The first step in hiring someone to help with a backyard renovation is typically to look for the closest, most reputable company in the area, without giving much thought to whether that business has prior experience working near a pool. It's a reasonable oversight because, in most cases, a landscape design company can handle general hardscape, plant beds, and lawns without specialized knowledge. A pool significantly alters that equation, and selecting the incorrect partner for that particular combination typically results in drainage issues,
mismatched materials, or a layout that never quite works with the surrounding water.
The distinction is more about experience with a narrower set of limitations than about skill level. Splash zones, pool equipment access, chemical exposure to adjacent plantings, and the need for a paver pattern to behave differently around a pool deck than on a typical patio might not be considered by a landscape design firm accustomed to standard residential work. It's specific enough to be worth checking before signing a contract rather than finding the gap midway through construction, but none of that is exotic knowledge.
Why Pool Design and Landscaping Should Be Planned Together?
Equipment pads that require clearance and access, plantings that must withstand splash and chemical exposure, and drainage that must move water away from the pool structure are all limitations that a typical landscape project does not have to consider. On paper, a company without direct pool-adjacent experience can still create a visually appealing plan. Still, inexperience usually shows up in the practical details, which determine whether the space works well for years rather than looks good on completion day.
What a Complete Pool Landscape Plan Should Include?
A site assessment that maps drainage patterns, current grade, sun exposure at various times of the day, and access points for people and pool equipment is the first step in a solid landscape design for pools, long before any hardscape or planting decisions are made. The plan should then take into consideration how coping extends into the surrounding hardscape, where privacy screening is required without obstructing views of the water, and how lighting will support the pool area and any adjacent patio after sunset. If any of these factors are overlooked during the design phase, the plan will typically require expensive modifications once construction has started.
How to Evaluate a Landscape Design Company's Pool Experience?
Although they are a good place to start, portfolio photos don't provide much insight into the process. It's worthwhile to inquire directly about the number of pool-adjacent projects a company has finished, whether they work independently after the pool is constructed or directly with pool contractors. Instead of merely stating that they have completed numerous projects, a business with actual pool experience will provide specifics about its methodology. During construction, they should be able to describe how they manage hardscape work.
What to Ask a Landscape Design Company About Pool Projects?
A few inquiries can rapidly reveal whether a business has experience or is still learning. Inquire about how they place landscaping to minimize debris while still providing shade, how they choose materials for damp, barefoot areas, and how they consider salt or chlorine when choosing plants. A business that has worked on landscape design for swimming pool projects must clearly respond to these inquiries since they have previously overcome these difficulties.
Red Flags to Watch for Before Hiring a Landscape Design Company
A company that treats the pool and the landscaping as separate discussions, provides mixed responses regarding drainage planning, and fails to address these issues is a warning sign that should be taken seriously. These aren't deal-breakers on their own, but when combined, they typically point to a business that hasn't performed the particular mix of landscape and pool work frequently.
Field of Dreams creates pools and the surrounding landscaping as a single, coordinated project. To discuss a project that incorporates both, visit fieldofdreamsinc.com or call now.
Sign in to leave a comment.