If you’re thinking about adding a swimming pool to your backyard, you might be searching for pool designers near me to try and find the perfect one. After all, this is a significant undertaking and you want to ensure that you are happy with the entire process, from start to finish.
If you’ve begun this search then you likely know you have more than one direction you could choose to go. There are pool companies who obviously do this type of work but there are also landscape design companies that design and build pools.
Which route makes the most sense and will it impact your design and overall experience? In this article, we’ll compare landscape and pool design companies so that you can make the best choice.
Landscape and Pool Design Companies: What’s the Difference?
For a lot of homeowners, the initial thought to having a pool built is that you should choose a pool company. A pool company is one that exclusively focuses on pools. While that might seem like a benefit, looking at your backyard from that single lens can potentially be problematic when it comes to your finished project. That’s largely because a pool builder is going to have the blinders on and be solely focused on the pool itself.
It’s not uncommon for pool companies to also be accustomed to building pools a certain way and they rarely deviate from their methods.
Let’s dig a little deeper into how these differences can impact your experience and your finished project.
Missing Important Amenities
As we mentioned, one of the big problems with a pool designer that is focused on just the pool is that they end up making the landscaping and any other outdoor living amenities an afterthought. But these elements are essential to the overall look and enjoyment of the space as a whole and deserve to be thought of as so much more.
After all, when you think about spending time at your swimming pool, you probably don’t just think about swimming. You might also think about cooking some hamburgers in your nearby outdoor kitchen or you might imagine lounging under the pergola or pavilion while your kids are swimming. 
Here are just some of the features commonly found in conjunction with pools.
- Pool patio
- Outdoor kitchen
- Landscape lighting
- Pavilion or pergola
- Retaining walls and site grading
- Walkways and steps
- Fire features
- Pool plantings
- Poolhouse
Unfortunately, when you work with a pool company that only builds pools, these features are generally considered “extras,” outside of their realm of experience. That means that you’ll need to later hire a landscape designer for the pool at a later date. But adding features like a pavilion or an outdoor kitchen are large undertakings that honestly are best to complete at the time the pool is built. Not only does this help to ensure that the aesthetics make sense and the pool design works with the rest of the landscape, but it also prevents having to “dig twice.”
Even if you are having other elements of your outdoor living area phased (such as adding a pavilion or outdoor kitchen at a later date), you’d want to have footers installed or run gas, plumbing, and electric lines at the time of the initial dig. This will prevent the need to re-dig at a later date, saving you both time and money.
Risking a Cookie-Cutter Design
Another problem with choosing a pool builder over a landscape designer for pools is that you might lose out on the opportunity to have an original design. A lot of pool builders get so accustomed to building a pool a certain way, that they end up having a relatively cookie-cutter set of offerings. But we find that many homeowners are looking for pool designers in Ashburn, Leesburg, and Great Falls, VA that can offer a custom option.
Of course, what some companies call “custom” can be questionable.
The best way to gauge whether or not a pool builder truly designs (and builds) custom pools is to look through their portfolio of projects that they’ve already completed. Do a lot of them look similar? Perhaps they do several different styles of pools but don’t deviate beyond that. If so, their work might not really be “custom” after all. Some pool companies will offer you a handful of designs to choose from and call it custom. But if you want a pool that is truly your own, unique design, this is not your best option.
At Rock Water Farm, we tell customers that they should never be able to spot a pool and say “that’s definitely a Rock Water Farm pool.” That’s because each and every pool that we complete (from design to build) is wholly original.
Along with that, a benefit that you gain from working with a landscape designer for pools as opposed to a pool builder is access to many different ideas a pool builder likely wouldn’t bring up. Whether you already had some ideas for features for your pool or not, a landscape designer is more inclined to have design ideas that can enhance your space in ways you may never have thought about.
Potentially Being Told “No”
Another area where a landscape designer for pools can really shine is on difficult properties such as one with a steep slope or with limited space to fit a pool.
In fact, on these types of properties, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to be told “No,” they can’t have a pool. That’s largely due to the fact that a pool builder can’t implement a cookie-cutter option. Difficult properties require out-of-the-box thinking and creative, custom solutions.
Fortunately, landscape designers for pools are masters of ingenuity and can often overcome many property challenges. It helps that landscape designers are experts in the landscape itself and understand what works and what doesn’t.
Building a pool on a slope actually opens the door to some really amazing possibilities including multi-level patio areas, a swim-up bar, or even an infinity edge. These types of design features can truly take your pool to a whole new level of wow factor and overall enjoyment.
Ongoing Maintenance Considerations
As you can see, there are many ways that the design/build experience can differ between landscape and pool design companies during the process. But it can also differ after your pool is installed and complete. Whereas a pool builder will likely be ready to quickly move on to the next client, a landscape designer like Rock Water Farm is focused on building long-term relationships.
After all, a pool builder that only does pools needs to get as many of them installed in a building season as possible. But a landscape designer can actually transition into maintaining your pool area, too. Landscape maintenance is such an important aspect of keeping your pool area looking and performing its best and who better to care for it than the same company that designed and built the space?
Choosing the Best Pool Designers Near Me
As you look for pool designers in Ashburn, Leesburg, and Great Falls, VA, we know that your choices are varied. But when it comes to something as important as your backyard swimming pool—a space where memories will be made for years to come—there is no room for compromise. 
That’s why a landscape designer for pools can make a huge difference both in the overall experience that you have and, most importantly, your finished product.
Of course, not all landscape designers who build pools are the optimal choice. There are certainly some companies that are better than others and chances are, you’re looking for the best. You want a company that can take your wants, needs, and ideas and make them even better with their own experience and ideas. You also likely want a turnkey solution so that when your pool area is finished, it’s truly finished. You don’t have to later hire someone else to handle the landscaping or add other outdoor living elements.
At Rock Water Farm, we believe that your backyard pool is more than just a pool. It’s an amazing space where you and your family will make lifelong memories. That’s why you need a complete outdoor living environment to accompany your pool. You want a space where you can hang out long after everyone is done swimming. That is a place where you can lounge, cook, eat, and play.
You also want a pool that is truly your own!
As you move closer to taking your pool dreams and making them a reality, we are here to be your guide. We have a knowledgeable team that can answer any of your questions or assist you in any way. Unlike a pool company that is looking to install as many pools as they can in a season, we’re here for the long-haul. That should give you peace of mind that your dream project is in good hands.
If you’d like to discuss adding a pool or poolscape to your Ashburn, Leesburg, or Great Falls, VA backyard, talk to an expert, choose a solution that rocks, and then get ready to see your dream come to life.
