Can I add a spa to my existing inground pool

You’ve installed your beautiful swimming pool and are enjoying fun days and relaxing evenings hanging out with family and friends. Your backyard is now the incredible oasis you’ve always wanted, and you wouldn’t change a thing. Or would you? It sure would be nice to go from your cool, invigorating pool, to a hot, bubbling spa!
We are frequently asked whether it’s possible to add a spa after a pool has already been installed. Provided there’s enough space and no other physical limitations, the answer is an enthusiastic, “Yes!” And as you know, there are many benefits of spas, including:

• Stress reduction
• Pain relief
• Improved circulation
• Increased property value
• And… fun!

What are My Spa Options?

Of course, a free-standing, above-ground spa can be added easily anywhere in your yard that there is room for it. The same goes for an in-ground spa that’s separate from your pool. You might also choose to add a spa that is immediately adjacent to the pool and part of the pool deck area. But for the ultimate in enjoyment and beauty, you can’t beat an attached spa, and that’s really what people tend to be asking about.

The Advantages of an Attached Spa

A spa that is truly connected to your pool (i.e., they share the same water) provides a number of advantages. It will likely be easier to install as it taps into the existing circulation system, utilities, etc. The fact that the pool and spa share the same water also simplifies maintenance and keeping the water chemistry in balance. And finally, for people who like to warm up and cool down in cycles (and who doesn’t?), the fact that you can get from the pool to the spa in just a step or two is great.

Will it Look Good?

Here again, the answer is an enthusiastic “Yes!” An experienced designer and contractor can work together to design and install a spa and surrounding deck area that doesn’t just blend with what’s already there, but actually enhances the beauty of your backyard. And what many pool owners find is that things they learned in having their pool installed can be used to ensure that the spa is perfect for their needs—everything from positioning and accessibility to custom lighting.

You’ve Waited Long Enough to Add Your Spa

 If you thought you couldn’t add a spa to your existing pool, you now know better! Spa additions can be easy and affordable to make. And once you have that warm, inviting spa in place, you’ll wonder why you waited so long. Have questions about your project? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Written by Aaron Steele

Aaron is the Digital Marketing Manager for Latham Pool Products. Prior to realizing his dream of working in the swimming pool industry, he spent many years in the software and advertising world as a pixel pusher and script junkie. Aaron is an avid guitar player, weekend novelist, in-home libation manufacturer (aka. Homebrewer) and travel enthusiast. He has lived in exotic locations, climbed Mt. Fuji, swam in the open ocean with sharks, backpacked across Europe, skied the Swiss Alps, dined with the Dalai Lama, survived in a far east jungle for a week with nothing but a poncho and a machete and is currently learning to play the Didgeridoo. All true.

Is it time to remodel that pool?

If you’ve got a swimming pool that’s 20, 30 or even 40 years old, chances are it might be due for an update. Many of these pools were built of gunite, a mixture of cement, sand and water that was sprayed over a web of reinforcing metal bars, then topped with plaster. The water line was typically lined with tile and topped with coping. Concrete, stone or occasionally wood usually forms the decking that surrounds the pool. 

Project: Replaster or remodel a pool and update the surrounding landscaping.

Why: The expected life span of the plaster applied to gunite pools ranges from 10 to 15 years — although good pool chemistry and maintenance may earn you a few years beyond that. When left white, the plaster allows the sky to reflect in the water, giving the water that aqua blue hue that many fondly associate with backyard swimming pools. You can refinish your pool with plaster again, but other choices are available now — and you might want to update the rest of the yard while you’re at it.

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In remodeling their swimming pool, a Dallas-area couple wanted to retain the bright aqua color they’d always associated with the water.

This pool started out with brick coping and an exposed aggregate deck, popular when the pool was built. It also had a step-out defined by slotted steps in the side of the pool, and two metal handrails visible on the far side, which are not considered as desirable today.

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AFTER: The plaster was replaced with a fine aggregate mixture that has more tooth than typical plaster, but is not so rough as to be irritating on bare feet. The new concrete decking doubles as the coping and was broken into geometric sections divided by black pebbles. The new raised planter bed forms a backdrop and provides a spot for the fountain that spills a gentle ribbon of water into the pool. 

