--- title: "Michael Given Environments, LLC — Swimming Pool Builders | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/swimming-pool-builders/michael-given-environments-llc-pfvwus-pf~847860426 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~847860426.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Michael Given Environments, LLC" category: ["Swimming Pool Builders"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8e13fc6b01f08e3e_2098-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "PO Box 23357, Overland Park, Kansas 66283, United States" latitude: 38.9188 longitude: -94.6802 phone: "(913) 238-8842" website: http://GivenEnvironments.com rating: 5 review_count: 14 best_of_houzz_awards: 7 followers: 125 last_updated: 2026-08-22 --- # Michael Given Environments, LLC Original Houzz profile: [Michael Given Environments, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/swimming-pool-builders/michael-given-environments-llc-pfvwus-pf~847860426) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Swimming Pool Builders - **Location:** Overland Park, KS - **Serves:** Overland Park, Kansas City, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Prairie Village, Mission, Roeland Park, Fairway, Mission Hills, Westwood, Westwood Hills, Bucyrus, Mission Woods, Loch Lloyd, Shawnee Mission, Stilwell - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (14 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2014–2022), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves We are a Land, Waterscape & Construction firm specializing in creating highly integrated construction, indoor/outdoor living, landscape, hardscape, & waterscape projects at an exceptionally high standard. Projects have evolved to include the more general construction side of the space with increased demand for a better transition from the house to the outdoor living space. Out attention to detail outside is being brought to these new living spaces. Whether it's your home in the city, or your country retreat, we'll take the worries out of your decision to create a luxurious oasis. Contact our sister firm, Given Pool Designs LLC, to get started on your plan. Designs by Michael Given, SWD, IWI, Given Pool Designs LLC. ### Services Provided - Swimming Pool Construction - Swimming Pool Design - Pool Deck Design & Construction - Carriage House Construction - Concrete Pool Construction - Hardscape Construction - Home Additions - Home Remodels - Indoor/Outdoor Living Construction - Landscape Construction - Outdoor Living Construction - Pool House Construction - Swimming Pool & Spa Construction ### Areas Served - Overland Park - Kansas City - Olathe - Shawnee - Lenexa - Leawood - Prairie Village - Mission - Roeland Park - Fairway - Mission Hills - Westwood - Westwood Hills - Bucyrus - Mission Woods - Loch Lloyd - Shawnee Mission - Stilwell ### Typical Job Cost $150,000 - 5 million Landscape Projects: $150,000+ Pool Projects: $500,000+ Pool House Projects: $250,000+ Carriage House Projects: $250,000+ Home Remodeling/Home Addition Projects: $500,000+ ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Michael Given Environments, LLC | | Address | PO Box 23357, Overland Park, Kansas 66283, United States | | Phone | (913) 238-8842 | | Website | http://GivenEnvironments.com | | License Number | JOCO Contractor 2013-6421 | | Followers on Houzz | 125 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Michael Given Environments, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/swimming-pool-builders/michael-given-environments-llc-pfvwus-pf~847860426) - **Website:** http://GivenEnvironments.com - **Phone:** (913) 238-8842 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Certified Professional Watershape Designer by Society of Watershape Designers. Cert KM 038-10 - International Watershape Institute Professional. Cert IWI-20007 - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2014–2022), for Service, Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 14 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 46.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Sean Hogan, March 2021** > Michael and his team from Given Environments redesigned and built a wonderful new outdoor living space in our backyard that includes a grand pool, hot tub, fire scape, and pool house. In my previous experience with construction projects, the initial designs rarely match the final project, but in this, they are identical down to the smallest landscaping details. What we expected and what Given Environments designed and built are a perfect match and we could not be any more thrilled. We used the pool, hot tub, and pool house year-round in temperatures ranging from 100 degrees to 10 degrees and it all works perfectly. We've received numerous compliments not only from friends but from other contractors on the quality of design and craftsmanship. Our family would enthusiastically recommend Michael Given Environments to anyone seeking that special outdoor living extension to their home. **★★★★★ — angiezinn, Nov. 2020** > We loved working with Michael! He is very creative and pays a lot of attention to details. He has great design ideas and executes them