The stay-at-home trend caused by Covid-19 lockdowns encouraged a 20% surge in swimming pool construction nationwide, with over 100,000 new pools constructed in Florida during the first year of the pandemic. While this nationwide surge in pool construction has since waned, monthly Florida swimming pool construction permits suggest that pool construction is still above pre-pandemic numbers.

With more than 1.5 million swimming pools, Florida leads the nation in pool numbers, and our Southwest Florida area consistently tops the state in new swimming pool construction. Given the ubiquity of swimming pools in the area, perhaps you’ve been thinking about adding a custom swimming pool to your Naples-area luxury home. If so, the luxury residential contractors of Carlson Harris have some suggestions for you on starting the process and what steps you should take to have your luxury swimming pool ready for your first dip by next summer.

FIRST, MAKE SURE YOU CAN ADD A POOL TO THE PROPERTY

Before consulting with a contractor, you should check whether you can add a pool to the property. If you’re a member of a homeowner’s association, check its covenants to see if there’s anything that might preclude or restrict adding your dream swimming pool to the property.

The next potential barrier to swimming pool construction arises with the Collier County permitting process. At this juncture, you should consult with your contractor to assess whether any permitting issues might preclude or restrict the building of your ideal pool. Your contractor will be intimately familiar with permitting requirements and be able to quickly determine whether your dream swimming pool is feasible. If so, you’ll want to start on the permitting process as soon as possible, as it can sometimes take longer than the actual construction.

WITH SO MANY OPTIONS, CONDUCT SOME RESEARCH

Once you know that constructing a swimming pool on the property is feasible, you’ll want to conduct some research to determine exactly what kind of luxury swimming pool you want. While you might start with the size and depth, you’ll also need to consider the following:

• Shape
• Primary material—concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl-lined
• In-ground or above-ground
• Saltwater or freshwater
• Covered or uncovered
• Heated or unheated

If you’re building a luxury pool, you might not be all that concerned about its cost, but if you’re on any budget you’ll want to investigate how much your dream pool might cost. Of course, don’t forget that adding a swimming pool boosts a home’s resale value by up to 7% on average.

In general, concrete pools tend to be the costliest in terms of construction and annual costs, followed by vinyl-lined and then fiberglass. Construction materials and design features will also influence how long it will take for your contractor to complete the job. While a concrete pool can take up to six months to complete, a vinyl-lined pool can be installed within two, and a fiberglass pool within a month. Of course, timing also depends on the skills of your contractor and the availability of all needed materials. Thus, make sure you ask your contractor whether supply chain issues are affecting the delivery of any materials that might be needed for your dream pool.

CONSIDER ALL OF THESE LUXURIOUS SWIMMING POOL ADD-ONS

Because you’re building a “luxury” swimming pool, don’t forget to consider features that can enhance your recreational oasis’s allure, beauty, and fun. For example, if your household is big on entertaining, consider adding a bar to your swimming pool. Along with a traditional outdoor bar or tiki-style bar, you can consider adding a swim-up wet bar station that allows guests to get a drink without leaving the pool. You can also incorporate a sports bar feel to your swimming pool bar by adding waterproof TV screens, speakers, and arcade games.

Other features that can boost the luxury quotient of your new swimming pool include:

• Waterfalls and fountains
• Infinity edge
• Tanning ledge
• Water slide
• Fire pit
• Built-in furniture
• Intricate LED lighting
• Built-in spa extension
• Exotic tile work
• Natural rock and vegetation adornments

DISCUSS YOUR LUXURY SWIMMING POOL WITH CARLSON HARRIS

To explore the best swimming pool options for your existing or planned custom luxury home, Carlson Harris has extensive experience creating stunning swimming pool oases that delight the senses and boost the entertainment value of their client’s homes. To learn about Carlson Harris’s luxury homebuilding, renovation, and add-on work in the Naples, Florida, area, contact us at 239-352-2460.