“The exposed aggregate of the original decking was hard on your feet,” says Chris Polito of Pool Environments. “And there are other products with larger aggregate that replace the plaster and are also hard on your feet, so we used a much smaller aggregate product called Wet Edge to replace the plaster.”

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This 1980s pool had the same materials as the previous example.

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AFTER: The coping was replaced by Oklahoma flagstone, and a new concrete deck was poured, creating a much more inviting appearance. The concrete was given a coordinating stone texture and was scored to make it look like pavers. 

“The lighter color of this stone and decking sheds heat well,” says Polito. The plaster was replaced by a darker aggregate, which also helps to highlight the stone.

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While the shape of this pool is different from the previous example, its features and finishes are the same.

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AFTER: Once again flagstone was used for the decking, and there’s now a raised platform that cleverly conceals the original diving board and a pair of strategically placed fountains. 

“The kids loved the original slide, so it remained,” says Polito. The shape and 20- by 40-foot size are very common in pools from the 1950s and ’60s. The original gray plaster was replaced with an aggregate mixture that makes the water a beautiful deep-sea blue.

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AFTER: Quite a transformation has taken place with this pool. A spa has been added, and a planter wall continues its height along the back side of the pool, providing a platform for pots and a place for fountains. Notice here that the coping contrasts with the lighter-colored stone of the decking and the water line. Again, the plaster has been replaced with a darker aggregate to give the water lots of depth.

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Plant pedestals broke up the rectangular form of this pool, which featured charcoal-colored interior plaster that made the water appear very dark.

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AFTER: The plant pedestals were removed, restoring the pool’s simple shape, and the pool now has an extra touch of drama thanks to the sculptural fountain rising behind it. The new decking is divided by strips of grass that elegantly soften the space. The pool interior was lightened, brightening the water, which got added drama from new LED lighting.

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Replastering or remodeling your pool is a good project for you if you own a house with an aging pool and are able to invest in updates. 

Cost: If you are simply draining out the water and replacing plaster with plaster, you should be able to get it done for $5,000 to $10,000. But pool remodels can run into tens of thousands of dollars, and it’s not uncommon to spend more than $100,000 on an upscale remodel comparable to the ones shown here.

Who to hire: If you want something special, consider starting with a landscape architect. Swimming pool contractors who specialize in pool remodels are your next step. Just be sure they have a significant portfolio of work and references.

Typical project length: Depending on the complexity of your project, the process will likely take several weeks to complete. To guarantee completion by pool season, be sure to start your planning well in advance. 

Permit: It is highly likely that you will need permits for this work. You will quickly discover that your project will involve replacing at least one other component of your pool system, such as filters, heaters, lighting and more

How to remodel a pool by Steven Randal

Design Trends for 2013

Much like the latest trends in fashion, car design and the flavor of the month at the coffee shop, pool design trends are constantly changing. But it's a little funny how it works: Trends often develop out of a need to stray from a common theme. However, when someone comes up with an innovative idea, it's only a matter of time until everyone jumps onboard. And once again, the cycle continues as we look for what's new and different in the world.

With this in mind, we can take a look at what was up and coming in 2012 to see where the industry is headed in 2013. Based on my experience working with clients, this is what I think will make a splash in 2013's pool design.
 

Fire

Fire has been a source of wonder and amazement for the human spirit for thousands and thousands of years. We naturally gravitate towards its warmth and love the mood that its subtle glow offers in the evening. Over the last few years, companies like Grand Effects and Bobe have developed fire bowls that make fire features affordable and easy to operate with a simple push of a button. Burners can now be set among rock groupings or on pedestals around the pool — away from foot traffic, of course.
When juxtaposed with water, a fire feature provides a beautiful contrast, not to mention a beautiful reflection after dark. And until only recently, fire features haven’t been widely used as a common design element; they were seen as unaffordable to the average consumer; a hassle to operate with frequent blowouts in windy conditions and costly, as those blowouts led to hundreds of dollars in wasted gas. Thanks to the new technology found on most manufactured units these days, you get automatic relights after a detected blowout, making worries of wasted gas and possible accidental detonation a thing of the past.
Visually, fire offers the consumer a feature you won’t find on the average pool and can be attractively utilized on a freeform or a geometric pool. Expect to see a lot of it next year.

