Taking the Plunge

[WoodArtisan]

Well, I have tossed and turned, weighed and wined, hemmed and hawed, but I finally decided to build a pool and be the General contractor. I began researching the idea online... and spoke to several of my homeowners (I work in the homebuilding industry in Las Vegas) who built their own pools, I received lists of subcontractors they used along with their lists of who they wouldn't use.

I interviewed 6 pool builders from big multi-state companies to mom and pop companies no one seemed to understand what I wanted in my pool or how I wanted it to look. While at a large firm I noticed a pool design program that they were using and tracked a copy down. Being familiar with CAD and drafting I felt I could use it to design my pool.

This will be a record of what I did and how I did it. I hope you won't mind adding in your 2 cents if you see me going astray. Or if you have an alternative solution.

Today I'll simply post the pictures of the pool/spa I designed. I have a small back yard (about 55'x 20.5").

The program I used is called Pool Studio. It's a wonderful program and has many features... perhaps the biggest drawback is the cost. You cannot buy the program you only lease it at $99.00 per month. Luckily it only took me about 3 weeks to draw the whole thing.