Will A Pool Fit In My Backyard?

Before you get too deeply into the process of contracting for an in-ground swimming pool to be installed, there are a few key factors to determine. It wouldn’t be any fun to go through the research, the budgeting, meeting all the contractors only to find out that a swimming pool won’t fit in the yard.

I haven’t met a backyard yet that we couldn’t install a pool into – there have been tight fits, up and overs with  a crane, but there is always a first time. So here are some factors to consider:

  1. Is there access to the backyard? A 20′ wide access path to the backyard is ideal, but not mandatory. A good rule of thumb is to add two feet on to the width of the pool you are thinking about to answer the access question. If you have a fence, a couple of sections will need to be removed for us to get back there. Once there, remember, we use an excavator to install our pools. We will need sufficient space to maneuver.
  2. How far off the property lines do I have to be? Each town/city/county area is different. It can be anywhere from 5′ to 50′ off the side and rear property lines. That is a huge spread. To answer this question, contact your local building department. They will have these answers for you.
  3. What about septic, leeching, wells and other stuff underground? This is why a current plot plan is so important. This will tell you what the unseen items are that you have to take into consideration. Plus, there are set back requirements for septic systems. For example, in Massachusetts, the requirement is 10′ off the D-Box and tank, 20′ off the leech field. It is always a good idea through to verify this distances with your building department.
  4. What about a well or other utilities? Again, this is where your plot plan is so important. Your sales representative is trained to read the plan and know what the setback requirements are for your community. But while you are doing your research, if you stop by your building department with the plot plan, they can give you a basic thumbs up or down if it meets basic requirements. When it comes time we will have located and marked any underground utilities.
  5. Are there any easements? Here again, the plot plan tells the story. An easement allows another person the right to use your land for a specific purpose. The most usual easements are those granted to public utility or telephone companies to run lines on or under your private property and to neighboring houses to use a common driveway to give access to their home. Another type of easement seen frequently in New England is for conservation and buffer zones. To install a swimming pool within an easement may require a variance or special permission. But as mentioned before, all this information is on the plot plan and your sales representative can help you with this.
  6. Is there a slope? Slopes can be deceiving. While it may seem like only a few inches of slope, this will impact the grade or level at which your pool is installed.  A retaining wall may be required to hold back the earth.
  7. Privacy? State Law requires all pools to be fenced, but the materials you use for that can vary. Simple chain link is economical, but doesn’t afford much privacy. PVC/Vinyl provides privacy and pricing can vary. Check out our sister company, Townsend Fence for all your fencing needs.
  8. What is the sunniest part of the yard? This is a big factor to consider as a pool in  a sunny space is a warmer pool. Many people in New England choose heaters to extend their swim season. Where your pool is placed in relation to the sun will affect how much you spend in energy costs.

Site Preparation

You’ve looked at your backyard over and over again and think to yourself, “A pool would be awesome back here.” There is plenty of open space and you checked with the town and know your set backs. The access is fine – there is plenty of room with nothing in the way to get the equipment back there. And the space itself is pretty flat. Perfect for a pool.

If all those things are true, then that is just super because there should be no problem installing a swimming pool. In fact, you consider your backyard to be the ideal location for a swimming pool.

But what if that is NOT the case and you still want a swimming pool?

If on paper your lot can have a swimming pool, but right now, there is rocks, hills, trees – any obstacles in the way – you can still have a pool, but there will be additional costs to get to the point where a pool can be installed.

I went on a site evaluation yesterday to a beautiful home in a very wooded area. There was a 5′ grade difference from the back of the lot to the house. That is significant!  To gain access to the pool space from the driveway would require driving over the septic system which can’t happen. There also were massive boulders and rock outcroppings everywhere.

Does all this mean the client cannot have a pool? Absolutely not! If a pool will fit in the space on paper and meets setback requirements, they can have a pool. But what it does mean is this client is going to have to spend additional funds to have the site prepared for the pool installation.

If you have a “challenging” location (i.e. steep grade, rocks, access issues) then before you talk to your local pool company, consider spending some time and money with a landscape  designer. If you know you are going to need retaining walls, I suggest using an architect and any walls over 4′ will have to be engineered.

Otherwise, invest some resources on a Master Plan with a designer. Tell this person everything you envision in the space – pool, kitchen, cabana, etc. Once everything is on paper, then you can start the construction process.

Creating an access, taking down trees, clearing the site, creating a level space, building the walls. All these things take time and money and perhaps your backyard renovation is going to have to take 2-3 years to accomplish as time and budget permits, but if there is one thing I have learned in 5 years of doing this…PLANNING IS KEY!

Maybe it is just my Virgo nature to want to plan everything – but in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”

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