Geometry

The era of the pond is over for us here in Texas. Don’t get me wrong: We still do quite a few freeform or “lagoon pools,” but the numbers have dropped drastically in favor of a more detail-oriented geometric pool. Over the last 15 years, seven out of 10 pools were freeform in shape and customers were interested in stone waterfalls and other natural-looking water features. But as the years passed and everyone started getting freeform pools, waterfalls and exposed aggregate decking, things have veered in a new direction.
I’ve noticed in my meetings with prospective clients that people are going back to a geometric design platform. There are many reasons for this shift (designer influence, perhaps?) but ultimately, people want what is different — and the lagoon pool is no longer different.
However, while we’ll see clean lines and classic elegance of geometric pools, the difference lies in an emphasis on material selection diversity. A well-designed geometric pool usually complements the architecture of the house and requires an attention to detail to really bring everything together. House corners and pool angle alignment are essential in creating that clean, well-planned architectural element desired in most custom pool builds.

Light it Up

When people think about swimming pools, they think about laying out under golden rays of sunshine. For years, the idea of evening use rarely crossed a customer’s mind. However, the fact is that in most homes, the pool is often used as much in the evening as it is during the daytime.
While people used to accept the standard 500 watt white light that came standard on swimming pools, the advent and efficieny of LED technology opened a new world of lighting possibilities to clients, and now more than ever, clients are considering the impact of lighting in the sum of the landscape/pool design.
Whether it’s single standard niche LED unit or a system of multiple lights — such as the Fiberstar Pal Trio units, which can be strategically placed around the pool to maximize light coverage and add emphasis to water features — you can continue to see sales tick upward. Based on the number of LED units my company has utilized on jobs over the last two years, figuring in a differential and applying it to 2013, I project we will be using LED lighting options on almost 90 percent of our projects.
When looking at the pros and cons of upgrading to LED technology, I believe the decision is clear and there is an option to fit almost any budget. So make sure to include lighting into your designs and don’t leave your homeowners in the dark when building their poolscape.

Automatic for the People

Remember that time last winter when you had to walk out to your spa heater in your wet bathing suit in 32 degree weather? Wasn’t that awesome? Yeah, I didn’t think so — and your customer wouldn’t enjoy it either. Thankfully, we have some wonderfully innovative people in our industry working to make pool/spa automation as convenient and easy as possible. These “computers” are capable of performing a complex series of events within the pool system with just the push of a button, allowing the user to turn on his spa, pool lights, pation lights, water features and more, all from the comfort of his couch. No parka needed.
We include full swimming pool automation on every single pool/spa combo we build. Very rarely does the consumer opt to pull this unit out of the project. In fact, just over the last year and a half, the introduction of the network protocol adapter has led to a huge surge in demand for pool automation via cellular technology. With the development of the protocol adapter, you have full control of your backyard from your iPhone or iPad from anywhere in the world — you can even set up live camera feeds of the swimming pool area. Pool automation has been a big seller for the last ten years but the last two years have involved incredible leaps and bounds in these system capabilities, which will prove to be a catalyst in overall market sales over the next year.
There are always new and unique innovations coming and going in our industry, but it truly takes a product or idea of unique convenience and innovation to carve a lasting market niche.

We are in an exciting time of innovative advancements in our industry, and technology will be the fuel that powers the charge of product and design trends over the next year.

What trends do you think will make it big in 2013? Share your ideas below. 

