FAQs

Yes, we offer complimentary design consultations. You can schedule one whenever you are ready to start talking about your project. You do not necessarily have to be ready to begin construction right away. To schedule a consultation, simply contact us.

A down payment should never be more than $1,000 with any pool company in California. We generally require a down payment for engineering and plan submittal, unless scale and/or materials being ordered require a larger down payment.

A typical payment schedule is in stages and consists of a 30%-40%-20%-10% payment schedule. Pre-Gunite, Pre-Plaster, Equipment start up then the final 10% is due once the pool has passed final inspection.

The cost of anything depends on design and amenities. On average, you can expect to pay at least $8,000 more if you intend to add a custom spa.

Yes.

Depending on your jurisdiction, it may take 5 days or 4 weeks. In general, expect it to take 2 to 3 weeks.

You may want to consider a pool cover for several reasons. If you have concerns about someone falling in the pool when it is not in use and/or unattended, a pool cover can create a safety barrier (although it should not be the only barrier between people and your pool). Others employ a pool cover to block blowing dirt and debris, particularly in areas with nearby open fields. Pool covers can also help to keep heat in the pool when using heaters or heat pumps for year-round swimming.

Covers range from an automatically retractable, heavy duty cover to an inexpensive solar bubble cover that can be placed on the surface of the pool. Trying to keep a pool warm in the winter without at least a bubble cover is not only costly, but can be impossible if an electric heat pump is the heating source.

There are certain covers and even nets that can be used for safety around kids. Your pool professional will be able to give you any information about the safety features of a particular pool cover. Some jurisdictions consider a pool cover as partially fulfilling the outlined barrier requirements, but each city is different in what they consider an adequate barrier for the pool.

Since we build custom pools, there really is no “standard.” For illustration purposes only, a base-level pool is a sports or play pool up to 5 feet in depth, with an 80-foot perimeter and 400 square foot surface area, and 240 square feet of decking. This pool would include a Hayward Variable Speed Pump, Cartridge filter, Omni digital Control Panel, Suction Cleaner, and much more.

These days, play pools and lounge pools are the most popular types of pools. We can still construct diving pools, but they are generally more expensive and must follow several guidelines for safety reasons.

For those who are interested in a diving pool, there are now many options beyond an actual diving board, including jump boards and diving rocks built into the surrounding landscape or a waterfall.

There’s no need to base your design on an average, but 30 feet by 15 feet is common.

Each city’s barrier requirements are different. It is your responsibility as the homeowner and resident to satisfy these requirements. Please see your pool designer for the specifics of your jurisdiction.

Generally, a hot tub (or acrylic spa) tends to be more therapeutic. In-ground spas that connect to your pool have a limitation on the number of jets and seats, and other features, that can be included. Hot tubs vary in size, shape and jets, and can also be part of a backyard transformation. Some hot tubs can even be installed to fit into the overall environment through the use of walls, rock formations and other integration techniques.

Provided there is enough available space for the body of water and associated equipment, a spa can be added to an existing pool, but it can be quite expensive.

Depending on the type of water feature, some can be added after a pool is built, but it can be expensive. Price will be dependent on necessary construction and plumbing modifications, in addition to the components of the feature itself.

Many people build screen walls to hide equipment or hide it with landscaping, large waterfalls, etc. Pool equipment is strategically placed for functionality, accessibility and aesthetics. The larger the distance between the pool and its equipment, the more costly installation will generally be. A larger distance may also make the equipment a little less efficient. There are also building code requirements that need to be met to determine location.

There are several different options for getting shade around your pool. Of course, the most economical solution is smart placement of your pool. Other solutions include umbrellas, pergolas or other shade structures, or shade sails that attach to poles anchored in your yard or your patio and that stretch across areas that need protection from the sun. Shade trees are also an option, but you must consider how much they may litter in your pool and the how the root system may eventually interfere with your pool structure. Always check with a landscaper before placing any living plant around your pool.

Place your basketball sleeve in an area that is away from steps and benches, and at an accessible depth for an average-height person. Also consider what will be behind the basketball sleeve. A poorly placed basketball sleeve can result in your basketball ending up in your neighbor’s yard.

A pool will increase the value of your home, but it is not a direct transfer of value (a $30,000 pool will not usually increase your home’s value by $30,000). The value of adding a pool should be measured in the years of enjoyment it will bring to your family, in addition to the monetary value and marketability it brings to your property.