The preparation phase is the most important part of building a swimming pool, which includes working together with a pool designer, builder and contractor to help you decide on the overall look of your pool. But while you’ll have a swimming pool builder by your side to walk you through the design process, it’s can be very helpful to have a general idea of what you want going into the project.
The following are four good questions to ask yourself before diving feet-first into plans for new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA.
Why do you want a swimming pool?
One backyard swimming pool design may work for one person but not another. For instance, a swimming pool designed for exercising will look very different from a pool meant primarily for backyard entertainment. Or, if your goal is to have a pool to float around in to relax while enjoying your beautiful garden, you will want a personalized design. Looking for a design to accommodate water therapy? Consider a combination swimming pool and spa!
Who will be using the pool?
Here’s the thing—a pool designed to provide a romantic time for a couple is going to look quite different from a pool designed for a family with children. Homeowners who entertain guests often, but also want a pool that caters to them on all other days, should consider a pool design that is able to accommodate swimmers of all ages. For example, there may be a shallow area for small children, railings for the physically challenged, underwater speakers for general entertainment, underwater lights for night swimmers and a pool deck big enough for folks who want to lay out and tan.
Can your backyard accommodate a pool?
One of the first things you should do before drawing out a pool design or putting down a down payment on pool construction services is perform a soil test. This tells you if the area is suitable and safe for pool construction. Factors like sandy, rocky or expansive soil will stand out to pool builders, as these present serious building concerns, and a high water table can greatly increase construction costs. Additionally, your proposed site may be inaccessible to the heavy machinery needed to dig the hole for the pool.
Where do you want to install the pool?
First and foremost, contact your county or city and ask about pool building ordinances in your area—they can tell you all you need to know about the zoning and building laws that apply to your property. Out of concern for water runoff, there could be restrictions on how much of your yard can be covered in a material like decking and pools, as well as the direction it slopes. Local underground gas, electric, cable, sewer, telephone and water lines could also influence your pool’s location. You might also be required to install a fence around your pool.
Contact the team at Avanti Pools, Inc. for more information about new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, or to schedule a consultation.
Every time you make a change to your home, you get the opportunity to express your personal style with custom features and unique designs. Building a pool affords you the opportunity to create an amazing space where you can entertain guests and spend quality time with your family, and it also gives you the opportunity to design something that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
There are lots of ways that you can customize your new pool, including by selecting alternative pool finishes. Pools have traditionally been finished with plaster, but lots of people are choosing different materials that offer additional benefits:
Pebble Tec: Pebble Tec pool finishes are textured options made of real pebbles. Pebble Tec comes in a variety of colors, depending on your specific preferences, but they tend to deliver a more natural looking aesthetic. This pool finish is durable and lasts much longer than traditional plaster. In addition, it offers greater traction and prevents slipping. It tends to cost more than plaster, but lots of people still choose Pebble Tec because of its many benefits.
Pebble Fina: Similar to traditional Pebble Tec, Pebble Fina is made from natural pebbles, but it is made from smaller pebbles and has a much smoother texture. Pebble Fina comes in some natural-looking colors, but it can also be purchased in vibrant hues with a shimmering component that offers a lustrous sparkle.
Hydrazzo: Unlike pebble-based pool finishes, Hydrazzo is a polished finish with a smooth texture. It is a popular choice for new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA among pool owners who want to achieve a sophisticated, modern look. It’s resistant to staining, scratching and algae development, which makes it easy to maintain.
ecoFINISH: This type of pool finish is designed to be durable and long-lasting. It is a fiberglass finish that is easy to maintain and resistant to a variety of different kinds of damage. It comes in a number of colors, ranging from natural beiges to bold colors like black.
Tile: Installing a tile pool finish requires a significant investment of time and money, but this finish is also the longest lasting and one of the most beautiful options available. You can mix a variety of different tile designs and colors in a beautiful mosaic, or select natural stone tiles for an organic aesthetic.
With so many options to choose from when it comes to pool finishes—not to mention all of the other choices you’ll have to make about your pool design—you might feel overwhelmed by the process of new pool construction in Los Angeles, CA. Luckily, the professional team at Avanti Pools, Inc. specializes in helping turn our clients’ dream pool or spa into a reality. We have been in business since 1999 and we are proud to be locally owned and operated. We have a knowledgeable team made up of design and engineering experts who can plan and design a beautiful pool that is conducive to your space, preferences and budget. Call us today to get started on a brand-new pool or spa that you will be proud to show off to your family and friends.
Whether you’re splashing in the surf or taking a dip in a resort swimming pool, there’s something about swimming that makes for a great time on your own or with family and friends. Swimming is such an enjoyable activity that you might be considering investing in swimming pool construction in Los Angeles, CA for your own home. If this is the case, you have a lot of planning ahead of you! You will need to determine your budget, where you want your pool to be located, what kind of design you want and which contractor you will hire.
On top of all of this, you will need to decide whether you want a chlorine pool or a saltwater pool. Even though this might not seem like a very consequential decision, there are actually some key differences between the two options, and it’s important that you weigh each one carefully so that you can get the most out of your new swimming pool:
Cost: The initial cost of installing a saltwater pool is greater than that of installing a chlorine pool. When you have a saltwater pool installed, you will need to purchase a saltwater generator, which can cost well over $1,000, or you will need to purchase bags of salt to maintain the composition of your pool water.
Sensitivity: Many people experience skin irritation from swimming in a chlorine pool. This is caused by the heightened level of harsh chemicals that can damage sensitive skin. Saltwater pools are less likely to aggravate skin sensitivity and cause irritation, so it may be a better choice if you or your family members have sensitive skin.
