Making backyard pool dreams come true amidst a pandemic

by jason_cramp | January 25, 2021 2:17 pm

By Jason Mitchell

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The ability to complete a homeowner’s dream backyard oasis is a gratifying experience for any pool builder. Every project is distinctive in its own right and is met with unique challenges that need to be overcome—including a global pandemic.

Although the client’s budget, size of their property (including any slopes), and municipal restrictions will ultimately determine the outcome of each project, a backyard complete with a pool and entertaining area is the minimum requirement for most. If any one of these factors presents a challenge, there are a number of ways to work around them.

Often, it is the liner selection process that can take some time to confirm as each homeowner attempts to use this element as a way to insert their last artistic impression on the project. That said, this homeowner knew what they wanted. What was important to them was having a nice contrast between the pool water and their patio and, therefore, they chose a full-print, dark blue liner.

Although this project started in the fall of 2019 and was finished in May 2020, which was not the target completion date, the delay was not a result of site challenges or an indecisive client. In fact, COVID-19 created some unforeseen delays which impacted the construction schedule. In this regard, the client was extremely accommodating while Pool Craft worked through the challenges caused by the pandemic.

The dream

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Being avid entertainers and hosts of family gatherings, this homeowner in Vaughan, Ont., called upon Pool Craft to design and build a complete backyard oasis perfect for guests of all ages. The property, which includes mature trees protected by conservation land, provided the perfect backdrop for the 5.5- x 10.6-m (18- x 34-ft) rectangular pool with 5.5-m (18-ft) wide vinyl over steel (VOS) steps and a 1.8-m (6-ft) VOS bench situated in the pool’s deep end adjacent to a strategically placed fire pit in the patio area.

The 83,600-L (22,084-gal) pool is also equipped with a charcoal-coloured automatic cover which co-ordinates with the colour palette selected for the backyard’s design.

In addition to the pool, the homeowner wanted a covered area and deck 3.6 x 11.5 m (12 x 38 ft) off the house with a natural gas fireplace, built-in kitchen, and space for generous seating and dining areas.

Overall, the main priority for the homeowner was for their backyard to have a modern, clean look that included subtle upgrades that were particular to the client’s taste such as having a porcelain-finished wall under the raised deck and custom sheds positioned at the rear of the lot.

The game plan

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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.

Preparation is the key to success

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As always, the first stage of the pool’s construction consisted of a site visit where all grades, measurements, and setbacks on the homeowner’s property were confirmed prior to commencing any excavation work.

Once these details were verified, the installation team mobilized and started to excavate the client’s backyard, which included the pool excavation and grade cut to accommodate all of the landscaping elements such as the sonotubes for the new deck, patio, and retaining wall.

The installation of the pool started immediately after the ground was excavated. Due to the pool’s size, as well as the upgrades the client requested, including an automatic cover along with in-pool steel benches and steps, it took the team approximately five days to install.

Once the pool was installed, the team moved onto the landscaping and carpentry work. Although each project is unique to the property itself, which in many cases dictates the workflow, the next phase of this installation involved putting down a granular base and sub drainage materials. As this was being performed, the team worked in concert on other areas of the backyard which included the installation of the filtration equipment, footings for the deck, utilities (gas/electrical lines), and all conduits for future lighting or irrigation systems. To ensure the success of this project, each stage of the installation was carefully co-ordinated thanks to a great deal of planning, constant interaction with all team members, and frequent site meetings with the client.

The finer details

Pool Craft’s in-house team of specialized trades, including landscapers, carpenters, stone masons, and lighting specialists provide its clients a smooth transition through each phase of the project.

The majority of projects consist of the pool being the first phase of the install followed by retaining walls; however, the subsequent items do not necessarily get installed in a specific order. For instance, on this particular project, once the pool was installed and ready for the natural stone coping, the focus became the retaining walls and the installation of the deck footings. Next, the utility lines, and conduits for lighting and irrigation were completed.

As work was completed through each stage, careful and methodical planning of the subsequent phase was essential in the execution of a project of this magnitude. Each detail of this project was reviewed with a fine-tooth comb to avoid any unnecessary mistakes or oversights and, ultimately, to ensure the final product fulfilled what the client envisioned as their dream backyard.

[5]With more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, Jason Mitchell is the president of Pool Craft, a full-service pool company that specializes in all aspects of pool planning, installation, and backyard design in Richmond Hill, Ont. He is also the co-owner of Stone Craft Inc., a landscape company. Mitchell can be reached via email at jason@poolcraft.ca[6].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/features/making-backyard-pool-dreams-come-true-amidst-pandemic/

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