Suppose you are like us at HAC Arquitectura, located in a warm place like Mexico where there is plenty of sunshine. Like many of our clients in Cabo and Guadalajara, you are likely considering adding a pool to your home. In this article, we cover some essential aspects of installing a pool.
The pool business is at an all-time high, over a 25% growth to be exact since mid-late 2020; however, while that's fine and dandy, too much demand leads to a lack of product. Shortages of construction material abound, logistical issues aplenty, you name it. Even though it's less overall nowadays than back when the pandemic started, you still need your A-game when tackling a pool installation project, which is why I'm here to give you the pointers for just that.
So let's get to it. Your upcoming pool installation is explained in 4 easy steps!
1. Plan Out your Pool Installation Project, General Tips and Tendencies, and Gathering Expert Help
There's no such thing as "too much prep work," which applies just as well in pool installations. First off, you need to delimit the scope of your project. Start by asking yourself what kind of pool you want, namely in-ground or above-ground. Tendencies suggest above-ground pools are picking up speed and clout, this thanks to the benefits of landscape design and preference of plunge overlaps, and the rate at which you can get your permits done. However, they're also the tougher of the two regarding the building process. I'd personally recommend in-ground since they're still the easiest to make.
Now, it's time to think about design, materials, and approach with that done. Check your favorite homes online, verify materials, and after you've written an extensive enough list, get yourself the help of a pro architect. That way, not only do you get a helpful back and forth about the logistical implications, pros, and cons of your project, you'll also be able to present a better "blueprint" to the next pro in the totem pole, the builder.
With the builder, you'll be able to check for possible delays, better materials (taking shortages into account), and so on, all with the added benefit of having a second opinion already built into the general mapping of the project. In the end, you'll end up with a far more practical, time-efficient, and, most importantly, achievable workflow.
2. Get your Permits and Contracts for your Pool Installation Project ASAP
Material scarcity aside, getting the permits for your project is one of your biggest priorities. Usually, the contractor pulls the permit after the design. However, it's best to check into your building area's specifics before the actual design process. Building periods don't often match permit periods, the latter taking as long as twice or thrice as the former to get (building periods ranging in anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks).
And that's just the permit; when it comes to contracts, you also need to keep on your toes. You see, contracting companies back up several months in advance when it comes to their projects, so if you get the contract now, you'll be way ahead of the game when the construction starts rolling. As a rule of thumb, it's best to contact companies during the winter downtime since it's, as the tourism scene would say, the "low-season," which translates to less competition, more open schedules, and, overall, lower prices.
To avoid nasty month-sized discrepancies and to fight for a contract with other interested parties, you need to make sure to double-check and get both your permit and contract beforehand. Trust me, and you'll save yourself up one heck of a logistical nightmare.
3. Think Ahead and Always have a Plan B for your Installation Project
Who doesn't love the DIY vibe? That feeling of realization when you finally get something done, the bragging rights of saying you did it your way from start to finish, it's feel-good central. However, sometimes, we need to dive and realize that not everything can work out as planned. Sometimes, even with personalized pool installation projects, it's best to regroup and go for something pre-fabricated.
Pre-fabricated pools are easy to implement and build around. They take but days to install, and the best part is, you can make do despite their perceived limitations. Simple shapes and landscape design makes for one popping combo. Even if it's not 100% the picture in your head, you can still find a wide variety of styles on offer, so you'll undoubtedly come across a pre-made set that strikes your fancy and hits all the right spots of your vision.
4. Break Down the Installation Project Process into Manageable Step by Steps
Breaking down things into manageable chunks works just as good here as it does during grocery shopping and tax/bean-counting. In the case of pool installation, you're better off prioritizing ground/pool construction before any form of landscaping, a whole season's difference at the very least. Even if you had the best second opinions back at step 1, even if your architect friend has multiple degrees and accolades to show off, there's a huge gap between theory and practice, and pool installation's no different.
Wait until the pool is complete, but not the landscape. That way, you'll be able to see how it plays out throughout the season, and with it, you'll have an even better grasp of what works and what doesn't design-wise. It's also a prime time for you to get in on yet another feedback session with your pro since they'll benefit just as much from the physical presence as you will.
At HAC Arquitectura, we have vast experience designing and installing pools for our clients. In most of our client's luxury home projects in Cabo and Guadalajara, we have made sure to create the pool and the pool area to become an integral part of the overall design. Please feel free to contact us for advice about that Baja dream home of yours, or perhaps somewhere else in Mexico. Our friendly team is here, happy to assist you.