If a pool is on your wish list, the best time to plan it is before the house is drawn. The pool, the patio, and the home all share the same ground, the same utilities, and the same view, and they work best when designed together.
Decide where it goes before the house is placed
Where the house sits on the lot determines where the pool can go. Think about which windows look out at the water, where afternoon sun and prevailing wind land, and how far the pool is from the kitchen and back door. A pool you can see from the kitchen gets used more.
North Texas soil matters
Our clay soil expands and contracts with the seasons, and that movement is hard on pools as well as foundations. Good site prep, proper drainage, and an engineered design for the soil on your lot are not places to cut corners. Ask any pool builder how they handle it.
Plan the patio and shade as part of the pool
Most families spend more time on the patio than in the water. A covered area with a ceiling fan, an outdoor kitchen, and a fireplace or fire feature extends the season well past summer. Running gas, water, and electrical lines during site work is far cheaper than trenching through finished concrete later.
Think about the rest of the property
Many of our clients pair a pool with a metal shop, a storm shelter, or a guest casita. Laying out all of it on one site plan keeps utilities efficient and keeps the property looking intentional instead of added on.
What to ask a builder
Who coordinates the pool and the home build, and who is accountable if they conflict?
What does the budget include: excavation, decking, fencing, electrical?
How is drainage handled around the pool and patio?
What are the county requirements for barriers and permits?
Can I see pools you have built on similar soil?
Dreaming of a backyard like this?
Clark Custom Homes plans pools, patios, and outdoor living together with the home so everything fits. Tell us what you picture and we will help you place and budget for it.
