Planning a pool during winter might seem counterintuitive because it’s cold outside, but it’s a strategic move for a few reasons, including easier access to resources, more time for design and permitting, and various cost benefits for the budget conscious. By planning a pool in the colder months, homeowners have a much better chance of completing the project before summer, allowing them to spend the spring and summer months sunning themselves poolside instead of dealing with construction issues and potential delays that could leave them waiting another year to enjoy their backyard retreats.
Off-Peak Planning Means Easier Access to Resources
When temperatures start to climb, more and more people start to think about how nice it would be to have their own pools. With more inquiries coming in from more potential customers, pool installers get busier during warmer months. Homeowners who choose to plan and install their pools during the spring and summer may end up experiencing longer lead times requiring them to schedule months in advance. No matter where someone lives, a finite number of pool installers are available to provide essential materials and resources. During busier months, homeowners can expect to end up on a waiting list to gain access to the best parts and labor.
Sourcing Pool and Backyard Supplies
Planning during the cooler months places homeowners ahead of the rush that occurs during the spring and summer, when everyone is scrambling to build or renovate their pools. The best pools are made with quality materials, and only so many quality suppliers are available in any local area, including upstate New York.
Planning a pool in winter ensures that the best materials, including the pool itself, pool deck construction materials, and even landscaping resources, will be available when they are needed for the installation. No one who is installing a pool wants to settle for their second choice. Because demand is lower in the winter months, it’s often easier for homeowners to design and plan their dream pools with their dream materials without unnecessary delays.
Cost Benefits of Off-Peak Season Pool Planning
As with any construction project, the cost of planning and building a pool can fluctuate throughout the year. When supply chain bottlenecks occur in the warmer months, the cost of materials and labor can increase. In the winter months, it is much more likely that costs will be lower for a few reasons, including:
- Discounts on materials: Suppliers might offer discounts on pool materials during the winter months because demand is lower.
- Less risk of price increases: Prices for materials and labor can sometimes rise during peak seasons due to increased demand. By planning in the off-peak season, homeowners may avoid potential price hikes.
- Shorter timelines: Because contractors might have fewer projects lined up during the off-peak season, it is sometimes possible to complete pool installations more quickly than during busier times, which can ultimately save on labor costs.
Overall, planning a pool during the off-peak season can result in cost savings and potentially a smoother, more focused construction process.
Take Your Time with Design and Permits
Planning during winter allows ample time to design and prepare for a pool. After all, a swimming pool should be more than a place to cool off on a sweltering day; it should add to the beauty and enjoyability of the entire home. Creating a pool that meets that goal involves a complicated pool design process. Additionally, most homeowners installing a pool have never done so before, which means the process requires plenty of research and education. By planning a pool in winter months, long before it is open for the summer, the homeowner and pool installer have plenty of time to plan a design that is up to everyone’s standards.
Obtaining permits and approvals can also take time. Working on these steps during the winter means homeowners and their families won’t miss out on swimming time due to bureaucratic delays.
Coordinate Seamlessly with Landscaping Projects
Winter planning gives the homeowner the opportunity to plan not only the pool but also the landscaping around it. This includes hardscaping, plants, and any other features the homeowner wants to incorporate. Integrating the landscape design process into the winter months gives plants more time to mature and develop a strong root system before pool traffic starts to have an impact. With more months to plan, there may also be more landscaping options that are possible to create a truly spectacular space that perfectly blends nature and the new pool.
Get Your Pool Ready for the First Day of Summer with Gallivan
The best time to plan a pool is when it makes sense for the homeowner, their family, and their goals for the home. However, planning a pool in the winter can come with a range of advantages. At Gallivan, we are happy to help plan your pool at any point of the year. Reach out to us to get a quote, and we can create a timeline that works for you so you can enjoy an oasis in your own backyard sooner than you think.