October 27, 2025
The biggest mistake a future pool owner can make is choosing the wrong company for their backyard pool project. Some companies focus strictly on installing the pool shell, others do everything but the pool, while some will do everything. Understanding these differences between companies is crucial before you make a call. Choosing the right company for your backyard project can save time, money, and frustration later in the process.
One of the first questions to answer before deciding if a pool contractor, landscaping company, or full service design-build firm is right for you is to determine how you actually plan to use your backyard. Is the space only for swimming? Will it be used as an entertainment are? Is it used for sport? A pool alone serves a purpose, but outdoor living features are often what draw people outside when they’re not swimming. Dining areas, comfortable seating, fire features, and spaces to relax or watch a game all extend the value of the investment. These are the type of things you have to consider before you start looking for a pool contractor.
Once you know what the space will be used for, it is time to start looking for companies and contractors. It is important to know a pool project typically involves bringing several contractors on-board. Depending on the scope, you may need excavation, utility work, drainage planning, hardscape installation, landscaping, fencing, lighting, and sometimes specialty permitting support.
Most traditional pool contractors focus primarily on installing the pool itself. Their scope typically includes excavation, setting the pool, plumbing, and basic finishing work, but they often rely on other contractors to handle surrounding elements like patios, landscaping, drainage, or outdoor living features. This can lead to gaps in coordination, where timelines don’t align and important details like grading or utility placement get overlooked. While they may do a solid job on the pool structure, the overall backyard experience can feel pieced together. These companies are great for people on a budget, and are looking for just a pool without any of the surrounding elements.
On the other hand, landscapers and designers specialize in the surrounding environment including patios, plantings, hardscapes, and outdoor living spaces. They excel at creating beautiful, cohesive outdoor areas, but may not have the technical expertise required for complex pool installations. In many cases, they subcontract the pool portion of the project, which introduces another layer of coordination. This can sometimes result in design compromises or construction challenges if the pool and landscape elements aren’t planned together from the start. Unless the company specializes in pools, we suggest staying away from landscapers for a backyard project when a pool will be installed.
Hiring a traditional pool company is often like hiring a foundation contractor when what you really need is a home designer. A standard pool contractor focuses on installing the pool itself, not designing the entire property around it. This can result in missed opportunities and costly adjustments later.
Critical questions such as where the pool can legally be placed, how close it can be to the home or property lines, and how it interacts with conservation land, septic systems, and leach fields must be answered before construction begins. In many cases, a basic pool installer cannot even start the project without bringing in a design-build firm, especially when environmental restrictions are involved.
A full-service contractor who uses the design-build method plans the entire project upfront. Budgeting includes drainage, fencing, lighting, plantings, and long-term usability from the beginning instead of treating them as afterthoughts. This approach results in a more cohesive design, fewer surprises, and a smoother construction process overall.
Choosing the right contractor for your backyard project, whether that be a pool company, full service contractor, or landscaper, means choosing a team that understands your vision and can operate within your budget. Everybody needs are different, and different companies serve different needs. If you have any more questions about what company would be best for your project, you can send us a message on our contact page and we will be able to help you quickly. We are more than happy to help answer any questions you have about the process!
