During the hot, humid summer months, a backyard pool can provide a lot of relief — not to mention the perfect location for a summer party or your family’s summer-long staycation. While you may have considered installing a pool in the past, many homeowners don’t think about these crucial considerations before installing a pool:

Cost, Maintenance & Upkeep

When it comes to installing a pool, the initial cost of the installation is just the beginning. Before you decide to install a pool in your backyard, it’s important to understand that you’ll need to budget for maintenance costs and regular upkeep for years after installation. Keep in mind that the cost of maintenance depends on the type of equipment is installed, and a little more of an investment up front can save you money down the road. For example, a variable speed pump versus a single or two speed pump can save you hundreds of dollars per year in hydro bills, and a cartridge filter over a sand filter will save you wasting water backwashing — not to mention time.

It’s also important to understand what might not be included with the project, as many contractors will fail to mention out of pocket expenses, only for you to find out later in the fine print. This can include permit fees, water, gas and electric hookup charges, fence work, and restoration of your yard.

How Will Your Pool Be Used?

Pools come in a range of shapes and types, from above-ground and inground to oval, square, kidney-shaped and more. Before you choose what kind of pool you want to have installed, ask yourself how your pool will be used and what its main purpose will be. Is it for your kids? For architectural interest? Are you picturing it as a relaxing retreat? We can design and customize these pools in many shapes and sizes to accommodate your needs. These questions will help you decide how you want your pool to look.

Landscaping & Your Pool

A pool, no matter what its use, will be a large part of your backyard’s landscaping, so it’s essential that you consider how the rest of your landscaping will blend with a pool. If you’re installing an above-ground pool, you may want to consider having a deck built around it. Inground pools look great with some paving stones around the edges, and both types of pools can be enhanced with plants and greenery to soften the appearance.

We want to ensure everything works seamlessly together to allow enjoyment out of your whole backyard, not just the pool. Placement and the elevation of the pool will drastically affect your outdoor living experience. That’s why we always come up with a proper plan for your backyard to accommodate all these items before starting.

Safety Features

Owning a pool is a lot of responsibility, whether you have children and pets or not. If your property is not already fully-fenced, you will be required to install a fence around your property so that your both people and  pets aren’t in danger of wandering onto your property and falling in. Beyond that, you’ll want to consider safety features like pool covers, ladders, water rescue equipment and more.

How Long Will The Project Take?

Before you enter into any landscaping project, it’s important to understand how long it will take. Typically, the lead time for a pool installation can be anywhere from three to 12 months. If you’re considering installing a pool, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time. If you’re contacting a pool installation company in May, you most likely won’t have your pool for the coming summer.

When choosing a company for your pool installation, the time it takes to complete your project is impacted by how many projects the company is working on at a time. At TLC Landscaping, we only work on one pool at a time to ensure a timely completion.

If installing a pool is the right fit for you and your family, contact us to get started on making this dream a reality.