Get your pool ready for summer

When the sun arrives, and Christmas is in sight it’s natural to start wondering about the options and feasibility of installing a pool in the backyard.

But designing a pool isn’t an insignificant process, and in order to achieve the best result, time and attention to detail are needed. “A lot of people really start to think about the addition of a swimming pool to their home when the sun starts shining again and ask, ‘could we possibly have a pool in before Christmas?’.

However, if there is no design, planning or building consent in place, unfortunately, due to the timing of obtaining these key items, we must let them know it won’t be a possibility,” says Auckland Inground Pools’ Donna Richmond.

“The most realistic timeframe for a pool to be operational by summer means beginning the process eight to nine months earlier while time is on our side,” she says.

For Donna and the team, who have been in the business of building and refurbishing pools for more than 20 years, they’re aware of the potential issues that can crop up along the way and the pressure on Auckland’s construction industry, which can cause delays.

“With the increase in building throughout the Auckland region, it can mean getting consents and inspections takes longer than it may have a few years ago.”

Generally, the process begins with the client contacting either a designer or architect, or the pool building company, who can put the client in touch with an experienced landscape designer.

During that initial stage, Auckland Inground Pools says it’s recommended to obtain a geotechnical report to assess any potential issues with the site.

The process of getting the design completed and the geotech report “can take a good month – if you move quickly,” says Donna.  

But this information is crucial for them to create the most accurate quote they can. “It’s always best practice to have a Geotech report done at that early stage because we can run that past our structural engineer and get a better idea of what we are dealing with and just how complex the project will be based on the site conditions,” says Donna.  

There are a range of issues that can increase the cost of a pool such as the need to excavate rock, which is generally an issue in the Mt Eden area, or if the site is likely to be unstable.

The feasibility stage of the project means costs are now established and the client can give the go-ahead. Auckland Inground Pools will then engage their engineer to detail how the pool needs to be built, including whether foundations are required.

Once this is completed, a building consent is lodged either by the home owner, architect or a third-party contractor. “We can refer our clients on to a building consent contractor to lodge that for them to make the process as seamless as possible.”

According to the Auckland Council a building consent should take around 20 working days to process, but it can take up to several months at times due to additional requests for information (RFI) to help Auckland Council staff assess the building consent application.

It is during this stage that the details of the pool design are finalised with the architect or client, including colours, materials and operational solutions.

“Smart pool and spa remote control is popular at the moment, where you can remotely control what goes on with your pool and spa and your garden lighting and heating.”

It’s an excellent option for people who are flying home from a holiday and want their spa to be at the perfect temperature once they arrive.

Auckland Inground Pools specialises in bespoke inground concrete pools, and works closely with each client or designer to ascertain the desired outcome and to ensure the right pool is future proofed to last and adapt to changing uses over time.

“Each pool is custom built, and each design is quite specific. So, an 8m x 4m pool in Pukekohe may have different costs compared to the same or similar pool in Mount Eden, because we have to price each site specifically.”  

Factors that can mean a pool takes a little longer than average to build include complicated bespoke design features, working around other trades or working around an entire house build, or perhaps variations to the initial design.

Once consent is issued, construction of the pool is a relatively quick process and can generally be completed from anywhere between two to four months depending on the size and complexity of the design.

If you’re dreaming about a pool this summer, make sure you visit Auckland Inground Pools on ArchiPro to see what you could be diving into this timenext year.