beautifully. We are very happy with our backyard and pool! **★★★★★ — Gus Zinn, Nov. 2020** > Michael Given Environments does exceptional backyard remodeling. He takes great care and attention to detail with each job. The priority is quality over quantity of projects which is great for customers. His captain Sherm is also a great guy and interfaces with customers very well. This is a high quality local company and they do exceptional back yard work for pools and living spaces. > > Everyone who sees our backyard loves it!! **★★★★★ — Gale Marks Spear, June 2020** > What more can I say than Michael Given and his crew are simply the best!! He took our vision, and created our dream backyard and entertainment area. His attention to detail, and execution is truly unusual in this day and age. Any project might run into unforeseen difficulty, but it takes a creative and imaginative person to take that difficulty and turn it into an asset. Mike can do that - over and over. I can heartily recommend him, and the biggest compliment that my husband and I can give him is that "Mike does it RIGHT!" He and his crew (shoutout to Sherman) do it right - every time. We get compliments on our pool and yard all the time. Right person for the right job. He is the BEST! **★★★★★ — jbic, Dec. 2015** > Michael used his creativity to design and build an amazing backyard living space that is great for the family and entertaining friends. His landscape architecture expertise was evident in his design. The various plantings and their placement combined with the stone patio and fire pit made it look like the project wasn't newly completed. Michael uses his own crew do most all the work with very little done by subs. The quality of the work was excellent and the crew was responsive to things that needed to changed. Overall, he did a great job and would use him again. **★★★★★ — yelenablond, Dec. 2015** > Michael is very knowledgeable in his profession. He is always around to thoroughly answer questions and make sure everything is going smoothly and efficiently. He has a skillful and reliable staff that catalyze stage process of completing a project. I am happy with my new backyard and I am glad I chose Michael Given Environments. **★★★★★ — csarms5, Sept. 2015** > We hired this company during the time we were remodeling our suburban 48 year old house to provide flood control for a leaky basement and update outdoor landscaping. The outdoor area was small and cramped, on a long and narrow lot, which was built back into a hillside. During heavy rains, water rolled down the hill, onto our lot, and occasionally into our basement. The living area outdoors was cramped and, because of dampness, we used it only rarely. Michael Given analyzed the situation, then presented us with a comprehensive plan complete with specs and an artist's rendering.. He incorporated existing dry laid stone walls, proposed removing 2 large trees, and recommended excavating the hillside. For awhile our back yard looked like Grand Canyon, but now it has a meandering stepping stone walk with terraced perennial gardens, a large patio complete with a fountain with mosaic tile, and a lovely winding stair leading to an upper level of the yard. The area is lit discretely at night. The basement is completely dry! His crews were unfailingly professional and pleasant. The outside is now our favorite spot of our home, and we are thrilled with his work. We have recommended him to our friends without reserve. **★★★★★ — Chris Peek, Oct. 2014** > Michael and his fabulous crew took our high level concept of building a back yard living space (Pool, fireplace, cabana, outdoor kitchen) and turned it into a fabulous reality. Michael is exceedingly good at visualizing what we, as the consumers, sometimes have a hard time putting into words. His experience and technical expertise provided guidance to the project and helped up avoid many of the pitfalls that less experienced providers might not see. We could not be happier with our new backyard paradise, and the WOW factor we get from every new visitor tells us that we hit a home run the day we selected Michael for this project. **★★★★★ — mkuti, Sept. 2014** > Michael did an excellent revamp of our pool area. He used his creativity to do an add on with out it looking like an add on. The crew was very careful with equipment (covering driveway) and keeping the construction site tidy. The project went smoothly and the outcome is beautiful. We have worked with MANY different yard companies through out the years and Michael Given is one of the few that shows up, does what they say they are going to do and gets it done in a timely manor. He is a very talented designer with an awesome crew to support him. We highly recommend him to anyone that needs a professional and wants an amazing outcome! **★★★★★ — caesar129, Dec. 2013** > They proposed beautiful landscape designs that made it hard to choose from. They built 2 custom fountains, installed and maintained complex irrigation system, complex landscaping, custom seasonal plantings and provided excellent customer service. > > Great attention to detail. They can be counted on to get things done! > > They plant seasonal pots around