Your backyard probably has great existing aspects such as a shaded patio, a comfortable spot for entertaining, or beautiful trees and gardens. When adding a pool to your backyard, it is important that you enhance these areas rather than get rid of them.
At Hillside Pool Builders, we specialize in custom swimming pool design and construction in Glendale, California. We will work with you to discover how a swimming pool can be designed for your property, from a relatively level yard to an elevated lot to an outdoor space with existing improvements.
We take into account all available information including the space you have to work with, access for construction, and how you want to use your backyard to create a functional design.
Thinking about building a pool in Glendale? Call (877) 918-0860 or contact Hillside Pool Builders to discuss your property and request a consultation.
Not all swimming pool projects start with an empty yard.
Many homeowners in Glendale have established landscaping including walls, patios, pathways, and seating that they want to preserve.
Finding the right solution to integrate a pool with these elements can be challenging. The pool placement needs to be assessed to see if other elements of the design need to be modified.
There are many details to work out to ensure the pool has the right relationship with the house including pathway access and dimensions of the space to accommodate outdoor furniture.
Consider these three questions before deciding on a pool shape:
Answering these questions early can help prevent designing a pool that, while aesthetically pleasing, would be difficult to use and/or build.
Glendale has many different kinds of residential areas. Homes in older areas, like Rossmoyne, often have established landscaping, and may have existing improvements like a swimming pool. Areas, like Chevy Chase Canyon and the Verdugo foothills, have greater topographic changes, and site access can be more difficult.
Different situations require swimming pools of different designs.
Flat backyards give more options when placing the pool and when designing a surrounding patio.
A rectangular swimming pool may integrate well with contemporary architecture to provide a pool for swimming. Other shapes may be better based on how property boundaries, existing site trees, and other site features influence the design.
Design should incorporate spacious pool steps, plenty of clearances, and comfortable movements to and from the water.
Our inground pool construction services provide options for homeowners planning a new swimming area.
Pool design requires much more than just choosing elegant finishes.
Water reflects, bounces off, and combines with surrounding materials, lighting and home architecture to create the finished appearance.
Homeowners may also consider elements such as shallow lounging areas, underwater lighting, architectural elements, or built-in seating.
The right combination of elements for a design project is based on the space and purpose it is intended to fulfill. The design itself must be aesthetically pleasing.
Explore our luxury pool construction services for additional possibilities.
A spa can be another way to enjoy your backyard and doesn’t require a completely separate outdoor environment.
An attached spa can lead to a compact design and a separate spa can be more flexible with available space.
The layout should be designed with access, seating, heating, and circulation in mind in addition to the requirements for the equipment.
If designed together, the spa and pool can share a consistent architectural style.
Construction can be impacted by soil conditions regardless of where the pool is being built.
What may appear to be level ground can have conditions that require an expert’s eye, and a slope may not always be a deal-breaker for pool construction.
Ultimately, it depends on the conditions of the site.
For a level backyard, important considerations include soil conditions, existing utilities, drainage, and access for excavation equipment.
The proposed pool location should also be evaluated in relation to the home, property boundaries, and existing structures.
Even where excavation appears straightforward, appropriate engineering and permits may still be required.
A sloped property may require additional planning for grading, drainage, structural support, or construction access.
In some cases, an elevated pool design may help take advantage of the property’s outlook. Other projects may require a more restrained layout to manage the available terrain.
The structural solution must be based on site-specific evaluation and applicable engineering requirements.
Retaining walls, deep foundations, and other specialized methods should not be assumed necessary for every hillside project.
Our hillside pool construction services address projects where terrain creates additional design and construction challenges.
Backyards in Glendale can take years to establish and enhance. Established backyards provide a distinct character that can’t be quickly recreated.
Any desired preservation of trees, shrubs or patios should be determined before the final design of the pool is made.
The placement of a swimming pool may be limited because of the location of trees and other plantings on the site.
There may be a need to consider the effects of construction on trees and the protection of tree roots.
The condition and location of a tree on the site may be the determining factor on whether or not it is removed.
Pools should be located to provide ease of access from the house and other outdoor seating areas and to take advantage of the best poolside views.
If an existing patio is to be preserved, the design may have to take into consideration the location, shape and elevation of the existing patio, as well as the available space to connect to it.
New patios, garden walls and coping, as well as pool deck concrete, paving and tile, may all be tied together to create a unified design.
Other improvements such as lighting and pathways may also be built at the same time as the pool.
The idea is to provide a total design of the landscaping that integrates with the pool and pool environment rather than an addition to the existing environment that is a pool and landscaping afterthought.
Our pool landscape design services can help connect swimming areas with surrounding outdoor features.
A backyard may have the space for a swimming pool, but not the space for the equipment needed to build the pool.
