Pool

Aaron V Sandeen April 26, 2016
Before

The Sandeen family is finally building a pool and going to add some landscaping to our big dirt pad.  Yes, that is not a picture of the kids starting to dig their own pool.

Please keep checking back: last updated 5/3/2016 6:45am

Objectives

  • Fun for Family & Friends
    • Private enough for just our family
    • Open enough to entertain 30+ (let me know if you want to party!)
    • Celebrations of all kinds
  • Durability & Low Maintenance
    • We had issues with our Cool deck on our last pool – especially around hot tub and stairs of pool
    • Pebble tec water stains (we didn’t do tiles) – Is there anyway to avoid that? 
    • Loved the infloor cleaning and salt system!
  • Fitness – I love to swim! I want a deep pool so I can’t touch the ground & I’d like enough room to do more than three kicks or go with a Endless pool type technology.
  • Rustic & Natural (rocks & colors – make it fit with our neighborhood & the desert) – but probably geometric shape for pool / hot tub shape
  • Awesome, lush landscaping is an absolute must (think jungle) but we are willing to wait a couple years for it all to grow and fill in
  • Realistic Project Plan – We recognize that a dollar only stretches so far, so we want to focus on our top priorities & things that we can’t do / redo later (without big consequences) & have a mid to long-term plan to do other stuff over the next couple of years

 

Pool

  • Pool Ideas (Pinterest)
  • Grotto / Slide
    • Good flow on waterfall (not wimpy)
    • Slide above water for a little drop into the pool
    • We want to be be able to jump off the water fall waterfall
    • Open to fake or real stone (cost, quality & design)
    • Stairs / ladder by Grotto to get in and out easy – Interested in wet steps (able to get right out of the pool on to the steps of the grotto with water flowing down the steps)
    • We want to be able to go under waterfall (into the grotto)
    • Rope swing? I’ve seen a couple really cool designs out there. This isn’t a priority. Not sure that we want a wood structure (we have enough wood around our house – metal may be better)
  • Dive pool – 9’ – more likely 7′ feet but want it deep
    • Minimal decking / coping (to save money and aesthetics) but still some decking so people can gather and watch
      • Nice Outline
      • We can always add more decking later
      • Interested cost effective options that have great design appeal
    • In-floor cleaning – possibly an additional pool vacuum connection
    • Geometric shape (but open to other designs – talk to me about why I think geometric)
    • Large Baja step / shelf
    • Lighting – interested in options – like the idea of being able to change colors
  • Large hot tub (we spent so much time in our last hot tub!)
    • Need propane tank (interested in burring the tank)
  • Endless pool Or Swim lane – I want to be able to get in some good exercise
  • Shade
    • Position the pool so we get shade from the house in the hot summer afternoons
    • Shade sails or other options
  • Pool Fence
    • We want to protect our kids, friends and friendly desert creatures
    • We also want it to look nice and not detract from the experience
    • Interested in options
      • Wrought Iran
      • Removable nets / mesh
  • Shower / Changing area
    • Love to be able to rinse off outside
    • A little privacy if our guests wanted to change outside
    • Something creative and blends in

 

Landscaping

  • Landscaping Ideas (Pinterest)
  • Garden Ideas (Pinterest)
  • Need some palm trees by the pool (not queens – haven’t had any luck with them)
  • Desert friendly with pops of tropical (we live on a well)
  • Artificial Turf Area – Croquet & Bocce Ball – Fun place for the kids to play
  • Crushed Rock / Granite all over – to cut down on dust
  • Irrigation
    • We have installed irrigation on some parts of the property but need to finish
  • Finish Front
    • We’d like to install a minimal amount of landscaping by our front entry and the front of the house
  • Swing Set & Trampoline
    • We have a great swing set and trampoline that need to fit into the design
    • Sand or some kind of more friendly cover by the swing set
    • Interested in putting our existing trampoline in the ground
  • Simple Outdoor Kitchen
    • Propane
    • Depending on how far the dollar stretch, maybe just getting it plumbed for propane in the first phase of the project
  • Dining Area – Entertain 20
    • This one is important to me – doesn’t have to be fancy – actually I personally like very rustic
    • Could be trees that set a barrier around it – could be granite or sand for the floor
    • Has to be able to seat at least 20 people
    • Has to have electricity and lights (even cheap  hanging lights)
    • Fire pit?
  • Garden Beds & Irrigation
    • Use Dog Kennel (our dogs don’t use it and it will protect our garden from the killer bunnies we have – maybe)
    • Install Irrigation
  • Solar Panels
    • We are interested in getting solar panels (this is not necessarily part of the pool / landscaping project but we also recognize we want this pool project to be as green as possible)
  •  Gates
    • 3 Big Gates
    • Side Gate
    • 2 Front Entry Gates

 

Logistics

  • We live on a well and septic
  • We have a pre-existing wall on the property that was not permitted. When we built another wall the county reviewed it and grandfathered it in. Not sure if this will cause a problem.
  • We are not sure at this point on the status of the grading and drainage plan for this property.
  • A water truck for the initial fill needs to be calculated into the overall budget

 

Decision Criteria

  • Cost
    • Ability to creatively stretch my dollars in inspiring ways
  • Design
    • Ability to incorporate my ideas (especially from my Pinterest boards) and add interesting design elements to blend it all together
    • Surprise factor – pull my ideas together and make it awesome!!! (I am a huge believer in AWESOME!!!)
  • Reality
    • Create a realistic plan
    • Low maintenance – High durability
  • Ability to Execute
    • Minimize and mitigate risks – avoid unforeseen expenses or delays
    • Proven track record and quality
    • Strong relationships with suppliers and contractors
  • Passion & Affinity
    • Looking to work with people that are completely excited about helping us build an awesome pool
  • Continued Relationship