Pool on a steep hill? Is my dream possible?

We are really wanting a pool but have a steep hill in our back yard that slopes and eventually turns into the neighborhood silt pound. We have an amazing view and would love to create an amazing pool /outdoor living area to match. Right now the back yard is almost unusable. I have had one local pool installer look at it... he said the job was too big for him. Boo. I am not giving up yet and am looking for tips and ideas (& a creative installer but am not affraid of DIY). I am open to any type of pool. Currently thinking it may have to be an onground partially installed inground w a deck and water feature. Would love to post a pic (if I can figure it out) to get opinions on whether or not my dream is even possible.

You can send a pic to poolforum@gmail.com and reference this thread, so Ben knows where to put it. I don't know the answer to your questions, but hopefully some of the guys with construction (or at least geometry) experience will chime in soon with useful information.

Welcome to the forum!!

Thank you! I will do that :)

Or, you can post the pics yourself with flicker, picasa, photobucket or the like if you prefer. That works, too!

I ran your IP address to see roughly where, in Georgia, you were. I doubt you are going to find anyone in your area with those skills. In Atlanta, maybe.

Pools like you describe are built all the time -- in California. But you'll need a soil testing company, a civil engineer, and a pool builder experienced with construction like that. OR . . . you can break the work into two parts: (a) constructing a level work site and then (b) building a pool on it. There are plenty of road construction people who know how to take out part of a hill side, and build retaining walls that will keep the level area level and secure.

And, just in case you don't already realize this, you are talking about some VERY expensive construction, unless your backyard is a milder grade than I'm imagining. But, whatever you do, do NOT try to cut corners on this, unless you are willing to wake up one morning and find your pool has slid down into the pond.

One other tip: there will be companies that will tackle this, without really know how, but who will throw in a risk factor to cover themselves -- maybe double what they think it will cost. There are two dangers to this: (1) they will end up massively overcharging you or, (b), they'll end up not charging enough and will either go belly-up, leaving you with a mess, OR will try to cut corners, leaving you with a mess.

Good luck!

Ben,

Thank you for your insight. I absolutely do not want a pool sliding down the hill and want the job done right.

I figured it would be a complicated and expensive project with lots of construction / retaining walls. Finding the right people will be key. I had a second opinion from someone who has experience designing amazing pools for less than ideal landscapes. He says it is doable and we have several options, my favorite being infinity edge. Now to see what kind of price tag he put on it and if he will warranty it now sliding down the hill?

Thank you again for your advise, it certainly gives me something to think about before we decide to dig or not dig.