The game plan
The planning process is an extremely important part when developing any unique backyard project. To ensure the space could be built as the client envisioned, Pool Craft’s team took several measurements and recorded elevations to ensure the plan is as accurate as possible. After surveying the property, the lot lines were verified along with any possible easements, and the fence location was confirmed relative to the property lines. By completing these measurements, it allows a plan to be generated that is not only accurate, but also realistic in terms of what size the various elements of the project should be.
Often, homeowners will try to replicate what they have seen in a friend’s or neighbour’s backyard; however, this is not always feasible. Lot dimensions and grades will ultimately impact what a homeowner can do within their property and this is what makes a custom design an essential part of the process. Therefore, one of the important aspects of planning this project was taking the time to show the customer Pool Craft’s portfolio and explain all the options that were available for their project.
Although it is vital to understand what look and style the client is seeking, builders must be able to create a design that is functional for their space. For instance, had this project been for a different client, they may have wanted a freeform or an irregular-shaped pool. In this case, Pool Craft’s design consultant outlined all the potential options to the client so the builder could create the best possible design for their needs.
Once this project’s initial concept was ready for presentation, the design and installation team provided its comments and suggestions to assist the client in understanding all the items included in the design. During this presentation, the homeowner was also shown images of products that would not only best suit the project’s overall design, but also their individual preferences. For instance, in addition to reviewing Pool Craft’s website, the homeowner and design consultant together searched several manufacturers’ websites as well as Pinterest to help the client customize their backyard.
Before the client approved the concept design and additional product suggestions, a few revisions were made to the design before the estimate was prepared. Once the client accepted the proposal, the next step was acquiring all of the necessary permits which, in this case, required approval from the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority (TRCA) as this client’s property resided in a zone that required approval from this governing body. Unfortunately, without TRCA approval, Pool Craft was not be permitted to start construction.
