FAQs
Questions and Answers
General Questions
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, we hold current licensure with Utah Department of Professional Licensing, or DOPL. We also are fully insured.
What is your design style?
Our unique style is mountain modern, a blend of modern landscaping and modern design elements. We can also do modern, formal, and transitional styles. Do not be fooled by the term “modern.” Even with modern designs, our projects are inviting, comfortable, and family friendly.
What is outdoor living?
Outdoor living is the concept of blurring the indoors with the outdoors, the comfortable with the functional. It is creating an inviting space that offers outdoor activities with the comforts of being indoors. We achieve outdoor living by incorporating expertly crafted plant selections that create your own private oasis. We build cooking, dining, and lounging, and groups seating areas with outdoor kitchens, structures, fire pits, basketball and pickleball courts, in-ground trampolines, and swings.
What is an accessory dwelling?
An accessory dwelling is a structure separate from your main house. There are many types, but essentially it is a structure detached from your home, in the form of pool houses, bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, even a guest room. We specialize in shade structures that provide outdoor living areas. We have even included custom saunas in some of our outdoor structures.
Do you offer in-house financing?
Unfortunately, we do not offer in-house financing at this time.
Is your work guaranteed/warranty?
We pride ourselves on quality work. Part of our build process includes a punch list when the job is completed. These are the little things you as the customer wants tweaked, think of it as a final walk through you would do on a new house. Once we complete your punch list and you give your final payment, a ONE YEAR warranty period begins. The warranty covers plants, materials, equipment, lighting, etc.
Do I have to pay for a consultation?
We offer 100% free, no-risk consultations. We prefer to meet you in your home so we can see first-hand your backyard. We will talk about your own visions, and give you some of our ideas. We will get to know you and what you want out of your project.
Do you do the maintenance when the project is complete?
We do not currently offer landscape maintenance following the completion of your project.
Design
How much does a design cost?
Our designs average between $3-$8k depending on the size of your potential project. The bigger the size and complexity of the design based on the consultation, the bigger the cost will be. You will be given a design cost prior to the design, so you will not be surprised by an invoice.
Do I own the design?
Should you chose not to hire us for the build, yes you will own the design concept. At which point you can take the design elsewhere.
How long does the design process take?
Generally, we will have the first 3D design concept to you in 2 weeks. The entire process may take up to 6 weeks, depending on the number of revisions.
Can I hire you for just landscape or do I have to build a pool?
While most of our clients build pools and landscapes with us, we are more than happy to do a landscape-only design, or a pool-only design.
Pools & Hot Tubs
What is gunite? Why do you use gunite?
Gunite is mixture of cement, sand, and water, that is applied through a pressurized hose. This mixture produces a dense, hard layer of concrete that will provide a structurally sound pool that will long outlast any other type of pool.
What type of pools do you build?
We build 100% custom gunite pools- dive pools, sport pools, hot tubs
What type of pool equipment do you use?
We use only the best equipment and materials on our builds, which is why we always install Hayward pool equipment.
Do you do vinyl pools?
No, we only build gunite pools. Gunite pools are the most durable and will last the longest. They do not tear like vinyl, and you will not have to replace it unlike vinyl or fiberglass.
Do you do pebble-tec?
Yes, many of our customers chose a pebble-tec plaster for their pool. Pebble-tec adds dimension to the look of the plaster and is less abrasive and more comfortable on your feet.
How deep of a pool do I need to have a diving board?
Utah State Code requires “diving pools” to have a minimum depth of 9’.
What type of pool features can I have?
Water slides, bubblers, rain features, scuppers, rope swings, dive platforms, glass panel walls, sun decks, bahama benches, diving boards, in-pool basketball and volleyball, waterfalls, swim-up bars, underwater seating, swim jets, color-changing lights, infinity edges, deck jets
What is a sport pool?
Sport pools are customized for shallow water activities. Typically, they range in depth from 3 ½‘- 6’ at its deepest end, depending on customer preference. Sport pools are not designed to accommodate diving boards or water slides.
Is a prefab or gunite hot tub better?
Both kinds of hot tubs are good! We prefer gunite spas because they can be customized, can have automatic covers, and because they are built with rebar and gunite have greater longevity. Gunite spas can be any size, and have bigger equipment sets to provide more power. Prefab spas are better if you’re on a tighter budget, and can have more jets if you’re looking more for a therapy tub.
What size pool can I have?
We can build any size of pool, depending on your property and your budget.
Does my pool have to be rectangular?
No. Rectangular pools are common in Utah, but not required. If you want an automatic pool cover, the pool must be rectangular.
How much does it cost to heat my pool?
Our customer’s, on average, see a $300-$400/mo increase in their gas bill during summer months. That cost significantly increases during the winter should you not winterize and continue using your pool during the cold months.
Can I use my pool in the winter?
Absolutely! Pools do not have to be winterized when the weather changes. If you chose to not winterize your pool you will have to keep the pool’s heating equipment running to ensure the pipes do not freeze.
I have young children and am concerned about pool safety, what options do I have to make sure they stay safe?
Automatic safety pool covers are the most common safety feature we utilize. These covers are designed to be strong enough for a several full grown adult to stand on without falling in the water, we always use MIZU pool covers. The covers come with a keypad that require a code to open and close the cover. All properties In Utah with a pool are required to have a locking, 6’ fence around the property. Child-proof locks on doors leading to the backyard is another additional safety option.
Are salt or chlorine pools better?
This is a matter of personal preference. Most of our builds are salt water pools because they are incredibly gentle on your eyes and skin, they are considered safer than chlorine (handling chemicals), they feel like “soft water” as opposed to the hard water feel of chlorine pools.
How much does a basic pool cost?
Pool prices range widely due to size, depth, and features. Most swimming pools in Utah start around $120-$250k.
How do people afford pool/landscape builds?
For those who do not have the upfront cash to finance a build, Home Equity Line of Credits, or HELOCs, or Home Improvement Loans are methods to pursue. Two common companies for swimming pools loans that we work with are Lyon Financial and HFS Financial.
How long will my pool take to finish?
Average build time on a swimming pool is 2-3 months. This does not include landscaping and/or structures.
Do you offer pool maintenance?
We do not currently offer maintenance contracts on the pools. We can provide references for maintenance companies upon request.