6. How many seats will you require around the pool?

These questions, among others, will assist you in making significant progress in pool planning for our dream pool.

After all, this is your pool, and you should be satisfied with the final design.

 Don’ts: Select a Pool Builder based on the Price

Purchasing any service based solely on Price can be a recipe for disaster. There are usually good reasons why one company charges more than another. However, when it comes to swimming pool builders, we believe that shopping solely on Price could be a recipe for failure!!

It puts you at risk of being dissatisfied with the final product, which is unacceptable when spending so much money on a pool. A swimming pool is not something you should skimp on.

Pool companies out there will throw in a cheap pool and move on, and those types of companies will naturally charge less.

It’s these companies that try to configure as many pools as they can in a season. However, these same companies fail to create a “complete space,” which is likely what you had in mind (and will most likely end up paying for in the year to follow). It’s important to remember that most companies like this don’t provide a turnkey solution. You’re only paying for the pool, and that’s all you get.

You might end up with a messed-up yard when they’re finished, and they didn’t resolve it.

We’ve viewed cases where a pool enterprise dug up the entire yard and left mounds of dirt behind—although they were never doing anything other than the pool.

We have also seen pools where the homeowner was dissatisfied with the result (at which point it was too late). The lack of thought put into the pool may have caused them difficulties.

Ultimately, these failures cost the homeowner money in the long run. Fixing problems they caused may cost them more than if they had had the pool installed the way they truly desired from the start.

Trying to cut corners to save money, like anything else in life, usually results in dissatisfaction.

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Dos: When planning a pool, look into the pool companies.

You have choices when it comes to who will build your pool. Working with a pool builder specializing in pools is one option, as is working with a landscape company that not only installs pools but also designs and builds landscape features. The main distinction between the two is what they are capable of doing.

Many pool companies are eager to sell your pool, install a concrete patio, and move on to the next job as soon as possible. These are the types of businesses we discussed in the section on price comparison shopping. Our region’s pool-building season is short, so understandably, they want to sell as many jobs as possible.

However, a pool builder like this is only concerned with the pool, which we call “tunnel vision.” This can lead to a lot of things being overlooked.

Because their sole focus is on the pool, they may overlook some essential features you most likely desire.

If you want the whole package—an outdoor kitchen under a pavilion, beautiful plantings, and a highly functional patio around your pool—you should consider working with a company that has a landscape design expert on staff. That is a company that not only designs and installs pools but also works with entire landscapes. While it will be an essential feature, it will not be the only one.

Consider taking your time to investigate your options. Engage on pool builders’ websites and read their customer reviews. Don’t be afraid to pose questions in an “interview style.” This is a big decision, and you deserve to be confident that you’ve chosen a reputable company.

Consider The above Pool Dos and Don’ts.

We understand that we’ve given you a lot to think about, but these swimming pool dos and don’ts are essential. This is due to the importance of your swimming pool.

You’ve spent your hard-earned money planning a backyard pool design, and you deserve to have everything you’ve imagined. You, too, deserve to be pleased when the swimming pool is completed.

PoolForce understands that every detail of your project is essential. Once we finish mending your pool, we want you to be complete satisfaction with it. We want it to be where you can make memories that will last a lifetime.

We eagerly await your response.

Check out our other blogs as well; we have a lot to offer in pool knowledge.

Which advice was helpful? Let us know in the comment.