If you live in a warm climate, then chances are that on more than one occasion during the long, hot summer you have contemplated adding a pool to your backyard.  Just the thought of jumping into a giant hole filled with sparkling blue water seems to cool things down.  But thinking about a pool and actually building a pool are two different things!  Once you start looking at the money involved it becomes a lot harder to figure out how to get a decent pool without going bankrupt in the process.  However, with a bit of planning and saving it is possible to add some nice water features to your landscaping to help keep you cool during the summer.  A licensed, professional pool contractor can help you determine what is right for your family.

The first thing you need to determine is if you have enough room for a pool in your back yard.  Different municipalities have different rules and regulations regarding space needed and placement of in-ground pools in proximity to walls and houses.  A licensed, professional pool builder deals with these issues every day and is very knowledgeable about what can and can't be done when placing a pool in a client's back yard.  In some states, pool contractors must be licensed with the Registrar of Contractors, which requires that they pass a test to show proficiency and expertise in the pool industry in order to be licensed.  This ensures that clients will not be dealing with fly by night companies who do not have experience or good business ethics.

It's a good idea to check with the Registrar of Contractors or whatever municipal branch is responsible for contractors in your area to see if the pool builder you want to use has any complaints against them.  A large number of complaints would suggest that a particular pool builder either has poor customer service or does not used highly skilled labor in the building of their product and should probably be avoided.  The Better Business Bureau would be a good resource for this type of background check as well.

Pool builders will meet with you at your home to measure your yard, talk with you about the size and type of pool you want and should review your options with you.  Most of the time they will provide you with either a drawing or a computer generated image of the shape and layout of your pool for your approval.  A good pool contractor will offer many suggestions and alternatives to help you end up with a product you are happy to have in your yard.  They should take into account the dynamic of your family, whether or not you have small children, your budget, your design preferences, current landscaping, etc. 

Many pool builders are now building private splash pads similar to those found in municipal parks, for families with small children.  By eliminating a deep pool filled with water, builders are offering these families a back yard water feature that takes the danger out of water play.  Not only are splash pads safer and more user friendly, they take up less space and are less expensive to build.  The maintenance and care required for splash pads is minimal, making it a great alternative to a swimming pool.  If a swimming pool seems out of reach financially or if your yard cannot accommodate such a large feature, ask your pool contractor if he or she is able to build a splash pad instead.

A backyard oasis in the middle of a hot summer doesn't have to be a daydream.  A pool or water feature offers hours of fun and exercise, not to mention the visual beauty it will add to your landscaping.  Take a vacation in your own back yard this year!  A professional pool builder can help you design a resort-like setting for you and your family to enjoy and cool off with for years to come.