Maintenance: Over time, saltwater pools become less expensive to operate than chlorine pools. This is because chlorine pools must be maintained with costly chemicals and shock treatments, while saltwater pools only need to be regularly replenished with salt. Saltwater pools also require less frequent maintenance than chlorine pools.
Damage: In some cases, saltwater can cause damage to your pool’s features, including nearby plants and soil. Chlorine doesn’t usually cause damage to pool features; however, it can fade swimsuits over time.
Repairs: When issues come up with a saltwater pool, you will almost always need to enlist the help of a professional. Chlorine pools are usually easier to repair, and there are a lot of different things that you can do to maintain and service your pool without hiring a professional.
Are you stuck trying to figure out what kind of pool is right for you? Let the professionals at Avanti Pools, Inc. help you plan the swimming pool of your dreams. We are experts in swimming pool construction in Los Angeles, CA with nearly 20 years of experience designing custom pools and spas. Regardless of your vision for your pool, our team is here to help you make it a reality. We can walk you through every step of the process, from initial planning to construction. Contact us today to begin creating an incredible swimming pool for you and your family to enjoy.
As you prepare to have a pool installed at your home, you should be aware of everything involved with the process. All in-ground pool constructions have several phases of construction, and each must be completed before construction can proceed to the next phase. Each one of these phases can take anywhere from a single day to a week to finish.
Here’s a general overview of the process you can expect during pool construction in Los Angeles, CA.
Design
As the first step of your pool construction project, a pool designer will come to your property and perform some measurements, while also considering your property line, easements, underground utilities, setbacks and the topography of the area, in addition to your budget and any requested design features you have submitted.
After you and the designer have reached an agreement on the shape, style and size of the pool, you can then talk about add-ons such as rock formations, water features, spas, planter beds and more. Some people like to request infinity edges, built-in benches in the shallow section and tanning platforms. You will also select other pool equipment, such as diving boards and slides.
When all of this is complete, your designer will begin drawing up the final plans. You will meet for a final confirmation before these plans are submitted to the city for the proper permits. If you live in an area with a homeowners association, the HOA may need to issue approval as well.
Excavation
The concept of the excavation phase is simple—diggers come in to excavate your pool area. They will first stake and paint an outline of the pool’s shape. You might need to remove vegetation and fences to clear the area for the pool. You will also have to decide what you are going to do with the excess dirt: keep it, or have it hauled away.
Plumbing and framing
Actual construction begins once excavation is complete. Steel rebar is used to reinforce the hole. It gets bent into the shape of your pool, and the initial plumbing infrastructure is installed among and around it.
Concrete
Construction teams use gunite (a type of concrete shot out of a forced air gun), which gets pumped out of a hopper truck and onto the rebar surface. A finishing team then comes into sculpt that concrete into your pool’s finished shape. At this stage, the project really begins to look like a pool.
Tile
The perimeter tile is usually placed while the concrete of the actual pool is curing. The pool tile around the perimeter of the pool itself provides an easy-to-clean surface. The deck can also be built during this phase.
Electrical work
At this point, the electrician comes in to install the breaker box for the pool. It is installed where the pool equipment, including the pump, filter and heater, will be placed. The electrician will also connect the pool lights to junction boxes placed outside the pool deck. Upon completion of this step, he or she runs a conduit from the junction boxes to the breaker box.
Plastering
The final phase of pool construction is plastering, which gives your pool the waterproof layer it needs to protect the steel and shell while also giving it a smoother surface that is easily cleaned. Once this process is finished, you can begin filling the pool up with water!
This is a very general overview of the process of pool construction in Los Angeles, CA, but if you have any questions about any of these elements, we encourage you to contact us today.
Have you made the decision to install a pool at your home? Congratulations! A swimming pool on your property is one of the best ways to take advantage of the sunshine and pleasant weather we get in Southern California.
So if you’ve already made the decision, why wait any longer? Winter is one of the best times of year to get your pool installed in Los Angeles. It never gets cold enough for the water to freeze over or even for your pool to need protection from winter weather. If you know you’re going to install a pool and have the money to do so, now’s the time to do it.
Here are a few of the main reasons why winter is the best time for pool construction in Los Angeles, CA.
Beat the rush!
Perhaps the biggest benefit of putting in your pool during the winter months is that the rush for pool installation begins in the spring, meaning right now you will be able to choose from any of the top pool experts in the area. You might also even be able to benefit from some savings, as some providers offer discounts in the winter months.
Most people spend the vast majority of their time by the pool in the late spring and throughout the summer. Therefore, a lot of people won’t consider installing a pool until they’re ready to use it almost immediately. By beginning construction during the winter, you can benefit from more flexibility with your company choice. If you wait too long, you’ll find that you will be at the mercy of the pool companies’ schedules, which begin to really pick up in April and beyond.
Get more individual attention from your builder
Another benefit of installing your pool during the off season is that your chosen builder will not have to be in as much of a hurry to get the job done so they can move on to other clients. With more time at their disposal, builders can pay more attention to your specific job. This is especially helpful if you have a special custom design you would like the builder to complete for you, or if you have special requests for materials or building processes.
Be ready for the warm weather
By getting your pool installed during the winter weather, you’ll be able to dive in whenever you want, even before spring fully hits. If you decide to wait on your installation until spring or summer, you will likely miss out on some prime swimming weather. You’ll have to wait on your installation while your friends and neighbors are splashing around in pools of their own.
Need more reasons why winter is the best time of year for pool construction in Los Angeles, CA? Our team at Avanti Pools, Inc. is happy to answer any questions you have about the installation process or how you can save money on your upcoming project. Contact us today to get started with a consultation with one of our experts!
(818) 501-3759