Since we are getting into the busiest part of the year for fiberglass pool installations, it feels like a good time to revisit a question that comes up several times a week in our conversations with homeowners in Massachusetts. The sun is out, the temperatures are climbing, and potential customers are asking us: “do I have enough space for a fiberglass pool?”
Naturally, I can’t answer this question without knowing the dimensions of your property. Even better would be an on-site visit from one of our design consultants (which is completely free, by the way).
However, 20+ years of experience in this business have taught me that homeowners go online for quick answers first. So, I’m going to do what I can to give you some accurate insights. To make things easier, I’m going to start off with a broad answer and then add a few details I think will help.
Almost Anyone Can Have a Fiberglass Pool…
We have worked with homeowners who have very small backyards and those with massive acreage, along with hundreds in between. In truth, it’s pretty rare to come across a property that can’t support a fiberglass pool, even if it isn’t a huge one.
Because fiberglass pools are manufactured at scale, the companies that make them produce different models for various sizes and layouts. Even if you haven’t seen a fiberglass pool that would work in the space you have set aside it might still be possible to order one that would.
…But Most Homeowners Underestimate the Space They’ll Need
Having already told you that most properties can accommodate a fiberglass pool, I need to give you an important caveat. Most homeowners underestimate how much space they’ll actually need to comfortably fit their fiberglass pool into a backyard.
The reason is simple: you can easily measure out the footprint of the pool itself. But you might not fully appreciate how much room you need for other accessories and patio elements. We are almost never hired to put in a fiberglass pool without a deck, a grill, some umbrellas, or other features. You might also need a retaining wall for structural support, or some hidden pipework for drainage. All of that can take up more room than is immediately apparent.
Even more important to remember is that these are just the elements for the finished patio. Getting them put into place is another challenge. That brings me to another great point.
Access is Just as Important as Square Footage
When we install a fiberglass pool onto a customer’s property we have to bring in excavating equipment, move utilities, and operate a crane to drop the manufactured pool into place. We might also need machinery to remove trees, break up concrete, or carry away soil and other materials.
The point is that all of this equipment needs access and space to operate. Finding that room is almost always a bigger challenge than actually fitting the pool itself. And it’s one of the reasons why an on-site consultation is such a crucial part of the process.
Local Rules and Regulations Might Limit Sizing Choices
Forgetting the design challenges and technical considerations I have already mentioned, there will potentially be local building regulations or zoning laws to consider. For example, your permit might specify that a pool or patio be set back a certain distance from the property line, or that easements are maintained. You might need to plan for utility clearances, or to install fencing for the benefit of neighbors.
Each of these requirements could eat into the square footage you had planned for your pool, once again reducing space beyond the footprint of the pool and/or deck you’re thinking of.
You’ll Need to Plan Around Obstacles
I’m fond of reminding customers that no two properties in Massachusetts are ever the same. Even if they were to have identical square footage, and be located in the same city or township, they would still be unique. Each one would have its own soil, slope, trees, and structures. The sun could travel over the property in a different way, and the house could be positioned in a way that offers unique opportunities and challenges.
What I’m getting at here is the need to think beyond simple numbers and measurements and into practical building concerns. When you factor these in it’s almost always the case that the usable area on a property is slightly smaller than expected.
A Bigger Fiberglass Pool Isn’t Necessarily Better
Now that I’ve given you all of the bad news, let me wrap up on a positive note. It’s still true that almost any Massachusetts homeowner can have a fiberglass pool. It’s also the case that your pool probably doesn’t need to be as big as you would imagine to add significant value to your home and lifestyle. In fact, it’s very frequently the case that a smaller pool can serve as a more relaxing focal point for a backyard because it doesn’t dominate in the way the larger pool would.
In short, it’s a good idea to get the design consultation and a focus on what works for your plans, not just the amount of ground you have to work with.
Want Help Planning Your Perfect Patio?
At Stefano’s Landscaping, we don’t just install fiberglass pools in the Saugus, Massachusetts area. Our bigger mission is to help our customers turn their outdoor spaces into private resorts that they can enjoy for decades to come. That means drilling down into dreams, design ideas, and even details like budgets and building regulations to ensure they get the very best.
If you want to get the process started, or just to see what we can do to bring your vision to life, then get in touch with us today to schedule a free at-home consultation. We’ll send a member of our design team to meet with you, answer your questions, and give you a quote and timeline you can count on. Then it will be up to you to decide whether you want to move forward or wait for another day.
The first move is yours, so why not contact us now and begin the process for free?