The Secret to Building Your Dream Pool

With summer waning (in theory, if not in temperature!) we’re heading into autumn looking forward to Fall activities. However, it’s also time to look forward a little further – towards Summer 2021, to be exact. If 2020 has taught us anything – and it’s taught us a lot – it’s that our backyards can and should be an oasis.

And regardless of we’ll be tethered to our homes next summer as we were this one, the data supports investing in your backyard. Homes with backyard amenities (read: pools), sell faster and at a higher price than those without. So, it’s time to start planning.

But where to start? We chatted with the experts and Fort Worth’s go-to custom pool builder, J Caldwell Custom Pools, on the secrets to building your dream pool. Read on for the insider tips + tricks that will make your designing + building process a breeze!

INSIDER INFORMATION

The Scout Guide Fort Worth: Taylor, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us (so to speak!) and chat pool design + building. As rewarding as the finished product is, the process of designing + building a custom pool seems daunting!

Taylor Christopher: Of course! After working in the industry for decades, I know first-hand that the investment of time and money is a major consideration. That’s why my partner, John Caldwell and I focus on a hands-on approach, prioritize communication and pride ourselves on being detail-oriented.

TSG: Not only have we’ve read and heard from friends + family rave reviews of your work, but we also experienced your fabulous pools firsthand this summer as we socially-distance pool-hopped this Summer! We, like so many others, have thought about investing in a pool for our own backyard, but aren’t sure where to start. For example, what’s the best time of year to build a pool in Fort Worth?

TC: That’s a great question! In our opinion, Fall is the best time of year to build your pool. The weather is cooler and the pressure to finish for Summer isn’t present.

TSG: That makes sense! How much time does the construction process take?

TC: While it depends on the size of the pool, condition of your backyard and additional design features – think decking, firepits and other fun additions – we typically budget 8 to 10 weeks for construction.

TSG: Good to know. Now that we have the basic questions out of the way, what other questions should I be prepared to ask my custom pool builder?

TC: The first thing you should think about is function. What purpose will my pool serve? What amenities are important to the homeowners? Does it need to be kid-friendly or will it primarily be used to swim laps? Will the family be playing water games or prefer to sip margaritas? Once you understand how you want to use your pool, then you can work with a designer who will design your dream pool!

TSG: What pool designs and amenities are most popular right now?

TC: We are adding a lot of firepits to pool + backyard designs. It brings family + friends together year-round! We also love working with clients to dream up custom water features, cabanas, outdoor kitchens and fountains!

TSG: What about pool shape and style – what is your advice on this important design feature?

TC: Shape and style will impact the overall cost of your pool and will, of course, be influenced by the size of your backyard and style of your house. Do some research on Pinterest and Instagram to find out what aesthetic speaks to you. But, while we encourage our clients to be creative – and we work hand-in-hand with them to facilitate and guide that creativity – we always recommend that clients stay true to the architecture of their home.

TSG: Any other advice?

TC: Ultimately, enjoy the process! We know you will enjoy your pool for years to come, but we also want to make the building + design process easy and enjoyable. So, make sure to work with a contractor who is professional, experienced and eager to make your vision come to life!

Have additional questions? Ready to start designing and building your dream pool? Reach out to J Caldwell Custom Pools and don’t forget to tell them Scout sent you!