Pool Building 101

By working independently, approving contractor bids and scheduling, you eliminate the high cost of a middle-man. We are there with you throughout the process to make your experience as easy as possible. We have also saved customers thousands in financing with options they didn't even know were available.

Once we design the pool of your dreams, we encourage you to get bids from other pool companies so you can see the savings for yourself! If we can't save you money, we won't waste your time. This process is about you!

By scheduling contractors on your timeline rather than at the convenience of someone else, you are able to schedule each phase closer together resulting in smoother hand-off and shorter build time.

Most people who opt for owner-build have flexible schedules. This makes them available to handle the details of managing their project. All people who opt for owner-build want the same pool for much less money or, much more pool for the same money! Whether you manage it yourself or have someone else manage it for you, you're going to be busy either way. So, why pay more? 

However, If you work away from home full time and/or have a busy family life you may be better served by hiring a pool company. There are many reputable pool builders but many of them are backlogged. You will have to pay full premium for your pool and proceed on their timeline.

No. Aquascapes is not a pool contractor. We do not accept money from contractors or trades and we do not pay them on your behalf. Aquascapes is a pool designer and pool building consultant. We help our customers build the pool of their dreams at a substantial cost savings and in many cases, in less time.

Yes. We are happy to coordinate and manage the building of your pool for you for an additional fee. This includes coordinating with the city for permits, scheduling inspections and helping you clear underground utilities.

The design process begins from the time we begin creating your design to the time you approve the design for construction.

Your design will be provided to you in high-end professional 3-D renderings as well as finished 2-D CAD plans ready for permits and building. Walk-through 3-D videos are also available.

Yes. Reasonable changes and improvements may be made throughout the design process. However, once your design has been submitted for permits it is in your best interest not to make changes as the plans and engineering data become official construction documents and are required to pass city inspection throughout the build process.

We will provide you with CAD plans and engineering data needed for permit application, bids and construction.

Yes. City permits are required and they protect you on many levels.  We will provide you with the documentation required.

Yes. This process varies by neighborhood and is usually less formal than your city’s process. HOA approval is usually done first as their prior approval may be required by the city in order to process your permit application.

Its a matter of preference. With salt water pools, owners report a 'softer' water quality. Some customers opt for fresh water.

There is a whole new array of exciting technology in cleaning automation options to choose form. these include salt cells, acid dispensers and even UV devices. All of which can be monitored from your phone or device. Though these add a serious 'cool' factor, they are not absolute necessities.  

Some form of cleaning will be necessary in addition to your pump and filter's nightly cleaning cycle. The tried and true options are robots, pop-up cleaners and good old fashioned vacuums.

Vacuums have been around the longest but are cumbersome and difficult to move and store.

Pop-up cleaners are very reliable and push dirt toward the floor drain during your pool's nightly cleaning cycles. They are an up-front investment but reduce the need for manual cleaning.

Robots are the latest addition and are often used to supplement pop-up cleaners. They are great on shelves, steps and benches. They are an investment but most do a great job in reducing dirt.

Even using the above devices you’ll still need to do light sweeping and clean your waterline tile to keep it looking its best. Cleaning your skimmer basket regularly is also recommended to clean out leaves and surface debris.

It depends on the time that you can commit to basic weekly upkeep and the price you’re willing to pay. Pool cleaning services are expensive. However, we can design a system for you that will drastically cut down the need for chemicals and cleaning—leaving you with light maintenance and saving you the monthly cost of a service.

We will help you get binding written bids from reputable licensed and bonded contracting companies for each phase of your project. Many of these companies have done thousands of pools locally and have excellent working relationships with each other resulting in good ‘hand-off’.

You pick the contracting companies that you feel are right for each phase of your job. Pricing is often close between bids so you may pick a company based on reputation, incentive or availability.

You pay all contracting companies directly. Many of them will require a deposit with a signed bid at the time of scheduling. AS™ does not accept fees or commissions from contracting companies.

We will provide you with an estimated target schedule. However, you will schedule contracting companies based on their availability and your convenience.

You are ready for water once the interior pool finish has been applied and acid washed. Filling the pool is often started the same day or the day after the interior finishing process is complete and can take several hours or a couple of days depending on the size of your new pool.