A new swimming pool can certainly transform the backyard of your home, but there are many other considerations beyond the swimming pool itself. Where will everyone sit after swimming? Will there be enough room to add a spa? Will the design of the swimming pool be compatible with the house? Will it satisfy any standards or guidelines set forth by the community?
Hillside Pool Builders is committed to helping homeowners in the Irvine, CA area explore the option of building a custom swimming pool on their property. Our designs strive to incorporate the homeowner’s ideas on how to maximize their use of their backyard for outdoor entertaining and swimming.
As a custom swimming pool contractor focused on Southern California, we strive for each swimming pool we build to be unique to the property it is built on, incorporate the latest ideas in swimming pool construction, and meet the needs of the homeowners.
Considering a new pool in Irvine?
One of the most important decisions in building a pool is deciding how much of the backyard should be water.
A swimming pool design may look attractive with a large pool, but a large pool leaves little space for entertaining or relaxation. There are many pool designs with small pools and well thought out areas that allow for improved functional use of the yard for the household.
For homeowners in Irvine, this means deciding how to best use the backyard based on the dimensions, existing structures and how the property is utilized.
It is important to know what you want to keep that is outside the pool. Perhaps this is a lawn, kids play area, a patio for dining, or a seating area for relaxing.
A creative design should be able to lay out the backyard in such a way that all these things can be accommodated rather than trying to fit everything in the corners of the yard.
The path from the house to the swimming pool must feel natural.
A pool located near the main outdoor living area may make supervision and daily access more convenient. Placement must also consider safe circulation, equipment clearances and other considerations.
When considering alternative placements for the pool, we take into account various features including entrances, walkways, existing landscape, relationship of indoor to outdoor spaces, etc.
A patio often becomes the most frequent route to the pool when family and friends congregate at a backyard swimming pool.
Provide enough area for the walking paths and other access to the water.
The elevations and material of pool coping, decks and adjoining paving all need to work together to create a comfortable transition.
Swimming pools need to integrate with the backyard in a manner that allows enjoyment of the entire backyard when swimming is not occurring.
Different swimming pool designs serve different purposes. Selecting the right one begins with understanding the property’s available space and the experience you want to create.
An inground pool can be designed for a number of activities including exercise, relaxation, and recreation.
A modern, rectangular design may complement contemporary architecture. Other shapes, like a freeform design, can soften the pool’s edge to better integrate with surrounding landscapes.
Functions like steps, ledges, and entry points influence how the pool can be used.
Through a combination of skill and experience, our team has been able to exceed expectations in both designs and installations.
Our inground pool construction services provide options for homeowners planning a new swimming area.
The design of a luxury pool depends more on proportional balance and proper material coordination than on the number of features included.
A modern Irvine home may benefit more from a tasteful design that skillfully incorporates details such as tile, coping, lighting, and water features, than from a large pool design.
In addition, homeowners can incorporate a variety of other features such as shallow, lounge-style, built-in, bench seating and architectural water elements.
However, these choices should integrate and enhance the overall design to support the intended use of the pool rather than being incorporated solely for the purpose of being “design first” features.
Learn more about our luxury pool construction approach.
A swimming pool and spa design can be compatible while still providing differences in the swimming experiences.
For homeowners that enjoy relaxing in warm water, providing a spa in the backyard should be considered as part of the design. Its location should be carefully evaluated.
An attached spa can create a compact design. A detached spa can provide design flexibility if there is a sufficient amount of space in the backyard.
The best option depends on the placement of other backyard features, the seats surrounding the spa, and the equipment provided.
Spa and pool designs create opportunities to consider adjacencies, circulation and the relationship of different water features to one another.
Pools and spas should not be considered as separate designs to be integrated into a backyard.
Preference may differ as to whether a pool is primarily for swimming and a spa for relaxing, or vice versa. For some, a pool may provide a lounge area that is too shallow for swimming. Defining preference helps identify the space each feature requires. Prioritizing Feature Usage can assist in creating a more functional design for a smaller yard.
There must be adequate space for people to move between the house, outdoor seating, spa, pool and other amenities. Circulation may be impacted by steps, furniture and coping, pool edges and landscaping. A design that may appear to have adequate space in a plan, may not work in the field.
There may be different needs for heating and circulation for each feature. The equipment for each should be located to align to the function and intended use of the design.
There should also be space for access for maintenance.
Decisions about the equipment and location should be made in the design phase rather than during construction.
