Many people love taking a dip in the pool during the hot days of summer. Do you enjoy swimming as many other Americans do? If so, why not build a pool on your property if you don't already have one? If you want a great workout, a natural way to cool off, and a space for hosting loved ones, here are steps to take before an inground pool company comes to your property.

Find a Contractor

Before building an inground pool, you must find the right contractor. You could start by seeking referrals from people in your circle with a pool on their property. Once you've narrowed down a few choices, check out reviews online. Always ask a contractor for a valid license, so you know they have the legal right to build pools within your local vicinity or state. That way, you'll know they understand the proper procedures and safety practices to use on your property. The contractor should also have valid insurance to cover them if they have an accident while working. With their insurance, you won't be held liable for any medical care they'll need from such an accident.

Choose a Design

One of the great things about building a custom pool is that they don't all come in the same shape and size. You can decide on your pool design and any added features you want to include. Understand you may have some restrictions in terms of the overall size based on how much landscape you have available. At this time, you can also decide if you want to add a waterfall, slide, diving board, or even a jacuzzi or spa pool to the side. Find inspiration online from sites such as Pinterest and pool magazines. Don't forget to also check out pools that your friends and family may have and can take photos for inspiration to see if your inground pool contractor can use a similar design. Your inground pool company also has a portfolio they can show of previous designs you may like and wish to further customize.

Get Permits

Doing pool construction on your residential property involves permits. The type of permit you need will depend on your location and the size of the pool you're installing. Check with local authorities to see how long it will take to get a permit, how much it'll cost, and what you need to apply for it. There may be restrictions in terms of how far the pool can be from your main house, how deep it can be, safety issues, required fencing, drainage, and more. When you have a consultation with your inground pool company, they can walk you through all of these steps and handle the permit paperwork process for you.

Clear the Area

Before your inground pool contractor gets to work, they'll need to clear space for the installation. So if you have trees and tons of vegetation in the area where you envision your pool, you may have to call a land-clearing service or arborist to help you. They need to get rid of debris, rocks, trees, or shrubs in the area. You may also need to pay close attention to any utilities such as electrical, gas, or water lines.

Schedule the Installation

With the above steps in order, it's time to schedule your installation. Depending on the complexity of the pool design, it may take a few weeks or even months to finalize it. In addition to designing the pool, contractors must dig out the area, seal the pool walls in, hook things up properly, and so on. Contractors must also pay attention to the climate that you're in, as that can also cause delays in the installation schedule. If you want to be able to enjoy your pool before summer is over, you may want to get the ball rolling now.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming is the number-one activity among kids and teens in the United States. If you want to keep your family active, calling a local inground pool company is a great way to get started. Even when you're not having diving contests, your pool is a great space for outdoor summer barbecues, birthday parties, and more. When you're ready to add this feature to your home, call BlueWave Pools & Spas today.