FAQs on Buying an Elite Pool

Yes, we offer complimentary design consultations. You can schedule one whenever you are ready to start talking about your project. You do not necessarily have to be ready to begin construction right away. To schedule a consultation, simply contact us.

These days, play pools are the most popular types of pools. We can still construct diving pools, but they are generally more expensive and must follow several guidelines for safety reasons.

For those who are interested in a diving pool, there are now many options beyond an actual diving board, including jump boards and diving rocks built into the surrounding landscape or a waterfall.

There are several different options for getting shade around your pool. Of course, the most economical solution is smart placement of your pool. Other solutions include umbrellas, pergolas or other shade structures, or shade sails that attach to poles anchored in your yard or your patio and that stretch across areas that need protection from the sun. Shade trees are also an option, but you must consider how much they may litter in your pool and the how the root system may eventually interfere with your pool structure. Always check with a landscaper before placing any living plant around your pool.

If you’d like to establish swim lanes, we would suggest tile lane markers. You may also want to consider actual lane dividers or buoys.

If you simply want to swim against a current, we suggest installing swim jets.

There’s no need to base your design on an average, but 30 feet by 15 feet is common.

The time it takes to build your pool depends on a lot of factors. The complexity of your design, time of year, and other variables will all determine how long it takes to build your pool. Barring any interruption from Mother Nature, the average pool build takes 6 to 12 weeks from the completion of excavation.

There are many phases to swimming pool construction, but only a couple of them are particularly noisy, namely excavation. The majority of work is not noisy.

The crew generally will work during daylight hours, but will respect any restrictions requested by you as the homeowner and/or your neighborhood. These restrictions should be disclosed prior to construction in order to make sure the timeline is accurate.

Of course! Just about anything can be made out of tile. There are certain predefined mosaics available. Custom designs can also be created. We’ve had customers put college and professional sports logos at the bottom of their pools, as well as animals and other beautiful designs.

Particular designs can usually be customized to fit your yard. However, size, access, city requirements, HOA requirements (particularly in regards to water features), and utility lines must be assessed before solidifying your design.

Since we build custom pools, there really is no “standard.” For illustration purposes only, our classic pool is a sports or play pool up to 5 feet in depth, with an 75-foot perimeter and 350 square foot surface area, and 300 square feet of acrylic lace decking. This pool would include a Pentair Variable Speed Pump, Pentair Energy Efficient Cartridge Filter, Intermatic Time Clock with Subpanel, Rebel Suction Cleaner, Automatic Water Leveler, Spectrum 360 White LED Pool Light, and much more.

You may want to consider a pool cover for several reasons. If you have concerns about someone falling in the pool when it is not in use and/or unattended, a pool cover can create a safety barrier (although it should not be the only barrier between people and your pool). Others employ a pool cover to block blowing dirt and debris, particularly in areas with nearby open fields. Pool covers can also help to keep heat in the pool when using heaters or heat pumps for year-round swimming.

Covers range from an automatically retractable, heavy duty cover to an inexpensive solar bubble cover that can be placed on the surface of the pool. Trying to keep a pool warm in the winter without at least a bubble cover is not only costly, but can be impossible if an electric heat pump is the heating source.

There are certain covers and even nets that can be used for safety around kids. Your pool professional will be able to give you any information about the safety features of a particular pool cover. Some jurisdictions consider a pool cover as partially fulfilling the outlined barrier requirements, but each city is different in what they consider an adequate barrier for the pool.

Provided there is enough available space for the body of water and associated equipment, a spa can be added to an existing pool, but it can be quite expensive.

Depending on the type of water feature, some can be added after a pool is built, but it can be expensive. Price will be dependent on necessary construction and plumbing modifications, in addition to the components of the feature itself.

Many people build screen walls to hide equipment or hide it with landscaping, large waterfalls, etc. Pool equipment is strategically placed for functionality, accessibility and aesthetics. The larger the distance between the pool and its equipment, the more costly installation will generally be. A larger distance may also make the equipment a little less efficient.

