Homeowners increasingly want outdoor spaces that help them relax, recover and spend more time outside. Cold plunges, hydrotherapy areas, saunas and dedicated wellness spaces are becoming part of backyard projects as builders design spaces that serve as everyday retreats rather than simply places for recreation.
Retrofitting older pools with modern equipment, finishes or structural upgrades can create problems that don’t surface until months or years later. Builders say avoiding those failures starts with asking better questions, thoroughly evaluating existing conditions and knowing when a partial upgrade simply isn’t worth the risk.
Every successful builder was once a rookie: planning one pool, then another and another, while growing their business. Today’s inexperienced builders face the same challenges in an even more competitive and technologically driven industry.
Before jumping into construction, there are a few factors pros should consider. The following questions can help you assess your readiness:
As any pool pro knows, dealing with finish breakdowns is inevitable.
There’s mottling and color variation, rough scale from high Calcium Saturation Index, dusting from low CSI or aggressive acids, calcium nodules, scale rings, cracks that leak — the list goes on. Some root causes trace back to water chemistry, while others stem from application, curing or environmental factors. In some cases, design plays a role.
New technologies are transforming the vinyl pool liner and safety cover measuring process, making it more efficient, accurate and less physically demanding.Â
For swimming pool companies trying to maintain sales momentum and revenue, one opportunity is worth a second look: above-ground pools. While many builders have historically dismissed the category, fearing it would cannibalize higher-ticket custom builds or clash with their brand’s luxury image, today’s above-ground options are changing minds.
Successful subcontractor management goes beyond project completion. By setting clear expectations and providing meaningful support, builders can forge strong, long-term partnerships with subcontractors and external crews.
When Scott Savage launched Savage Pools & Patios in 2020, his goal wasn’t to build the most pools — it was to build the right ones.
Plunge pools have been gaining momentum in the industry, and why shouldn’t they? Their compact size and smaller construction window make them an ideal amenity for any backyard — particularly for those who want more than just a place to swim.
Customers are often eager to complete their backyard oasis with a pool, but limited space, system demands and aesthetics can compete with utilities, setback codes and property lines.
In December 2023, the National Plasterers Council released Technical Bulletin No. 8, highlighting the impacts of wind speed on plastic shrinkage, or check cracks, in pool plastering. While the harmful effects of hot temperatures, low humidity, high winds or a combination of these are known, the study underlines wind speed as the dominant variable. The NPC says the findings are crucial for reducing check cracks and improving plaster durability.Â