I’ve seen many ‘great new ideas” come into the industry, and I’ve been there to help. As I tried to integrate these new ideas into my own projects, I helped with field development.
I have ideas like therapy spas created by Jacuzzi in Lafayette for a family member or working with the first robotic pool cleaners created by Andy Pansini and Howard Arneson right here in the Bay. Perhaps it was my contribution to the Redwood hot tub movement in Northern California, which Bill Brown started in the East Bay more than 125 years ago.
It is a fact that I have been part of the cutting-edge of our industry since day one, when I decided this was what my life would be like. There have been some amazing new ideas in our industry, and I’m always looking for the next one.
That being said, I remember a conversation my son Nicco had with me five years ago. Nicco asked me, “How sustainable is the pool industry?” My answer was that there is always a new great idea that will revive our industry. Every few years, we are able to benefit from innovations that bring us to the next level. He reminded me that my family has been building pools in the local area since 1955. We’ve never lost work, because the pool industry is constantly evolving.
With this background in mind, I will tell you what I think is the next big trend for pool builders. Around 15-20 years ago, I began to hear of companies that specialize in removing pools and not building new ones. This market grew so large that excavation companies were able to remove more than 100 pools per year. It was becoming increasingly difficult to own a swimming pool in your back yard. This was the time could enjoy a luxurious pool in your backyard? Is it possible that our society is no longer interested the lifestyle of owning a pool?
As pool removal became more popular, I noticed that not everyone was just removing their pool because they no longer wanted one. They were actually remodeling their house and their pool was not suitable for their needs. However, they wanted a pool in their backyard.
I believed that our market was becoming saturated, and that all good pools sites had been built. Did all the great pool sites disappear? Is this why the pool-building market is shrinking in my part of the country?
This is a great opportunity. You can invest in the backyard of your dreams if you don’t like the pool or it is too costly to fix.
It was a wild idea that I first thought. My father built pools in the 1950s and 1960s. His average pool cost $2,000 all in. We kept getting calls asking to remove an older pool from a homeowner. I didn’t want anyone to know that I was actually removing an old pool to make room for a new, “state-of-the-art” swimming pool that is well-engineered and hydraulically-designed.
The idea of building an entirely new pool was followed by the need to remodel the entire backyard. The backyard was scrapped and everything was removed. We had a new canvas on which to design. It was a popular idea that spread quickly and we soon began to build much more expensive projects. We were not only building the most advanced swimming pools, but we also used the best concrete patterns and designs. We could now incorporate a gas firepit in the backyard next to the pool. As another entertainment area, we would build a Bocce Court. It was possible to build a solid roof pavilion that included an outdoor fireplace, bar and BBQ area, as well as a dining room with a TV above the fireplace. We were custom pool builders, so we could do this in our backyard.
Nearly every client I showed the possibilities to seemed open to the idea. It was now possible to transform their backyard with a swimming pool. You only need a creative mind, and a client who is willing to believe in your abilities to transform their backyard. You will also need to have a large enough budget to help them realize their dreams. The conversation no longer revolved around what they could do with the new pool. It became about all their possibilities. This mindset has been a major part of our business. No longer do we talk about the pool, but the whole backyard.
My son and me are members of a group of artisans who have all realized that we can all create beautiful artwork together as we work together towards a common goal: building the backyard. As the project manager, I coordinate the pool building process with the other team members. I used to look through magazines looking for ideas. It was amazing to see the elaborate backyard designs we now see in our industry. Nicco and me are now creating these extravagant entertainment backyards. Our landscape designer will help us set the theme for the backyard.
It’s not just us who are seeing this shift in our industry, but many others. As a member of the Carecraft Pool Professional Buying Group, I have spoken with other top professionals and they are beginning to see the backyard grow by removing the old pool and installing a complete backyard entertainment zone.
The majority of the pools that we remove were from the previous generation of the 1960s and 1970s. They were not poorly constructed, but the majority of swimming pool architecture was based on a templated design. This was before the advent of custom-designed pools, which began in the late 70s and early ’80s.
Many of today’s custom builders got their start in 1979 when we went from the simple pool design to the one-of-a kind, customized pool designs you see today. This was the year David Tisherman and Lew Ankens started to build. Skip Phillips and Brian Van Bower were also among these builders.
This was the start of a new era in pool design and construction. We talked about how we could improve our skills and raise the standards in our industry. The vanishing edge, or the negative edge pool design was created by our generation. This was the time of the rising tide, which would lift all boats.
In the 1980s, builders such as Geremia Pools or Aquarius Pools from Sacramento were the leaders in natural lagoon pools. These pools incorporated the beauty of the surrounding landscape and created a pool that was unique for each homeowner. No more basic pool templates. You can now design and build your pool from scratch.
Our industry has seen many ups and downs. The industry has seen many ups and downs, regardless of the economic situation or the shortage in the market in that year. However, it seems like the pool industry has not only survived but flourished in those sunny moments. This trend of building new backyards and removing old pools is going to be a major part of our industry. It seems that the value of our homes is increasing and clients are realizing that they should improve their property if they plan to stay at home.
This article features one of seven projects that we completed in the past year. It focuses on removing an outdated pool and creating a new entertainment area for our clients.
We found a partially-removed, buried pool with broken concrete and dirt on 3 of our “Extreme Backyard Makeovers”. We have all the equipment we need and our own crew who are well-versed in how to get rid of the old, buried pool and prepare it for a new vessel.
If you are considering taking on such a project, I recommend consulting with a soil expert as well as a structural engineer. There is very little margin for error, and it is essential to properly prepare the bottom of your pool before installing a state-of the-art pool.
Since the beginning, our family has enjoyed building custom swimming pools. When I reflect back on my career, I am proud of the direction that Nicco has taken our company since he became a part-owner. His participation in many higher education courses on pool construction at Watershape University, and GENESIS are some of the reasons for his success.
You learn on the job by doing the right thing and sharing your ideas with other pool professionals and designers. The success of our work has been greatly enhanced by working with like-minded pool professionals. Nicco and the other young pool builders can benefit from the knowledge of generations of pool builders, like me, who continue to raise the bar and expand their horizons.
Creative Environments
P.O. Box, 586, Alamo, CA 94507
Email [email protected]
Telephone (925) 837-22705.
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