Construction access can affect excavation methods and the scope of work.
Some residential properties have restrictive side passages, mature landscaping and existing hardscaping, all of which can restrict equipment movement.
Prior to construction, the available route should be assessed to determine width, height, surface conditions and obstructions.
If standard excavation equipment cannot reach the backyard, an alternative means of construction may be required.
Excavation of the pool creates soil that must be disposed of, in accordance with the approved construction plan.
When excavated material is transported from the backyard, the equipment access and the route must be evaluated.
Restricted equipment access can lead to additional time being spent on site and increased the labor required for site preparation.
Existing improvements such as walls, patios, and planting may need to be protected during construction.
Prior to construction, the homeowner should be made aware of the areas that may be disturbed and what limitations are built into the scope of work.
Establishing these expectations helps to manage the homeowner’s expectations.
New swimming pool construction in Glendale must meet the building and safety code requirements.
Depending on a property and planned construction, a project may need construction plans, a structural engineering report, permits and inspections.
Site conditions, such as grading and drainage, may require additional review and bring in other agencies.
Homeowners need to confirm whether there are any community association restrictions that would limit their ability to construct improvements on their properties.
Prior to commencing any construction on a property, Homeowners need to verify the local permitting requirements and authority.
The cost of a new swimming pool varies based on design and construction conditions.
Important considerations for Glendale homeowners may include:
Larger and/or deeper pools require different excavation and material consideration.
Pre-existing conditions on the site (i.e. landscaping, structures, hardscapes) may affect work required prior to construction.
Restricted construction site access may alter what kind of equipment can be used and material-handling methods.
Conditions of the soil and drainage, as well as slope may affect the structure and construction of the pool.
Heating, filtration, and lighting pools, as well as automation, increase the scope of work.
Tile, coping, spas, water features, decking and other features affect the design and material scope of a pool.
When comparing pool builder estimates, homeowners should evaluate what is included rather than focusing on the total price.
A quality proposal will explain important assumptions, provide a scope of work for finishes and equipment, and describe the limits of the contractor’s work.
Though custom swimming pool projects tend to cover the same general areas, we have found the process is easier to understand when major decisions are addressed in a particular order.
After identifying the swimming pool features that are important to you, we discuss how space, features of your backyard, and the challenges of construction may impact the design of your pool.
The size, shape and placement of the pool are discussed and the type of materials used are considered as well as how the pool relates to other outdoor features of your backyard.
Design visualizations may be created to help with this process.
The placement of engineering and construction documentation, and approvals impact what work may be done next.
Approved construction may include site work, excavation, and the installation of backfill, structural steel, plumbing and electrical work, equipment, and interior and exterior finishes.
The swimming pool may need to be tested to ensure that the systems are operational and ready to use.
The timing of major steps of construction is dependent on many variables including the design of the swimming pool, the challenges of construction and approvals.
Choosing a swimming pool contractor requires finding a team that can articulate the rationale behind design choices and explain how they relate to the actual construction.
Hillside Pool Builders is a custom pool design and construction company serving Southern California, including Glendale.
Our published services include inground pools, luxury designs, and hillside pool construction, as well as other outdoor improvements.
When comparing contractors, we also recommend verifying applicable California contractor licensing, reviewing genuine completed projects, and clarifying warranties and project responsibilities before signing an agreement.
This may be the case depending on various factors including your patio location, space availability, clearance needs and construction access. The existing layout should be evaluated prior to finalizing the pool layout.
A relatively level site may have fewer challenges related to elevation changes, but issues related to soil conditions, utilities, drainage and construction access still exist. Challenges related to construction depend on the individual property.
Possibly, depending on site conditions, access and applicable approvals. An evaluation of the specific site and property would be necessary to determine this.
It really depends on a number of factors including the size of the pool, excavation conditions, site and pool structure, equipment, materials, and features. A reputable pool builder should be able to provide a detailed estimate based on the work proposed.
New swimming pools generally require permits and inspections. The local authority having jurisdiction should be contacted to confirm the requirements for your specific property and pool project.
Yes, provided the space, requirements and regulations allow.
Along with your location, pictures of your backyard and the features you want in your pool would be helpful. Other things to think about would be access and slope conditions and if you have a preferred pool builder in mind. It would also be helpful to share if you have a budget and/or preferred time frame.
You don’t need to have all the details worked out before reaching out.
Do you want to preserve an established garden? Build on a level backyard? Explore a pool for a sloped property? The first step to any of these scenarios is to determine the limitations of your space.
Our Hillside Pool Builders team can review the information you provide, discuss your goals, and let you know the next steps for your custom swimming pool project.
Ready to get started?
Call (877) 918-0860 or contact Hillside Pool Builders.
Share your Glendale property location, a few backyard photographs, and the features you have in mind to begin the conversation.