How Do I Begin the Planning Process for a Swimming Pool?

ByMatt Gohlke January 5, 2025 Gohlke Pools Blog, Pool Planning Reading Time: 3 minutes

NOTE: THIS IS THE 4th IN A SERIES OF seven ARTICLES FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERING A SWIMMING POOL. THE NEXT ARTICLES WILL BE:

The Pros & Cons of Pool Ownership
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Swimming Pool?
How Long Does it Take to Build a Swimming Pool?
How Do I Begin the Planning Process for a Swimming Pool?
5 Tips on How to Select a Pool Builder
10 Reasons to Select Gohlke Pools as Your Pool Builder
Tips to Survive the Pool Construction Process

Like any large investment, it is critical that you take your time in making decisions. Following are some tips to help get you started on the proper path when purchasing a swimming pool:

Look at as many pools as you can—It is a good idea to visit your friends’ swimming pools and get their opinion on things that they would do different, but the best way to do this is on the internet. Google Images, Pinterest, Houzz, & Instagram are all good sources for pool ideas. As you see things that you like, make a list of them.
Discuss the project with your family—It is important that the pool meets your particular needs. Such items as the following should be considered:

Pool placement in the yard
Game pool or diving pool
Pool only or pool with spa
Decorative water features
Patio area for table and lounge chairs

Firepit/fireplace/lighting/etc.
Shade structure/pergola/gazebo
Outdoor cooking area
Putting green
Landscaping

Get a copy of your plot plan (also called survey plan) – This is a legal drawing of your property and is usually with your mortgage papers. It typically shows where the house is located on your property which will help determine how much backyard space that you have available. Often times, easements and building setbacks will limit the backyard space that is available.
Make some rough sketches of your ideas—This is optional, but many people find it helpful to make some of their own drawings before hiring a designer. It is best to sketch a scaled drawing, which makes the features relative size to each other. A scale ruler and graph paper can be purchased at most office supply or art stores. You can take the space that is shown on the plot plan and transfer it to your graph paper using either ¼” or 1/8” scale. On the drawing, include the fence, the back of the house, existing patios, trees, and anything that you want to keep. After you have some ideas of what you want and where you want it, it is time to call on pool construction companies to continue the planning process.

There are clearly many factors to consider when selecting the proper swimming pool for your situation—but proper planning and preparation will assure you that you get what fits your needs, yard, and budget.

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET STARTED! VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND FILL OUT THE “REQUEST A CONSULTATION” FORM TO GET THE PROCESS STARTED.

Matt Gohlke

Matt has been around the pool business since he was born. When he graduated college in 1984, he joined the family business working for Gohlke Pool Supply. The following year Matt and his father formed a partnership, Gohlke Custom Pools, and started offering pool construction.

Gohlke Pools Blog

Fall is a Great Time of Year to Enjoy Your Swimming Pool
ByMatt Gohlke September 8, 2022

It has been a very hot summer, as we have had 43 days of 100 degrees or more, with our last 100-degree day being August 17th. Since that time, it has been surprisingly milder. The average date for our last 100-degree day is August 26th, although we did have a 100 degree day as late as October 3rd (1951). Hopefully, we have seen our last 100 degree day for 2022. Many who like spending time outdoors are aware that fall in the north Texas area is hard to beat for weather. The average temperatures for the next three months are as follows: These temperatures are ideal for being outdoors, especially in and around a swimming pool. As the ambient temperatures begin to fall this time…

Read More Fall is a Great Time of Year to Enjoy Your Swimming Pool
Gohlke Pools Blog

Winter Pool Care
ByMatt Gohlke October 5, 2011

As I was enjoying the cool morning temperatures recently on the first day of fall (September 23rd), it brought back some thoughts about how brutally hot this record-breaking summer was and how glad that I am that it is finally over. I graduated from Denton High School in 1980, and I remember the heat of the summer of 1980 and I really did not believe that it would be broken in my lifetime. I think that I even remember that there were t-shirts (“I survived the summer of 1980!”) to acknowledge it. It made me think about weather forecasting and if there was any way that we could have seen summer this coming. Did anyone predict it? I looked back at my Farmers’ Almanac 2011,…

Read More Winter Pool Care
Gohlke Pools Blog

A Holiday Message from Clay Nelson
ByMatt Gohlke November 26, 2014August 13, 2026

claynelsonlifebalance.com Family togetherness during the holiday season is something we look forward to, and often dread all at the same time. Ask 100 people why that is, and you will probably get 100 different answers that can all be wrapped up into one core thought, which is: Expectations! We each have our own expectation of what the holidays will bring to us and what they should look like. Yet, your picture-perfect expectations are not the same as other’s expectations, and you can end up in this sort of mess of unspoken worry and make-wrongs. So, would you like to give all-of-this up, and embrace the holidays for what they are meant to be? Following is some advice in how to do so: #1: Get grounded…

Read More A Holiday Message from Clay Nelson
Gohlke Pools Blog

Now is a Great Time to Have a Pool Heater
ByGohlke Pools March 20, 2026June 1, 2026

With ambient temperatures now starting to get into at least the 80’s consistently and occasionally the 90’s, pool water temperatures are increasing as well. As of this writing (March 20th), average pool water temperatures in the Denton area are in the mid 60’s—of course this depends on if the pool is shaded, if it has a dark surface, etc. For most of us, the pool water is still too cold to enjoy a swim. According to the National Oceanographic Data Center, 70-78 degrees is where most people feel comfortable swimming. I am not sure who “most people” are, but from what I have observed, 70-78 degrees is still a bit too cold for most of us north Texans. Although I have already seen some children…

Read More Now is a Great Time to Have a Pool Heater
Gohlke Pools Blog

Winter Is On the Way!
ByMatt Gohlke September 30, 2014

The 100 degree days appear to be over for this year. Soon it will be getting cold, and I have heard several weather forecasters call for a winter that is colder and wetter than normal. That doesn’t bode too well for pools if preparations aren’t made, especially in the Denton area. If you have ever viewed a Google satellite image of Denton or have flown over Denton in a small aircraft, something is very noticeable: there are many trees in most areas of Denton. During pool season, these trees provide so much for the pool owner in the way of beautifying the pool environment, providing a cool spot near the pool, and providing shade for those that need sun protection. On the other hand, this…

Read More Winter Is On the Way!
Gohlke Pools Blog

The Perfect Storm—Why the Pool Industry is Experiencing Delays
ByMatt Gohlke March 10, 2021

Oxford Languages online dictionary defines a perfect storm as “a particular bad or critical state of affairs, arising from a number of negative and unpredictable factors.” In a nutshell, that is exactly what has happened to the pool industry to cause the delays. The confluences that have caused the delays that the pool industry is currently experiencing is the shortage of skilled craftsmen, followed by the increased demand caused by the pandemic, and finally—the freeze damage in Texas. Shortage of Skilled CraftsmenIf you have tried to have home repairs or remodeling done over the past few years you are probably already aware of how difficult it can be to find someone to do the project, especially of the high-quality variety—from plumbers to electricians to HVAC…

Read More The Perfect Storm—Why the Pool Industry is Experiencing Delays

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