Pool build during home build?

13 years ago

Is it OK to build a pool at any time during new home construction? We are breaking ground on the house in Sept and hope it will be finished in Feb/Mar. Would prefer to get the pool started before March to avoid the Spring rush. We have a large lot so access shouldn't be a problem. Building in Houston if that matters climate wise.

Thanks

JA

Featured Answer

tresw

13 years ago

Personally I would not consider it. If anything goes wrong with either the house or the pool each contractor will blame the other. You may also be hit up for extra costs due to unforeseen scheduling issues (for example the PB may say they showed up to do electrical, but could not do it because the home builder was working on the panel). It is VERY likely that you will encounter numerous weather delays in Houston if you're starting in September too, so just concentrate on getting the house done first.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

drknjk
13 years ago
You should not have too many problems building a pool during time of home construction. Just let the PB know time frame on home build so he can schedule around builders.
Related Discussions
Anybody using photographic documentation during a new home build?
Q
Comments (1)
while I can see the benefits of this idea to supplement the observation process of construction, in my 30+ years experience, nothing is better than "boots in the dirt" on the site for inspections......
...See More
need therapy pool for house we are building in spring 1914
Q
Comments (2)
What temperature water has been recommended for your therapy? How deep would you need the pool/how submersed does your body need to be for your therapy? What area do you live in?
...See More
We are going to build a lap pool at our new home
Q
Comments (3)
Lap pools are great! The minimum width of a lap pool is 8' but if you have kids I'd recommend making it around 14' wide. 45' is a good length but longer is always better. We usually stay around 50' for lap pools. In floor cleaning systems work good but are not worth the money. The builder would install a vacuum line with a pool cleaner. Pool covers are great! I highly recommend them, they keep the pool surface cleaner and help retain the heat. Message me if you have any other questions.
...See More
New Home Build-First time home buyer
Q
Comments (25)
I totally agree. I said that I either want all four bedrooms on the same floor or at least two or three close together. I could always move the youngest as close to mom and dad as possible and allow the oldest to move upstairs or downstairs although unless they are about 14 I would still feel uncomfortable with them alone downstairs. In our rental now the masters in downstairs and I find it uncomfortable and exposed. I tend to like actual bedrooms either upstairs or downstairs. If I go with a basement type home I would rather eliminate the second floor to account for extra cost in the basement. for this reason I would have to deal with bedrooms on the main floor.
...See More
subl1002
13 years ago
If I could go back in time I would definately have built the pool with the house. It sucks living with the yard torn up, fixing sprinklers, having people in and out all the time etc. Not to mention the added cost to replace the damaged areas. If your homebuilder will allow it, I would choose the pool builder and keep that part seperate from the house contract. Tres mentioned electrical, just have the guy on the house do it, a heck of alot cheaper during then after. Theres not a whole lot of things that would cause a scheduling conflict other than completion.
cascade
13 years ago
I think building the pool at the same time as the house is the best way to do it.
Let the pool builder bill the general contractor. This may cost you a little more but then the general is motivated (and paid) to co-ordinate all the trades. Be very specific about who will be responsible for each part of the job, coping and decking, mechanical room, gas, electrical, water supply etc so there is no confusion.
I like to be first in - shoot the shell early in the construction process, and last out - plaster is the final thing completed in the yard.
Building the pool later when you know all along you are putting a pool in only adds mess and expense to the job. Trust me when I tell you after building your house the last thing you want is to start construction all over again.
landmark218
13 years ago
I agree with Tresw. It sounds nice to get it all done at once but too much can go wrong. And what if something goes wrong and you don't close on the house? You would still have to pay for the pool. Living with the mess is very stressfull but that goes away when you see the water filling your pool. At least I'm told it does, we're still waiting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Landmark's pool build.
mcbird
13 years ago
We built our pool at the same time as the house and haven't really had any problems. You'd sure want to address the subject with your builder. If you are doing a custom build then your builder will likely be accustomed to building both at the same time. Our situation was different because we built from 1300 miles away and only traveled down here a few times during construction. The only thing I would have changed is to make the deck a bit larger, but it isn't that big a deal. That is completely our fault because I just left the whole pool build to my husband and he feels like it's fine.
michelle_phxaz
13 years ago
They did the dig while the house was being built, then finished after we closed. It was a great way to push ahead with the project. Not all builders will let you do this, our builder had a special agreement with this pool builder, and that also helped us to be able to roll the pool build into our mortgage.
oakrunfarm
13 years ago
We just did it, and everything was fine.

Our builder was not at all excited about the idea, but he was OK with it when we agreed to go with the PB he had worked with and suggested.

(He had a previous bad experience that went like tresw cautioned about, and was worried it would happen again.)
chezdeg
13 years ago
We're building our house and pool at the same time and so far, so good. We're using the same subcontractor on the pool as on the house - our foundation guy is also our shotcrete guy. My husband is acting as the contractor and has been doing all the scheduling - so no problems on that end. Good communication is a big part of how our projects are coming together. Tomorrow, our SIP roof panels are going up while the pool plumbing goes in.