4 steps to proper pool planning
Investors looking to install a swimming pool in time for summer, although it might seem a long way off still, should act now to avoid disappointment, a leading landscape designer has advised.
Landart Landscapes co-founder and creative director Matt Leacy said that the entire process takes a minimum of six months to complete properly, and when done properly involves four key steps.
1. Plan before purchasing
Mr Leacy said that you don’t want to do things in reverse.
“Buying a pool on a whim without first looking at things like how it will connect and integrate with existing spaces and the overall outdoor aesthetic is very rarely a good idea,” the co-founder said.
“The pool should ideally complement the existing landscape and infrastructure; if you approach it the other way around, you’re likely going to have to fork out extra cash in the long run, making tweaks to either the pool or the backyard.”
2. Find your A-Team
A pool is a long-term investment that will affect the value of your investment property, Mr Leacy said.
He recommended working with companies that offer both landscape design and pool installation services.
“The location of the pool, in particular, is key as you don’t want to leave yourself with any dead zones that don’t add value. Your team needs to understand and plan for how the pool will maximise your property’s full potential and value.”
3. Have a budget and ideas in mind
It’s always good to come to the table with at least a rough budget in mind, Mr Leacy added.
“You can only pay for what you can afford, but you don’t want to barter down too much on price because the quality of the pool will ultimately suffer.
“And while you’ll likely save on upfront costs by being thrifty, you may end up spending more in the long run fixing up defects and retrofitting to make the pool flow and connect with the other spaces.”
Mr Leacy added that budget considerations should be balanced against the need for a quality final product.
“Good landscape design teams will be able to build off the brief you provide to create a design that fits within your budget.”
4. Don’t overlook the approvals
Mr Leacy said that all pools, in every state, will need to be compliant with local building codes and registered with local council.
“Or pool owners risk facing fines,” the creative director added.
He said that a big part of whether or not a pool is deemed compliant comes down to the fencing around it.
“Safety and compliance should always be the primary concerns when it comes to a pool fence,” Mr Leacy said.
“The fence effectively rezones the backyard, so it can have a massive impact on the look, feel and overall value of the property.”
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