Aqua Magazine publishes Coping Trends blog post!! Coping is the Key

 I Recently wrote a blog post regarding Coping Materials for swimming pools for my blog.  Go figure it was picked up and published by Aqua Magazine.  This is my second article to be published by them and I am honored. Its been pretty fun also.  I never figured that this middle aged hunter would enjoy writing as much as I do much less, other people would take any interest in it!!  So check it out and let me know what you think.  Have a great day friends and remember, If you dont have a pool then you should.  :o) 

Coping Trends- Aqua Magazine

The Complete Backyard promo video

In my quest to master social media marketing I have created my first promo video. I am sure that more will come but for now this is me learning the video editing "ropes".  I am starting to find that social media and online marketing can be as productive as more traditional forms of marketing and I can pin point a much more specific group of clientele.   I hope to be pumping these videos and blogs out weekly as well as doing some contributor writing for Aqua Magazine (which reminds me..  I need to start working on my next article).

Aqua Magazine Article

Guys check out my article in aqua magazine.  It is an industry specific trade magazine with a target audience of other designer/builder/retailers in the pool industry. I am also proud to announce that I have been informed that I should start thinking about topic ideas for my next article.   :o)
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Aqua Magazine Article- The Complete Backyard

5 tips for a great client consultation

I am venturing away from my normal audience (The Client) and posting up an article written for my peers (designer/builders) that has a possibility of being published by AQUA magazine (fingers crossed)..  feedback is appreciated..  Blogging has been a venture that unexpectedly turned into an adventure.. :o)

Five Tips for a Successful Client Consultation

The art of design is very much dependent on creativity. However, in most cases, there must be a clear understanding of the prospective client’s expectations in the design.  In order to establish this starting point in a project, you must intentionally listen to, and then communicate back an educated, firm guideline that you will follow. I cannot tell you how many times a client has told me I got the job simply because I listened to them at our initial consultation. While there are many aspects to making your initial consultation a success, these are the five most important strategies I employ in creating a great client relationship.

Get to know your client. For me, this is a constant battle.  After years of sales seminars and training that I have put myself through, I have been programmed to immediately tell the client about my product and why it is superior to the competition’s. While this is an important step, people become much more responsive once they feel like they know you on a personal level.  I have had to reprogram myself, and focus more on friendly conversation instead of going directly into my sales pitch.  I try to spend at least 15 to 20 minutes just getting to know my client.  Not only does this lighten the mood and allow the client to become comfortable with you, often times it provides you with clues about which direction to take their design.  Remember, when you walk through a clients door you are literally walking through a door into there world.  Take note and key in on particular interests your client may have.  For example, mention the flag they have flying outside from their alma matter.  Let that be a conversation starter and lead into wherever it may go … college football, where they grew up, sports their children play.  Ask about the wine collection that they have prominently displayed in there great room, or their hunting trophies hanging on the wall.  These types of conversations can lead to valuable details, puts your client in a place of comfort, and may make the difference in a great “custom” design vs. a great and personal “custom” design.  Nine times out of ten, the client has decided whether or not they will pursue a relationship with you before you walk out of the door at the first consultation.

Remember, you are the Pro. As a design/build firm, my company has chosen to emphasize the attributes of design over high pressure sales. Our target client is usually budget minded, but still willing to spend a little more to get what they want. They often come with big ideas. It is my responsibility to know how to bring their ideas to life through interpreting their thoughts and injecting some of my own. Using a balance of the two allows us to come up with what we all feel is a winning formula, and everyone is able to walk away happy.  Clients who have built a pool before expect to be guided through the process, and clients who are building their first pool need to be guided.  You are the professional, and keeping them informed is part of the service they are paying for. Do not be afraid to share your ideas with the client and give them feedback on their own.  I have learned some valuable design lessons from working with clients throughout my career, but have also had to tell clients when an idea of theirs is not a structurally sound one.  The client very often knows what they want, but not how to execute the idea.  One of the best things that I have done for myself and my clients is to stay educated on cutting edge products and materials. While many consumers are savvy researchers these days, always looking out for the best buy and great ratings, it is still your job, as the professional, to be educated so you can inform the consumer of their options.  I make a point to know what is going on in my industry in technological advances, pros and cons of the latest and greatest, and apply these cutting edge ideas with design.  I believe that it is a professional responsibility for designers and builders alike to attend trade shows and subscribe to trade magazines, such as Aqua Magazine, to get all the latest information on trends, technology and techniques. Your client will appreciate having a designer/builder who is knowledgeable and confident in their trade. Be the professional from the beginning.