the house that are always fresh and beautiful. **★★★★★ — dcokingtin, Sept. 2013** > Michael had guaranteed he'd have our pool fountain completed by May 20 2013. The tile we ordered inthe fall from Europe sat on a boat in the middle of the ocean due to an engine failure. When the tile finally got to the U.S. , Mike and his wife drove thru the night t pick it up and bring it to KC. Then the backing on the tile would not come of as it normally does making the tiling take much longer than anticipated. Mike and his crew worked diligently and completed the job on time! Our new fountain is beautiful. Mike's crew are friendly and neat. They even helped me keep eye on a new puppy when the puppy would escape. > When we had our graduation party on May20, no one could tell that the pool/fountain had literally been completed six hours before the start of the party! The pots were planted and lovely. All construction tools etc were gone. > Mike and Nicole stand behind their work and deliver a quality product. **★★★★★ — westcliffe1, Sept. 2013** > We live in a small Victorian home on a small lot in the middle of a block. We live in the Rocky Mountains at 8,000 feet. Our location and climate make gardening a challenge. Further, we are always dealing with the ever present challenge of hungry deer. We retained Michael for the purpose of creating an environment where we could be close to nature and at the same time provide a gathering place for entertaining. We were working with a budget and a specified time frame. > > Michael focused on an old barn in the rear of our lot that we have remodeled into a guest house and theater. He created a brick patio and covered it with a pergola and then surrounded that area with plantings, trees and on one side a pond and waterfall. This has been a wonderful place for us to gather with our friends. > > We also wanted to create some privacy as people viewed our house from the street. To achieve this,Michael created a series of small berms on the north side of our house and then built a water fall and small stream that flows into a pond. Tis area has a walkway through trees and flowers that he planted along this walk way. On the south side he also created a series of berms and flowers. This area also has a walkway to the rear of the house. > > We had a concrete slab outside our house that served as a patio. Michael covered this slab with flagstone and in the process made the edges irregular. He also took some pavers we had used as a walkway and built an outdoor kitchen that holds our grill and also serves as a bar. > > Michael selected plants that were correct for this altitude and climate and were also deer resistant. We have had these plants in the ground for two years and have not lost any of them deer or climate. > > Even though we made a few changes along the way, the project came in on budget and on time. > > We have received nothing but praise from our friends and guests. Most important we love it. > > Michael is a very creative and demands a very high standard of excellence from himself and his team. We would recommend him without hesitation. ## Selected projects - [Holiday Annual Flower Displays](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/holiday-annual-flower-displays-pj-vj~402745) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - [Backyard Oasis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-oasis-pj-vj~575900) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: Backyard Oasis with Pool, Spa, Natural Boulder Waterfalls, and Badu Swim Jet. Pool finishes include Sicis Glass Tile, Prism Blue Pebble Sheen, and New Mexico Buff Stone Coping and patio. Other amenities include a fire pit, Cabana with Fireplace, Kitchen, and Equipment Room for year round operation. Landscape planting includes heavy screening around the pool area with with flowering trees and tropicals for color and texture. The Pool and Landscape each have LED lighting to set the mood after dark… - [Lap Pool](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lap-pool-pj-vj~320976) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Pool & Outdoor Living Environment](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pool-and-outdoor-living-environment-pj-vj~285270) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - [Driveway Fountain](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/driveway-fountain-pj-vj~324263) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Waterfall Project](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/waterfall-project-pj-vj~285259) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: Natural Boulder Structural Water Feature with multiple waterfalls & streams, a stone staircase with stone bridges over the water feature and winding through the landscape plantings to a poolside patio. LED lighting brings the environment to life after dark. - [Pool Fountain Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pool-fountain-remodel-pj-vj~285263) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Thermal Spring](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/thermal-spring-pj-vj~981372) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: Thermal Hot Spring inspired