This will look like an over head shot of your whole yard.  It will show property easements and the general layout of your home on the lot.  It should be in the original set of houseplans or you can find it in the closing papers with your mortgage lender.  This is imperative in order to get a building permit.

2.   Determine your budget. 

This will help the designer or architect give you an idea of what is possible to do.  Remember, most designers or architects are creative thinkers.  They take the ideas and criteria you give them from the initial meetings to create something.  If you give them no budget to go with, then their creative thinking goes into gear and they will design something that they see for your space, then they price it out.  But if you give them a general idea of a budget, they have perimeters to go with in their creative thinking process.

3.    Look at pictures and get ideas of what you like and don’t like.  

Free online sites like Luxury Pools or Houzz are very helpful in determining your particular style and different features you might not have known about.  There are numerous magazines and books in bookstores to get ideas from.  When you see something that you like, bookmark it online, save it in a book or tear it out of a magazine.  This gives the designer or architect an idea of what your tastes are, and creates a jumping off point for them to design something for you.

4.  Choose a qualified pool builder!

You would not believe the fly-by-night “companies” that exist and will promise things too good to be true in order to land a job, then disappear in mid-construction or use sub-par materials in order to make more money.  A qualified pool or landscape designer will prepare a conceptual plan with an itemized list of equipment that will be used.  Remember – this is an investment for your family and your home!

A good place to locate a reputable builder in your area is online at www.apsp.org (the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals).  Check out the  potential company’s website, and ask them if the pools listed on their gallery/portfolio are actual pools that they built.  There are actually a number of companies that will post images of other company’s projects and claim it as their own, or if it is a chain or franchise whether the local dealer/builder has their own work displayed or if it the national company’s portfolio.  Ask for references of recent clients and some from years past.

When you schedule your first meeting, have these things ready and the process will go much easier for both you and the designer/architect.  Be open to suggestions from them, take their opinions for the layout of your land into the decisions.  If your yard has extensive drainage issues or has a big slope to work with, make sure these issues are addressed correctly, the first time.  These are important foundation items to consider before you install the pool or landscape.  Hardscapes can be an integral part of the entire design, and can save multiple headache issues for you in the future.

You may have to set a list of priorities on things you want to have – and schedule items in stages.  If this is the case – be open to the designer/architect so they can give you options on what can be done separately.

1.  Get a plot plan of your lot/residence to check the easements.  You’d be surprised at some of the backyards we’ve gone to where the easement goes right up the middle of the backyard.  This may require you to get a variance.

2.  Make a list of priorities of what you want in a pool.  Do you want to swim laps?  Do you want a deep end so people can dive?  Do you have or plan to have small children around?  Do you entertain a lot?  What do you want to see when you look out the different windows in the home to the backyard?  This last question is especially important if you consider the fact it will be there in the winter too.  Having a pleasing view even when the pool is closed for the season is important to most homeowners.

3.  Do you want a spa included?  If you have an exit from the master bedroom, it is advisable to have it close proximity to the master bedroom.  You really don’t want to walk all the way around the pool to the other side of the yard at night when it is cold outside to access the spa.  Then again, if you love the cold – maybe you would!

4.  Once your priorities are established, figure out what your budget will allow.  You can do most things in stages.  Just figure out what you really want to have first and foremost.  Some things really need to be done together – for instance the hardscape with the pool, especially if there are drainage issues.  This is not a time to skimp on the budget.  Do it right the first time.  This is an investment in your home.  Mediocre work will cost you more in the long run.

5.  If you have outdoor living as a priority, be sure to add enough patio area to accommodate the furniture you will want to have.  Most pool companies will have a small allowance for a patio, but not near enough to accommodate furniture.

We at Caviness Landscape Design use a 6,500 psi as a standard in our shotcrete applications, due to the wide temperature variations and the soil conditions.  When you compare price points for pool construction, please keep this in mind.  The concrete/guinite area of your swimming pool quote is a huge factor in the pricing.

Here are some fun kids’ activities that schools can use to promote water safety, and parents can do some of them at home as well!  You can access the ideas here

You can join this organization’s facebook page here for more tips.

• THROW OUT THE LOW-BALL BOTTOM BID! This price usually indicates the contractor is cutting corners somewhere, using sub-par materials, or will start out with a low-ball price and then in the middle of construction may come up with “complications”.
• Are you comparing apples to apples?  I mean, there is a difference in the quality of materials, what is included in the price.  This may be confusing, because each estimate may be laid out differently.
• Check out some of the completed projects from the potential contractor/designer, as well as some projects in mid-construction, if available.
• Ask for references, and when you contact them, were they overall satisfied with the project?  How was the working relationship?
• Do you get along with the person/contractor?  You’ll be working with them on a daily basis, so a good working relationship is important.
• Have everything in writing, such as payment schedule, construction time, etc.  That way everything is out in the open, with no miscommunication.