Help your client set expectations. When I meet a client for the first time I always make a point to ask if they have ever built a pool before.  Many times they have not and have no idea what to expect.  As their designer/builder it is important to immediately help them develop a set of expectations.  I begin by explaining the process to them. They need to understand that there are many people, each with different responsibilities, but working as a team to complete the project. For instance, many companies have one team member who works on the design, another who schedules subcontractors, and yet another who oversees the project.  It is important to explain to the client the different roles that will be involved through the project, and who they should contact for specific questions. With the numerous stages of pool construction, it is virtually impossible to build a quality product in a timely manner with out a good team behind you, especially if you are working on more than one project at a time.  Clients should have the timeline of their project clearly explained at the initial consultation. In my local market we work on projects that keep us in backyards up to six months at a time.  Recently, I had a client who, in talks with other builders, was told to expect their project to take 40 days.  In most cases, this is more then enough time to finish a project.  However, after talking ideas and budget with that client, I realized that a forty day timeline was not reasonable.  I had to explain why I felt the standard amount of days was not enough, and give them a timeline I could live up to, and they would be happy with. When setting a client’s expectations, you are obligating yourself to those expectations.  If you tell a client their pool will be complete in 40 days, but it takes longer, do not expect a smooth end to the project. It is a good business practice, in fact to give yourself a reasonable amount of time, and then complete the project well before the deadline when possible. Your clients will feel you have gone above and beyond for them, and you will be on to another project.  Consider setting these expectations to be proactive measures, answering client questions and uncertainties in advance.

Help your client to establish a real world budget.  I recently had a conversations at the Sunday dinner table with my father-in-law about how much his pool cost to build back in the 80’s. Like most people who are just beginning to toy with the idea of having a swimming pool built, he is quite shocked at the cost of new construction.  (I, in turn, was shocked at what he paid in the 80’s.  My how things have changed).  A tactic that I always employ when meeting with a prospective client is addressing a realistic budget for them.  I often deal with customers who are paying cash for there pool and know exactly what they have to spend.  Other times, We have a more fluid budget to work with.  No matter which case it is important to establish these parameters up front.  I try to stay away from giving a client a “ball park” figure as this sets a subconscious price point expectation that may or may not be met.  They will often tell you that “I wont hold you to it”, and they may not intend to.  But ultimately, they will remember that number.  A better way I have found is to work off of a budget that they are comfortable with and ultimately, they may exceed there original figure to get what they want.  By using this strategy vs. giving them a shoot from the hip number pre-design you have kept them comfortable, not shocked them with any high figures up front or post design and showed them what is possible within there budgetary allowance.  Another technique that I commonly employ before a client consultation is pre qualifying the prospective client to insure a good match for our style of construction.  I often visit real estate websites such as zillow.com to get an idea of the house value, type of architecture, materials employed, etc.  This will help you establish a design theme and even a realistic budget for the pool based on an approximate home value price.  In most cases the consumer living in a $250,000 house is not going to spend $150,000 on a swimming pool.  I have found that a realistic expected budget for swimming pool construction usually falls between 25% to 35% of the home value.  When helping a client establish a budget, be open and honest, but more importantly be realistic.

Follow up. Your first impression opportunity does not end just because you walked out the front door. Within 24 hours of that first meeting, send your potential client a thank you for meeting with them. Not only does this put your name in front of them again, with a positive presupposition (“I look forward to the opportunity…”), it also says to them that you are willing to communicate with them, and opens the door for them to continue communicating with you. It can be as elaborate as a thank you gift package, or as simple as an email. The point is to get your name in front of them and leave them, yet again, with a warm confidence that you will be the one that takes care of them.

Employing these techniques in your initial client consultation will give you an upper hand with your competition every time.  Will you get every job?  No.  but with these techniques you will learn to key in on what a client expects from a design and leave them feeling confident and informed and that is never a bad thing.

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