- Would have brought in a landscape designer right at the get-go, even as the pool was getting planned.
- Would have specified a contract termination date and added a performance (penalty) clause.
- Would have researched stonework/rock work to be sure the correct type stone was being used.
- Would have been more skeptical when the PB said the cleaner return was not a problem to access UNDERNEATH the waterfall. (Try disconnecting that in the winter, if needed.)
- Would have looked into better pump sizing and efficiency. (Never gave a thought to energy consumption )
- Would have gone slightly deeper, maybe 6.5' or 7' instead of slightly under 6'.
- Would have gone with a less slippery deck surface.
- Installed a heater or heat pump.
- Installed a control system and/or add a 2nd timer to control the cleaner.

Wow, I guess we learned a lot with this first pool! It's actually quite nice, but, as you can see, we'd be better-educated consumers the next time around.