It is amazing to me that people with the financial means and own a high-end luxury home, will then have a mediocre, sub-par pool and landscape.  They don’t realize that if you live in certain high-end neighborhoods, there is a certain expectancy for future home-buyers to have a landscape and pool that reflects the neighborhood and the quality of the home that it surrounds.  Think of a masterpiece painting that is framed with a cheap metal frame.  The landscape/pool needs to reflect the craftsmanship and quality of the home.  Now is not the time to cheap out, if you know what I mean.

We actually had a potential client whom we had warned them about the lower bid from another pool company.  They called us back at a later date, after choosing the lower bid and was in a mid-construction nightmare – and tell us that we were right, and were sorry they had not gone with us.  So go ahead and get three bids, if you want.  There are more important things to consider!

This organic, curvy chaise lounge is designed to support the natural contours of the reclining body. Shown here in Silver Travertine.  From Stone Forest

Can you imagine this glass countertop in a swim-up bar?  Or even an outdoor kitchen?  With Color Kinetic lighting integrated within the countertop, the multiple light shows that could be created would make any outdoor living space a SHOW STOPPER!  We would LOVE to incorporate this in one of our upcoming projects!

This vertical outdoor screen for outdoor use could be integrated into a rock wall – either by a pool or outdoor seating area for outdoor movie nights!  Available in rear or front projection – and up to 15′ x 20′!  Movie night at your home will never be the same with this feature!  Available from Stewart Filmscreen.

OR -

The Oasis

This electronically controlled retractable screen is weather resistant and designed specifically for outdoor use.  It can be custom manufactured for a client’s specific requirements including screen size and aspect ratio.

If you’re interested in utilizing any of the above outdoor theater applications in your next project – we’d love to have the opportunity to design it for you!

On a smaller scale, these tongs are ingenious!  Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue Ultimate Luma Tongs with Grab-light!  You can find them on Amazon.

There are a multitude of choices, and a necessity of the landscape when there are drainage issues or leveling of the site is needed.

One choice is Dry Stone Construction, or dry laid stone retaining walls.   This type of retaining wall is one of the oldest construction methods in the world.  Think of the

PYRAMIDS

Or

PERUVIAN TEMPLES…

Drystone is a successful building technique due to these advantages:

• Drystone resists fire, water and insects
• An eco-friendly choice because it does not deplete natural resources and can be recycled due to the dry-laid method,
• Drains naturally without damage, whereas mortared walls tend to crack and break out large sections,
• Earthquake resistant if they are correctly designed,
• Aesthetically compliments most any landscape.

While it is definitely an investment, dry laid stone retaining walls retain their value.  True dry laid stone retaining walls use the force of gravity and frictional resistance.  There is definitely a method to use, and we are one of the few craftsman in Oklahoma to utilize this art form in the landscape.  For a portfolio of work, you can go here for examples.

What are some of your favorite summertime grilling recipes?  Or how about poolside snacks that are ready in a heartbeat when friends show up for an impromptu gathering?

One of my favorite poolside and summertime snacks to always keep on hand is Flavored Pretzels.  Super easy to make and if you keep it in a air-tight container will last a week or so (I don’t exactly know how long it will last because these go fast baby!

PRETZEL MIX

Bag of pretzels (I like the small thin tiny twists from Roll Gold)

1/4-1/2 cup of vegetable oil (I use canola)

1/3 cup of Ranch Dressing mix (this is usually a small package or I buy a big container of the mix at Sam’s/Costco to keep on hand)

1/2 Tbsp. Garlic Powder

1 tsp of Lemon Pepper

1/2 – 1 tsp of Cayenne Pepper (We like it spicy – but you can do 1/2 tsp if you don’t)

Mix all ingredients together and pour over the pretzels (I just tear open the bag, pour the mix in, hold the bag closed and shake it till all the pretzels are coated).  Pour into an airtight container.  They are best if you can let them set awhile to soak up the mix.  These are GREAT to have handy all year long – but especially over the summer.  ENJOY!

Now – it’s your turn.  Send us your favorite grilling recipes or summertime snacks.  We’ll sort through and post them on the blog for all to try  (me included!)  Click HERE and submit your recipe on the message space!