Certain neighborhoods in Irvine have architectural controls, governed by homeowners’ associations.
Changes to backyards may require association approval.
The type and extent of architectural controls vary by association. Some controls may address pool placement and screening, fencing, and drainage.
If you own property within a homeowners’ association, be sure to obtain and review the association’s design guidelines. These will indicate whether a swimming pool, in-ground spa, or other recreational facilities require an application or the association’s review. These are also important to review prior to the purchase of any pool or spa equipment. The association may have its own timelines that should be factored into the project.
While an HOA may review the design to determine if it meets community standards, the City of Irvine (or other city) will determine if the design meets the construction standards. One approval does not ensure the other.
Other considerations beyond pool measurements impact the construction process.
Site access, existing site utilities, excavation and drainage conditions can change how the work is planned.
Having a wide side entrance may make it convenient to bring in excavation equipment.
Pool construction in a narrow site, with existing walls and landscaping, can take a completely different approach.
The type of access determines how material of the excavation can be safely and effectively transported.
Relevant underground utilities should be located and addressed prior to excavation.
Different soil conditions and existing site improvements can affect the proposed construction method.
Where engineering is required, the design should account for the actual conditions of the site rather than assuming a pool construction of a similar site requires the same construction method.
New pool decking and hardscaping can impact how surface drainage flows in a backyard.
New hardscaping and drainage can effect proposed pool elevations and patio surfaces.
Our hardscaping services can be considered when the project includes coordinated poolside paving and outdoor surfaces.
A new swimming pool is an opportunity to update the rest of the backyard.
Comfortable plants, trees, and seating can be added to enhance the finished yard.
When considering Irvine landscape architecture, there are several additional factors such as, irrigation, planting space, available shade, and ongoing maintenance.
Most of these factors affect the placement of shrubs, trees, and other plants in relation to a pool and its equipment.
Homeowners planning a broader outdoor transformation can explore our outdoor living services.
These supporting features should complement the pool rather than overwhelm the design or reduce usable space unnecessarily.
Making design, construction, and planning decisions is an important part of any project.
At Hillside Pool Builders, we like to get a sense of the property and the goals of the homeowner before establishing the proposed scope of work.
We look at the available space, the features of the desired pool, access and surrounding outdoor areas.
The shape, location, size and relationship to the spa, patio and other hardscape is determined. Designs may be communicated as sketches or other renderings.
Permit requirements and associations are reviewed. Engineering is addressed where needed.
Work is done as approved and planned.
Completion of planned work, inspections and testing of the completed system.
The sequence and timeline is determined by the site conditions and needed approvals.
Comparing Irvine pool builders means evaluating design sensibilities along with construction know-how.
Over the years, the team at Hillside Pool Builders has gained invaluable experience developing custom pool projects throughout Southern California.
When developing a custom pool design with the homeowner, we strive to take practical considerations like the following into account:
Homeowners should have a clear understanding of how the proposed pool will function before they make the construction commitment.
There are a number of factors that affect the cost of constructing a new pool, including the dimensions and the design of the pool, the pool equipment and materials, and the features and outdoor improvements of the pool area. A specific property analysis provides the best pool construction estimate.
In Irvine, approval from the HOA is required for swimming pools and other backyard improvements. Make sure to review the HOA’s design guidelines and approval process, especially if your design includes a swimming pool. A city or county permit is still required and is separate from HOA approval.
Depending on available space and setbacks, a swimming pool, spa, and other outdoor improvements may be able to be built in a smaller backyard.
The time it takes to build a pool varies with a number of factors, including the design of the pool, permits, the review process by the HOA (if applicable), the construction of the pool, and inspections. The process and the timing of the various factors will be discussed once a general scope of the project has been established.
Hillside Pool Builders designs and builds custom swimming pools. During the pool design process, the pool builders take into consideration the site conditions of the property, the dimensions and design of the pool, and the outdoor features of the pool area.
If improvements are designed to be coordinated with the swimming pool, a patio and other outdoor improvements may be possible. The final design is determined by the property conditions, the scope of the project, and the construction services available.
Adding a swimming pool can expand your backyard space and give you more ways to enjoy your yard.
If you are looking for a modern inground pool or a pool and spa combination, Hillside Pool Builders can help you design and build the pool of your choice. They can also help you with a custom design that takes into account your existing patio and landscaping.
Ready to discuss your Irvine pool project?
Call (877) 918-0860 or contact Hillside Pool Builders to share your property details and request a consultation.