natural boulder waterfalls from the thermal ledge and spa to rustic pool tucked into the landscape berm. Pool and spa are finished with a custom blend of Sicis glass tile, Bordeaux Pebble Sheen interior finish, and natural stone coping. The pool and landscape both have LED lighting to bring the space to life after dark. Upper and lower flagstone patios give plenty of room to enjoy the space, along with a fire pit and covered outdoor kitchen. Entire environment by Mich… - [Whole Environment Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/whole-environment-remodel-pj-vj~293085) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [Spa Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/spa-remodel-pj-vj~320979) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - [Fountain Repair/Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fountain-repair-remodel-pj-vj~644837) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Modern Land & Waterscape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-land-and-waterscape-pj-vj~305150) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Water Feature](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/water-feature-pj-vj~320925) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - [Fieldstone Courtyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fieldstone-courtyard-pj-vj~817006) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 [See all 14 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/swimming-pool-builders/michael-given-environments-llc-pfvwus-pf~847860426) ## Community Q&A **Q: limestone coping** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you tell me where you purchased the limestone coping from? It is beautiful A: Our supplier calls this Tuxedo gray limestone. The easiest place to purchase it though is US Stone, they call it Plaza gray limestone. **Q: which sicis blended tile did you use- beautiful1** *(in Photo Questions)* A: This was a custom blend we created specific for this project. We typically work up a few blends that would look good with the other material choices, create sample boards, and make a final decision after reviewing the boards on site with the other materials. The surrounding materials, light on location, and the water depth are crucial in determining the right blend. **Q: Exactly the tile I'm looking for, can I have the blends used and style** *(in Photo Questions)* A: It's always best when choosing glass tile to look at the tile in different light & shadow conditions on the site with the other materials. If it is for a pool or fountain then you need to consider how the tile will look underwater. We typically do multiple blends that would look good with the surrounding materials, then narrow it down to one or two for grouted sample boards. Even changing the grout color on a blend will make a huge difference with how the finished product looks. You definitely want someone who has experience in color theory, custom blends and glass tile installation to help you choose the right tile options. Then you need to see the tile on site with your other materials, that will go a long way in making sure you don't make an expensive mistake. **Q: Hi! Can you tell me the color of the Sicis mosaic tile you used?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: It's actually a custom blend of blues and greens from the Glimmer collection. We typically create custom blends for each project to create better color flow in and around the pool. It also allows us to match plaster colors in shallow areas as colors under water will look different depending on the water depth. **Q: Pavers used** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you please share the names of the pavers used? I like the mixed installation. We have a pool going in with traditional pavers as pool decking and want to add a patio nearby but that area is in a stream buffer and would love to do something matching but permeable..... A: The main field (center tan portion) are Belgard Subterra Stone Pavers, it is a permeable paver. The border and drive lanes are Belgard Urbana Stone Pavers. **Q: How is this unique from anything else?** *(in Photo Questions)* Looks like every other mid-west neighborhood association approved yard. A: This is actually a permeable paver driveway, with an underground drainage system that takes rain water to a storm water surge tank so we can control the rainwater run off. It was needed on this small site to allow for the addition of the pool in the background so we could keep our pervious surface (Green space) above the city minimum. We were actually able to increase the Green space percentage higher then most of the surrounding neighbors with this driveway. So yes, it may look like a standard paver driveway, but it helped us solve an issue on this site, will help this property and the neighboring properties every time it rains by controlling run off, and it looks considerably better then the asphalt driveway it replaced. This is a fairly new technology for residential purposes, hopefully it gains steam as it would help cities around the midwest control their storm water run off. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-22.*