Our Process
Getting Started
From consultation, to design, to execution, our team will work with you personally to deliver a professionally designed pool and outdoor living space custom tailored to fit your lifestyle. Below are the stages of our entire process of building your custom pool. Feel free to contact us with any questions or to set up a consultation.
1. THE INITIAL MEETING
The first and most important part of our process if getting to know you, your home and your vision. This begins with meeting in person to discuss the scope, timeline, budget and vision of your custom swimming pool.
2. SITE VISIT
A site assessment of your property will be done next. Someone from our design team will come out to your property in order to take pictures and any necessary measurements. During this assessment, we will also evaluate the existing landscape and elevation, deck utilization, equipment specifications, sun/wind exposure, and privacy and view requirements.
3. DESIGN
Using the information gained from the site visit, along with the information provided from our initial meeting, we will put together a detailed schematic of your new pool and outdoor living space. Designs, along with a detailed cost estimate will be sent to you, or emailed in PDF format for your review. At such time, a follow up visit will be scheduled to discuss any design changes and to review the equipment specs, deck options, color choices, etc. If structural engineering for the pool or a retaining walls is required, you will be notified at this time.
4. REVIEW DESIGN & QUOTE
Once you are completely satisfied with the design and details of your pool and backyard space, it is time to review the quote and sign the final agreement.
5. PERMITTING
We will handle the permitting for you! Your paperwork will be submitted to the County office for review. Depending on your county and municipality requirements and the complexity of your project, this phase could take up to several weeks.
During this time, it is your responsibility to submit any documentation necessary to the homeowner’s association for approval.
6. SITE PREP & POOL LAYOUT
Once the building permit has been obtained and posted, construction can begin. The existing sod will be scraped off from the proposed pool area and hauled away. Any demolition, shrub/tree removal, concrete removal, pre-grading and drainage required will also be done at this time. After the prep work is completed, our team will layout the shape of the pool using spray paint and wooden stakes.
7. EXCAVATION
At this stage, our crew will begin to dig the pool using either a bobcat or a backhoe, depending on the size of your pool. Your excavator will dig out an 8”x8” or 12”x12” box beam pending on design and choice of coping. 3” will be added to the excavated floor depth to compensate for the exposed portion of your pool tile. So, if your pool should finish 4'6", then a 4’9” depth to floor is allotted. Your digger will dig from 5’ to 6’ below the pool's wooden forms to allow for an 6” to 8” floor base in order to properly support the shell.
8. FORM, STEEL & SHELL
The steel is the skeleton of the pool and is engineered to insure maximum strength of the overall pool structure. At this stage, the crew will also pre-plumb the pool including all drains, skimmers, VAC lines, returns, water features, therapy jets and lighting.
9. PLUMBING & EQUIPMENT SET-UP
Water is pulled from the skimmer and main drain(s) and pushed through your pool's filter. Some of this return water may also be directed to waterfalls and water features.Your pool skimmer will help clean the top 3" of water by "skimming" the debris from the water's surface and the drain will help with the overall pool circulation and sanitation. The pipes run from your new pool to the new equipment are pressurized to be sure there are no leaks and to pass county inspections.
10. SHOTCRETE
This is where your pool really takes shape. High-strength fiber-mesh concrete is shot through a high-pressured hose to form the finished shape of your pool. Keep in mind this is the rough structure of your pool and will be finished off with plaster later in the process.
11. ELECTRIC
At this stage, we will run electricity to your pool pump, pool & spa lights, heater and any additional electrical features. Our electrician will hook up a time clock (or Omni Logic Wireless Phone App) that will control your pump and filter operation. They will also provide a switch for your light.
12. TILE & COPING
Each piece of coping and tile will be cut and set by hand to ensure a perfect fit around the pool. A grout color consistent with both the coping and tile will be selected to best fit the blend and color selections. If you have chosen accent tile for your pool, it will be applied just before plaster or pebble finish. Deco-tiles and mosaics will be placed at the customer’s discretion.
13. DECK PREP & INSTALLATION
This phase will often entail digging dirt out or bringing sand or dirt in to achieve the finished elevation of your deck. After your pool has been leveled to the proper grade, piers, risers, retaining walls or footers will be added at this time. The plumbing pipes are kept under pressure during this stage to insure that there are no leaks later under the deck. Depending on the deck you chose, a sub-deck may need to be installed.
14. FINAL GRADE
We will perform a final cleanup prior to applying the plaster. All form boards, tile and coping debris, excess concrete, dirt and sod will be hauled away at this time. We will also fill in any divots left by the construction crew and perform a final grade around your decking.
It is the homeowner’s responsibility to replace the sod, shrubs, sprinklers and fence unless otherwise agreed upon in the signed contract.
15. SCREEN ENCLOSURE
The screen enclosure and pool safety fencing will typically be installed prior to plaster application and pool filling. This is to protect the plaster or PebbleTec surface following application. If door alarms are required by code, these will be installed at this time.
16. INTERIOR SURFACE
The pool shell is chemically treated, prepped with a waterproofing agent, and cleaned prior to installation of the interior finish. The PebbleTec coating is what seals the pool, allowing it to retain water. After your pool is plastered and dry, another crew will come back the following day to acid wash and start filling the pool.
17. POOL FILL & START UP
Your new pool will be filled using your garden hose directly from your house or well immediately after the acid wash of the interior finish has been completed. A typical pool takes 24 – 30 hours to fill. After your pool is filled with water, someone from our team will come out and start up your pool. A pool start-up consists of cutting out your skimmer loops (used to pressurize your plumbing), installing directional inlets, turning on your pump (to begin circulation), adding start-up chemicals to your pool and testing all aspects of the pool.
18. POOL SCHOOL
We will teach you how to care for and maintain your pool. You will be given a “Complete Pool Guide” including warranty information and an advisement sheet on maintaining appropriate chemical balances. We will mark your pipes so that you know how your pool operates. We normally wait a few days after your pool's start-up before we schedule instruction. This allows your pool's water to stabilize so we can teach you how to balance your water.