Building a new home? It pays to plan ahead

When you're building a new home, there are already hundreds of decisions to make, so it can be tempting to leave the backyard and pool until after the house is finished. But if you already know that a pool is part of your future plans, getting it into the conversation early can make the entire process much easier. You don't necessarily need to install your pool at the same time as your house is being built. However, knowing where it will eventually go can influence everything from site access and landscaping to fencing, ground levels and the position of your pool equipment... At GV Unique Pools & Landscaping, we recommend thinking about the entire property from the beginning, rather than building the house first and trying to make everything else fit around it later.

Start With the Bigger Picture

An empty block gives you a unique opportunity to think about how your entire property will eventually work together. Consider where the pool will sit in relation to your home, alfresco and main living areas, how much lawn or landscaping you'd like to retain and whether you'll want a pool house, outdoor shower or any other add-ons.

Planning early also gives you the chance to consider how you'll actually use the backyard. A family wanting plenty of lawn for children and pets may make very different choices to someone wanting a large entertaining area centred around the pool. Getting that balance right can help the pool feel like it was always part of the home's design.

Pool Positioning Matters

There is more to pool positioning than finding an empty section of backyard. Property boundaries, easements, fencing requirements, existing structures and the overall dimensions of the site can all influence where a pool can be installed. Then there are the lifestyle considerations. You may want the pool visible from your main living areas, positioned close to the alfresco for entertaining or further into the backyard to create a dedicated pool zone. Looking at these factors while the home is still being planned gives you much more opportunity to find a position that works practically and visually.

Think About Access Before the House Is Finished

Access is one of the biggest reasons to start thinking about your pool early. Installing a fibreglass pool requires excavation machinery, removal of soil, delivery of materials and access for the pool shell itself, which may need to be craned into position. Before the house, driveway, fencing, shed and landscaping are completed, there may be considerably more room to work with... A pool can certainly be installed after a home is finished (and we do this regularly) but understanding the access requirements early can prevent other elements of the build from unnecessarily limiting your options.

Consider Fencing, Equipment and Services

Pool fencing, equipment and services may not be the most exciting parts of designing your backyard, but they're important to consider from the beginning. The position of the pool barrier can influence landscaping and how you move between the house, alfresco and pool, while safety and compliance requirements can also affect what can be positioned around the barrier. It's also worth thinking about where your pump station and pool equipment will eventually be located. Planning this early gives you a better opportunity to find a practical and discreet position and consider any equipment you may want, including heating and other upgrades.

Plan the Pool and Landscaping Together

Even if your landscaping won't be completed immediately, having an overall plan can make a huge difference. Pool surrounds, concrete, coping, paving, lawn, garden beds, retaining and pathways all need to work with the position and level of the pool.

This can also influence the size of pool you choose. Sometimes the largest pool that physically fits isn't necessarily the best option once you consider the amount of room you'd like for entertaining, landscaping and other parts of the backyard. Planning everything together also allows you to consider the materials and colours being used on the new home. Your pool colour, coping, concrete, paving and landscaping can then complement the house and create a much more cohesive finished result.

Think About the Features You Want

If you've already been dreaming about your future backyard, now is the time to mention those extra features too. You might be considering a separate fibreglass spa or spillover, sun pod, custom water feature, spa jets, pool heating or feature lighting!

Knowing about these ideas early allows us to consider how they could be incorporated into the overall design, even if you haven't made every decision yet. It's much easier to allow space for something during the planning stage than to try to add it once the pool and landscaping have already been completed.

See It Before You Build It

When you're looking at an empty block or a set of house plans, imagining what the finished backyard will look like isn't always easy. Our 3D pool and landscape design service can help bring those ideas together and give you a much clearer picture of how the pool and surrounding outdoor areas could work with your new home.

It also gives you the opportunity to explore different layouts and make changes before construction begins, helping you plan the backyard as one complete space rather than a collection of separate projects.

Start the Conversation Early

You don't need to have every detail decided and you don't necessarily need to be ready to install your pool straight away. Simply getting advice early can help you understand what's possible and make better decisions while your new home is being planned or built. At GV Unique Pools & Landscaping, we can help with the complete outdoor vision - from choosing and positioning your fibreglass pool through to 3D design, installation, pool surrounds and landscaping. If you're building a new home and know that a pool is somewhere in your future plans, get in touch with our team early. A little planning now can make a big difference to the backyard you end up with.