Don’t become an Australian pool owner who needs to join ‘what I wish I knew before building a pool’ forums. Get it right the first time by following this guide and enlisting the top-notch help of Environ Pools, one of Brisbane’s leading custom concrete pool builders.
Most Aussie homeowners have wished they owned a pool at one stage! On those scorching summer days, it’s easy to wish for a pool to magically appear in your backyard. As great as that would be, pool building is not an overnight affair unless you bust out the trusty inflatable one.
A pool is an asset and something that needs to go through as much preparation and planning as any other home renovation. Don’t fall for some common mistakes people make before building their pool.
Here are some of the top things to know or consider before building a pool!
WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM THE POOL?
A pool is a place to cool off, socialise, enjoy your yard, exercise, and so much more. Any pool can do all the above, but you may want a specific design depending on what you want to use it for most.
Do you have kids? Do you entertain often? Do you want somewhere to dive deep? All these questions can help determine your pool’s size, depth, and shape. A slim lap pool may be perfect if you want to use it for exercise. If you want it to be a focal point of your garden, you may want a modern pond pool or a contemporary infinity pool design.
DON’T GO IN BLIND
As a multiple award-winning Queensland pool builder, we most commonly meet two types of customers. The first is someone who has planned this build for ages and has done all their homework – the second knows they want a pool, but hasn’t done as much reading as the first.
If you want to have the pool of your dreams, this is not a process you want to walk into blindly. A professional pool builder will take a lot of the hassle out of the process, but ideally, you should hit the books before you even start sending inquiries. To go into this whole process blind can be like visiting the hairdresser and saying “anything will do”.
A custom concrete pool build should be the perfect accessory for your home. As a Brisbane custom concrete pool builder, we pride ourselves on designing concrete pools that look as if they have always belonged with the house. But, we need as much feedback from you to ensure you love everything we create. After all, a barber may give you a great trim, but if you wanted a mohawk, you’re going to walk away a little upset – and we don’t want that. We will help you rock that mohawk.
FIND IF YOUR SITE IS SUITABLE
Before you call in a pool builder, it’s in your best interest to organise a soil test to ensure your site is suitable for this project. Soil testing assesses the sustainability of the soil in your yard. From the information gathered you will be informed if your area has the right conditions for long term support of a pool structure.
Also, swimming pools are easier to build on a level site. If the spot you’ve set aside for your pool exists on a slope, construction costs may be higher and more work will be needed to make it flush. It’s better to find this out early rather than pick it up too late and potentially waste a lot of time and money. Luckily, Environ Pools is a micro excavation and tight access pool building specialist, so if you’re in a tight spot, make sure you have a chat to our expert team.
ACCESS TO THE POOL BUILDING AREA
Heavy machinery and tradespeople will be moving in and out of your yard for a while. Because of this, it’s common to see some yard damage during pool building. You’re going to want to look at the points of access in your yard and discuss with your pool builder how they will be working on your property. In the best case, you’ll have plenty of room, so the whole build can be completed as non-intrusively as possible. In the worst case, you may need to figure out more extreme access measures so your builders can work on your yard. Just know, if you have an extremely manicured yard and a built-up garden area with very little spare room, that may complicate things.
HOW SIZE RELATES TO YOUR AVAILABLE SPACE
Many people may tell you ‘you’ll never want a smaller pool’, but that’s not entirely true. Just like clothing, you want a pool that fits just right. Don’t be fooled by the diameter of the pool itself because with the decking and fencing, it’s always going to take more space than you initially thought.
Figure out what size is right for you. It’s always fine to go a few sizes higher, but there is such a thing as ‘too big’. After all, you’ll still want to use the rest of your yard comfortably without seeing your pool as an obstacle rather than a beneficial feature.
Also, check council and building regulations in your area because the requirements on fencing and proximity to stormwater drains may change depending on your state or region. If you’ve chosen a reputable pool builder, they will know all these details. Still, it’s worth knowing on your own to guarantee your home is meeting compliances.
BUDGET
Several things will affect the total cost, so consider all the variables that may come with a pool build and act accordingly.
For reference, in Australia, people looking for a budget pool build often opt for vinyl or fibreglass. Vinyl tends to cost between $27,500 and $42,000. Fibreglass pools run for about $40,000 and up, depending on the size and shape. Each of these materials has pros and cons which may sway your decision, but we will go into that later.
Nothing rivals a concrete pool when it comes to bespoke design and customisation. This tends to be the most expensive option, but it is also the most durable and requires the least maintenance. Because concrete pool builds are custom projects, the pricing varies from case to case.
TYPES OF POOL MATERIAL AVAILABLE
Pools traditionally come in three materials – fibreglass, concrete and vinyl. Each is used widely in Australia for different reasons. The first and most affordable is vinyl. This material is quick to install and the cheapest of the three. However, it tends to need more care and wears out faster, so the cost later on can catch up to the initial affordability. Plus, pool owners often are unsatisfied by the look of their vinyl liner pool since they are known to bubble or peel when they age.
Both fibreglass and concrete are durable and will last roughly the same amount of time, with concrete lasting slightly longer, before refurbishments need to occur. Fibreglass pool shells are pre-made by the manufacturer and have very little space for customisation. They may be durable, but they aren’t as strong and can break more easily from impacts.
Concrete gives you more control over how your pool looks and how it flows around your yard. You get the final say on the shape, size, depth and finish.
READY TO MAKE YOUR DREAM POOL BUILD HAPPEN?
That should give you a good idea of what to look out for before you contact a pool builder. At Environ Pools, our expert team will help you out the whole way! If you have any other burning questions, give us a call today and we’ll clear things up right away. For more information on our services, click here. While you’re at it, check out our previous work. We hope to hear from you soon.