Place your basketball sleeve in an area that is away from steps and benches, and at an accessible depth for an average-height person. Also consider what will be behind the basketball sleeve. A poorly placed basketball sleeve can result in your basketball ending up in your neighbor’s yard.

Our general warranty covers three years on everything. After the first 24 months, there is a trip charge for the final 12 months, but all parts and labor are covered.
After the first three years, several of our products carry additional warranties on their parts. Your consultant can review all warranties with you, and address any concerns you may have.

We have an in-house financing department that can work with you to secure appropriate financing.

As you might expect, rates and terms are dependent on your credit score and the type of financing you choose.

Building a pool in the offseason is not necessarily cheaper, but your project can generally be completed faster (less demand = more availability) – as long as Mother Nature does not intervene.

A down payment should never be more than 15% with any pool company. We generally require a $5,000 down payment unless scale and/or materials being ordered require a larger down payment.

The pool building payment schedule has been set up and mandated through statutes in the state of Maryland. The payment schedule is in stages and consists of a 25%-25%-25%-25% payment schedule. Payments are due after the completion of excavation, shotcrete, and decking. The final 25% is due once the pool has passed final inspection and is ready for its interior finish.

Any large features that you add will affect the price greatly. Water features such as grotto slides and large waterfalls, spas, shade structures, swim-up bars, etc. all add to cost. Also, decking and hardscapes of the backyard environment also add greatly to cost.

Yes, you will have a Project Manager dedicated to your pool. You will also be able to track the progress of your pool via our online tracking system.

Prior to construction beginning, your landscape will be assessed to determine the best way for the crew to access the building site. Some of the equipment used is heavy machinery. As such, if you have lots of fencing, pavers, etc., there may be a need to temporarily remove or a risk of damage in the process. If such a risk exists, you will be informed of it prior to construction.

Certain phases, such as plumbing, will require trenching, so your yard may not look pristine during those few days.

Yes.

Depending on your jurisdiction, it may take 5 days or 4 weeks. In general, expect it to take 2 to 3 weeks.

Each city’s barrier requirements are different. It is your responsibility as the homeowner and resident to satisfy these requirements. Please see your pool designer for the specifics of your jurisdiction.

We primarily use Pentair equipment and Blue Square hardware. Some other equipment may be used upon request.

The cost of anything depends on design and amenities. On average, you can expect to pay at least $12,000 more if you intend to add a custom in-ground spa.

Generally, a hot tub (or acrylic spa) tends to be more therapeutic. In-ground spas that connect to your pool have a limitation on the number of jets and seats, and other features, that can be included. Hot tubs vary in size, shape and jets, and can also be part of a backyard transformation. Some hot tubs can even be installed to fit into the overall environment through the use of walls, rock formations and other integration techniques.

When used properly, meaning that the heat pump is utilized early enough in the off-season, the pool is covered when not in use, and Maryland does not experience a long period of unusually cold days, some people can enjoy their pools year-round.

A gas heater uses natural gas or propane to heat the water. It is faster, can heat to hotter temps, and can heat water under a variety of outdoor conditions. However, a gas heater is costly to operate.

Heat pumps are electric, making them much more efficient and economical. However, heat pumps cannot operate during certain circumstances, such as extreme cold, as the heat pump uses the ambient temperature to heat. The heat pump also takes longer to increase the water temperature.

Each new pool customer gets an orientation from an in-house technicians. Depending upon the complexity of the pool, orientations generally last one hour. Beyond that, our in-house service coordinators are available by phone or contact form to answer any questions. Manuals are also given to homeowners for reference.

A pool will increase the value of your home, but it is not a direct transfer of value (a $30,000 pool will not usually increase your home’s value by $30,000). The value of adding a pool should be measured in the years of enjoyment it will bring to your family, in addition to the monetary value and marketability it brings to your property.