Building a new house can be many things — exciting, stressful, and exhausting just to name a few. When navigating the biggest investment of your lifetime, installing a pool is probably low on your priority list, but the timing couldn’t be more perfect. So, what are the benefits of building your house and pool simultaneously, and how do you decide which pool type is right for your block? We love making your life easier, so here’s a guide to answer all these questions.
The short answer is yes! Building your house and pool at the same time makes serious logistical sense. For starters, the site can be easily accessed by essential machinery like excavators, and you won’t need to lift the pool over your house. This removes any risk of damage to an existing home and makes the installation process quicker and easier (cheaper, too).
On top of this, you only have to deal with the construction process once. As much as we love builders, it’s nice to move into your home and know that your space won’t be turned into a construction site for the foreseeable future.
From a design perspective, building your house and pool at the same time allows you to plan your backyard around your pool rather than the other way around. This gives you more flexibility in terms of the pool shapes and the position on your block.
When you’re working with a blank slate, it can be tricky to decide which pool type will be right for your block. Each type has its pros and cons, so let’s weigh them up.
We’re obviously a little biased when it comes to plunge pools, but they’re an awesome choice for new builds for a number of reasons. They’re available in a variety of shapes and sizes, so they are a great solution if you’ve opted for a larger home on a smaller block. Even if you have a large block, a plunge pool won’t take up a lot of space in your backyard, so that you can create multiple outdoor living zones. They’re also great for relaxation, which we all need a little more of.
As the name suggests, lap pools are designed for exercise. Long, slim, and rectangular in shape, they can fit well alongside a house on a spacious block. If you’re looking to stay active in the comfort of your own home, this could be a great option for you.
Round pools can create a unique, natural look in your backyard, especially when installed in-ground. Many homeowners have achieved beautiful results by pairing their pools with curved hedges and topiaries. Larger than a plunge pool but not built for laps, they’re great for leisurely swimming or playing.
With their flowing lines and curves, free-form pools don’t fit into any particular shape category. They can look like they were custom-built for your backyard, especially when the landscaping is planned around their whimsical shape. As such, installing a free-form pool while your backyard is still a blank slate is ideal. These pools can work particularly well in tropical or Balinese-inspired gardens.
When Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail,” we’re pretty sure he was referring to pool installation. There are several factors you should consider when planning your pool build to ensure you’re happy with the end result.
One of the first considerations is sun exposure. If you want to make the most of the sunshine, it’s best to install your pool in either the Northern or Western part of your backyard so you can catch those rays. Secondly, you should be conscious of sight lines. Take the time to consider how the pool will look from inside your home and whether you will have privacy from your neighbors.
Don’t forget that your pool will also require plumbing and wiring. We recommend chatting with your home builder early on to see how this could influence the pool’s placement on your block. Finally, you’ll need to adhere to local government guidelines around how far the pool can be from your house, property boundary, and other structures.
Once the pool is installed, you can add finishing touches to ensure it ties in with your home. This could be as simple as adding coping tiles that match the color or material of your outdoor area tile.
Home and pool packages can make the construction process easier for homeowners and builders alike. Not only can they make pool installation more affordable, but there’s less room for error with one builder overseeing the entire project.
We’ve partnered with reputable builders to create beautiful turnkey homes across the country. If you’re interested in installing a Plungie with your new build, our team is more than happy to chat with your builder to get the ball rolling. Simply contact us today or download a quote and info pack for more details.